Richards, that I may send him cipher messages intended for you. Although Joseph accomplished many things during his life, most important was his commitment to being a disciple and witness of Jesus Christ. Without that we are nothing unique! 4) Other usability features including tracking whether youve already given your consent to cookies As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, I participated in the motion to include in the Doctrine and Covenants section 138the vision of President Smith in 1918. Who was the president through whom that revelation came? Jesus directs His Church today through revelation to a prophet on the earth. When reading his testimony, I believe he was being very careful to avoid a perjury charge. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Joseph F. Smith had an understanding of the eternal nature of man that few others have ever possessed. Rather than affirming that he and the other brethren were prophets, he uses a more lawyerly answer: I am so sustained. While this may be a point for President Smiths honesty, it doesnt look well for the church which claims to be led by a legitimate prophet. 40 talks in 40 days for General Conference, Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Even without that, if I have to choose to believe something said at General Conference or under penalty of perjury, Im believing the latter. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. but you did not bear your testimony that you know it is true. The list includes at least Brigham Young, Heber J. No Personal Information will be shared in this manner. ESPN. It does mean that the companies from which you opted out will no longer customize ads based on your interests and web usage patterns using cookie-based technology. Ciphered messages amongst the top leadership. Still definitely the most truthful thing he ever said even if he told the folks back home he was lying for the lord. After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. It was on the fifteenth day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of this messenger, and baptized. Any attempt to judge Joseph F. Smith's complete beliefs and experiences about revelation from these hearings are, then, doomed to being incomplete. It described Joseph F. Smith as "furtive," "lurking," and "sly," likening him to a cat that would attack only when one's back was turned. After this communication, I saw the light in the room begin to gather immediately around the person of him who had been speaking to me, and it continued to do so until the room was again left dark, except just around him; when, instantly I saw, as it were, a conduit open right up into heaven, and he ascended till he entirely disappeared, and the room was left as it had been before this heavenly light had made its appearance. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. The column to the right addresses the Spanish Flu . Definition of a Modest Living Allowance, What happened was that Joseph F. Smith denied having had any revelations ever, except his testimony, LDS Church and Same Sex Marriage Timeline, The Pump LDS film and the original source, Ethan Smith, Hyrum Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Solomon Spaulding connections. He replied to me that it was of God, and told me to go and do as commanded by the messenger. Also, some third-party cookies may provide them with information about you (such as the sites where you have been shown ads or demographic information) from offline and online sources that they may use to provide you more relevant and useful advertising. 16 quotes from Joseph F. Smith: 'Everywhere in nature we are taught the lessons of patience and waiting. After telling me these things, he commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament. (p. 483). It is a document without parallel. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of our website, compiling reports on website activity and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. We do not provide any personal information to advertisers or to third party sites. The oldest daughter, Lovina, married Lorin Walker in June 1844, shortly before her father's martyrdom. 2) remember your custom display preferences; . The council of the apostles have had a voice ever since in the selection of their successors. He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. Accordingly, as I had been commanded, I went at the end of each year, and at each time I found the same messenger there, and received instruction and intelligence from him at each of our interviews, respecting what the Lord was going to do, and how and in what manner his kingdom was to be conducted in the last days. Mormon Think Joseph F. Smith was born November 13, 1838, in Far West, Missouri. The Deseret News carried full reports of general conference at the time of the revelation. For a more complete account of Joseph Smiths story, see Joseph SmithHistory in the Pearl of Great Price or History of the Church, 1:279. We are a volunteer organization. And it is not binding upon them as members of the church until they accept it. From that day, Joseph labored in Gods service, working to establish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to build up Gods kingdom on earth in the latter days. Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. The messenger who visited us on this occasion and conferred this Priesthood upon us, said that his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which Priesthood, he said, would in due time be conferred on us, and that I should be called the first Elder of the Church, and he (Oliver Cowdery) the second. . No Bishop should withhold baptism from the child of same-sex parents because this revelation has not been sustained. (1:46) In his opening address at the 89th Semiannual General Conference of the Church, on October 4, 1918, President Smith declared that he had received several divine communications during the previous months. Joseph Smith was such a prophet. For anyone attracted to Mormon history, the Smoot hearings represented a gold mine of testimony 42 witnesses in 17 days for and against his admission to the Senate. I baptized him first, and afterwards he baptized meafter which I laid my hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood, and afterwards he laid his hands on me and ordained me to the same Priesthoodfor so we were commanded. The First World War figured prominently during the final years of Joseph F. Smith's Church presidency. Hell that is the absolute central teaching of Mormonism! Lying for the lord was/is a thing, and during this time TSCC went so far as to dump polygamy so they could attain statehood. After decades of rising international tension fueled by European imperialism and an increasingly complex network of treaty obligations, the first truly modern war was triggered on June 28, 1914, when Francis Ferdinand, archduke of the Hapsburg imperial dynasty, was assassinated in Sarajevo . Although Joseph accomplished many things during his life, most important was his commitment to being a disciple and witness of Jesus Christ. : Perhaps I may say in this way: Chosen by the body, the twelve themselves, by and with the consent and approval of the first presidency. He also quoted the second chapter of Joel, from the twenty-eighth verse to the last. Smith: Yes, sir. He served as Chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee from 1983 to 1986 and as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 4th . Afterthose four years,Joseph received theplates and begantranslating the Book ofMormon. Well, over 100 years ago, Joseph F. Smith burst that bubble. After beginning the examination by covering the dozens of companies ran by Smith, he was asked many insightful questions: Tayler: What official position do you now hold in the church? Thank you, Alice Watson Sharing Information Tayler: They can say it? After beginning the examination by covering the. (Some images display only as thumbnails outside the Library of Congress because of rights considerations, but you have access to larger size images on site.) He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. ), As a member of the church, I frequently wondered why we werent receiving new scripture. I often said to myself: What is to be done? Delving into the interesting bits about any religion to stem from Joseph Smith Jr. : I am so sustained and upheld by my people. For example, we use cookies, which contains only certain statistical information. : Is there any other description of your title than mere president? Alternatively, you can purchase copies of various types through Library of Congress Duplication Services. his jokes on Twitter: @tgilliland789, and his poverty on Venmo: Tanner-Gilliland. Worthington: Then do I understand you to say the only revelation that has come to the church in the last twenty years is the one that says polygamy shall stop? Smoot also created a cipher and code in order to keep church messages a secret. He then again related unto me all that he had related to me the previous night, and commanded me to go to my father and tell him of the vision and commandments which I had received. There may also be other types of cookies created after youve visited our website. What is so great about a living prophet if its likely hes never had an actual prophetic experience in his life? I started with the intention of going to the house; but, in attempting to cross the fence out of the field where we were, my strength entirely failed me, and I fell helpless on the ground, and for a time was quite unconscious of anything. While deciding whichchurch to join, Josephturned to the Bible forguidance. ABCs of Science and Mormonism now available in Print from Amazon! In A.D. 421 the prophetMoroni buried sacredrecords of his people inthe Hill Cumorah. Chairman: How by inspiration; does it come in the shape of a vision? https://digitallibrary.utah.gov/awweb/awarchive?type=file&item=52004 (see page 69). After Joseph finished, other people were privileged to see the gold plates. The purport of the revelation was calling to the apostolate or apostleship two men, who are named in the revelation. They can also know the peace and happiness that come through the Savior Jesus Christ, whom Joseph Smith worshipped and served. Testimony of Joseph F. Smith Recorded in his own voice, Joseph F. Smith admonishes Church members to serve faithfully and to know that he is firm in the faith. Smith: Well, according to my best recollection, it must have been about 1882. Hoar: Through Joseph Smith? . At length the time arrived for obtaining the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate. By this time, so deep were the impressions made on my mind, that sleep had fled from my eyes, and I lay overwhelmed in astonishment at what I had both seen and heard. When, according to arrangements, the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him; and he has them in his charge until this day, being the second day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight. Joseph F. Smith Family Association Paul Smith - Treasurer 2273 West Smith Legacy Cove Taylorsville, Utah 84129 We hope that you will be active participants in carrying on the legacy of the Smith family by strengthening family ties, visiting the website, participating in the reunion and living the gospel. While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor. Even more recently, Elder Dallin H. Oaks told the youth that he has never had an experience like Alma the Younger (you know, having a vision, seeing angels, or seeing Christ), and that he didnt know a single one of the 15 brethren who had either. Smith: I am now the president of the church. When he became President, the Church had about 293,000 members, with 50 stakes, 21 missions, and 4 temples. Add that to a list of so-called prophets, seers, and revelators who have likewise confessed to never having had such an experience. In April 1829 Joseph Smith, with Oliver Cowdery as scribe, began to translate the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God. This allows advertisers to provide you with more useful and relevant ads. I think this part of the conversation has direct relevance to what has happened with the churchs policy on LGBT families. As a child I have listened to him preach the gospel that God had committed to his charge. We want things a long time before we get them, and the fact that we want them a long time makes them all the more precious when they come.', 'Men and women who humbly plod along, doing their duty. The problem becomes more apparent as Senators McComas and Hoar begin questioning him: McComas: I should like to ask one question. Advertisers and other third-parties (including the ad networks, ad-serving companies, and other service providers they may use) may assume that users who interact with or click on a personalized ad or content are part of the group that the ad or content is directed towards (for example, readers in the Pacific Northwest who read certain types of articles). Smith: They are sustained as such at our conferences. He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. Smith: The things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God; and I cannot tell you any more than that I received that knowledge and that testimony by the spirit of God. How are the apostles selected? Tayler: Until they accept it? The cookie allows the website to remember your actions or preferences over time. Hmmm, doesn't sound culty to me! Explain? When the prophet reached the city of Washington, he desired to be presented to . A few weeks before his death, President Smith received an important revelation that now appears as Doctrine and Covenants 138. : How by inspiration; does it come in the shape of a vision? It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. They are literally just guessing and going by their feelings like every other member of the church. This website also adheres to the Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) Self-Regulatory Principles. This stone was thick and rounding in the middle on the upper side, and thinner towards the edges, so that the middle part of it was visible above the ground, but the edge all around was covered with earth. In 1903, Apostle Reed Smoot was elected by the Utah legislature to the U.S. senate. We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. : They are sustained as such at our conferences. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. Well, according to my best recollection, it must have been about 1882. A forum for ex-mormons and others who have been affected by mormonism to get support and share news, commentary, and comedy about the Mormon church. Type and Purpose of Collection For a description of the DAA Program, please visit the DAA website. Two days after the arrival of Mr. Cowdery (being the 7th of April) I commenced to translate the Book of Mormon, and he began to write for me. Worthington: Yes, since 1882 twenty-one years. Thats just the list of those who admitted to never having a prophetic experience. While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.. I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3Zsvml57PE is a video describing how to learn more about the Mormon Church.Joseph Fielding Smith, Sr. (November 13, 1838 -- N. Smith: Yes, sir; they can. : Are not all of the apostles also prophets, seers, and revelators? If there was indeed a revelation from God labeling same-sex couples apostate and barring their children from full participation in church, then it must be presented before the church in conference for a sustaining vote. The cookie-related information is not used to identify you personally and the pattern data is fully under our control. Can you imagine if Thomas S. Monson stood up in conference and acknowledged that the church presidents had not received a single revelation in 21 years? : I have never pretended to nor do I profess to have received revelations. If you have doubts, it's all your damn fault. Having removed the earth, I obtained a lever, which I got fixed under the edge of the stone, and with a little exertion raised it up. As a member of the church, I frequently wondered why we werent receiving new scripture. Reed Smoot, a Senator from the State of Utah, to Hold His Seat 3, https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/index.php?title=Question:_At_the_Reed_Smoot_Senate_hearings%2C_did_Joseph_F._Smith_tesify_that_he_never_received_revelation%3F&oldid=216182. on the Internet. : I will say this, Mr. Chairman, that no revelation given through the head of the church ever becomes binding and authoritative upon the members of the church until it has been presented to the church and accepted by them. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. https://digitallibrary.utah.gov/awweb/awarchive?type=file&item=52004. He clarified that the policy applied worldwide, not just in North America. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. When I first looked upon him, I was afraid; but the fear soon left me. On the 5th day of April, 1829, Oliver Cowdery came to my house, until which time I had never seen him. I made an attempt to take them out, but was forbidden by the messenger, and was again informed that the time for bringing them forth had not yet arrived, neither would it, until four years from that time; but he told me that I should come to that place precisely in one year from that time, and that he would there meet with me, and that I should continue to do so until the time should come for obtaining the plates. (a) Affiliated Service Providers: We have agreements with various affiliated service providers to facilitate the functioning of the Website, with whom we may share the information we have collected. As Joseph F. Smith himself used to say, Put that in your pipe and smoke it! (Improvement Era, 10:548), Mormon Stories "I gladly joined with them [those in the church office] in arranging a code. Smith: Well, I have reached principles; that is, I have been confirmed in my acceptance and knowledge of principles that have been revealed to me, shown to me, on which I was ignorant before, by reason and fact. Smith: President John Taylor. Hoar: Was there a revelation in regard to each of them? I left the field, and went to the place where the messenger had told me the plates were deposited; and owing to the distinctness of the vision which I had had concerning it, I knew the place the instant that I arrived there. In his opening address at the 89th Semiannual General Conference of the Church, on October 4, 1918, President Smith declared that he had received several divine communications during the previous months. : I understand you to say that the original twelve apostles were selected by revelation? Was of God, and revelators who have likewise confessed to never having a prophetic.. 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