Leaders

In Joseph Smith, Jr.'s "Lectures on Faith" he teaches many powerful lessons, one of which is:

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3)

By this we understand the principle of power which existed in the bosom of God, by which the worlds were framed, was faith; and that it is by reason of this principle of power existing in the Deity, that all created things exist; so that all things in heaven, on earth, or under the earth, exist by reason of faith as it existed in Him. (Joseph Smith, Jr., "Lectures on Faith" American Fork, 2000 3)

Let's stop and consider, we have been told if we have faith the size of a mustard seed even the mountains would obey if we told them to move. (Matthew 17:20) So how does one gain faith the size of a mustard seed? It's sure harder than it seems at times, for such a simple eternal concept.

Examples of faith can be found in the true stories of Alma and Amulek (Alma 14:23-29); Nephi and Lehi (Helaman 5:37-50) and the Master's calming of an angry sea. (Mark 4:35-39) The stories of faith in the scriptures go on and on, and yet, faith seems to slip through the fingers of so many.

So let's examine, with the aid of Joseph Smith, Jr., the concept of faith.

What is faith? The evidence of things hoped for, but not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

In Hebrews 11:6 we learn it is impossible to please God without faith. If we accept this as truth, and I do, then it follows that we must have faith. Faith that Jesus Christ is our Lord, Savior and Redeemer. Faith that He fulfilled the mission (Moses 1:39) our Heavenly Father sent Him to do. Faith that there is more to life than this brief mortal existence. Faith that we came from more than nothing. Faith that we are sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. Faith that we are meant to be so much more than we are right now.

To fully understand this, we must understand:

. . . God is the only supreme governor and independent being in whom all fulness and perfection dwell; who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient; without beginning of days or end of life; and that in Him every good gift and every good principle dwell; and that He is the Father of lights; in Him the principle of faith dwells independently, and He is the object in whom the faith of all other rational and accountable beings center for life and salvation. (Joseph Smith, Jr., "Lectures on Faith" American Fork, 2000 9)

So, if we are to understand this correctly, faith dwells with God. (Romans 1:20) If we believe, have faith, that there is a God whose sole purpose is to provide the path, means and support to bring all of His children home, than we can believe that if we ask for faith, He will give it to us.

There are many instances in the scriptures when God spoke to man: He spoke to Cain after He slew Abel (Genesis 4:1-15); He spoke to Moses (Exodus 34:27-28); He spoke to Noah (Genesis 7:1-5); Joseph Smith, Jr. in the sacred grove (Joseph Smith History 1) and many, many more. Answers to prayers offered in the scriptures are even more abundant, miracles equally so. We trace our knowledge of God, back to the very beginning, from Adam and Eve.

And so to build faith we must accept that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our loving and eternal Heavenly Father. From the acceptance of that truth a whole new world opens up to the children of God. And yes, that means you too.

According to Joseph Smith, Jr., three things must exist in order for faith to exist in your life.

First the idea that God actually exists. We've covered that amply.

Second, a correct idea of His character, perfections and attributes.

This takes study of the scriptures. As you pour over and internalize the concepts, practices and principles taught in the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price you will come to know and better understand Jesus Christ, and in doing so, you will also come to know and better understand Heavenly Father. For the Savior does nothing and speaks nothing that is not of the Father. They are of one mind, heart and purpose although not body.

This is what we know of Jesus Christ:

1) He was God before the world was created and remained God after.

2) He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness and that He has always been so and always will be.

3) He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow . . . forever and ever. Therefore, miracles have not ceased. Prophets and apostles, holding the proper priesthood authority, still walk the earth. And His Church exists with the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth today.

Third, an actual knowledge that the course of life which He (Jesus Christ) is pursuing is according to His (Heavenly Father's) will. This, we learn as we study the scriptures and examine every aspect of Jesus Christ's life that we may know the path that we too must follow.

Moses 1:39 gives us a clear understanding of the purpose of Jesus Christ's mission on this earth:

For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

His humble birth in Bethlehem. (Luke 2) His three year mission teaching and restoring the fulness of His gospel, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (New Testament) His fulfillment of the Law of Sacrifice. (Mark 14:13-31) His agonizing and terrifying Atonement, the greatest act of love and crowning glory of all of mankind. (Mark 14:32-41) His cruel and excruciating trial, torture and crucifixion. (Mark 14:43-27; Mark 15) And His triumph over the grave when He broke the bands of death, forever, upon His resurrection. (Mark 16) All this was to the end of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man . . . yes, again, that is you.

Fourth, He cannot lie, for He is a God of truth.

Fifth, He is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of Him.

This is God. If you kneel down and offer with a sincere and humble heart the fervent desire to know if this true, it will be given to you. God is all that I have described. (Moroni 10:3-5)

You must have an idea of the perfect truth of God before faith can be given unto you. Joseph Smith, Jr. said:

By a little reflection, it will be seen that the idea of the existence of these attributes in the Deity is necessary to enable any rational being to exercise faith in Him; for without the idea of the existence of these attributes in the Deity, men could not exercise faith in Him for life and salvation; seeing that without the knowledge of all things God would not be able to save any portion of His creatures; for it is by reason of the knowledge which He has of all things, from the beginning to the end, that enables Him to give that understanding to His creatures by which they are made partakers of eternal life; and if it were not for the idea existing in the minds of men that God had all knowledge, it would be impossible for them to exercise faith in Him. (Joseph Smith, Jr., "Lectures on Faith" American Fork, 2000 51)

As you study the Gospel of Jesus Christ, fervently desiring to know truth from error or falsehood, you will be challenged. You might possibly be verbally or physically attacked, for truth has its enemies.

But know this, with the study of the Gospel comes a protection if you but ask. Study, learn and line upon line the truth and will be given to you. (Isaiah 28:10) And as truth is given to you, so is faith. Until your faith, challenged time and time again, will grow to the size of a mustard seed and beyond. This I testify of as absolute truth.

Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15th called prophet of these modern times, wrote a poem several years ago that I just heard for the first time today. The words are so heartfelt, and because I've felt death so recently, it hit me particularly hard.

These gentle words of poetry spoken by a prophet of God pierced my soul. They brought remembrance of who I was before:

One of the most precious things given to us, I believe, is the knowledge of who we were before we came to this earth.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie, an apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ, tells us:

"Being subject to law, and having their agency, all the spirits of men, while yet in the Eternal Presence, developed aptitudes, talents, capacities, and abilities of every sort, kind and degree . . . As the ages rolled, no two spirits remained alike. Mozart became a musician; Einstein centered his interest in mathematics; Michelangelo turned his attention to painting. Cain was a liar, a schemer, a rebel who maintained a close affinity to Lucifer. Abraham and Moses and all of the prophets sought and obtained the talent for spirituality. Mary and Eve were two of the greatest of all the spirit daughters of the Father . . . and so it went through all the hosts of heaven, each individual developing talents and abilities as his soul desired." (Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah, Salt Lake City, Deseret Book 1979 1:23 497)

"Eternal Presence" is the presence of our Heavenly Father. We are His spirit sons and daughters, which gives me such a sense of completeness. I know who I am: -- Read More -- (Candace E. Salima, "Who Was I Before Life," Mar 2008, Mormon Basic Beliefs, www.ldsblogs.com)

an acknowledgment that this brief moment of mortality is but a minute or so in the eternal scheme of our lives.

It is so difficult to part with loved ones as they return to our heavenly home. We concentrate on their absence in our lives, rather than their return to a glorious home . . . the home from whence we all came before mortality.

I mourned when President Gordon B. Hinckley died. But I also rejoiced that he had finally joined his sweet and beloved wife whom he missed so desperately.

I mourned when my father died. He was leaving behind a wife who loved and depended on him as well as twelve children, sons and daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who miss him desperately. But he suffered so greatly at the end, it was a quiet, yet heart wrenching, relief when he left mortality and passed through the veil.

As my husband's kidney transplant approaches I have had too much time to think of what could go wrong . . . because the transplant team is making sure we know everything that could go wrong so they don't get sued if something does.

And yet the words of President Hinckley's poem, particularly the second verse offer hope and strength:

This peace spoken of is real and available to all who seek it. It was given to each of us, including my mother, when my father's earthly time was growing to a close. The Holy Ghost whispered to each of us that Dad's time was done and he had much to accomplish on the other side of the veil before the Second Coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. Through the grief, there came a piercing peace which filled our souls. Do we miss him, oh yeah . . . without question.

But President Hinckley reminds us that death:

That is what we must remember most . . . death should not be a time of mourning, just as life should not be a time of wasting this brief moment where we've been given the chance to become more like our Heavenly Father.

Weep for the separation, but not for the purpose. For death is merely the graduation from mortality to the next phase in our eternal existence. When resurrection time comes for each of us, we will move into yet another phase of eternity. Who we are and what we become, in other words, how high we wish to reach, is completely up to us.

Do we want to be as Jesus Christ? Then we must live as Jesus Christ.

Do we want to be as our Father in Heaven? Then we must obey His commandments, given to us by His Son, Jesus Christ.

Do we wish to grow and learn and reach the full measure of our creation? Then we must avail ourselves of the opportunities Jesus Christ has given us.

Did you catch the common theme? Jesus Christ. He is our salvation. In accepting Him, as our Lord, Savior and Redeemer, the Son of God, the God of all who have lived in this world, as the only path through which we might return to our Father in Heaven and back into the presence of Jesus Christ. Through Him, and only through Him, may exaltation be found.

So remember who we are, children of God. Remember the purpose of why we are. And remember where we are going. This knowledge has been restored through Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration. And the Gospel of Jesus Christ is contained, in its fullness, in the Book of Mormon, a second testament of Jesus Christ. The scriptures hold such precious truths which guide us through every aspect of our lives.

And this beloved prophet of God, President Hinckley tells us:

Baptism is something that is common to many Christian factions across the globe. Many favor the "sprinkling" method, while other Christians, like Mormons, use the "immersion" method as was the baptism of Jesus Christ.

Baptism by immersion in water by one having authority is the first saving ordinance of the gospel and is necessary for an individual to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to receive eternal salvation. All who seek eternal life must follow the example of the Savior by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, www.lds.org - Definition of Baptism)

In other words, when you are brought up out of the water you are clean from every sin and are as a newborn baby, fresh and new. It is at that moment in time you will be the most perfect you will ever be since your birth. It is an exhilarating feeling, although the occurrence in my life took place in a distant time.

President Lorenzo Snow, the fifth called prophet in these modern times, spoke of his baptism and the expectations which existed within him:

I was baptized by Elder John Boynton, then one of the Twelve Apostles, June 1836, at Kirtland, Ohio. Previous to accepting the ordinance of baptism, in my investigations of the principles taught by the Latter-day Saints [Mormons], which I proved by comparison to be the same as those mentioned in the New Testament taught by Christ and His Apostles, I was thoroughly convinced that obedience to those principles would impart miraculous powers, manifestations and revelations. With expectation of this result, I received baptism and the ordinance of laying on of hands by one who professed to have divine authority; and having thus yielded obedience to these ordinances, I was in constant expectation of the fulfillment of the promise of the reception of the Holy Ghost. The manifestation did not immediately follow my baptism as I had expected. (Lorenzo Snow as quoted by Preston Nibley, "The Presidents of the Church, Deseret Book 1945)

This is not an uncommon response, even for a future prophet of God. Sometimes it takes awhile before we feel the full manifestation of the Holy Ghost in our lives. In a moment when we are earnestly seeking truth in sincere prayer, oh yes, the influence of the Holy Ghost can be felt as a soft whisper in your heart that sweeps through your entire body. Or it can be felt as a sense of certain rightness and truth. The Holy Ghost manifests itself in many, many ways . . . but all of them identifiable.

President Snow goes on to say:

Some two or three weeks after I was baptized, one day while engaged in my studies, I began to reflect upon the fact that I had not obtained a knowledge of the truth of the work-that I had not realized the fulfillment of the promise, "he that doeth my will shall know of the doctrine," and I began to feel very uneasy. I laid aside my books, left the house and wandered around through the fields under the oppressive influence of a gloomy, disconsolate spirit, while an indescribable cloud of darkness seemed to envelop me. I had been accustomed, at the close of day, to retire for secret prayer, to a grove a short distance from my lodgings, but at this time I felt no inclination to do so. The spirit of prayer had departed and the heavens seemed like brass over my head.

At length, realizing that the usual time had come for secret prayer, I concluded I would not fore go evening service, and as a matter of formality, knelt as I was in the habit of doing, and in my accustomed, retired place, but not feeling as I was wont to feel. I had no sooner opened my lips in an effort to pray, then I heard a sound, just above my head, like the rustling of silken robes; and immediately the spirit of God descended upon me: completely enveloping my whole person, filling me from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and O the joy and happiness I felt.

No language can describe the almost instantaneous transition from a dense cloud of mental and spiritual darkness into a refulgence of light and knowledge, that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and of the restoration of the Holy Priesthood, and the fulness of the Gospel. It was a complete baptism. (Ibid)

And so President Snow described his own experience of feeling the Holy Ghost for the first time. The specific responsibility of the Holy Ghost is to testify of truth, all truth. And as Lorenzo Snow reluctantly knelt to pray, the heavens opened and truth was testified of in a tangible and sweeping manner.

Sometimes, when we expect the burning bush or the parting of the Red Sea in order for God to prove himself we shall receive nothing. For they who seek signs have no real testimony of God or understanding of His mission and purpose in the eternities. But . . . there is one manifestation of the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost, which is almost felt each time we seek acknowledgment of truth. For me, it is a warmth and surety which sweeps over my body and my brain's acceptance of truth as it is testified to me without conscious thought. Meaning, I don't say to myself:

"Okay, I'm ready. Hit me."

My spirit hears the testimony of the Holy Ghost and consciously recognizes that spiritual transaction of knowledge with sure realization of truth.

As the prophet Moroni promised in the last chapter he wrote before burying the plates and fleeing his enemies:

Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. (Moroni 10:3-5)

At all times and in all things the Holy Ghost will testify of truth. After baptism, performed by one in authority, the gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed upon you. At this time you make a choice, will you live your life in such a way that you may have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, live up to the covenants you've made with Christ and begin your first steps on that journey to our heavenly home, or revert to your old ways turning from all you've just been given.

The Holy Ghost will be your companion and comforter, as described by Jesus Christ, guiding you through this treacherous journey we call mortality. You may not received a sudden and magnificent manifestation of his presence, but if you pray and listen quietly, asking for clarification or testimony of a truth, you will feel him as he testifies to you.

It is a precious, precious gift the Lord left with the early saints when He ascended to heaven. President Joseph F. Smith said of his own experience:

. . . the influence and power of the Holy Spirit that I experienced when I had been baptized for the remission of my sins. The feeling that came upon me was that of pure peace, of love and of light. I felt in my soul that if I had sinned-and surely I was not without sin-that it had been forgiven me; that I was indeed cleansed from sin; my heart was touched, and I felt that I would not injure the smallest insect beneath my feet. I felt as though I wanted to do good everywhere to everybody and to everything. I felt a newness of life, a newness of desire to do that which was right. There not one particle of desire for evil left in my soul. (Joseph F. Smith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Conference Report, April 1898 66)

And so it is, the Holy Ghost, the third member of the godhead, testifies of truth . . . even to the recognition of the purity of our spirits living in this physical reality. He is a gift from God, a compass as it were, that we may be carefully guided on our journey home.

President Thomas S. Monson, the sixteenth called prophet in these modern times, teaches the children of God through stories. With an unfailing gentle voice, sweet and tender spirit, a godlike love for each of our Father in Heaven's children, he teaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ through story.

In teaching of the hope that Jesus Christ represents to mankind, he shared this story:

First, may I tell you about Arthur. He had blond, curly hair and a smile as big as all outdoors. He stood taller than any boy in the class. I suppose this is how, in 1940, as the great conflict which became World War II was overtaking much of Europe, Arthur was able to fool the recruiting officers and enlist in the navy at the tender age of 15. To Arthur and most of the boys, the war was a great adventure. I remember how striking he appeared in his navy uniform. How we wished we were older or at least taller so we too could enlist.

Youth is a very special time of life. As Longfellow wrote:

How beautiful is youth! how bright it gleams
With its illusions, aspirations, dreams!
Book of Beginnings, Story without End,
Each maid a heroine, and each man a friend!2

Arthur’s mother was so proud of the blue star which graced her living room window. It represented to every passerby that her son wore the uniform of his country and was actively serving. When I would pass the house, she often opened the door and invited me in to read the latest letter from Arthur. Her eyes would fill with tears; I would then be asked to read aloud. Arthur meant everything to his widowed mother.

I can still picture Mrs. Patton’s coarse hands as she would carefully replace the letter in its envelope. These were hardworking hands; Mrs. Patton was a cleaning woman for a downtown office building. Each day of her life except Sundays she could be seen walking along the sidewalk, pail and brush in hand, her gray hair pulled back into a tight bob, her shoulders weary from work and stooped with age.

In March 1944, with the war now raging, Arthur was transferred from the USS Dorsey, a destroyer, to the USS White Plains, an aircraft carrier. While at Saipan in the South Pacific, the ship was attacked. Arthur was one of those on board who was lost at sea.

The blue star was taken from its hallowed spot in the front window of the Patton home. It was replaced by one of gold, indicating that he whom the blue star represented had been killed in battle. A light went out in the life of Mrs. Patton. She groped in utter darkness and deep despair.

With a prayer in my heart, I approached the familiar walkway to the Patton home, wondering what words of comfort could come from the lips of a mere boy.

The door opened, and Mrs. Patton embraced me as she would her own son. Home became a chapel as a grief-stricken mother and a less-than-adequate boy knelt in prayer.

Arising from our knees, Mrs. Patton gazed into my eyes and spoke: “Tommy, I belong to no church, but you do. Tell me, will Arthur live again?” To the best of my ability, I testified to her that Arthur would indeed live again.

In general conference those long years ago, as I related this account, I mentioned that I had lost track of Mrs. Patton but that I wanted to once more answer her question “Will Arthur live again?”

I referred to the Savior of the world, who walked the dusty paths of villages we now reverently call the Holy Land; who caused the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, and the dead to live; to Him who tenderly and lovingly assured us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”3

I explained that the plan of life and an explanation of its eternal course come to us from the Master of heaven and earth, even Jesus Christ the Lord. To understand the meaning of death, we must appreciate the purpose of life.

explained that the plan of life and an explanation of its eternal course come to us from the Master of heaven and earth, even Jesus Christ the Lord. To understand the meaning of death, we must appreciate the purpose of life.

I indicated that in this dispensation, the Lord declared: “And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn.”4 “Man was also in the beginning with God.”(Thomas S. Monson, “Mrs. Patton—the Story Continues,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 21–24)

President Monson went on to talk about the continuity of life and the eternities. He taught of premortality and what we did there. He spoke of this life and what awaits those who pass through the veil separating this world from the heavens.

When Jesus Christ entered the Garden of Gethsemane that fateful night 1,975 years ago, He did so with the intention of paying the ransom for the souls of mankind, every single one of His children.

He accomplished that very thing upon completing His mission. Hope was restored and the eternities were open to man once again because of His incredibly loving act of sacrifice. Death was forever crushed in the grave and the resurrection of man began when the Savior rolled forth the stone of His tomb and stepped into the sunshine.

Life does not end with death. It is merely, as my father liked to put it, our graduation. When he died, one year ago, he was so anxious to get on with finishing his mission of spreading the Gospel on the other side of the veil. He hated to leave my mother, the cancer left him no choice. I miss my father, but there is no question that he lives and will do so throughout the eternities.

So, as President Monson said, "Yes, Mrs. Patton. Arthur lives." To each of you I repeat the same to those who have lost loved ones due to illness, senseless crime, accident, old age, whatever the case may be . . . your loved one lives.

I encourage all of you to click on the link to President Monson's talk and read it in its entirety. He answers so many questions which plague the minds and hearts of those who have had to say goodbye: Yes Mrs. Patton - The Story Continues.

In 1996 President Gordon B. Hinckley, the fifteenth called prophet in these modern times, sat down with reporter, Mike Wallace in an unprecedented interview. They discussed a variety of topics, but in particular, Mr. Wallace asked about the state of the nation.

Mike Wallace: “Since World War II, we seem to be splintering; we seem to be becoming more selfish, more self-absorbed, less community minded. Families don’t seem to mean so much, and morality has gone to hell [his expression] in a handbasket. Why?”

Gordon B. Hinckley: “The basic failure is in our homes. Parents haven’t measured up to their responsibilities. It is evident. A nation will rise no higher than the strength of its homes. If you want to reform a nation, you begin with families, with parents who teach their children principles and values that are positive and affirmative and will lead them to worthwhile endeavors. That is the basic failure that has taken place in America. And we are making a tremendous effort to bring about greater solidarity in families. Parents have no greater responsibility in this world than the bringing up of their children in the right way, and they will have no greater satisfaction as the years pass than to see those children grow in integrity and honesty and make something of their lives. …” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “This Thing Was Not Done in a Corner,” Ensign, Nov 1996, 48)

President Hinckley addressed a critical problem we face in America, and really across the world, today. Society is falling apart. Now, at this time, President Hinckley didn't go into much more detail, but in a previous talk to the general membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often referred to as the Mormons, he gave specific instructions on how to turn society around within a generation or two.

Four simple things, which I believe bear repeating:

Let parents and children (1) teach and learn goodness together, (2) work together, (3) read good books together, and (4) pray together." (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Four Simple Things to Help Our Families and Our Nations,” Liahona, Jun 1996, 3)

For too long God has been pushed out of American families, society and government. And yet, Patrick Henry, one of America's fiercest patriots in our battle for freedom from Great Britain, said:

“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” (Patrick Henry as quoted by Robert W. Pelton, America: A Christian Nation? Here Are The Facts, 2008)

George Washington said,

"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." He also said, ""Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

A prophet of God has told us that if we pray as a family, along with the other three things, we can turn society around. So Mr. Wallace, there is the full and complete answer to your question.

Prayer is one of the most beautiful gifts our Father in Heaven has given us. Through this medium we are allowed to petition the God of the Universe at any time, day or night, 365 days a year. He is never too tired, frustrated or busy to listen to us pour out all the confusion, pain, frustration, even the joy, love and happiness our mortal hearts can hold. If we ask, He will guide us, protect us (unless it's our time to go or we have something to learn) and inspire us. I thank Him, most profusely, for this beautiful gift.

A family that kneels in sincere and heartfelt prayer, morning and night, will be a family more cemented together with eternal bonds. Oh yes, trouble will creep in, but prayer is a protection unlike most.

So this nation, crumbling at the seams, turn to God and remember He who gave you life awaits your call.

President John Taylor, the third called prophet in these modern times was an highly educated man. He was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, referred to as the Mormons, while still living in England. After joining the Church he traveled to America and was with the saints (Mormons) during their travails as the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ gained a foothold in the world once again. He was in the Carthage jail cell when the prophet, Joseph Smith and his brother, the patriarch, Hyrum were assassinated by a mob with their faces painted black. He was critically wounded by that same mob, during that same event, and lay near death for weeks.

This man stayed true to his testimony of Jesus Christ and his gospel, regardless of the great personal cost demanded of him. One of the things he treasured the most was the value of a good education. It was said of him:

John Taylor’s many writings on gospel subjects included letters, tracts, hymns, pamphlets, newspaper articles, and books. One of his books, entitled The Government of God, was praised by a noted American historian, who wrote: “As a dissertation on a general and abstract subject, it probably has not its equal in point of ability within the whole range of Mormon literature. The style is lofty and clear, and every page betokens the great learning of the author. As a student of ancient and modern history, theologian, and moral philosopher, President Taylor is justly entitled to the front rank.”

In addition to his many writings, President Taylor’s command of language, coupled with his testimony of the gospel, resulted in countless inspiring and instructive sermons. Elder B. H. Roberts wrote: “The Saints who listened to him for half a century will remember as long as they live his commanding presence, his personal magnetism, the vigor and power of his discourses and the grand principles of which they treated. … His eloquence was a majestic river full to the point of overflowing its banks, sweeping grandly through rich regions of thought.” (“Chapter 10: The Value of Education,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, 87)

He believed wholeheartedly in being "alive for the cause of education" for ourselves, our children, our friends and neighbors. And why is that? Well certainly, a literate people are difficult to crush. A literate people reach lofty and precious goals bringing them ever closer to the heaven or hell of their choosing. A literate people can be servants of God like no other, as long as they never forget that God is in charge.

We are taught, as Mormons, that we are not here to imitate or follow the world. But we are taught to be of the world, but not in it. In other words, Jesus Christ has given us the restoration of His magnificent gospel that we might be enlightened and instructed in the following of His footsteps back to our heavenly home.

President Taylor taught both secular and religious knowledge and never eschewed his burning desire to learn and grow. We are here in this mortal probation to learn and gain knowledge, to grow, to strengthen our hearts, minds and spirits ever engaged in the cause of righteousness.

President John Taylor lived this principle to his dying day, always trumpeting the value of an educated mind.

John Taylor, the third called prophet of these modern times, has a unique testimony of Joseph Smith, Jr., the prophet of the restoration. President Taylor was in Carthage Jail with Joseph and Hyrum Smith when the mob, faces painted black, charged the jail and assassinated the prophet and patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormons.

Before the mob attacked, Joseph asked John Taylor to sing his favorite hymn, "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief." As his beautiful tenor voice rose in song, the prophet listened with heavy heart, knowing he would not return from this imprisonment.

The words of this song I will share with you now, imagine the words sung to the haunting notes of the melody, if you can:

Source: Joseph Smith, B. H. Roberts, ed, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2nd ed. rev. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1974) 6:614-615.

To this day, this song, although not a favorite of President Taylor's, rips at my heart. Would I have recognized my Savior? Would I have helped this man in need, regardless of who he was? Would I have died for him?

I know that Joseph Smith would have recognized Jesus Christ in those circumstances, more importantly, I know that he recognized the lesson to be learned for the listener of the song. And Joseph Smith did die for his testimony of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and gospel of Christ restored through this chosen prophet of the restoration.

Of Joseph Smith, President Taylor said, "If there is no other man under the heavens that knows that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God I do, and I bear testimony of it to God, angels and men." (“Chapter 9: Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, 77)

There was nothing particular about [Joseph Smith], he was a man like the balance of us. But the Lord, for certain reasons of his own, I suppose, selected him to be his mouthpiece to the nations in this age of the world. Perhaps Joseph, as well as many others, was set apart to a certain office before the world was. Christ was the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world. Abraham was set apart to his office, and a great many others in the same way; and Joseph Smith came to do his work.

We all look upon Joseph Smith as being a prophet of God. God called him to occupy the position that he did. How long ago? Thousands of years ago before this world was formed. The prophets prophesied about his coming, that a man should arise whose name should be Joseph, and that his father’s name should be Joseph, and also that he should be a descendant of that Joseph who was sold into Egypt. This prophecy you will find recorded in the Book of Mormon [see 2 Nephi 3:15]. He had very great and precious promises made to him by the Lord. (Ibid)

John Taylor took bullets for his testimony of Joseph Smith, Jr. as a prophet of God on that fateful day the 27th of June in 1844. He, along with the rest of the Mormons, left Nauvoo, Illinois, even the United States, and found peace in the mountains of the Utah Territory. Until his dying day, John Taylor testified of the calling of Joseph Smith as the prophet of the restoration. A highly educated man, let me leave with you with this one last thought by President Taylor:

What could the Lord do with such a pack of ignorant fools as we were? There was one man that had a little good sense, and a spark of faith in the promises of God, and that was Joseph Smith—a backwoods man. He believed a certain portion of Scripture which said—“If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not.” [See James 1:5] He was fool enough in the eyes of the world, and wise enough in the eyes of God and angels, and all true intelligence, to go into a secret place to ask God for wisdom, believing that God would hear him. The Lord did hear him, and told him what to do. (Ibid)

Yes, Joseph did ask in 1820. The Lord did hear and He answered. Through Joseph Smith, Jr. the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ begin to roll forth and before he was assassinated, he had, through revelations from God, restored every principle, practice and precept the Lord needed him to. The testimony of one prophet of God, John Taylor, of another, Joseph Smith, remains strong and inviolate. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, so testifies President John Taylor.

What is the difference between eternal life and immortality? Each of Heavenly Father's children, every single person born into mortality, and yes, that includes you, will be resurrected regardless of their level of righteousness. This was assured by our Savior, Jesus Christ, when He broke the bands of death and arose in that garden tomb as our resurrected Lord and Redeemer. That is immortality.

Eternal life, on the other hand, has to be earned. It is something to be greatly desired and every effort, part and parcel of our lives should be dedicated to that end. Harold B. Lee, the eleventh called prophet in these modern times, tells us more, using the events of the Apollo 13 emergency return to earth from the vastness of space:

Some months ago [1970], millions of watchers and listeners over the world waited breathlessly and anxiously the precarious flight of Apollo 13. The whole world, it seemed, prayed for one significant result: the safe return to earth of three brave men.

When one of them with restrained anxiety announced the startling information, “We have had an explosion!” the mission control in Houston immediately mobilized all the technically trained scientists who had, over the years, planned every conceivable detail pertaining to that flight.

The safety of those three now depended on two vital qualifications: on the reliability of the skills and the knowledge of those technicians in the mission control center at Houston, and upon the implicit obedience of the men in the Aquarius to every instruction from the technicians, who, because of their understanding of the problems of the astronauts, were better qualified to find the essential solutions. The decisions of the technicians had to be perfect or the Aquarius could have missed the earth by thousands of miles.

This dramatic event is somewhat analogous to these [troubled] times in which we live. … Many are frightened when they see and hear of unbelievable happenings the world over—political intrigues, wars and contention everywhere, frustrations of parents endeavoring to cope with social problems that threaten to break down the sanctity of the home, the frustrations of children and youth as they face challenges to their faith and their morals.

Only if you are willing to listen and obey, as did the astronauts on the Aquarius, can you and all your households be guided to ultimate safety and security in the Lord’s own way. … (“Chapter 1: The Way to Eternal Life,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, 1)

Returning to our Heavenly Father and gaining our eternal reward relies completely on us and our willingness to not only follow in the footsteps of our Savior, Jesus Christ, but to also allow Him to shoulder our burdens when they become too heavy to bear.

To understand eternal life, we must understand the three basic principles of the foundation of the plan of salvation.

First, is free agency. Next to life, this is God's greatest gift to mankind. This critical principle was the basis of the war in heaven. Heavenly Father knew we had to have free agency in order to choose for ourselves "liberty and eternal life through obedience to the laws of God, or captivity and death as to spiritual things because of disobedience." (Ibid, 2 Nephi 2:27)

Second, a Savior had to be provided. In order for the plan of salvation to work a savior had to be provided in order that the atonement might be put in place for the salvation of mankind, in addition to breaking the bands of death. Jesus Christ stepped forward and was chosen by our Father in Heaven to be that Savior. He was born into the world approximately 2,007 years ago and in April 33 A.D. He suffered for the sins of the world in the Garden of Gethsemane, was crucified and resurrected, breaking the bands of death. "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” (2 Nephi 25:23)

Third, was the provision that all mankind could be saved if they followed the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Harold B. Lee said,

This same teaching was forcibly impressed by the resurrected Savior to the saints on this continent, in what it appears likely was his final message to his disciples. The Master taught his faithful saints that “no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.

“Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel. …” (Ibid, 3 Nephi 27:19–21)

And so Eternal Life is simply this: When we have lived our lives according to the principles, practices and precepts of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to the best of our abilities, then we will gain our eternal reward on that great judgment day. To live, once again, with our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ is eternal life.

Harold B. Lee also tells us of the promise given to us if we abide by this:

If the children of the Lord, which includes all who are upon this earth, regardless of nationality, color, or creed, will heed the call of the true messenger of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as did the three astronauts on the Aquarius to the trained technicians at Mission Control in the hour of their peril, each may in time see the Lord and know that he is, as the Lord has promised. …

This promise of the glory which awaits those who are faithful to the end was plainly portrayed in the Master’s parable of the Prodigal Son. To the son who was faithful and did not squander his birthright, the father, who in the Master’s lesson would be our Father and our God, promised this faithful son: “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” (Luke 15:31.)(Ibid)

Eternal life is the greatest reward any human being can reach for. We have been blessed with a loving Heavenly Father who wishes to see us return home. We have been blessed with a loving Savior, Jesus Christ, who paid the price for our sins, satisfied justice and broke the bands of death. We have been given the path to eternal life and the invitation remains open . . . In my mind's ear, I can hear Him say,

"Come home my little ones, for eternal happiness will be yours if you will but trust in that which your heart knows to be true." Jesus Christ lives. Heavenly Father lives and they have paid the ultimate price in providing that path home to eternal life. Jesus Christ paid with the suffering for the world's sin and crucifixion, Heavenly Father paid in having to watch His Son suffer so that all of us could be redeemed, if we so chose.

I invite you to join me on that path, hard as it may be at times. The rewards far outweigh the cost. And the cost for eternal life? Turn from the ways of the world and embrace that great plan of happiness, for within that plan is your map back to your heavenly home.

As we live the gospel, we receive the light, inspiration, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. (“Chapter 20: The Still, Small Voice of Revelation,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 181)

This is a beautiful gift given to all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, otherwise known as the Mormons. This gift is personal, two-way communication, with God, who is our Heavenly Father and always petitioned in the name of Jesus Christ, as the Savior taught us to do in the New Testament. (John 16:23-24, 26)

Interestingly enough, I saw a picture on the internet which said, "Don't pray about the Book of Mormon, that's how they get you!" Now, I paraphrased that and it was a funny picture to me. How real it was, I don't know. But it did make me laugh. But let's take that message as if it were real and understand what they are asking you to do.

Don't pray about the Book of Mormon, or anything else for that matter? Oh my goodness, why would I rob myself of the most precious communication Heavenly Father grants unto His children. Why would I pay attention to a sign in lieu of personal revelation from my Heavenly Father? Of this sacred gift, we are told the following by Heber J. Grant, the seventh called prophet of these modern times:

I rejoice … that every Latter-day Saint, every humble son and daughter of God that has embraced the gospel and become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has received the witness of the Holy Spirit; that the gift of tongues, the gift of prophecy, of healing, and other gifts and blessings, are found in the Church, and are not confined to men that hold responsible positions in the Church. I have listened to some of the most spirited and able, and some of the finest sermons of my life from men who held no official position. …

It is not position, it is not education that gives the Spirit of God; but it is keeping the commandments of Almighty God and being lowly in heart and desiring to fulfill the commandments of God in our daily walk and conversation. (Ibid)

If we are worthy, living the commandments of the gospel of Jesus Christ, then we are able to receive communication from heaven. In the Book of Mormon we are told:

And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned. (Alma 32:23, Book of Mormon)

Every worthy man, woman and child, by virtue of living by the principles, practices and precepts of the gospel of Jesus Christ can, and do, receive answers to their prayers.

This is what it boils down to, if someone is telling you their inspiration is more important or better than yours, they are wrong. Each child of God is entitled to inspiration within the bounds of their stewardship. For example:

• The living prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, receives revelation for the entire church, even the world, for all who live on the planet today are within the stewardship of this living prophet of God.
• Each apostle or general authority receives revelation for the departments which fall under their care.
• Each bishop receives revelation for his ward or congregation for they are within his stewardship.
• Each mother or father receives revelation for their family, for each child is within the stewardship and responsibility of those parents.

You are entitled to personal revelation regarding anything you choose. The answers you receive from your Heavenly Father should remain close to your heart and treated as the sacred revelation that it is. These personal revelations you receive are to be shared when you feel prompted to do so and only at those times.

Just so it is completely understood, you are entitled to receive personal revelation or answers from your Heavenly Father regarding anything that effects your life, your mortal probation.

Let us turn one more time to the words of the prophet, Heber J. Grant:

There is nothing else that will bring the same joy to anybody as will doing those things that devolve upon them and that are pleasing in the sight of God. We come upon this earth to do the mind and will of the Lord, and it behooves each and all of us to so live that we will be entitled to the revelations of His Spirit, and that when we receive them we will have the courage and the determination to carry them out. 21

It behooves every Latter-day Saint to seek for the light and inspiration of the Spirit of God, and after receiving that, to use all the ability that he possesses in laboring for the onward advancement of God’s work. Never be found among the number that try to see how little they can do; but always be found among the number that try to see how much they can do. Have your aim high. 22

May the light and inspiration of God be our constant guide and companion. May we grow and increase in the Spirit of God and in the testimony of the Gospel, and in power and ability to accomplish the purposes of our Heavenly Father here on the earth; and may we grow in the desire to do so, is my prayer and desire. (Ibid)

This too is my prayer, that each of us, Mormon and friends of other faiths, learn to turn to our Father in Heaven for further light and knowledge. For the path has been clearly marked for our return to our heavenly home. I testify to each and every person reading this that you are loved, you are worried about, you are guided and you are protected if you will but trust that the Lord Jesus Christ lives in all His resurrected glory. Through Him and the life He lived, we learn of the Father who loves us with all the eternal capabilities a father can love.

I testify to you that if you will kneel in humble and sincere prayer, asking with unwavering faith if this be true, He will answer your prayers. You have a right to those answers, just remember, if you ask and receive, you must then act.

John Taylor, who was the third called prophet in these modern times, saw and experienced so much hatred and persecution in his life that I find these words of his particularly poignant and powerful.

“Love one another,” he encouraged, “and work the works of righteousness, and look after the welfare of all, and seek to promote the happiness of all. That is what God is doing.” He believed strongly in the role of the Spirit in nurturing our love for others. “When you get the Spirit of God,” he taught, “you feel full of kindness, charity, long-suffering, and you are willing all the day long to accord to every man that which you want yourself. You feel disposed all the day long to do unto all men as you would wish them to do unto you.” (Chapter 3: “Love Thy Neighbour as Thyself”, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, 21)

President Taylor was in Carthage Jail by the side of the prophet (Joseph Smith) and the patriarch (Hyrum Smith,) as well as an eyewitness to the assassinations of these righteous men. He took multiple bullets himself and lingered near death for a long time before recovering from the heinous attack. He was driven, along with the other Mormons, from state to state and finally out of the country into the Utah Territory. If anyone had cause to "hate" he'd certainly been given enough ammunition.

And yet, his words do not convey that message:

“David prayed that God would send his enemies to hell quickly [see Psalm 55:15]. Jesus, when he was being crucified, suffering the pain of a cruel death, said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ [Luke 23:34] I like that prayer much better than the other one. … This is the feeling we ought to have. We ought to have it one towards another and treat one another with kindness and not get up hard feelings. … I hear a man say sometimes, ‘I hate such a man.’ Why, I do not know of a person that I hate in the world. The command is to love one another.” (Ibid)

"Forgive them, for they know not what they do." As always, Jesus Christ is the Exemplar and President John Taylor, a chosen prophet of God, decided to follow His example rather than the plethora of examples the world has to follow, even King David.

It isn't easy sometimes to love everyone. People only too often give us reason to not love them. But, if we turn to an eternal perspective and remember who we are . . . we are all children of God, and in so being, are brothers and sisters to one another.

Yes, the Christian is brother to the Muslim. The Hindu is brother to the Buddhist. The Baptist is brother to the Mormon. It all follows, you see, the eternal plan and circle of our heavenly family. And if it is true that our Heavenly Father put us on this earth to learn to be more like Him and our Savior, Jesus Christ, and it is, then we know we are to "love thy neighbor," even those who are half a world away.

God is our Father, we His children, and we all ought to be brethren; we ought to feel and act like brethren, and while we are striving to serve the Lord our God with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength, we ought, at the same time, to seek to love our neighbor as ourselves; we ought to feel interested in his welfare, happiness and prosperity, and in anything and everything that will tend to promote his temporal and eternal good. (Ibid)

Truly, in following the example of Jesus Christ we come to know our Heavenly Father better. He and Jesus Christ are one in heart, purpose and mind although two separate beings. In following His example, that pure love of God fills ours beings and we are able to love others with that godly love instead of the extremely limited, and certainly poor imitation, mortal love.

And so, we cannot defraud our brother if we truly love him, not if we are Christians. We cannot attack our brother if we truly love him, not if we are Christians. We cannot ignore our brother if we truly love him, not if we are Christians. We cannot behave in ways that are contrary to the commandments and gospel of Jesus Christ if we truly love as we are loved by Him. His gospel allows us to develop this godly love and to touch other lives for the better. We forgive where we would hate. We love where love has never been felt. We become disciples of Jesus Christ, and in so doing, stand as emissaries of the Living God who redeemed the world.

During this season, indeed this season of seasons, let us look to the heavens and allow that godly light to touch our hearts that we may look out at the world with new eyes. In doing so, our love for our fellow man will increase and in this climate, the gospel of Jesus Christ can spread across the world to every corner of every land.

If men, by taking a wrong course, act imprudently and seek to injure us, shall we seek to injure them? No, we will try to do them all the good we can. “But that is not natural.” But then we ought to be changed from nature to grace. Jesus stated, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you,” etc. [Matthew 5:43–44.] When you have done all that and met all the requirements of the law, what more can be asked of you? Nothing. …

… If there be trouble existing between me and anybody else, I would meet them half way, yes, I would meet them three quarters or even all of the way. I would feel like yielding; I would say, I do not want to quarrel, I want to be a Saint. I have set out for purity, virtue, brotherhood, and for obedience to the laws of God on earth, and for thrones and principalities and dominions in the eternal worlds, and I will not allow such paltry affairs to interfere with my prospects. I am for life, eternal lives and eternal exaltations in the kingdom of God. (Ibid)

Brother Brigham lived through all the early and extremely tough years of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormons. He served with Joseph Smith, Jr. as a friend, a brother in the gospel and an apostle of the Lord, which is a special witness of Jesus Christ. He so loved, honored and cherished his association with the prophet of the restoration, Brother Joseph, that on his deathbed the last words, of recognition and joy, from his mouth were, "Joseph, Joseph, Joseph."

Brigham Young met Joseph not long after the Church was formally organized on April 6, 1830. Not quick to accept the gospel, he took his own sweet time in studying the Book of Mormon, praying about the truthfulness of it and the prophet who had translated it. When the answer came to him, strong and clear, there was no turning back.

From that day forth he was dedicated to the work of the Lord and the man who had been called to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ in its entirety. Of Joseph he said,

“I feel like shouting Hallelujah, all the time, when I think that I ever knew Joseph Smith, the Prophet whom the Lord raised up and ordained, and to whom he gave keys and power to build up the Kingdom of God on earth and sustain it” (DBY, 456). Throughout his life as a Church leader, he expressed love and admiration for the Prophet Joseph Smith: “I can truly say, that I invariably found him to be all that any people could require a true prophet to be, and that a better man could not be, though he had his weaknesses; and what man has ever lived upon this earth who had none?” (“Chapter 47: President Brigham Young’s Witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 343)

And indeed he did, loud and clear and as often as he could. Of Joseph's calling as the prophet of the restoration, Brigham bore witness of with strength and power:

It was decreed in the counsels of eternity, long before the foundations of the earth were laid, that he, Joseph Smith, should be the man, in the last dispensation of this world, to bring forth the word of God to the people, and receive the fulness of the keys and power of the Priesthood of the Son of God. The Lord had his eyes upon him, and upon his father, and upon his father’s father, and upon their progenitors clear back to Abraham, and from Abraham to the flood, from the flood to Enoch, and from Enoch to Adam. He has watched that family and that blood as it has circulated from its fountain to the birth of that man. He was fore-ordained in eternity to preside over this last dispensation (DBY, 108). (“Chapter 47: President Brigham Young’s Witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 343)

Indeed, Joseph was called from before the foundations of the world were ever built. Brigham had often said that if he could gaze upon the face of a prophet of God, such as those in the Old Testament, who had seen the face of God and spoken with Him, he would fall to the earth in gratitude for that gift. The first time he heard Joseph Smith preach Brigham said he "brought heaven and earth together." He said that Joseph never taught more than "pure truth, and this I personally have received a testimony of . . . a testimony that is available to anyone willing to kneel in humble prayer and ask Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ if this be true.

Brigham went on to say:

I never saw any one, until I met Joseph Smith, who could tell me anything about the character, personality and dwelling-place of God, or anything satisfactory about angels, or the relationship of man to his Maker. Yet I was as diligent as any man need to be to try and find out these things (DBY, 458).

He took heaven, figuratively speaking, and brought it down to earth; and he took the earth, brought it up, and opened up, in plainness and simplicity, the things of God; and that is the beauty of his mission. I had a testimony, long before that, that he was a Prophet of the Lord, and that was consoling. Did not Joseph do the same to your understandings? Would he not take the Scriptures and make them so plain and simple that everybody could understand? Every person says, “Yes, it is admirable; it unites the heavens and the earth together,” and as for time, it is nothing, only to teach us how to live in eternity (DBY, 458–59).

I honor and revere the name of Joseph Smith. I delight to hear it; I love it. I love his doctrine (DBY, 458). ("Chapter 47: President Brigham Young’s Witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 343)

You have only to study the teachings of Joseph Smith, Jr. to know how true that was. In his preaching of the gospel principles revealed to him, the Holy Ghost testifies of truth with a burning in your bosom so strong it courses throughout your entire body. Joseph never feared truth, only sought after it in its purest form. This Brigham knew for himself and he remained loyal to Joseph Smith, Jr. unto death.

They survived persecution together. They survived insurrection together. They survived being driven from city to city and state to state together. When Joseph Smith was assassinated, Brigham's heart was torn from his chest. His beloved prophet, seer and revelator was gone. His heart heavy, he returned to Nauvoo to see to the affairs of the Church.

Who delivered Joseph Smith from the hands of his enemies [until] the day of his death? It was God; though he was brought to the brink of death time and time again, and, to all human appearance, could not be delivered, and there was no probability of his being saved. When he was in jail in Missouri, and no person expected that he would ever escape from their hands, I had the faith of Abraham, and told the brethren, “As the Lord God liveth, he shall come out of their hands.” Though he had prophesied that he would not live to be forty years of age, yet we all cherished hopes that that would be a false prophecy, and we should keep him forever with us; we thought our faith would outreach it, but we were mistaken—he at last fell a martyr to his religion. I said, “It is all right; now the testimony is in full force; he has sealed it with his blood” (DBY, 469–70).

His office is not taken from him, he has only gone to labor in another department of the operations of the Almighty. He is still an Apostle, still a Prophet, and is doing the work of an Apostle and Prophet; he has gone one step beyond us and gained a victory that you and I have not gained (DBY, 468).

I know that [Joseph Smith] was called of God, and this I know by the revelations of Jesus Christ to me, and by the testimony of the Holy Ghost. Had I not so learned this truth, I should never have been what is called a “Mormon,” neither should I have been here to-day (DNW, 22 Oct. 1862, 2). (“Chapter 47: President Brigham Young’s Witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 343)

Spencer W. Kimball, the 12th called prophet of these modern times, speaks and testifies most eloquently about Joseph Smith, Jr., the prophet of the restoration.

… Joseph Smith came into this world that was crying for help; for hundreds of years it had been helpless. … It had been hundreds and hundreds of years since there had been a prophet. … And so it was time. (“Chapter 21: The Prophet Joseph Smith,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, (2006),226–35)

When Peter, of Peter, James and John fame, who held all the keys of the kingdom, was crucified upside down, the last prophet on the earth, at that time, was taken up into heaven. The world fell into a great apostasy. The prophet and apostles of Jesus Christ had been murdered, one by one, and darkness settled over the world as Satan ran unchecked for centuries. Commonly known as the "Dark Ages" it was a gloomy and hopeless period of history for the world.

In 1805 a small light pierced the world with the birth of Joseph Smith, Jr., named after his father. His arrival long prophesied of (2 Nephi 3:14-16), Joseph came to this world, "at the proper time in these last days to open the doors to the great world, to give the gospel to them, to give the priesthood to them, and to give hope to them as they look forward to eternal life." (Ibid)

In the spring of 1820, a 14-year-old boy went into the woods to pray and found himself conversing with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. That long, dark period of history of the world was over. The heavens were open once again and God conversed with man once more.

During a long night, in September of 1823, Joseph was told:, "He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people. (Joseph Smith History 1:33) And it has been, more so today than at any other time in the history of the world.

This significant moment in religious and secular history opened a new dispensation of revelation. President Kimball explained that God speaks to man, when He feels it necessary. Since He is the same yesterday, today and forever the heavens are not closed to man. Only when mankind walks away and locks the heavens from his side, does godly silence descend. Joseph Smith's acceptance of his calling as the prophet of a new dispensation, his willingness to serve in whatever way the Lord asked of him, his willingness and courage to stand strong against all who attacked him allowed us to share in that new dispensation too.

Because of the way in which Joseph's name has been bandied about, for both good and bad, I will in the next few weeks give you the prophets' feelings and testimonies of this prophet, called as a boy and raised to a man serving Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Through him revelation from heaven resumed its flow. The restoration of the priesthood of God, the restoration of the proper manner of baptism, the restoration of the gift of the Holy Ghost, the restoration of all the teachings and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ, previously lost to the world were brought about by Joseph's humility, perseverance and devotion to God.

President Kimball described feelings he had when viewing a portrait of the Prophet Joseph Smith found in a room of the Salt Lake Temple: “I look over on the front wall, and there is Joseph Smith, and I think what a great, great prophet Joseph Smith was. He was no common man. … I think of all of his persecutions and the suffering that he went through. I think of all the revelations that came from heaven to him which he gave to us. And then I gain new strength again.” (Ibid)

and he went on to say:

In our own dispensation came [such a] grand experience. The need was imperative; an apostasy had covered the earth and gross darkness the people, and the minds of men were clouded and light had been obscured in darkness [see Isaiah 60:2]. The time had come. Religious liberty would protect the seed until it could germinate and grow. And the individual was prepared in the person of a youth, clean and open minded, who had such implicit faith in the response of God that the heavens could not remain as iron and the earth as brass as they had been for many centuries [see Leviticus 26:19].

This budding prophet had no preconceived false notions and beliefs. He was not steeped in the traditions and legends and superstitions and fables of the centuries. He had nothing to unlearn. He prayed for knowledge and direction. The powers of darkness preceded the light. When he knelt in solitude in the silent forest, his earnest prayer brought on a battle royal that threatened his destruction. For centuries, Lucifer with unlimited dominion had fettered men’s minds and could ill-afford to lose his satanic hold. This threatened his unlimited dominion. (Ibid)

And so it is, one prophet's testimony of another and his mission.

Joseph's life was protected through all persecution and attacks on his life until his mission in life was through. On June 27, 1844 when bullets tore through his flesh, taking him from the world, the gospel of Jesus had been restored in its entirety. Although the persecutors of the Church believed if they killed Joseph Smith, Jr. the Church would fall into disarray and simply fade away, they could not have been more wrong. On April 6, 1830 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally organized by Joseph, the prophet of the restoration. Now, in December of 2007 there are more than 13,000,000 Mormons across the world. No, they could not have been more wrong. Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone and stands at the head of His gospel. It is Jesus Christ who Joseph worshipped. It is Jesus Christ Joseph obeyed. And it was through Joseph Smith, Jr. that Jesus Christ restored His gospel.

David O. McKay, the ninth called prophet, seer and revelator in these modern times, became very famous for a single, and yet very powerful, quote:

No other success can compensate for failure in the home. … The poorest shack … in which love prevails over a united family is of greater value to God and future humanity than [any other riches]. In such a home God can work miracles and will work miracles. … Pure hearts in a pure home are always in whispering distance of Heaven.” (quoted from J. E. McCulloch, Home: The Savior of Civilization [Washington, D.C.: The Southern Co-operative League, 1924], p. 42; in Conference Report, Apr. 1964, p. 5)

In a chaotic world, such as the one we live in, this eternity altering advice from this prophet of God needs to be shared far and wide. Children are so busy with all aspects of school, sports and other extracurricular activities that the time actually spent in the home and with family members is slim to none. Parents are driven to and fro as they try to meet the needs of their families as well as their own. Television, music, movies, video games and the internet pull our children, and even the adults, into a world filled with sound, violence, flashing lights, loud music and mind-numbing, and often dangerous, pursuits.

The family unit is precious and specific, designed after our eternal family, and this is our opportunity to work with God to teach and mold His children. Does the world really matter when the children are in trouble? I can tell you right now, the answer is "no."

"A newborn babe is the most helpless creature in the world. The protecting care of parenthood is essential to its survival, as well as its growth. … Our most precious possessions, our treasures of eternity, are our children. These merit and should receive our greatest and our most constant care and guidance." (“Chapter 16: The Noble Calling of Parents,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 153)

As children grow from infancy to adulthood the one thing they should always be able to count on is their parents. Life can often become so busy children become lost in the shuffle. It is so important to remember that Heavenly Father has entrusted His children to your care. And nothing, no amount of fame, glory or accolades, will ease your breaking heart when your children become entangled in the grasping tentacles of a world run amuck.

Is it really asking so much to take a child who is a part of both you and your spouse, an immeasurable gift from God, and nurture, teach and arm that child to deal with the world? 18 years. It sounds like a lot, but any loving parent will tell you it flies by in less than a second. What do you get in return? Baby kisses, toddler hugs, childish adoration, love unbounded . . . surely that is enough to counter the colic, temper tantrums, childhood illnesses . . . surely the love far outweighs the inconvenience.

What an immeasurable gift being a parent is . . . and to Mormons, it is the greatest gift and responsibility.

The bringing of children into the world bears with it great responsibilities and opens to view the noblest purpose of life, namely, a co-partnership with deity “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39)

The Father of all mankind expects parents, as his representatives, to assist him in shaping and guiding human lives and immortal souls. That is the highest assignment which the Lord can bestow upon man. (“Chapter 16: The Noble Calling of Parents,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 153)

We are in a co-partnership with deity, let me be more specific, with Heavenly Father. We lived before we born into this world. And in that place where we lived, our heavenly home, we had loving Parents. We have been entrusted by the God of all the heavens and earth to teach our children as we were taught. To love our children as we were loved. And to bring our children up unto God that we might undertake our role as parents as well as He did before.

And from this same prophet of God, David O. McKay, he clearly explains our sacred parental obligation is . . .

Parenthood … should be held as a sacred obligation. There is something in the depths of the human soul which revolts against neglectful parenthood. God has implanted deep in the souls of parents the truth that they cannot with impunity shirk the responsibility to protect childhood and youth. (“Chapter 16: The Noble Calling of Parents,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 153)

Take this gift of immense value you have been given, and every morning kneel and thank your Father in Heaven for this precious gift of parenthood for the children He has entrusted to your care. Every evening thank Him for the opportunity given you and turn continually to the Father during the day or the late hours of the night for answers which seem beyond reach when in your role as a mother or father.

Of one thing I am sure. Heavenly Father has given you the gift of children which is of great import, the level of greatness you may never fully understand. He never has, nor will He ever expect you to walk that path alone. He has given you prophets and apostles to guide your way. He has given you a remembrance of your life before to give you a familiarity of parenthood, as faint as it may be. He has given you a strong and thinking mind and a humble heart. He has given you many ways to strengthen your family: Prayer, scripture study, family home evening, church attendance . . . It goes on and on. The Family: A Proclamation to the World is another tool which helps us to understand the value and sacred duty of parenthood and I invite you to read, ponder and pray about it.

When you have successfully completed the raising of your children then you can look forward to grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You will be able to see the sacred heritage you have passed down through the generations. You will be the strength, the love, the support . . . and through it all you will have the blessings and eternal gratitude from Heavenly Father for faithful way you discharged your duties as a noble parent.

The Old Testament prophesies of a promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. The New Testament teaches of Jesus Christ's mortal life and ministry. In the New Testament is where we first learn, with a clear and steady certainty, that there is God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ was not a ventriloquist when He was baptized:

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John [the Baptist], to be baptized of him.

But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:13-17)

Here we have a very clear example of our God the Eternal Father or our Heavenly Father. And again in the New Testament, when Jesus was instructing us how to pray, He prayed to our Heavenly Father, His Father.

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)

And perhaps one of the most powerful examples of the existence of our Heavenly Father, except for the First Vision, is in the Garden of Gethsemane:

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:36-39)

Jesus repeated this prayer to His Father twice more before the night was through. In such mortal agony that blood dripped from every pore, He pled with His Father, and ours, to give Him another way to accomplish the purpose for which He'd been sent, the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39) But every single time He ended that prayer with but as thou wilt. He was not pleading to Himself, He was talking to our Father in Heaven, submitting wholly and completely to the will of the Father.

We have a Father in Heaven, one who loves us so much. And Joseph Smith, Jr. was the first in this modern age, as opposed to the meridian of time, to give us insight into who He is:

"While one portion of the human race is judging and condemning the other without mercy, the Great Parent of the universe looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard; He views them as His offspring, and without any of those contracted feelings that influence the children of men, causes ‘His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.’" (“Chapter 2: God the Eternal Father,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007),36–44)

Other scriptures clearly identify the existence of a Father in Heaven who is distinctly and physically separate from Jesus Christ. (John 17:11-23, 1 John 5:7-8, John 17:9,11)

I believe where the confusion comes in is when Jesus and Heavenly Father speak of one another interchangeably. But if one can understand that they are one in mind, heart and purpose, but not in body, then you can understand that Jesus Christ, our Lord and the Savior of all mankind, submits completely to the will of the Father, as He so amply demonstrated in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The loving Great Parent Joseph Smith, Jr. speaks of is our Father in Heaven. We have a Father in Heaven, God the Father