Joseph Smith-The Mighty Prophet of the Restoration

In the spring of 1820, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to a fourteen-year-old boy in a grove of trees. In time, They called him to be a prophet, the first since the fulness of the Gospel had been lost almost two millenia earlier. Through him, Jesus Christ restored the fulness of His gospel, His church, and most importantly the priesthood. Joseph Smith became the prophet to open this, the last dispensation. The Lord once again called twelve apostles, seventies, and other general and local authorities who all received the priesthood.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 1972-1985 gave a powerful talk about the Prophet Joseph in the April 1976 General Conference. This talk, entitled, "Joseph Smith—The Mighty Prophet of the Restoration," is a strong witness of the Prophet's divine calling and work.

In the words of the John Taylor, third prophet in this dispensation:

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! (D&C 135:3.)

I am so grateful for the Prophet Joseph and I know that he was indeed a prophet of God.

Jeremy