President Hyrum Smith
spoke at great length and with great power . . . [and]
proceeded to show the folly of any person's attempting to
overthrow or destroy Joseph, and read from the Book of
Mormon in various places concerning the Prophet who, it was
prophesied, should be raised up in the last days, setting
forth the work he was destined to accomplish, and that he
had only just commenced; but insamuch as we could plainly
see that the former part of the prophecy had been literally
fulfilled, we might be assured that the latter part would
also be fulfilled, and that Joseph would live to accomplish
the great things concerning him.
History of the Church, 5:123.
George Q. Cannon, Apostle, 1860–1901
Joseph, a youth,
obscure, illiterate in some respects, . . . through industry
and perseverance, became learned, and if he had lived, he
would undoubtedly have become one of the most learned of men
through the gifts God gave him.
Deseret News, Jan. 21, 1885, 2.
Joseph Smith was . . .
uneducated when he was a boy. . . . The Lord took him into
His school, and He taught him things that I have seen puzzle
many of the wisest scientists, profoundest thinkers, and the
most learned men.
Deseret News, July 30, 1884, 435.
