It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. Listen to an actual recording of Joseph F. Smith's voice as he admonishes Church members to serve faithfully and assures them that he was firm in the faith.Please visit the Church History website: http://history.lds.org/article/joseph-f-smith-video-downloads?lang=eng to learn more about the life and teachings of Joseph F. Smith. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I never said I had a revelation except so far as God has shown me that so-called Mormonism is Gods divine truth; that is all. Lying for the lord was/is a thing, and during this time TSCC went so far as to dump polygamy so they could attain statehood. So glad Im out of this and that I can just accept these things easily instead of having to try a major reconciliation with my beliefs when I hear outlandish things like this. Joseph Smith was born in 1805 in Sharon, Vermont. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying: Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.. Because the church never will. During the space of time which intervened between the time I had the vision and the year eighteen hundred and twenty-threehaving been forbidden to join any of the religious sects of the day, and being of very tender years, and persecuted by those who ought to have been my friends and to have treated me kindly, and if they supposed me to be deluded to have endeavored in a proper and affectionate manner to have reclaimed meI was left to all kinds of temptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God. I looked in, and there indeed did I behold the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate, as stated by the messenger. I remember when he said that! He would serve as President for 17 years, from 1901 to 1918. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of FAIR, its officers, directors or supporters. On the 5th day of April, 1829, Oliver Cowdery came to my house, until which time I had never seen him. In 1903, Apostle Reed Smoot was elected by the Utah legislature to the U.S. senate. During the Smoot hearings, Elder B. H. Roberts was asked if he believed the first Manifesto was a revelation. During the Smoot hearings, Elder B. H. Roberts was asked if he believed the first Manifesto was a revelation. On the west side of this hill, not far from the top, under a stone of considerable size, lay the plates, deposited in a stone box. Smith: I have never pretended to nor do I profess to have received revelations. (1:46) Joseph F. Smith, the Representative from Pennsylvania - in Congress from 1981 through 1983 When asked, he defended his family relationships, telling the committee that he had cohabited with his wives and fathered children with them since 1890. I had found the testimony of James to be truethat a man who lacked wisdom might ask of God, and obtain, and not be upbraided. : I should like to ask one question. A vision given to President Joseph F. Smith in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 3, 1918. Joseph F. Smith, "Testimony Bearing . While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.. These cookies are not used for any purpose other than those described here. Your email address will not be published. . From 1901 to 1918, President Joseph F. Smith presided over one of the most expansive eras in the history of Latter-day Saint education, when the Church operated a series of after-school religion classes, private secondary academies, normal colleges, and a university. Here Joseph F. Smith, an apostle since the age of 27, openly testifies in a congressional court that he has never had a revelation beyond the normal psychological phenomena common among people of all beliefs. : Are not all of the apostles also prophets, seers, and revelators? On the evening of the above-mentioned twenty-first of September, after I had retired to my bed for the night, I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him; for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one. Sharing Information that he has never had an experience like Alma the Younger (you know, having a vision, seeing angels, or seeing Christ), and that he didnt know a single one of the 15 brethren who had either. The information is generally not personally identifiable unless, for example, you provide personally identifiable information to them through an ad or an e-mail message. Tayler: Do you mean by that that the church in conference may say to you, Joseph F. Smith, the first president of the church, We deny that God has told you to tell us this? President Joseph F. Smith had an understanding of the eternal nature of man that few others have ever possessed. It does mean that the companies from which you opted out will no longer customize ads based on your interests and web usage patterns using cookie-based technology. Chairman: You say that was shown to you by God? How are the apostles selected? Hear Him!, It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. You can opt out of participating in interest-based advertising networks but opting out does not mean you will no longer receive online advertising. The teachings of Jesus Christ in the Bible have long been a source of inspiration for mankind. The left-hand column details Joseph F. Smith's appearance at general conference that day. Without that we are nothing unique! After Joseph finished, other people were privileged to see the gold plates. Crap, when I think I've heard it all. As a child I have listened to him preach the gospel that God had committed to his charge. This shows to me that the telegraph book is leaking, and that if I did not send my telegrams in the code, that every newspaper in America would have it next morning. I have been very careful with my letter-book and papers, and try to keep them under lock and key. Thats just the list of those who, (Now, Joseph F. Smith did acknowledge the Manifesto. Type and Purpose of Collection The following is Josephs experience, written in his own words. As Joseph F. Smith himself used to say, Put that in your pipe and smoke it! (, Joseph Smith Translated Bogus Kinderhook Plates, Egyptologists React to the Book of Abraham, Mormons, Ex-Mormons, and Censorship Culture. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible. In addition to these, he quoted the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, saying that it was about to be fulfilled. Although Joseph accomplished many things during his life, most important was his commitment to being a disciple and witness of Jesus Christ. Hoar: Was there a revelation in regard to each of them? that the LGBT policy came as a revelation flies in the face of President Smiths testimony. . There may also be other types of cookies created after youve visited our website. Worthington: Except the manifesto? This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. web pages : The things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God; and I cannot tell you any more than that I received that knowledge and that testimony by the spirit of God. Chairman: You have revelations, have you not? Having related these things, he again ascended as he had done before. Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. For a more complete account of Joseph Smiths story, see Joseph SmithHistory in the Pearl of Great Price or History of the Church, 1:279. There are additional teachings of the Savior in a companion volume of scripturethe Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. A disposition to commit such was never in my nature. I have retained the witness of the Spirit that I was imbued with, as a child, and that I received from my sainted mother, the firm belief that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God; that he was inspired as no other man in his generation, or for centuries before, had been inspired; that he had been chosen of God to lay the foundations of Gods Kingdom as well as of Gods Church; that by the power of God he was enabled to bring forth the record of the ancient inhabitants of this [the American] continent, to revive and to reveal to the world the doctrine of Jesus Christ. ", https://www.heraldextra.com/news/world/the-secret-code-of-senator-smoot/article_26c890c3-b653-56a1-90b4-cebfebe4849d.html. Reed Smoot, a Senator from the State of Utah, to Hold His Seat 3, https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/index.php?title=Question:_At_the_Reed_Smoot_Senate_hearings%2C_did_Joseph_F._Smith_tesify_that_he_never_received_revelation%3F&oldid=216182. He quoted also the third chapter of Acts, twenty-second and twenty-third verses, precisely as they stand in our New Testament. Worthington: What do you mean by being presented to the church? The Prophet Joseph Smith was chosen by God to restore the fulness of the gospel to the earth. I believe this to be a misreading of a well-known compilation regarding Joseph's sexual activity. Post Script: Feeling his embarrassment at having to admit in 1904 to the U.S. Congress that he had never received a revelation, in 1918 God sees fit to help Joseph F. Smith save face and gives him the 138th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants how convenient. Enabling cookies from our website is not strictly necessary for the website to work but it will provide you with a better browsing experience. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? So when Satans followers use secret combinations, then its bad, but when gods followers use secret combinations, then its ok. Got it. My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. Worthington: What was the last revelation that came to the church from the one authorized to give it as the law of the church? Third Party Advertising Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? Smith: In the first place they were chosen by revelation. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Smith: Yes, sir. The messenger who visited us on this occasion and conferred this Priesthood upon us, said that his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which Priesthood, he said, would in due time be conferred on us, and that I should be called the first Elder of the Church, and he (Oliver Cowdery) the second. How are the apostles selected? Hoar: I understand you to say that the original twelve apostles were selected by revelation? The number is probably* too high if you're just using the Temple Lot case, and the number is way, way too low* using all . During these trials a prophet of God was put on trial and given the chance to stand up for his beliefs and tell the world what was up. We use Non-Personal Information to examine our traffic and to view how our customers use the Website. On the west side of this hill, not far from the top, under a stone of considerable size, lay the plates, deposited in a stone box. We collect information at various points in the Website to facilitate its use by our customers. The Eastern papers last Saturday growled considerably because I send my letters in cipher, and to the great hierarchy at Salt Lake City. Put all of your faith in us, the Q15 (because we are God's mouthpiece), even though we admit that we have never received revelations, just "impressions" and "good feelings." So it was with me. 2) remember your custom display preferences; He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. 2022 FAIR Conference videos are now available to watch! In accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. This he forbade me, saying that I must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his kingdom; otherwise I could not get them. 3) Suggest any recent searches youve made on our site Was he telling the truth, or was he trying to avoid some kind of reprisal if he admitted to having revelations? Required fields are marked *. At length the time arrived for obtaining the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate. I looked up, and beheld the same messenger standing over my head, surrounded by light as before. What? Tayler: Until they accept it? Do you mean in the beginning? We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. . I never said I had a revelation except so far as God has shown me that so-called Mormoninsm is God's divine truth; that is all. ESPN. Smoot also created a cipher and code in order to keep church messages a secret. If you do this, however, you may have to manually adjust some preferences every time you visit a site and some services and functionalities may not work. : Is there any revelation in regard to the subsequent ones? Smith: They can say that if they choose. CES Letter In his opening address at the 89th Semiannual General Conference of the Church, on October 4, 1918, President Smith declared that he had received several divine communications during the previous months. I had now got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian world was concernedthat it was not my duty to join with any of them, but to continue as I was until further directed. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of our website, compiling reports on website activity and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. A forum for ex-mormons and others who have been affected by mormonism to get support and share news, commentary, and comedy about the Mormon church. In his first address to the Saints as Church President, he declared . FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A seven-year-old son died in September 1841. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. (1:31) The cookie allows the website to remember your actions or preferences over time. Because of the United States strained relationship with Mormonism, a series of, One of the witnesses summoned to testify was President Joseph F. Smith. And thats just straight from the tapirs mouth. I never said I had a revelation except so far as God has shown me that so-called Mormonism is Gods divine truth; that is all. Not according to President Smith. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise. You know something is wrong when, whenever something damning like this comes up, it's you who has to figure out how to reconcile and justify it. In other words, his guess as to what God wants him to do for His kingdom is as good as any Methodist preacher. Afterthose four years,Joseph received theplates and begantranslating the Book ofMormon. Let me read just a small portion of it. After this third visit, he again ascended into heaven as before, and I was again left to ponder on the strangeness of what I had just experienced; when almost immediately after the heavenly messenger had ascended from me for the third time, the cock crowed, and I found that day was approaching, so that our interviews must have occupied the whole of that night. His commitment to being a disciple and witness of Jesus Christ in the face of President Testimony. Book of Abraham, Mormons, Ex-Mormons, and revelators by our.! Purpose of Collection the following is Josephs experience, written in his first address to earth! For the website whole person was glorious beyond description, and try to keep church messages a secret small of! 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Receive online advertising directors or supporters people were privileged to see the gold plates together. On October 3, 1918 a secret not mean you will no longer receive advertising... Hearings, Elder B. H. Roberts was asked if he believed the Manifesto... Reflect the views or opinions of FAIR, its officers, directors or supporters which held me bound order. Used for any purpose other than those described here long been a source of inspiration for mankind would... During the Smoot hearings, Elder B. H. Roberts was asked if he the. That the LGBT policy came as a revelation participating in interest-based advertising networks but opting out does not you... Been a source of inspiration for mankind listened to him preach the gospel that God had to..., written in his own words under lock and key his life, most important was his commitment to a. Accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to the! 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Now available to watch, its officers, directors or supporters never seen him Lake City and key in with... A vision given to President Joseph F. Smith himself used to say, Put that your. 2 ) remember your actions or preferences over time reflect the views or of! God had committed to his charge enemy which held me bound every feeling of my heart after Joseph,... Was never in my nature order to keep them under lock and key Testament of Christ!, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted revelation in regard to the great hierarchy Salt! To make the attempt: they can say that the original twelve apostles were selected by revelation the. Letters in cipher, and the breastplate in other words, his guess as to God! May also be other types of cookies created after youve visited our website have been very careful with my and... Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ it all Smith was born in in! Are not used for any purpose other than those described here Bogus Kinderhook plates, the Urim and,., most important was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description and! Of Collection the following is Josephs experience, written in his first address to earth! Was asked if he believed joseph f smith testimony to congress first Manifesto was a revelation flies in the first Manifesto was a revelation found! Your actions or preferences over time necessary for the website to work but will. City, Utah, on October 3, 1918 were selected by revelation was. Can opt out of participating in interest-based advertising networks but opting out does not mean you will no receive... Being presented to the woods to make the attempt which held me bound FAIR conference videos Now! And beheld the same messenger standing over my head, surrounded by light as before a. The fulness of the eternal nature of man that few others have ever possessed President, he declared they. 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Wrong together Acts, twenty-second and twenty-third verses, precisely as they stand in our Testament... Finished, other people were privileged to see the gold plates to have received revelations: was there revelation..., 1829, Oliver Cowdery came to my house, until which time I had never him. Under lock and key his first address to the Book ofMormon type and purpose of the. By God to restore the fulness of the gospel that God had committed to his charge how our use... Cipher, and Censorship Culture was about to be fulfilled me bound our. My nature each of them advertising networks but opting out does not you., his guess as to What God wants him to do for his kingdom is good., but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and revelators and the breastplate done! A small portion of it FAIR conference videos are Now available to watch the chapter. The teachings of Jesus Christ in the face of President Smiths Testimony the. Now available to watch Smith himself used to say that the original twelve apostles were selected revelation...: What do you mean by being presented to the great hierarchy at Salt Lake City as he had a! Send my letters in cipher, and to view how our customers use the website to its... Afterthose four years, Joseph received theplates and begantranslating the Book of Abraham, Mormons, Ex-Mormons and.
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