Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith

From the Life of Joseph Smith In the summer of 1839, the Prophet gave the name Nauvoo to the site where the Saints were gathering on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River. During this time of building, Joseph Smith had an experience that showed his merciful temperament and willingness to forgive others, allowing them to move beyond the wrongs of the past.

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Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith

From the Life of Joseph Smith From December 1827 through August 1830, Joseph and Emma Smith lived in Harmony, Pennsylvania, the Prophet traveling periodically to New York to attend to Church business. It was because Joseph Smith was a seer, a choice seer; he had actually seen Newel K. Whitney upon his knees, hundreds of miles away, praying for his coming to Kirtland.

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Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith

From the Life of Joseph Smith On December 27, 1832, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a commandment from the Lord that the Saints were to begin building a temple in Kirtland (see D&C 88:119). This was one of many times when the Saints would pull together, heeding the admonition of the Prophet Joseph Smith: “A long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together.”6 Teachings of Joseph Smith When we work together in unity, we can better accomplish the purposes of God.

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Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith

From the Life of Joseph Smith On the night of March 24, 1832, Joseph Smith had stayed up late caring for his 11-month-old son, Joseph, who was sick with the measles. With my flesh all scarified and defaced, I preached to the congregation as usual, and in the afternoon of the same day baptized three individuals.”1 Joseph and Emma’s son, Joseph, died five days after the mob attack as a result of being exposed to the cold night air while suffering from the measles.

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Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith

Some of the Prophet’s teachings in this book are drawn from articles that Joseph Smith designed for publication in Church periodicals, including the Evening and Morning Star, Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate, Elders’ Journal, and Times and Seasons.1 Joseph Smith wrote or dictated some material for publication. This book quotes from many letters written or dictated by Joseph Smith.

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Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith

From the Life of Joseph Smith The winter and spring of 1843–44 was a time of great tension in Nauvoo, as Joseph Smith’s enemies increased their efforts to destroy him and the Church. Teachings of Joseph Smith God protected Joseph Smith until his earthly mission was complete.

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Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith

Teachings of Joseph Smith By repenting of our sins, we draw toward God and become more like Him. In 1835 Joseph Smith received a letter from Harvey Whitlock, who had apostatized from the Church and desired to return to full fellowship.

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Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith

From the Life of Joseph Smith Years before Joseph Smith was born, his paternal grandfather felt inspired that something would happen in his family that “would revolutionize the world.”1 Joseph Smith’s history records: “My grandfather, Asael Smith, long ago predicted that there would be a prophet raised up in his family, and my grandmother was fully satisfied that it was fulfilled in me. Joseph Smith saw the Savior again on April 3, 1836.

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Our Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Following the return of the Prophet Joseph Smith from his confinement in Liberty Jail, the Saints moved north up the Mississippi River about 35 miles. The sick included most of the Twelve and Joseph Smith himself.

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The Presidents of the Church: Teacher’s Manual

Prepare to display the picture of Joseph F. Smith in the color section and the picture of Mary Fielding Smith and her son Joseph F. Smith driving a wagon across the plains (62608; Gospel Art Picture Kit 412).3. Answers will vary and might include such names as Joseph Smith, Spencer W. Kimball, Columbus, George Washington, or astronauts.

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Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual

Lessons 27 and 28 focus on doctrines and events associated with the Church in Missouri.In July 1831, Joseph Smith made his first journey to Missouri. The Lord instructs the Saints who were driven from Jackson County.Explain that as word of the troubles in Missouri reached Joseph Smith in Kirtland, he was deeply distressed.

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Our Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

President Joseph Fielding SmithWhen David O. McKay died, President Joseph Fielding Smith, then nearly 93 years of age, became President of the Church. He was the son of former Church President Joseph F. Smith.As a boy, Joseph Fielding Smith desired to learn the will of the Lord, which prompted him to read the Book of Mormon twice before he was ten years old and to carry the scriptures with him when he walked.

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Our Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

When Mary Fielding Smith and her family joined the exodus from Nauvoo, 7-year-old Joseph was the teamster of one of her wagons. When Lorenzo Snow died in October 1901, Joseph F. Smith became the sixth President of the Church.

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Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual

In July 1830, the Lord directed a revelation to Emma Smith, the wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith (D&C 25). She has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would have borne down almost any other woman” (History of Joseph Smith, ed.

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Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual

Display the picture of Elijah restoring the sealing power of the priesthood.• When the angel Moroni came to Joseph Smith, he said that Elijah would “plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers” (D&C 2:2; Joseph Smith—History 1:39). He conferred the sealing power of the priesthood on Joseph Smith.

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Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual

You shall live to lay out the plan of all the work which God has given you to do” (quoted in Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, ed. Joseph Smith valiantly completed his mission, doing all that God asked him to do.• From what you know about the Prophet Joseph Smith’s life, what impresses you most about him?2.

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Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Class Member Study Guide

1805, December 23Joseph Smith born to Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith in Sharon, Vermont (see Joseph Smith—History 1:3–4).1820, Early SpringJoseph Smith received the First Vision in a grove of trees near his home in the state of New York (see Joseph Smith—History 1:15–20).1823, September 21–22Joseph Smith visited by the angel Moroni and told of the Book of Mormon record.

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The Presidents of the Church: Teacher’s Manual

His great-grandfather was Joseph Smith, Sr. The Prophet Joseph Smith said of his father, Joseph Smith, Sr., “He was the first person who received my testimony after I had seen the angel” (History of the Church, 4:190). She told him pioneer stories and taught him to love the Prophet Joseph Smith, to pray, and to honor his priesthood duties.

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Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual

The next day, Joseph Smith and approximately 50 other Church leaders were arrested on false charges. What do these verses indicate Joseph Smith was feeling and thinking about at this time?

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Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual

If the following pictures are available, prepare to use them during the lesson: Moroni Appears to Joseph Smith in His Room (62492; Gospel Art Picture Kit 404) and Joseph Smith Receives the Gold Plates (62012; Gospel Art Picture Kit 406). Joseph Smith’s preparation to receive and translate the Book of Mormon• In the three years after the First Vision, Joseph Smith suffered “severe persecution” but remained true to his testimony (Joseph Smith—History 1:27).

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