In the Doctrine and Covenants, we are told that Joseph Smith,
Jr., "Hath 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.) Can this statement mean exactly what it says?
How can this be true? Are we to believe that Joseph Smith exceeded
the works of Abraham or of Moses? Yes, and we so testify of the
same! Who is this man, Joseph Smith Jr.? What can be said of him,
based upon that which has been spoken and written concerning him,
by friend and foe alike?
We are not going to spend a great deal of time in this pamphlet
going over the accomplishments of Brother Joseph, only as it relates
to the particular subject being addressed. We feel that those
to whom we are desirous that this pamphlet reach, are already
well acquainted with the restoration of the Church, gospel and
priesthood, and with the ordinances thereof, but rather, we will
show Joseph Smith, Jr. is much more than has ever been presented
before in writing. In this pamphlet, we will discover by many
testimonies who the man Joseph Smith is, what he has done, and
will yet do for us. Please follow along, as we unfold the mission
and the greatness of the man Joseph Smith, Jr.
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven,
having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell
on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and
people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to
him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that
made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
(Revelation 14:6-7.)
These passages were penned by John the Revelator in the first
century after Christ describing the visions shown to him by God
concerning the latter days. Does this description contained in
this scripture apply to Joseph Smith? In his lifetime, did Joseph
Smith have the everlasting gospel to preach? Did Joseph Smith,
in fact, warn of God's judgments and call men to worship Almighty
God? The answers to these questions are unequivocally, yes!
While preaching from the temple stand in Nauvoo, Joseph Smith,
Jr. was quoting the Savior concerning the Gospel of the Kingdom
and the witness, or the angel that John saw. Joseph told the saints:
. . . the Savior said, when those tribulations should take place,
it `should be committed to a man, who should be a witness over
the whole world, the keys of knowledge, power, and
revelations, should be revealed to a witness who should hold the
testimony to the world; . . . all the testimony is, that the Lord
in the last days would commit the keys of the Priesthood
to a witness over all people---has the Gospel of
the Kingdom commenced in the last days? and will God take it from
the man , until he takes him, himself? I have read it precisely
as the words flowed from the lips of Jesus Christ---John the Revelator
saw an angel flying thro' the midst of heaven, having
the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth,
&c the scripture is ready to be fulfilled when great
wars, famines, pestilence, great distress, judgements, &c
are ready to be poured out on the Inhabitants of the Earth---John
saw the angel having the holy Priesthood who should preach the
everlasting Gospel to all nations,---God had an angel, a special
messenger, ordained, & prepared for that purpose in the last
days--Woe! Woe! be to that man, or set of men, who lift up their
hands against God and his Witness in these last days. . . .
every man who has a calling to minister to the Inhabitants of
the world, was ordained to that very purpose in that grand Council
of Heaven before this world was--I suppose that I was ordained
to this very office in that grand Council---it is the testimony
that I want, that I am God's servant, (12 May 1844, "Thomas
Bullock Report", The Words of Joseph Smith, pg. 366-367.)
To what office was Joseph referring in this discourse? Was it
not to the office of "witness"? To whom was Joseph referring
as he offered this discourse to the saints of Nauvoo? We testify
that he was referring to himself; that Joseph Smith, Jr. was and
is that very same angel spoken of in these scriptures; that Joseph
Smith, like Jeremiah, was known of God before he was in the womb
and sent here to this earth to do the things that he did and will
yet do.
Joseph Smith is the head of this dispensation, the dispensation
of the fulness of times, and was sent here to restore the fulness
of the gospel, to build up the Kingdom of God and to establish
Zion; as were other dispensation heads before him. Jesus Christ
is also a dispensation head. He also restored the fulness of the
gospel and made available to the Jews the opportunity to build
up His Kingdom and to establish His Zion. Jesus Christ, prior
to his resurrection, did not establish Zion. He did, however,
lay the foundations thereof, but the Jews rejected Him and His
gospel. After His resurrection, He appeared to the remnant of
the descendants of the house of Joseph, who accepted the fulness
of His gospel, and with these people He established His Kingdom
and His Zion. These people knew peace on earth for nearly two
hundred years. They prospered in God's Zion.
Christ established the type for our dispensation, for Brother
Joseph never successfully built the Kingdom or established Zion
(nor anyone since Joseph). He only, as did Christ, laid the foundation
thereof. Like Christ, Joseph Smith, Jr., will come to a remnant
of the fallen church (which church has rejected Him and His true
gospel), as a resurrected man to complete the work he was sent
here to perform. How do we know this thing? Because prophets of
God have so testified that this is, in fact, the case. Joseph
Smith said:
You will gather many people into the fastness of the Rocky Mountains
as a center for the gathering of the people, and you will be faithful
because you have been true; and many of those who come under your
ministry, because of their much learning, will seek for high positions,
and they will be set up and raise themselves in eminence above
you, but you will walk in low places unnoticed and you will know
all that transpires in their midst, and those that are my friends
will be your friends. This I will promise to you, that
when I come again to lead you forth, for I will go to prepare
a place for you, so that where I am you shall be with me. ("Diary
of John E Forsgren", Fate of the Persecutors of Joseph
Smith, N.B. Lundwall, pg. 154.)
On the 9th of October 1859, President Brigham Young told the saints
in General Conference:
I will now tell you something that ought to comfort every man
and woman on the face of the earth. Joseph Smith
junior, will again be on this earth dictating plans and calling
forth his brethren to be baptized for the very characters who
wish this was not so, in order to bring them into a kingdom .
. . (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7:289.)
Just after the martyrdom, Elder Parley P. Pratt of the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles was walking across the State of Illinois
enroute to Nauvoo. As he was on his way down a road in broad daylight,
he received the following from the Lord:
My servant Joseph Smith 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. (Autobiography
of Parley P. Pratt, pg. 368.)
Apostles Franklin D. Richards and Orson Pratt also spoke upon
this topic:
So it is with the Prophet Joseph Smith. He has gone before with
the keys of this dispensation, after having lived and conferred
them upon the authorities of the church, even all that
was necessary until he shall come again to build up this kingdom
preparatory to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Franklin
D.Richards, 30 August 1885, Journal of Discourses, Vol.
26:302.) But we still were in hopes that he (Joseph Smith) would
live and that he would be the man who, like Moses, would lead
this people from bondage. I do not know but he
will yet. God's arm is not shortened that he cannot raise
him up even from the tomb. (Orson Pratt, 9 March 1873, Journal
of Discourses, Vol. 15:363.)
From these quotes, we find that Joseph Smith will indeed return
to this earth, that he will fulfill that which the Lord God has
sent him to do as a resurrected God having power over the very
elements, to set in order the house of God:
And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send one
mighty and strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed
with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal
words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in
order the house of God,... (Doctrine and Covenants
85:7.)
From this last scripture we learn of a God, "one mighty and
strong" (immortal, invulnerable), with the "scepter
of power" (the keys, right of dominion and principalities),
that he is "clothed with light for a covering" (resurrected),
and his "mouth shall utter words, eternal words" (scripture,
the word of God must be fulfilled), "while his bowels shall
be a fountain of truth" (he, like God, cannot lie), and he
will, "set in order the house of God" (set up the political
and economic kingdom and correct error in the ecclesiastical church).
Who is this "one mighty and strong"? Who holds the keys?
Who was given scripture from the Father? Who has more right to
correct error in the work that God restored through him? And as
Christ before him, return to deliver a remnant of Ephraim and
to establish Zion?
Joseph Smith still holds "the keys" to this dispensation
on this side and the other side of the veil:
Verily I say unto you, the keys of this kingdom shall never
be taken from you (Joseph Smith, Jr.), while thou
art in the world, neither in the world to come; (Doctrine
and Covenants 90:3.)
Exalt not yourselves; rebel not against my servant Joseph;
for verily I say unto you, I am with him, and my hand shall be
over him; and the keys which I have given unto him, and
also to youward, shall not be taken from him till I come.
(Doctrine and Covenants 112:15.)
Joseph Smith, Jr. has received the word of God, from God, and
placed these "eternal words" into canon for all the
world to see. Brother Joseph received from God sacred records
containing "eternal words" and translated the same.
He will yet again do the same thing with the sealed portion of
the Nephite record, as well as other yet unknown works. From Joseph
Smith's own patriarchal blessing we learn:
The records of past ages and generations, and the histories of
ancient days shall he (Joseph Smith) bring forth, even the
record of the Nephites shall he again obtain, with all those
hid up by Mormon, and others who were righteous; and many others
till he is overwhelmed with knowledge. (Oliver Cowdery blessing
Joseph Smith, Sept. 22, 1835, Unpublished Revelations,
Collier, Vol. 1, pg. 76-77. Made mention of in DHC, Vol.
2, pg 281.)
Joseph Smith, Jr. restored the church, kingdom and the fulness
of the gospel to the earth. He barely laid the foundations thereof
before he was murdered at the hands of a mob. Joseph never saw
God's Zion established as a viable community or nation in Jackson
County, Missouri---nor have we! However, in the 101st section
of the Doctrine and Covenants, we find the parable of the vineyard
and the twelve olive trees. The parable describes "the enemy"
(Satan) coming by "night" (a time of darkness, loss
of revelation or apostasy), breaking down the "hedge"
(church), destroying their works and breaking down the "olive
trees" (the twelve apostles who were suppose to bring forth
fruit) . "The servants" (general authorities) were at
variance one with another, and they (the general authorities)
gave the Lord's money to the "exchangers" (bankers,
merchants, stock market, Babylon) instead of building up the kingdom
and establishing Zion. The Lord then commands his "servant"
(Joseph Smith) to take "the residue" (remnant, outcasts)
of His house (Israel, LDS Church) and go "straightway"
unto the land of his vineyard (North America) and "avenge
me of mine enemies, that by and by, I may come with the residue
(the remnant) of mine house and possess the land." (D&C
101:41-62.)
Has any of this, that is foretold in the parable happened yet?
Yes! We testify that the LDS Church has indeed fallen into a state
of total and complete apostasy. We testify that Satan has indeed
destroyed the twelve apostles of the LDS Church, as they have
strayed from all the laws that would establish a Zion society,
changed ordinances (see the pamphlet, "They Have Changed
the Ordinances"), and have set at naught the everlasting
covenant!
The "servant" of the Lord in this parable is identified
by the Lord in the 103rd section of the Doctrine and Covenants:
Verily, verily I say unto you, that my servant Joseph Smith,
Jun., is the man to whom I likened the servant to whom
the Lord of the vineyard spake in the parable which I have given
unto you. (Doctrine and Covenants 103:21.)
Has Joseph Smith, Jr. "avenged" for the Lord this land,
and reclaimed his vineyard? Has Joseph Smith yet gathered the
strength of the Lord's house ("my warriors", "my
young men", "middle aged also", "all My servants"),
even Israel, and gone forth into the vineyard (North America),
to break down their (mine enemies) walls (hedge or church) and
throw down their tower (Babylon) and scatter their watchman (priestcraft),
successfully? The LDS Church would like you to believe that it
has happened. If this has already occurred in the past, as some
suggest, then where is Zion? Where is the Kingdom? Where is Joseph
Smith in the flesh? Why isn't the headquarters of the LDS Church
at Independence, Missouri? In June of 1834, the Lord told Joseph
Smith, as the head of "Zion's Camp":
And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles
of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive
her unto myself. And my people must needs be chastened until
they learn obedience, if it needs be, by the things which they
suffer. I speak not concerning those who are appointed to lead
my people, who are the first elders of my church, for they are
not all under this condemnation; But I speak concerning my churches
abroad---there are many who will say: Where is their God? Behold,
he will deliver them in time of trouble, otherwise we will not
go up to Zion, and will keep our moneys. Therefore, in consequence
of the transgressions of my people, it is expedient in me that
mine elders should wait for a little season for the redemption
of Zion---That they themselves may be prepared, and that my
people may be taught more perfectly, and have experience, and
know more perfectly concerning their duty, and the things which
I require at their hands. And this thing cannot be brought
to pass until mine elders are endowed with power from on high.
For behold, I have prepared a great endowment and blessing to
be poured out upon them, inasmuch as they are faithful and continue
in humility before me. Therefore it is expedient in me that
mine elders should wait for a little season, for the redemption
of Zion. (Doctrine and Covenants 105:5-13.)
The redemption of Zion will yet occur, just as the Lord has commanded.
For the Lord has said:
Behold, I say unto you, the redemption of Zion must needs come
by power; Therefore, I will raise up (resurrect) unto my people
a man, who shall lead them like as Moses led the children of Israel.
For ye are the children of Israel, and the seed of Abraham, and
ye must needs be led out of bondage by power, and with
a stretched-out arm. And as your fathers were led at the first,
even so shall the redemption of Zion be. Therefore, let not
your hearts faint, for I say not unto you as I said unto your
fathers: Mine angel shall go up before you, but not my presence.
But I say unto you: Mine angels shall go up before you,
and also my presence, and in time ye shall possess the
goodly land. Verily, verily I say unto you, that my servant Baurak
Ale (Joseph Smith, Jun.), is the man to whom I likened the
servant to whom the Lord of the vineyard spake in the parable
which I have given unto you. (Doctrine and Covenants
103:15-21.)
Who is this man Joseph Smith, Jr., whom the Lord himself calls
His "servant" and His "angel", and to whom
the Lord has committed "the keys" of this dispensation
on both sides of the veil, of whom Brigham Young testified in
general conference, October 9th, 1859?
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---the
keys to rule in the spirit-world; and he rules there triumphantly,
for he gained full power and a glorious victory over the power
of Satan while he was yet in the flesh, and he was a martyr to
his religion and to the name of Christ, which gives him a most
perfect victory in the spirit-world. He reigns there as supreme
a being in his sphere, capacity, and calling, as God does in heaven.
Many will exclaim---'Oh, that is very disagreeable! It is preposterous!
We cannot bear the thought!' But it is true. (Journal
of Discourses, Vol. 7:289.)
Brother Brigham states that Joseph Smith "rules" in
the spirit world "as supreme a being...as God does in heaven".
Where is the spirit world? Is it not here upon this earth? Is
not this earth, in fact, a telestial world? Does not God the Father
rule in the Celestial Kingdom and His Christ in the Terrestial
kingdom? We ask you---who rules in the Telestial world
or kingdom? Is it not the Holy Ghost? We ask you---who
is Joseph Smith Jr.? Brother Brigham states that, "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---". Who brings us to the Father? Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Redeemer does! Who brings us to the Savior? The
Holy Ghost does! The Holy Ghost is the one who witnesses and
testifies to us the truth of all things, that Jesus
is the Christ! We ask you who is Joseph Smith Jr.?
But I am learned, and know more than all the world put together.
The Holy Ghost does anyhow, and he is within me, and comprehends
more than all the world; and I will associate myself with him.
(Joseph Smith, "King Follett Discourse", Given 7
April 1844, Reported in Times and Seasons, 15 August 1844.)
Joseph also said that the Holy Ghost is now in a state of Probation
which if he should perform in righteousness he may pass through
the same or a similar course of things that the Son has.
("Scriptural Items", F.D. Richards, The Words
of Joseph Smith, Ehat/Cook, pg. 245.)
'Many men,' said he, 'will say, I will never forsake you, but
will stand by you at all times', but the moment you teach them
some of the mysteries of the kingdom of God that are retained
in the heavens, and are prepared for them, they will be the first
to stone you and put you to death. It was this same principle
that crucified the Lord Jesus Christ, and will cause the people
to kill the prophets in this generation. 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. (Joseph Smith, Jr.,
as quoted by Heber C. Kimball, Life of Heber C. Kimball,
by Orson F. Whitney, pg. 322-323.)
I never told you I was perfect---but there is no error in the
revelations which I have taught---must I then be thrown away
as a thing of nought?---I enjoin for your consideration, add to
your faith, virtue, love &c I say in the name of the Lord,
if these things are in you, you shall be fruitful. I testify
that no man has the power to reveal it, but myself, things in
heaven, things in earth and hell---and all shut your mouths
for the future---. (Joseph Smith, Jr., "Thomas Bullock Report",
12 May 1844, Temple Stand, The Words of Joseph Smith, Ehat/Cook,
pg. 369.)
And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this
law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths,
vows, performances, connections, associations or expectations,
that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit
of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well
for time and all eternity, and that too most holy,
by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed,
whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and
I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in
the last days, and there never is but one on the earth
at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are
conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after
the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not
made unto this end have an end when men are dead. (Doctrine
and Covenants 132:7.)
Again we ask you---who is Joseph Smith? We do solemnly
testify to you, that Joseph Smith, Jr. is the angel that John
the Revelator saw flying through the midst of heaven; that Joseph
Smith, Jr. is the "witness/testator", even the Holy
Ghost, who came to this mortal probation "in the flesh";
and that Joseph Smith, Jr. is exactly who he said he is! He is
our priest and king, who rules and reigns in the world of spirits,
as well as on this side of the veil. He is our dispensation head
and our Father. He and those who labor with him, who are just
men and women made perfect, bring us to Christ, and He to the
Father.
Therefore, we as Apostles of the Lord and Savior, even Jesus Christ,
testify to you, the Elect of Israel, that Joseph Smith, Jr. is
all this and more. So we testify of the truthfulness of the 135th
section of the Doctrine and Covenants:
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. In the short space of
twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he
translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means
of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the
everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of
the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments
which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other
wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children
of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-Day Saints, founded
a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He
lived great and he died great in the eyes of God and his people;
and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed
his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother
Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not
separated...The testators are now dead, and their testament
is in force. (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3&5.)
Finally, we leave you with the words penned by William W. Phelps,
in his tribute to the man Joseph Smith, Jr.; the Prophet, Seer,
Revelator, Translator, Witness, Testator, President, King and
Priest, a God, even the Holy Ghost. To this we so solemnly testify
and seal it upon you, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and
Savior, our Mediator with the Father, whose Apostles we are. Amen.
Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation,
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.
Praise to his mem-'ry, he died as a martyr;
Honored and blest be his ever great name!
Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins,
Plead unto heav'n (originally- "Stain Illinois")
while the earth lauds his fame.
Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.
Ever and ever the keys he will hold.
Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom,
Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.
Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven;
Earth must atone for the blood of that man.
Wake up the world for the conflict of justice.
Millions shall know 'Brother Joseph' again.
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and Tyrants now fight him in vain----
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.
("Praise to the Man", Hymn #27, LDS Hymns,
William W. Phelps, 1782-1872.)