This is one of my favorite talks. Please give it a full listen/watch/read before commenting on itNo man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. brigham young
http://www.byui.edu/devotionals/jayson-kunzler
Brothers and sisters, thank you for being here. I am grateful for the invitation to address you, and pray that the Spirit of God may be present and teach us this afternoon.
In 1984, Elder Bruce R. McConkie described a survey that was given at the Missionary Training Center in Provo.1 The missionaries were asked to evaluate their own testimonies about ten different truths, including:
God is my Father.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Joseph Smith is a prophet of God.
The Book of Mormon is the word of God.
Spencer W. Kimball is a prophet of God today.
And five other doctrinal matters.
I quote what happened next from his biography:
In a very sober tone, Elder McConkie asked: "Would you be interested in knowing which of these [ten] areas was the lowest in terms of testimony?" Everyone nodded. He said: "The lowest area of testimony across elders, sisters, and couples [was]: Joseph Smith is a prophet of God.
...Elder McConkie [then] raised his voice and said: "Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong!"2
Brothers and sisters, Elder McConkie is right. If Joseph Smith—and the Restoration of the gospel through him—is not a fundamental part of our testimony, then something is definitely wrong. As President Joseph Fielding Smith said, "we link the names of Jesus Christ and of Joseph Smith."3 President Brigham Young taught the same principle. He said, "What I have received from the Lord, I have received by Joseph Smith...If I drop him, I must drop these principles...no man on the earth can say that Jesus lives, and deny, at the same time...the Prophet Joseph. This is my testimony."4
We should expect intense opposition to surround Joseph Smith because the experiences of his life represent, in the words of President Gordon B. Hinckley, "the hinge on which turns the gate that leads to salvation and eternal life."5 After the angel Moroni introduced himself to Joseph Smith, he told him that his "name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people."6
Today, it is obvious that Moroni's prophecy is fulfilled among the nations; but I invite each of us to sincerely reflect on his prophecy as it relates to our individual hearts. In your own heart, is Joseph Smith's name had for good—a name of virtue, purity and righteousness? Or, is his name had for evil—a name of a questionable character or wavering inconsistency? Elder McConkie believed that "the measure of a person's spiritual maturity is found in his or her loyalty to the Prophet Joseph Smith."7 How loyal are we to him?
We live in a time when the character of Joseph Smith is under attack. The attacks against him come from every quarter—both flagrant attacks from outside the Church, and more subtle and deadly attacks from among some members within.8 President Hinckley taught that now is a "day of fulfillment for [the] prophecy"9 recorded in Section 122 of the Doctrine and Covenants, wherein the Lord tells Joseph Smith that: "The ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision, and hell shall rage against thee; 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."10
The devil knows that if he can only destroy the character of the Prophet Joseph Smith in our hearts, then we will be barred from the presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ. As President Brigham Young testified:
No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, Junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are—I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent. He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation.11
Today, I would like to mention three things that can help each of us to prepare to know the Prophet Joseph Smith as he really was—and as he really is—that we may gain "entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are."12
Avoid False Voices
First, beware of the many voices—whether out of the Church or inside it—that humanize Joseph Smith by calling into question any aspect of his character. These voices come from those who "lift up the heel against [the Lord's] anointed, and cry that [he has] sinned when [he has] not sinned before me, saith the Lord, but [has] done that...which I commanded [him]."13 As the Lord warned, they "cry transgression...because they are the servants of sin, and are the children of disobedience themselves."14 President Ezra Taft Benson warned of those who point outalleged weaknesses of prophets like Joseph Smith. He said:
There have been and continue to be attempts to bring [a humanistic] philosophy into our own Church history...We would warn you teachers of this trend, which seems to be an effort to reinterpret the history of the Church so that it is more rationally appealing to the world...Some want to expose the weaknesses of Church leaders in an effort to show that they too are subject to human frailties and error like unto themselves...In view of the covenants taken in holy places, I would not have such temerity.15
Our beloved President Boyd K. Packer, who departed this life just a few months ago, echoed President Benson's warning. He said, "I have on occasion been disappointed when I have read in writings of those who are supposed to be worthy members of the Church statements that tend to belittle or degrade...past leaders of the Church."16 President Packer continued, "That historian or scholar who delights in pointing out the weakness and frailties of present or past leaders destroys faith. A destroyer of faith—particularly one within the Church—places himself in great spiritual jeopardy. He is serving the wrong master, and unless he repents, he will not be among the faithful in the eternities."17
These prophetic warnings expose real dangers that lurk around us now. Historical writings about Joseph Smith that are "more rationally appealing to the world"18 fail the Lord's test as set forth by the prophet Nephi. He said, "Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world."19
Some readers are attracted to writings that point out some perceived character flaw in the Prophet Joseph Smith because they think it will make them feel better about their own flaws or sins. Brothers and sisters, it is Satan who wants us to feel at ease about our sins; God, on the other hand, wants us to repent of them. Dwelling on the faults of anyone—especially assumed faults of the Lord's anointed—only leads to destruction. Remember, in the scriptures it is the devil, called a "liar from the beginning,"20 who is described as "the accuser of [the] brethren...which accused them before our God day and night."21 But Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum "have overcome [their accuser] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; for they loved not their own lives, but kept the testimony even unto death."22
What many see as wrongdoing in Joseph Smith was actually obedience to God. The Prophet taught that "the devil has great power to deceive; he will so transform things as to make one gape at those who are doing the will of God."23 If any hope to find a particle of evil in one so pure as Joseph Smith, they will find, as the Lord said, that "their hope shall be blasted, and their prospects shall melt away as the hoar frost melteth before the burning rays of the rising sun."24 Any evil they think they may find in Joseph Smith—no matter how widely believed—will be a lie, for he was righteous and pure.25 As President John Taylor testified:
I was acquainted with Joseph Smith for years. I traveled with him; I have been with him in public and in private...I was with him when he died...I have seen him under all these various circumstances, and I testify before God, angels, and men that he was a good, honorable, and virtuous man, that his private and public character was irreproachable, and that he lived and died a man of God.26
Joseph Smith declared, "I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent..."27 And he was innocent! "He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people."28 He said, "...I do not the wrongs that I am charged with doing...Do you think that even Jesus, if He were here, would be without fault in your eyes? His enemies said all manner of evil against Him—they all watched for iniquity in Him."29
Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ was sinless and perfectly obedient.30 But remember, it was the guilty hypocrites who accused him—even God—of being mad,31 of being gluttonous32 or greedy,33 of being a Sabbath breaker,34 of being austere35 or harsh, of being a winebibber36 or a drunk, or of things that we would call "black magic," or casting out devils by the power of the prince of devils.37 And above all, they even said that God himself38—"the greatest of all"39—"hath a devil."40 It is interesting that many of the accusations made against Jesus Christ have been and continue to be made against the Prophet Joseph Smith. Such accusations are evidence that he was more like the Savior than any other person on this earth. Please take a moment to ponder such testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith, given by those who knew him best:
Brigham Young
"Who can justly say aught [or anything] against Joseph Smith?41 I was as well acquainted with him, as any man. I do not believe that his father and mother knew him any better than I did. I do not think that a man lives on the earth that knew him any better than I did; and I am bold to say that, Jesus Christ excepted, no better man ever lived or does live upon this earth. I am his witness."42
John Taylor
"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."43
Boyd K. Packer
"...I know that Joseph Smith was a mighty prophet, seer, and revelator. With the exception of Jesus Christ, he is the greatest being who ever walked the face of this earth."44
Many others have also testified of the greatness of Joseph Smith. Let's take a moment to watch President Gordon B. Hinckley share his witness of the Prophet:
Though Joseph's life was taken at an early age, his testimony of the Eternal God and the risen Lord lives on with luster and eloquence. I look to him. I love him. I seek to follow him. I read his words, and they become the standards to be observed in guiding this great Church as it moves forward in fulfilling its eternal destiny. To slightly paraphrase the words of our wonderful hymn:
Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.
Ever and ever the keys he will hold.
Faithful and true, he has45 entered God's kingdom,
Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.
Such is my solemn and sacred witness to you, my brethren and sisters.46
What President Hinckley revealed about Joseph Smith is most sacred—I hope you felt it. I hope you also noticed that he, as president of the Church, said "I look to [Joseph Smith]. I love him. I seek to follow him. I read his words, and they become the standards to be observed in guiding this great Church."47
Search the Scriptures
This leads to the second thing we can do to more fully know the Prophet Joseph Smith—to study his words. Joseph Smith's words are still, and always will be, the standard for guiding the true Church of Christ. The Lord said:
Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as hereceiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;
For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.48
The Lord also told Joseph Smith that "this generation shall have my word through you."49 The word of the Lord—the standard works—have all come to us through Joseph Smith. He gave us the Bible—in particular those plain and precious excerpts in the Joseph Smith Translation; the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift of God; the Pearl of Great Price; and the Doctrine and Covenants. These books "contain the fulness of the everlasting gospel"50 of Jesus Christ, and they are essential for our salvation.51 King Benjamin's words have special meaning to us today, when he said, "...were it not for these [scriptures], which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God...even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should...know nothing concerning these things."52 53
In writing the scriptures, the ancient prophets had their eyes fixed, not only on Jesus Christ, but also Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith taught that "prophets, priests and kings have...looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day."54 We can come to see the Prophet Joseph—including his mission and his character—all throughout the scriptures. We can see him extensively in the words of Isaiah;55 in the great King Josiah;56 57 in the "stone...cut out of a mountain without hands"58 prophesied of by Daniel; as the "faithful and wise servant"59 spoken of by Jesus; and as the "choice seer" spoken of by Joseph60 and Lehi.61 We can find him hidden in parables such as the leaven hid in the three measures of meal,62and the servant who converses with the Lord throughout Zenos' allegory of the olive tree.63 We can find him with his brother Hyrum as the fellow-servants slain "under the altar that John saw,"64 65 66 and all throughout the Book of Revelation.67
As we humbly search the scriptures, we will come to know both Jesus Christ and his servant, Joseph Smith. In this connection, may I offer a suggestion to all of us? If we truly desire to know the Prophet, we must go to the right source—and that is not a Google search. As President Ezra Taft Benson taught, "Today, with the abundance of books available, it is the mark of a truly educated man to know what not to read."68The Lord gave us the key to knowing Joseph Smith when he said, "seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom."69 And what are the bestbooks? They are the scriptures.70 The Savior taught that we "shall know them by their fruits."71 We will come to know the Prophet by daily partaking of his fruit—the scriptures—more than any other writings.72 73 74
Be Loyal to the Church
The third thing we must do to come to know Joseph Smith is to be loyal to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We cannot know the Savior or Joseph Smith without being one hundred percent loyal to this Church, and to the priesthood keys held by the prophets who now preside over it. Elder Heber C. Kimball prophesied of a time "when you will have all the trouble, trial and persecution that you can stand, and plenty of opportunities to show that you are true to God and his work."75 I believe that time is at hand. The Prophet Joseph Smith gave us a key for navigating such troubled times. He said:
All Saints! Profit by this important Key—that in all your trials, troubles, temptations, afflictions, bonds, imprisonments and death, see to it...that you do not betray Jesus Christ; that you do not betray the brethren; that you do not betray the revelations of God, whether in the Bible, Book of Mormon, or Doctrine and Covenants...Yea, in all your kicking and flounderings, see to it that you do not this thing, lest innocent blood be found upon your skirts, and you go down to hell.76
As President Ezra Taft Benson taught, "Our task is to stick with the kingdom, not to let anything or anybody disaffect or sour us toward that great gift which Christ has given us—his church."77
Who is Joseph Smith?
Today, we have reflected on a few testimonies of and about Joseph Smith. We know he is a mighty prophet. We know that he is a choice seer, and the great revelator and testator. Although we have received so many blessings through him, do we really know him? Do we know how great he really is? He said "...You don't know me; you never knew my heart. No man knows my history. I cannot tell it: I shall never undertake it...I never did harm any man since I was born in the world...I never think any evil,78 nor do anything to the harm of my fellow-man. When I am called by the trump of the archangel and weighed in the balance, you will all know me then. I add no more. God bless you all."79
Perhaps we will only fully know the greatness of Joseph Smith after this life. According to those who associated with him, the Prophet said, "Would to God, brethren, I could tell you who I am! Would to God I could tell you what I know! But you would call it blasphemy, and there are men upon this stand who would want to take my life."80
Such evil men did take the life of Joseph Smith. But, as Brigham Young testified, "though they have killed his body, yet he lives and beholds the face of his Father in Heaven."81 Today, I believe, and am sure, that Joseph Smith has "triumph[ed] over all his enemies...and the last enemy was death."82
In Due Time
Brothers and sisters, we have not seen the last of Joseph Smith. He is not merely a prophet of the past. When Joseph and Hyrum were in Carthage, Elder Parley P. Pratt was traveling on his way home to Nauvoo from a mission. In the very hour their innocent blood was being shed, "a strange and solemn awe" came over Elder Pratt, "as if the powers of hell were let loose."83 When he later heard that Joseph and Hyrum had been killed, he cried out in anguish:
O Lord! In the name of Jesus Christ I pray Thee, show me what these things mean, and what I shall say to Thy people [in Nauvoo]? On a sudden the Spirit of God came upon me...and while the spirit of revelation glowed in my bosom with as visible a warmth and gladness as if it were fire. The Spirit said unto me: "Lift up your head and rejoice; for behold! It is well with my servants Joseph and Hyrum. My servant Joseph still holds the keys of my kingdom in this dispensation, and he shall stand in due time on the earth, in the flesh, and fulfill that to which he is appointed.84
President Brigham Young gave the same witness. He said:
Joseph Smith, Jr. will again be on this earth dictating plans and calling forth his brethren...and he will never cease his operations, under the directions of the Son of God, until the last ones of the children of men are saved that can be, from Adam till now.
Should not this thought comfort all people? They will, by-and-by, be a thousand times more thankful for such a man as Joseph Smith, Junior, than it is possible for them to be for any earthly good whatever. It is his mission to see that all the children of men...are saved, that can be, through the redemption.85
Now, brothers and sisters, when compared to these testimonies of the Lord's prophets, my own testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith may mean very little to you. But, it is everything to me. All spiritual blessings from the Lord have come to me because of Joseph Smith. All of the scriptures, the priesthood, my baptism for the remission of my sins, the Gift of the Holy Ghost which bears a true witness of the Father and the Son to me, the ordinances of the temple which bind my ancestors and my posterity to me and my precious wife—all of these blessings and endless others are given unto me because of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I love him. It is because of him that the very blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ can be fastened and made sure unto us.
I invite all to gain a sound and enduring witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, which has come through him. It is my prayer that each of us will reverence the name of Joseph Smith in word and in deed, that in a future day many of us—perhaps millions—"shall know Brother Joseph again."86 In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
