THE REVEALER

 

 

Nothing attracts the anti-Mormon activists more than the mention of Joseph Smith’s name. It’s like a moth to the flame. I have written a few posts about Joseph this year and every time I do, I attract some venom……but I cannot help but write again because there is so much to say about this man. So much good….here is more, and not the last of it either…..

The more we know about Joseph, the more we become grounded in our testimony of the Church and the Gospel he restored to the earth. We cannot have a strong testimony of either, if we don’t have a testimony of Joseph’s prophetic calling. In section 5 of Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord repeats more than once: “this generation shall have my word through you” (v 10, 11, 14)

Those who do not accept him, do not accept how God has revealed himself to this dispensation. We owe that revelation to Joseph Smith, the revealer of God. One only has to study the Doctrine and Covenants to understand this truth. This should be the basis of our testimony to the world that believes in a God who has ‘no body parts or passions, and that He is simple and present everywhere in his entirety’. Consider the First Vision and Joseph’s testimony counteracting that absurd belief (D&C 76:22,23).

“As much as we delight in and need to have a testimony concerning the present-day prophet who heads the Church, we must also realise that each prophet subsequent to Joseph Smith has had a testimony of Joseph Smith. The echoing effect of these prophets only reinforces that there is an order and pattern by which that specific 'chosen vessel', the Prophet Joseph, was designed to re-reveal God to us in this day.

“As we teach the gospel in this dispensation, it is important to remember that the reality of God we proclaim to a world of non-members is founded on the knowledge of the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith, the revealer of God......." (Jerry A. Wilson, The Great Plan of Happiness, Insights from the Lectures on Faith, p. 23)

What do we owe to Joseph Smith, 'a disturber and an annoyer of Satan's kingdom' (JHS 1:20), the revealer of God, a martyr in the cause of truth? In my opinion, much more than slanderous words and disregard for his sacrifices, obedience and divine appointment.

And to those who deride, accuse and swear falsely: “Wo unto them….they shall be severed from the ordinances of mine house…..they shall not have right to the priesthood, nor their posterity after them from generation to generation….it had been better for them that a millstone had been hanged about their necks and they drowned in the depths of the sea.” (D&C 121:19-22)

Men may be deceived by our works and by our sins but God cannot. He knows all things and it is Him we must trust in all things, even in regards to a prophet named Joseph Smith upon whom the Saviour himself sealed his exaltation on 12 July 1843 in Nauvoo, Illinois:

"For I am the Lord thy God, 

and will be with thee even unto the end of the world, 

and through all eternity; 

for, verily I seal upon you your exaltation,

 and prepare for you a throne in the kingdom of my Father...."

(D&C 132:49)

 

 - CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: My Servant Joseph by Liz Lemon Swindle)