Joseph Smith

Many events make December a special month. We remember the birth of our Savior and also the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith, two days before Christmas in 1805, who was called to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here are some of the Prophet’s thoughts that can help us to know him better:

Come all the world: let us be brethren, let us be one great family, and let there be a universal peace. Let reason and friendship reign.

Our only confidence can be in God; our only wisdom obtained from Him; and He alone must be our protector and safeguard, spiritually and temporally.

Everything that God gives us is lawful and right; and it is proper that we should enjoy His gifts and blessings whenever and wherever He is disposed to bestow.

Beware of pride, and not seek to excel one above another, but act for each other’s good.

(From letters the Prophet wrote while in prison): God grant that I may have the privilege of seeing once more my lovely family in the enjoyment of the sweets of liberty and social life; to press them to my bosom and kiss their lovely cheeks would fill my heart with unspeakable gratitude. … Tell little Joseph he must be a good boy. Father loves him with a perfect love; he is the eldest—must not hurt those that are smaller than he, but care for them. … I think of all of them and pray for them all.

No month ever found me more busily engaged than November; but as my life consisted of activity and unyielding exertions, I made this my rule: When the Lord commands, do it.

Children are the honor, glory, and crowning diadem of woman.

Friendship is like Brother Turley in his blacksmith shop welding iron to iron; it unites the human family with its happy influence.

The cause of human liberty is the cause of God.

I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else. … Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty.

The kindness of a man should never be forgotten.