SWK #21: "The Prophet Joseph Smith" by Sondra Soderborg

Dearest Sisters:

I have gotten so behind on our blog that I'm just going to start over. What follows is Sondra's handout from today's lesson. It is very similar to what she actually said. Enjoy!

Lesson 21: The Prophet Joseph Smith

November 4, 2007

President Kimball testified of Joseph Smith:

This young boy was entrusted with the greatest block of knowledge known to men. Remember, that spring morning not one of all the people in the world had absolute knowledge of God. There were many good people, but they had all walked in spiritual darkness these many centuries. But here was a boy who knew that morning in the grove in New York when the Father and Son came to him was perhaps the greatest revelation ever given to the world. (Manual p. 230)

The scriptures testify of Joseph Smith’s life: 2 Ne. 3:14-15. The words in Isaiah 29:11-12, 14 comforted Joseph and helped him understand his prophetic calling. He came to understand them at a very dark time in his life, when Emma, nearly dying in childbirth, delivered a son who lived only briefly, and Martin Harris told Joseph about the lost 116 pages of translation.

Joseph Smith had singular knowledge and responsibility. His claims and his work were audacious, and his burdens were at times almost unbearable. When he was allowed to show the plates to the witnesses to the Book of Mormon, Joseph’s mother wrote of his reaction:

He threw himself down beside [me] and exclaimed that “the Lord has now caused the plates to be shown to more besides myself.” “They will have to bear witness to the truth of what I have said, for now they know for themselves, that I do not go about to deceive the people … I feel as if I was relieved of a burden which was almost too heavy for me to bear, and it rejoices my soul, that I am not any longer to be entirely alone in the world.”

(Rough Stone Rolling, pp. 78-79).

Despite his unique position in the history of the world, his work could only go forward based on his righteousness and humility. David Whitmer describes Joseph challenged in an ordinary way, and unable to do his work without resolution:

One morning when he was getting ready to continue the translation, something went wrong about the house and he was put out about it. Something that Emma, his wife, had done. Oliver and I went up stairs and Joseph came up soon after to continue the translation, but he could not do anything. He could not translate a single syllable. He went down stairs, out into the orchard and made supplication to the Lord; was gone about an hour—came back to the house, asked Emma’s forgiveness and then came up stairs where we were and then the translation went on all right. He could do nothing save he was humble and faithful.

(Rough Stone Rolling, p. 77).

In the face of grave hardships that surrounded the early years of the church, Joseph suffered great harm and disappointment. In 1838, William W. Phelps, a high-ranking church leader in Missouri and the composer of some of our most important hymns, including “The Spirit of God, was excommunicated for disobeying counsel and using church money for his own purposes. His testimony at a trial helped put Joseph and other church leaders in prison. Two years later, on their way to Europe, two missionaries found him. With their encouragement, he wrote to Joseph asking forgiveness. Joseph Smith replied on July 22, 1840. His response, which demonstrates his commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ, said in part:

I must say that it is with no ordinary feelings I endeavour to write a few lines to you … at the same time I am rejoiced at the priveledge granted me. You may in some measure realize what my feelings, as well as Elder Rigdon’s & Bro Hyrum’s were when we read your letter, truly our hearts were melted into tenderness and compassion when we ascertained your resolves &c

It is true, that we have suffered much in consequence of your behavior—the cup of gall already full enough for mortals to drink, was indeed filled to overflowing when you turned against us: One with whom we had oft taken sweet council together, and enjoyed many refreshing seasons from the Lord “Had it been an enemy we could have borne it”

Believing your confession to be real and your repentance genuine, I shall be happy once again to give you the right hand of fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal.

Your letter was read to the Saints last Sunday and an expression of their feeling was taken, when it was unanimously resolved that W.W. Phelps should be received into fellowship.

“Come on dear Brother since the war is past,

For friends at first are friends again at last.”

(Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, pp. 472-473).

William W. Phelps composed “Praise to the Man” after Joseph’s martyrdom.