The Come, Follow Me lesson for this week came from Joseph Smith – History 1. According to the student manual for studying the Pearl of Great Price, this chapter talks about the early years in the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. It is an extract made by Elder Franklin D. Richards, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, from a longer history that Joseph Smith started in 1838. The extract was first printed in England in 1851 as part of the first Pearl of Great Price.
This section covers a lot of
history, including an account of the First Vision, the coming forth of the Book
of Mormon, and the restoration of both the Aaronic Priesthood and the
Melchizedek Priesthoods. The excerpts were taken from what would become the
first five chapters in the seven-volume History of the Church (see
Joseph Smith – History 1:1-44). Joseph Smith – History became scripture when
the Pearl of Great Price was canonized as one of the standard works of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Joseph Smith was the author of the
account found in the Pearl of Great Price, but this was not his first attempt
to record his early experiences. He was commanded in April 1830 to keep a
record, and he tried several times. However, his work was interrupted frequently
by lawsuits, time in prison, poverty, and mob actions. There were several
recorders of the history, including Oliver Cowdery (April 1830 to March 1831
and from September 1835 to 1837) and John Whitmer.
Various clerks and historians began three
more historical accounts between 1834 and 1836. In the difficult years of 1837
and 1838, Joseph Smith and the First Presidency worked on the history of the
Church, sometimes taking a grammar lesson before the writing sessions. Finally,
in June 1839, the Prophet undertook the work again. Materials from the previous
efforts were assimilated into a new history, which eventually was published in
the Times and Seasons beginning March 1, 1842. Elder Franklin D. Richards
published extracts from the 1842 history in 1851, and they are now called
Joseph Smith – History.
There are some foundational and
fundamental messages in Joseph Smith – History. The most important message is “the
reality of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.” The student
manual continues,
Joseph Smith left the Sacred Grove with a
personal knowledge of the reality of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He
knew that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; that because of the mercy and grace
of His Atonement his sins were forgiven; that Heavenly Father was pleased with
His Son, the Savior; and that he was to listen to and obey the words of the
Savior.
Another message of great importance
is that “there was an apostasy and loss of the true Church from the earth.”
When the Apostles were martyred and none were ordained to replace them, the power
to act in God’s name was lost from the earth. The Savior told Joseph Smith that
he was to join none of the churches, “for they were all wrong” (Joseph Smith –
History 1:19). “Such a statement makes it clear that the gospel and church
established by the Savior during His mortal ministry had been lost and that “none
of them was acknowledged of God as His Church and kingdom” (Teachings of Presidents
of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 438).
A third important message taught in
Joseph Smith – History is that Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet by God.
He wrote that he was told by the angel Moroni that “God had a work for me to do”
(Joseph Smith – History 1:33). Joseph Smith was instrumental in every event of
the Restoration of the gospel, and every one of them proves that God revealed
His gospel to mankind through a prophet.
A fourth fundamental message of Joseph
Smith – History is the coming forth of the Book of Mormon as the word of God. “The
events surrounding the coming forth of the Book of Mormon testify of its
divinity, and its message not only testifies of Christ, but is a catalyst for
greater revelation from God and for the gathering of scattered Israel into the
church and kingdom of God.
The fifth foundational message found
in Joseph Smith – History is that the Church of Jesus Christ was restored to
earth in the latter days. Jesus Christ promised Joseph Smith that “the fulness
of the gospel would be made known to him (see Teachings: Joseph Smith,438).
The translation of the Book of Mormon and the restoration of the priesthood
laid the foundation for the reestablishment of the church and kingdom of God on
earth (Pearl of Great Price Student Manual – Religion 327 [2017].
There is a final message from Joseph
Smith – History that I wish to discuss. This history teaches that God will
answer our prayers if we ask in faith (Joseph Smith – History 1:5-18). The
current Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, even Russell M. Nelson, taught the following about this principle:
The Prophet Joseph Smith set a pattern for
us to follow in resolving our questions. Drawn to the promise of James that if
we lack wisdom we may ask of God [see James 1:5], the boy Joseph took his
question directly to Heavenly Father. He sought personal revelation, and his
seeking opened this last dispensation.
In like manner, what will our seeking open
for you? What wisdom do you lack? What do you feel an urgent need to know or
understand? Follow the example of the Prophet. Find a quiet place where you can
regularly go. Humble yourself before God. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly
Father. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort” (“Revelation for the Church,
Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign, May 2018, 95; as quoted in the Pearl
of Great Price Student Manual – Religion 327 [2017].
I have followed the pattern set by
Joseph Smith on numerous occasions. Whenever I need wisdom, I take my questions
to Heavenly Father. I always receive answers, but I do not always understand
the details until further searching or by exercising patience. I recommend the
pattern of Joseph Smith to anyone. I know that God lives and loves us, and I know
that He answers prayers in a manner in a way and language that will give us
wisdom.
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