A series, found in the Relief Society Magazine, explores various people who knew the prophet, Joseph Smith. I have often wondered what it would be like to sit in his presence and hear him speak. I believe his magnetic personality came from the strength of his spirit.
In this article, President Joseph F. Smith shares his testimony of his uncle, Joseph Smith Jr. His parents, Hyrum and Mary Fielding Smith, were exemplary people that I think most of us already admire. In this article, Pres. Smith mentions how his “sainted mother” taught him how to have a testimony of the prophet Joseph and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We have only his words in testimony and a few stories that show his mother’s unwavering faith. After reading through the most recent conference addresses, I can imagine every parent being rejuvenated enough to seriously meet the task of teaching truths to their little ones. We’ve been reminded many times of the importance of teaching, setting an example, and practicing daily repentance, faith, devotion, and lots of love. I feel this was the home life experienced by Pres. Smith.
However, we also know that Mary Fielding Smith died when Joseph was only fourteen years old. What she taught him was already ingrained in him by then, which also testifies of her diligence and performance as a mother.
Joseph F. Smith grew up to be a prophet of God, like his uncle. This is his testimony of the prophet of the Restoration:
“I bear my testimony to you, and to the world, that Joseph was raised up by the power of God to lay the foundations of this great latter-day work, to reveal the fulness of the Gospel to the world, in this dispensation, to restore the priesthood of God to the world, by which men may act in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and it will be accepted of God, it will be by his authority. I bear my testimony to it; I know that it is true.”
Next year we celebrate the anniversary of the First Vision. Pres. Nelson has encouraged us to read the account for ourselves, ponder it, and testify of its vital importance in the Restoration. Keep in mind that Joseph F. was fourteen when he was left an orphan yet had the testimony of the gospel instilled in him. The prophet Joseph was fourteen when he received an answer to his earnest prayer. Equal in age, one can certainly understand the feelings the other might have.
“Concerning his spiritual manifestations, is it reasonable to suppose that there could have been premeditated deceit on the part of the boy, and such a boy, in his simple statement of what he saw and heard? No; neither could the answer which the heavenly messenger gave to him, have been composed in the child’s own mind. Joseph Smith’s testimony concerning his heavenly manifestation, in later life, was as simple, straight-forward, plain and true, as it had been in childhood; the fidelity, courage and love implanted in and characteristic of his life in boyhood neither faltered or changed, with maturity.”
The naysayers of our day have picked over the details of the several versions of the First Vision to no avail. His testimony rings over the ages.
“For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it” (JS-H 1:25).
Can our testimonies stand the test of time? Will we flounder when others press against our beliefs? Do we stand by our prophets and the truths that they teach?
Article written by Preston Nibley, Assistant Church Historian, “He Knew the Prophet Joseph Smith: President Joseph F. Smith,” Relief Society Magazine, October 1963.