~~  Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith  ~~
by
Joseph Smith

Compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith

Section 1          Section 2          Section 3          Section 4          Section 5          Section 6

First published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1938. Taken from his sermons and writings as they are found in the Documentary History and other publications of the Church and written or published in the days of the Prophet's ministry. Selected and arranged by the Historian, Joseph Fielding Smith, and his Assistants in the Historian's Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Abbreviations

MSS--Manuscript History.
JH--Journal History of the Church.
DHC--[Documentary] History of the Church.
E&MS--Evening and Morning Star.
T&S--Times and Seasons.
FWR--Far West Record.
M&A--Messenger and Advocate.
D&C--Doctrine and Covenants.

Introduction

p.3

A quarter of a century ago, Elder Edwin F. Parry compiled and published a classified arrangement of excerpts from doctrinal sermons and writings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. These sayings were taken from the Documentary History of the Church. That little work filled an important mission, but left in the hearts and minds of all who were interested in the sayings of the great latter-day Prophet, a longing for more of his sayings, which longing was not satisfied. Many faithful members of the Church have expressed the desire that a more extensive work of this kind be published. The members of the Church quite generally desire to know what the Prophet Joseph Smith may have said on important subjects, for they look upon his utterances as coming through divine inspiration.

p.3

Many of these discourses and writings appear in the Documentary History of the Church, but others have not been included in these volumes, but are scattered through the early publications of the Church. It has been difficult even for the student to obtain these because the old publications are not accessible for general use.

p.3

In accordance with the many calls that have been made that there be a more extensive compilation of these discourses and sayings, the matter was taken up in the Historian's Office and such a compilation has been prepared, submitted to the First Presidency and passed by them for publication.

p.3

It should be remembered that this compilation contains some discourses and statements from the minutes of council and priesthood meetings, which are not verbatim reports of the Prophet's remarks, but which have been approved in those minutes. There has been no attempt to compile these sayings by subject, because frequently in the same article or discourse, several subjects are discussed. It has been thought best to give each article, or portion of article, chronologically, with an exhaustive index through which the various subjects may be found. Historical matters and incidental or unimportant matters have been eliminated. By the use of asterisks these portions left out are indicated in the body of the work.

p.3

Articles which are accessible, such as Joseph Smith Tells His Own Story, which has been published in tract form and also in the Pearl of Great Price, are not added to this work. References have been made to the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants where necessary, but these revelations are not included in this work.

p.4

It is felt that this volume will meet a need and promote faith among the members of the Church. With this intent it is sent out on its mission as another testimony of the divine calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH,

Church Historian.