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Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith
Sermons and writings of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, as compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith.
437 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1938
187 people are currently reading
1,806 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Smith Jr.
642books278followersJoseph Smith, Jr. was the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, also known as Mormonism, and an important religious and political figure during the 1830s and 1840s. In 1827, Smith began to gather a religious following after announcing that an angel had shown him a set of golden plates describing a visit of Jesus to the indigenous peoples of the Americas. In 1830, Smith published what he said was a translation of these plates as the Book of Mormon, and the same year he organized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
For most of the 1830s, Smith lived in Kirtland, Ohio, which remained the headquarters of the church until Smith began encouraging members to gather the church to a Latter Day Saint settlement in Missouri. There, tensions between Mormons and non-Mormons resulted in the expelling of the Mormons. Smith and his people then settled in Nauvoo, Illinois where they began building a new temple aided by new converts from Europe. He was assassinated by a mob of non-Mormons at the age of 38.
Smith's followers consider him a prophet and have canonized some of his revelations as sacred texts on par with the Bible. His legacy as a leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been recognized by millions of adherents.
For most of the 1830s, Smith lived in Kirtland, Ohio, which remained the headquarters of the church until Smith began encouraging members to gather the church to a Latter Day Saint settlement in Missouri. There, tensions between Mormons and non-Mormons resulted in the expelling of the Mormons. Smith and his people then settled in Nauvoo, Illinois where they began building a new temple aided by new converts from Europe. He was assassinated by a mob of non-Mormons at the age of 38.
Smith's followers consider him a prophet and have canonized some of his revelations as sacred texts on par with the Bible. His legacy as a leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been recognized by millions of adherents.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
June 10, 2021
What did the Biblical prophets all have in common? They spoke of the coming of the Messiah and warned the people to repent. Starting with the Apostles, speaking after the coming of the Messiah, what do true prophets of God all have in common? They speak of Christ's SecondComing and warn the people to repent. That being the case, has the need for prophets passed? Considering all the tough choices we face today, wouldn't it be wonderfulto have a prophet to help guide us?
Ever since the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph Smith in 1830, prophets have been an integral part of the Church. Joseph, being the first one, probably received more than his share of revelations in answer to ferventprayer and fasting, and not because of self-induced trances or drug use. Bycommunicating in various ways, such as dreams, visions, or angelic visitations, Joseph was taught and guided as to what he must do.
Prophecies are not meant to be popular or even politically correct, thus provoking the wicked through the ages to kill, and they eventually did kill him. This book, "The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith'' contains excerpts from sermons, discussions, and letters of his. For an uneducated person who did not have the convenience of a smart phone to Google for information, the man was eloquent and well versed in German, Hebrew, and Greek.
This is a 'must read' for any memberof the Church, and even those curious as to what a present day prophet might teach..
Ever since the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph Smith in 1830, prophets have been an integral part of the Church. Joseph, being the first one, probably received more than his share of revelations in answer to ferventprayer and fasting, and not because of self-induced trances or drug use. Bycommunicating in various ways, such as dreams, visions, or angelic visitations, Joseph was taught and guided as to what he must do.
Prophecies are not meant to be popular or even politically correct, thus provoking the wicked through the ages to kill, and they eventually did kill him. This book, "The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith'' contains excerpts from sermons, discussions, and letters of his. For an uneducated person who did not have the convenience of a smart phone to Google for information, the man was eloquent and well versed in German, Hebrew, and Greek.
This is a 'must read' for any memberof the Church, and even those curious as to what a present day prophet might teach..
October 25, 2008
It occurred to me once that the vast majority of the words we regularly read from Joseph Smith are not his own words but things he translated or otherwise received from God. It was a wonderful experience to read this book and finally feel like I knew and understood Joseph. His personality came out and he felt real. My feelings about his prophetic calling went from belief/hope to confidence. He had such a depth of understanding that I continually felt inclined to believe that his wisdom was scarcely matched by even the ancient prophets.
Read
April 11, 2009This is one of my favorite books ever.
J.S. was really a genius. You can't read this without thinking that. Especially towards the end.
He definitely got more powerful towards the end.
Some of his sayings are pure gold. (And he's funny, too!--which some people don't think about.)
The thing I like about him is that he's really specific and detailed. (Like my dad said one time about watching "The Dukes of Hazard." "You watch it for five minutes, and you'll see something you've never seen before on tv.")
I had that thought listening to religious talk radio the other day. Some Biblical explication really vague, uninteresting, general. I thought, "Anyone could think of that."
So, here's one random example, of what I said: gold. "Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject."
I like it b/c--theoretically, if you believe it--he did see into heaven more than five minutes. I believe it.
Okay/Sincerely.
J.S. was really a genius. You can't read this without thinking that. Especially towards the end.
He definitely got more powerful towards the end.
Some of his sayings are pure gold. (And he's funny, too!--which some people don't think about.)
The thing I like about him is that he's really specific and detailed. (Like my dad said one time about watching "The Dukes of Hazard." "You watch it for five minutes, and you'll see something you've never seen before on tv.")
I had that thought listening to religious talk radio the other day. Some Biblical explication really vague, uninteresting, general. I thought, "Anyone could think of that."
So, here's one random example, of what I said: gold. "Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject."
I like it b/c--theoretically, if you believe it--he did see into heaven more than five minutes. I believe it.
Okay/Sincerely.
May 12, 2011
This book was amazing. It really makes it possible to get to know who Joseph was. It starts out with many of his letters that he wrote as he was trying to direct the growth of the church in multiple cities. Just like the New Testament, doctrine was expounded as he tried to curb problems in the church.
As the book goes on it gets into some of the sermons that he gave. It includes some of his more well known sermons such as the King Follett discourse. It also includes some lesser well known sermons that he gave.
It was definitely worth the read. Having studied the gospel my whole life, there wasn't any new doctrine, but it really helped me get inside the mind of Joseph Smith a little bit better and that was my main objective.
This book is filled with pearls, but I'll just share a few that stuck out to me.
On obedience:
"...we cannot keep all the commandments without first knowing them, and we cannot expect to know all, or more than we now know unless we comply with or keep those we have already received."
On the law of consecration:
"...nothing more nor less than to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit the widow and fatherless, the sick and afflicted, and do all he can to administer to their relief in their afflictions, and for him and his house to serve the Lord."
On missionary work:
"After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the gospel."
On condemning others:
"And I will now covenant with you before God that I will not listen to or credit any derogatory report against any of you, nor condemn you...until I can see you face to face."
On his own worthiness:
"I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught."
On the saints in Nauvoo (as he left for Carthage Jail)
"This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens: little do they know the trials that await them."
Those were just a few that stuck out to me. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to really understand the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
As the book goes on it gets into some of the sermons that he gave. It includes some of his more well known sermons such as the King Follett discourse. It also includes some lesser well known sermons that he gave.
It was definitely worth the read. Having studied the gospel my whole life, there wasn't any new doctrine, but it really helped me get inside the mind of Joseph Smith a little bit better and that was my main objective.
This book is filled with pearls, but I'll just share a few that stuck out to me.
On obedience:
"...we cannot keep all the commandments without first knowing them, and we cannot expect to know all, or more than we now know unless we comply with or keep those we have already received."
On the law of consecration:
"...nothing more nor less than to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit the widow and fatherless, the sick and afflicted, and do all he can to administer to their relief in their afflictions, and for him and his house to serve the Lord."
On missionary work:
"After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the gospel."
On condemning others:
"And I will now covenant with you before God that I will not listen to or credit any derogatory report against any of you, nor condemn you...until I can see you face to face."
On his own worthiness:
"I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught."
On the saints in Nauvoo (as he left for Carthage Jail)
"This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens: little do they know the trials that await them."
Those were just a few that stuck out to me. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to really understand the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
June 19, 2020
I never could have imagined how much this book would have affected me thus far when I first started. The Prophet Joseph was a complex man. It amazes me how deeply he understood the spiritual matters he brought up and how much he strived to not allow the plethora of bad that was consistently in his life to take him to thoughts he didn't want. It shocked me how many languages he had taken time to learn about too. Yes, as he himself often pointed out, he was a man, but he was a man who tried his best, a man with callings that he took seriously-everyone of them, a man with deep convictions and compassion. I honor and praise (not worship) him, not because of some blind faith, but because he portrayed so often a level of faith in his own life that could only be shown by a true believer in a being that is worthy of that faith and worship, Jesus Christ.
January 7, 2015
I got this book as a gift from my parents 22 years ago and it has been the best birthday gift anyone ever gave me, period. If you are looking for a summary of LDS doctrine, this is not the right book. It was compiled for an audience that was presumed to already be quite familiar with the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants in their entirety.
However, if you are familiar with those this book is astonishing in its sheer doctrinal power. I like to use the phrase "post card doctrine" for scriptural insights that typically serve as the basis for a sunday school lesson. We enjoy them when we hear them (who objects to getting a post card?), but they are forgotten almost as soon as they are received and neither the student nor the teacher is apt to remember them two weeks later. They are the light snack of the gospel banquet.
This book is the thanksgiving feast of the gospel banquet. You can read it as many times as you like and you still won't get everything there is to learn from it. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and the depth, breadth and sheer power of the doctrine in this book is astonishing. I wish I had even a small fraction of Joseph Smith's knowledge of the gospel.
However, if you are familiar with those this book is astonishing in its sheer doctrinal power. I like to use the phrase "post card doctrine" for scriptural insights that typically serve as the basis for a sunday school lesson. We enjoy them when we hear them (who objects to getting a post card?), but they are forgotten almost as soon as they are received and neither the student nor the teacher is apt to remember them two weeks later. They are the light snack of the gospel banquet.
This book is the thanksgiving feast of the gospel banquet. You can read it as many times as you like and you still won't get everything there is to learn from it. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and the depth, breadth and sheer power of the doctrine in this book is astonishing. I wish I had even a small fraction of Joseph Smith's knowledge of the gospel.
July 12, 2012
One of my best loved books.
August 1, 2016
Fantastic insights in this book. Not easy to just sit and read through, but great in shorter segments, and an awesome resource and reference.
December 31, 2020
Wow! Reading this book from cover to cover I found it to be a very different book than I thought it was.
It contains a number of complete discourses.
It contains many things that I had no idea were in there - surprises - things that I will want to refer to again to more completely understand them.
I read it in the Deseret Bookshelf app.
It contains a number of complete discourses.
It contains many things that I had no idea were in there - surprises - things that I will want to refer to again to more completely understand them.
I read it in the Deseret Bookshelf app.
March 18, 2021
The book was insightful. Loved it.
January 10, 2018
I absolutely love this slim volume of collected teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and have both read it through from cover to cover as well as using it as a reference for questions that I have had. It is just remarkable and shows the inspiration that stood behind Joseph Smith's teachings. The doctrines are set out in a way that we can both comprehend the character of God and learn what it takes to progress in our lives to become more Christ-like in our character.
“If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves.”
( History of the Church, 6:303. )
“When you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.”
( Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 151.)
“We came to this earth that we might have a body and present it pure before God in the celestial kingdom. The great principle of happiness consists in having a body. The devil has no body, and herein is his punishment. He is pleased when he can obtain the tabernacle of man. . . . All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not.”
( Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 181.)
Although the Joseph Smith Papers have filled in a lot more than this ever could have addressed, it still stands by the "standard works" of religion on my bookshelf. It contains mind-expanding restored doctrine of who we are and why we are experiencing mortality with all of its highs and lows. It gives the reader so much Hope.
I agree with Joe Hunt that it just gets better, the further you read in this volume. The doctrines are mind-blowing. It's why I became a member of this church as a 10-year old and have never looked back or regretted my decision.
“Surely I have contemplated the things of God.”
( History of the Church 5:554 )
“If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves.”
( History of the Church, 6:303. )
“When you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.”
( Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 151.)
“We came to this earth that we might have a body and present it pure before God in the celestial kingdom. The great principle of happiness consists in having a body. The devil has no body, and herein is his punishment. He is pleased when he can obtain the tabernacle of man. . . . All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not.”
( Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 181.)
Although the Joseph Smith Papers have filled in a lot more than this ever could have addressed, it still stands by the "standard works" of religion on my bookshelf. It contains mind-expanding restored doctrine of who we are and why we are experiencing mortality with all of its highs and lows. It gives the reader so much Hope.
I agree with Joe Hunt that it just gets better, the further you read in this volume. The doctrines are mind-blowing. It's why I became a member of this church as a 10-year old and have never looked back or regretted my decision.
“Surely I have contemplated the things of God.”
( History of the Church 5:554 )
May 19, 2009
Good book. It's great to study the revelations and teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith. :) Here are a couple of my favorite quotes:
"Let the saints remember that great things depend on their individual exertion, and that they are called to be co-workers with us and the Holy Spirit in accomplishing the great work of the last days; and in consideration of the extent, the blessings and glories of the same, let every selfish feeling be not only buried, but annihilated; and let love to God and man predominate and reign triumphant in every mind, that their hearts may become like Enoch's of old, and comprehend all things, present, past and future, and come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ." - page 178
"Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to is; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God. But we cannot keep all the commandments without first knowing them, and we cannot expect to know all, or more than we now know unless we comply with or keep those we have already received." - page 255
"Let the saints remember that great things depend on their individual exertion, and that they are called to be co-workers with us and the Holy Spirit in accomplishing the great work of the last days; and in consideration of the extent, the blessings and glories of the same, let every selfish feeling be not only buried, but annihilated; and let love to God and man predominate and reign triumphant in every mind, that their hearts may become like Enoch's of old, and comprehend all things, present, past and future, and come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ." - page 178
"Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to is; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God. But we cannot keep all the commandments without first knowing them, and we cannot expect to know all, or more than we now know unless we comply with or keep those we have already received." - page 255
July 12, 2009
This is a great resource for people wanting to delve deeper than the prestine/pleasing Sunday School portrait of Joseph Smith. It also raises him above the equally misleading status as an illiterate charlatan. This compilation is neither exhaustive nor unbiased, in as much as it was assembled carefully by one of his successors in LDS Church leadership. Regardless, it's a resource, worth perusal by both devout and skeptical readers. I'm the latter in case it isn't apparent.
A closer reading of Joseph Smith's writing reveals he didn't have it all figured out following his early epiphanies. Whether by increasingly elaborate creativity, or by successive divine revelations, over roughly two decades Joseph Smith amassed a large and fascinating reservoir of theological writings.
I wouldn't recommend this as a starting point for studying Joseph Smith or Mormonism. But for the reasonably well-versed student of Mormon history and thought, it's probably a must read.
A closer reading of Joseph Smith's writing reveals he didn't have it all figured out following his early epiphanies. Whether by increasingly elaborate creativity, or by successive divine revelations, over roughly two decades Joseph Smith amassed a large and fascinating reservoir of theological writings.
I wouldn't recommend this as a starting point for studying Joseph Smith or Mormonism. But for the reasonably well-versed student of Mormon history and thought, it's probably a must read.
December 8, 2011
I read this every couple of years, and recently reread it. While I love having such a well-preserved canon of a life that was not as well-documented as historians in our modern era might like, I do sometimes wish there were more commentary on sources of texts included.
For instance, I only recently discovered that the text for the King Follett Sermon was synthesized from the records of four different diarists. I think many people assume that the words as printed are the words as delivered (as most 20th and 21st century texts are), and although I have for some time understood that this was a grammatically-smoothed, pieced-together record, that (word-for-word text) was my youthful belief as well.
Luckily, we have more recent scholarship that expands on the historical background of Joseph's preaching, but I still find this an approachable resource when I want to hold a book in my hands and sit in a chair. It was a good reread.
For instance, I only recently discovered that the text for the King Follett Sermon was synthesized from the records of four different diarists. I think many people assume that the words as printed are the words as delivered (as most 20th and 21st century texts are), and although I have for some time understood that this was a grammatically-smoothed, pieced-together record, that (word-for-word text) was my youthful belief as well.
Luckily, we have more recent scholarship that expands on the historical background of Joseph's preaching, but I still find this an approachable resource when I want to hold a book in my hands and sit in a chair. It was a good reread.
July 19, 2016
I thought the book was well compiled by President Joseph Fielding Smith. The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith were deep and you can tell that he continually pondered the word of God. I came to find that Joseph Smith taught more from the Bible than the Book of Mormon. Nevertheless, he emphasized the need to read the Book of Mormon.
The King Follett discourse was a delicious sermon given from the Prophet, at his best. The ending documentations of the events in Carthage Jail were important. I heard the accusations against the Prophet during my mission, but now I wish people would be willing to hear both sides of the story than to rush to a hasty, angry judgment.
Joseph Smith was, and is, a prophet of God!
The King Follett discourse was a delicious sermon given from the Prophet, at his best. The ending documentations of the events in Carthage Jail were important. I heard the accusations against the Prophet during my mission, but now I wish people would be willing to hear both sides of the story than to rush to a hasty, angry judgment.
Joseph Smith was, and is, a prophet of God!
February 22, 2008
I took an Institute class on Lectures on Faith and "other documents of scriptural stature." LOVED IT. The other documents included: The King Follett discourse, the Sermon in the Grove, the Origin of Man, Doctrinal Exposition on the Father and the Son, the Wentworth Letter, and the Family Proclamation. All wonderful. The Follett discourse and Sermon in the Grove are both in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (TPJS), I believe. Origin of Man is a 1st Presidency statement from ????. Doctrinal Exposition on the Father and the Son is in the appendix of Articles Of Faith, by ????. And the Wentworth Letter is the letter that ends with the Articles of Faith.
February 3, 2018
This book is a must read. However, you should also get the Words of Joseph Smith by Andrew Ehat. Teachings is compiled from various notetakers accounts of Joseph's sermons. It is helpful to have the consolidated teachings in this book, but in many cases reading the original accounts adds additional insight.
February 2, 2019
This was a good book to read. It's organized chronologically rather than topic so in some ways that was nice, but also a little choppy. I was actually thinking it would contain the Lectures on Faith, which it doesn't, but it does have the King Follet discourse which was interesting to read in its entirety.
June 11, 2020
A collection of teachings in chronological order. It is easier and more meaningful to read in snippets. Also some thoughts and ideas are more clearly understood when the background is explored. Still there are many profound teachings and eye-opening explanations of God and His kingdom.
February 6, 2021
A book absolutely filled with inspired writings of an amazing man. I loved that it hopped around from subject to subject. It was nice to have quick bursts of insights and quotes on various topics and thoughts. This is a book that I actually go back and thumb through weekly. Love it!
February 24, 2017
Excellent book. I learned so much. I will for sure be reading this again. I highly recommend.
July 24, 2017
Doctrinal clarity is given on every page and it is a wonderful book!
January 8, 2019
I loved this book! It was long and dry at times, but inspiring and memorable.
April 2, 2020
The content is great and deserves a higher rating, but it is not an easy read.
June 3, 2020
Extremely useful for foundational reference on LDS Doctrine
November 19, 2020
A chronicle of teachings from Prophet Joseph Smith...
March 10, 2021
Interesting. Grateful for this first book before the Joseph Smith papers came to be.
May 14, 2023
Ok, having not read this book before, and always having thought it would contain things I hadn't heard anything of when I finally took time for it, I was surprised how almost every page had at least one sentence that has been liberally scattered all through everything I have heard about or from Joseph Smith my whole life (30 years), and many pages had multiple items, and most of the book was things I'm not just familiar with but very familiar with. So that was nice to know for sure. I also was gratified to see that Elder Dale Renlund and other apostles have been quoting from this book (from Joseph Smith) extensively for the last several years, so they must be quite familiar with this book and/or have been rereading it, and for sure they see the value in continuing to teach Joseph's own words straight from his own way of saying it, more than many other things they could choose to say.
But I must say, definitely the best part of the book is the last three days of Joseph's life, as this is, as far as I'm aware, the definitive and only record (and as such, totally priceless) of as many things about those days and the order in which things happened as it is. And I hadn't heard it before! And I've spent time in my life thinking that for as much detail as there really was in knowing the rough timeline of days and hours of the last events of his life that people narrate about and include in tours etc., it did seem to me that I didn't know where they got that info from, and whatever sources they had access to, I wasn't sure why it seemed like perhaps I'd never get that same access. Well, this book covers everything and more that everyone ever says, but as usual in my own life, what would have been the most useful information up to now for me personally (because it gives me the exact example I need of how to conduct business and myself in the hardest things about my own life and situation) is precisely the information that I have never been able to get at before. So thankfully I've gotten at it now and the world can just watch out. I've had to learn most of it on my own and from other sources, but to think that all along I really could have had this utterly straightforward example of a prophet, and a man, who wasn't perfect but who knew quite a few things, and had the most earnest heart and felt the most solemn responsibility to live the most responsible and openbook and sincere and plain and simple life he could, to show me that yes! when others in your world are conniving and disloyal and tiring and hardheaded and lazy and falling down on the job and lack vision and won't work with you, you are reduced to making sure everything is said as plainly as any human or god could hope to try to communicate any tiniest detail, and making sure absolutely nothing is done without it being put in writing, and making sure that whatever you do, you just keep the best, most kind intentions until the last breath of your body, because you may not be able to do anything to help save their souls but at the most crucial moment, which you probably will never be aware was "the" most crucial moment out of all the crucial moments, you can't do anything to endanger your own soul, God help us...
Anyway, this book is exceedingly helpful to me personally and Joseph Smith continues to be just a clear and wonderful and plain and downhome example if there ever was one on this earth of how to try to navigate life in a world full of enemies and lukewarm acquaintances who won't lift a finger to help you, and when the concept comes along of overcoming the world, you and anyone else who is sincere and has been in the same boat knows that every ounce of that overcoming happened by blood, sweat and tears, and millions of thoughts and prayers and wrestlings to have the right attitude and learn true love for everyone at all times, and not one ounce came in any other way. And God bless the prophet Joseph Smith, and God bless all those sincere friends and descendants and recordkeepers who have made the events that are captured of those last three days of his life possible for me and anyone on earth to read who is interested in finding out, as if I become anything at this point, it will largely be because I happened to read and finish this book over the last 6-12 months of my own life.
But I must say, definitely the best part of the book is the last three days of Joseph's life, as this is, as far as I'm aware, the definitive and only record (and as such, totally priceless) of as many things about those days and the order in which things happened as it is. And I hadn't heard it before! And I've spent time in my life thinking that for as much detail as there really was in knowing the rough timeline of days and hours of the last events of his life that people narrate about and include in tours etc., it did seem to me that I didn't know where they got that info from, and whatever sources they had access to, I wasn't sure why it seemed like perhaps I'd never get that same access. Well, this book covers everything and more that everyone ever says, but as usual in my own life, what would have been the most useful information up to now for me personally (because it gives me the exact example I need of how to conduct business and myself in the hardest things about my own life and situation) is precisely the information that I have never been able to get at before. So thankfully I've gotten at it now and the world can just watch out. I've had to learn most of it on my own and from other sources, but to think that all along I really could have had this utterly straightforward example of a prophet, and a man, who wasn't perfect but who knew quite a few things, and had the most earnest heart and felt the most solemn responsibility to live the most responsible and openbook and sincere and plain and simple life he could, to show me that yes! when others in your world are conniving and disloyal and tiring and hardheaded and lazy and falling down on the job and lack vision and won't work with you, you are reduced to making sure everything is said as plainly as any human or god could hope to try to communicate any tiniest detail, and making sure absolutely nothing is done without it being put in writing, and making sure that whatever you do, you just keep the best, most kind intentions until the last breath of your body, because you may not be able to do anything to help save their souls but at the most crucial moment, which you probably will never be aware was "the" most crucial moment out of all the crucial moments, you can't do anything to endanger your own soul, God help us...
Anyway, this book is exceedingly helpful to me personally and Joseph Smith continues to be just a clear and wonderful and plain and downhome example if there ever was one on this earth of how to try to navigate life in a world full of enemies and lukewarm acquaintances who won't lift a finger to help you, and when the concept comes along of overcoming the world, you and anyone else who is sincere and has been in the same boat knows that every ounce of that overcoming happened by blood, sweat and tears, and millions of thoughts and prayers and wrestlings to have the right attitude and learn true love for everyone at all times, and not one ounce came in any other way. And God bless the prophet Joseph Smith, and God bless all those sincere friends and descendants and recordkeepers who have made the events that are captured of those last three days of his life possible for me and anyone on earth to read who is interested in finding out, as if I become anything at this point, it will largely be because I happened to read and finish this book over the last 6-12 months of my own life.
August 30, 2022
Quoting from the flyleaf about the compiler of this book, "Joseph Fielding Smith ... was uniquely qualified to compile this important book. ... He served in the Church Historian's Office for sixty-nine years. ... For forty-nine of those years he was Church Historian." In his Introduction the compiler explains the motivation behind the book and why "it has been thought best to give each article ... chronologically." Hence, I perceive the book as this master-historian's collection of the best available articles (recorded statements, writings, or sermons by the Prophet Joseph Smith) during the life of the Prophet from 1830 to 1844. During the last two years some important and enlightening writings by other close associates are included which I have not seen in other books I have read about the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Perhaps this book might be considered compiled highlights as if from The Joseph Smith Papers, the complete and exhaustive collection being produced at this time by the Church Historian's Office.
July 5, 2021
Finishing this book has been a long time coming. I think I first started reading it about 18 years ago.
There are so many nuggets of wisdom. I liked that the last 30 pages or so covered the communications with the Illinois governor and others that he had during the last week of his life before he was assassinated in prison.
He was so frustrated with the amount of knowledge compared flowing from heaven compared to the amount people were willing to accept that a good proportion of his discourse is explaining how, yes, this is actually in the Bible, and no, you don't need to mob him for it. This man was a prophet and hearing his words in this book has been a great way to taste the fruit of his work.
There are so many nuggets of wisdom. I liked that the last 30 pages or so covered the communications with the Illinois governor and others that he had during the last week of his life before he was assassinated in prison.
He was so frustrated with the amount of knowledge compared flowing from heaven compared to the amount people were willing to accept that a good proportion of his discourse is explaining how, yes, this is actually in the Bible, and no, you don't need to mob him for it. This man was a prophet and hearing his words in this book has been a great way to taste the fruit of his work.
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