Study Outlines 48: Joseph Smith "The greatest event that has ever occurred in the world since the resurrection of the Son of God from the tomb and his ascension on high, was the coming of the Father and of the Son to that boy Joseph Smith, to prepare the way for the laying of the foundation of His kingdom, not the kingdom of man - never more to cease nor be overturned" Joseph F. Smith, as cited by Preston Nibley, Joseph Smith the Prophet, p. 28). "Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation, and is now engaged behind the veil in the great work of the last days...No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter in to the celestial Kingdom of God with out the consent of Joseph Smith.. "He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation - the keys to rule in the Spirit-world; and he rules there triumphantly...He was foreordained in eternity to preside over this last dispensation" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 7:289-90). "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it." (D&C 135:3) On the solid foundation of the Prophet Joseph's divine calling and the revelations of God, which came through him, we go forward.(Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Great Things Which God Has Revealed," Ensign, May 2005) During the study of this topic, you will learn the importance of the mission of Joseph Smith, what he accomplished and that he was a prophet of God. Resources:
The Articles of Faith, chapter 1.
Truth Restored, chapters 1, 8.
Joseph Smith History
Joseph Smith
Scriptures:
2 Nephi 3:7-16
"7 Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins.And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers.
8 And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him.And I will make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work.
9 And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.
10 And Moses will I raise up, to deliver thy people out of the land of Egypt.
11 But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them.
12 Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.
13 And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.
14 And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled.Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;
15 And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father.And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.
16 Yea, thus prophesied Joseph: I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord hath said unto me, I will preserve thy seed forever."
D&C 122 "The word of the Lord to Joseph Smith the Prophet, while he was a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri, March 1839. HC 3:300-301.
1 The ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision, and hell shall rage against thee;
2 While the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous, shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand.
3 And thy people shall never be turned against thee by the testimony of traitors.
4 And although their influence shall cast thee into trouble, and into bars and walls, thou shalt be had in honor; and but for a small moment and thy voice shall be more terrible in the midst of thine enemies than the fierce lion, because of thy righteousness; and thy God'shall stand by thee forever and ever.
5 If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;
6 If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;
7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all.Art thou greater than he?
9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass.Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God'shall be with you forever and ever." JS-H 1 "Joseph Smith tells of his ancestry, family members, and their early abodes An unusual excitement about religion prevails in western New York He determines to seek wisdom as directed by James The Father and the Son appear and Joseph is called to his prophetic ministry.(Verses 1-20.)
Some preachers and other professors of religion reject account of First Vision Persecution heaped upon Joseph Smith He testifies of the reality of the vision.(Verses 21-26.)
Moroni appears to Joseph Smith Joseph s name is to be known for good and evil among all nations Moroni tells him of the Book of Mormon and of the coming judgments of the Lord, and quotes many scriptures The hiding place of the gold plates is revealed Moroni continues to instruct the Prophet.(Verses 27-54.)
Joseph Smith marries Emma Hale He receives the gold plates from Moroni and translates some of the characters Martin Harris shows characters and translation to Professor Anthon, who says: I cannot read a sealed book.(Verses 55-65.)
Oliver Cowdery serves as scribe in translating the Book of Mormon Joseph and Oliver receive the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist They are baptized, ordained, and receive the spirit of prophecy.(Verses 66-75.)" Isaiah 29"Nephites shall speak as a voice from the dust The apostasy, restoration of the gospel, and coming forth of Book of Mormon are foretold Compare 2 Nephi 27." Topical Guide:
Joseph Smith
God, Privilege of Seeing
Martyrdom
Translate Bible Dictionary:
Joseph Smith Translation (JST) Guide to the Scriptures:
Smith, Joseph, Jr.
Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
First Vision
Joseph Smith Translation (JST)
Pearl of Great Price
Restoration of the Gospel