As we come to the end of this year's Gospel Doctrine course of study in Sunday School on the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History, we are able to gain a greater appreciation of John Taylor's statement concerning the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Recorded in D&C 135, the man who would later become the third president of the Church wrote after the death of the Prophet that Joseph Smith "has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any man that ever lived in it." (D&C 135:3.)In commemorating Joseph Smith's birthday (on the day of publication of this week's Church News), we could well pause and reflect on the tremendous contributions of the Prophet that have made possible the eternal salvation of mankind.

When Joseph was born Dec. 23, 1805, two days after the winter solstice, in the township of Sharon in Vermont's rolling hills, there was no light of the gospel shining on a world groping for truth. That light had been extinguished centuries before through the long night of apostasy.

But in just a few years, the "morning would break, the shadows would flee" and a brighter day would dawn on the world." (See Hymns, No. 1.)

The dawning of that day, through the simple prayer of a young boy who had the unwavering faith that the heavens would be opened, brought forth the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ with all its saving principles and ordinances.

From the time of the First Vision in 1820 in a grove of trees in upstate New York to that fateful day 24 years later in Carthage, Ill., where he died a martyr's death, Joseph was continually enlarging man's knowledge of the things of God.

"The Savior calls his chosen seer to preach the word of God, That men might learn to find the path marked by the iron rod." (Hymns, No. 22.)

P ossessing "a noble boldness and independence of character" the Prophet Joseph taught the principles of the gospel in "language abounding in original eloquence peculiar to himself," wrote Elder Parley P. Pratt in his autobiography.

The Prophet's language was "not polished - not studied - not smoothed and softened by education and refined by art; but flowing forth in its own native simplicity. . . ." (A Comprehensive History of the Church 2:354.)

And yet, from Joseph's lips came teachings of doctrine and salvation long lost to the world.

Consider the majesty of his discourse at the funeral of King Follett as he explained so many points of doctrine concerning God and man. Or, the profound instructions he gave in a meeting in Ramus, Ill., concerning celestial marriage.

Little wonder did Elder Pratt write, "The ProphetT interested and edified . . . and none listened to him that were ever weary of his discourse. I have even known him to retain a congregation of willing and anxious listeners for many hours together, in the midst of cold or sunshine, rain or wind. . . ."

P resident Ezra Taft Benson has said that the "greatest activity in this world or in the world to come is directly related to the work and mission of Joseph Smith - man of destiny, prophet of God.

"That work," exclaimed President Benson, "is the salvation and eternal life of man.

"Joseph Smith was a prophet of the Living God, one of the greatest prophets that has ever lived upon the earth. He was the instrument in God's hand in ushering in a great gospel dispensation, the greatest ever, and the last of all in preparation for the second coming of the Master." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 104.)

Joseph Smith's works, wrote Elder Pratt "will live to an endless age, and unnumbered millions yet unborn will mention his name with honor, as a noble instrument in the hands of God. . . ."

The Prophet Joseph unlocked the doors of knowledge leading to eternal life, so man, through his obedience to the principles and ordinances of the gospel, can one day again live in the presence of our Father in heaven.

Only the Savior Himself did more for the salvation of mankind than the Prophet Joseph Smith, whose birthday 184 years ago ushered in "the dawning of a bright new day."