Joseph Smith: Prophetic and Personal

There’s nothing worse than reading a biography to know a person better and coming away disappointed.  This happened when I read a biography about C.S. Lewis having already been blown away by the depth and clarity of his words.  The biography followed the timeline of his life and left his heart out.

Joseph Smith by D A Weggeland - used with permission

This post is about Joseph Smith, an American prophet.  There is much written about the timeline of his life.  I won’t go into that.  I want to share with you his heart.  As a man “thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)  The ideas that came out of Joseph’s heart were beautiful.  I love how his earnest, generous, loyal, and courageous character is revealed.

Joseph was both a prophet and a man.  As a prophet, he spoke of heavenly visions and repeated verbatim the words God gave him.  As a man, he was quick to tell people that he wasn’t perfect.  “I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught.” (45:522)

Here is something he said about himself, “It is my meditation all the day, and more than my meat and drink, to know how I shall make the Saints of God comprehend the visions that roll like an overflowing surge before my mind.  Oh! how I would delight to bring before you things which you never thought of!” (45:520)  He was a serious student of the Bible.  He also spent a lot of time as a student of the Holy Spirit learning directly from God.

Easter Promise

None saith, Restore. (Isa 42:22)

O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, 

I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (Isa 43:1)

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands  (Isa 49:16)

[I] was wounded for [your] transgressions. (Isa 53:5)

Say to the prisoners, Go forth; 

to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves  (Isa 49:9)

I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. (Isa 49:26)

[I] poured out [my] soul unto death (Isa 53:12)

I, even I, am he that comforteth you (Isa 51:12)

Thus saith thy Lord — the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again  (Isa 51:22)

For a small moment have I forsaken thee; 

but with great mercies will I gather thee.  (Isa 54:7)

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Solemn Gethsemane

The solace of Jerusalem, a peaceful grove of ancient olive trees

Strengthened by angels, Jesus knelt to pray for the sins of all men and women while friends slept

A pressing time where blood came from his every pore