At this time of year, the Christian world focuses on the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, born in a stable at Bethlehem. We read scriptures proclaiming that holy birth and, in our best mortal efforts, add our voices to heavenly choruses singing hymns of praise and rejoicing over those glad tidings.

Our devotion to Jesus Christ is not limited to this time of year, however. Throughout the year, ". . . we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, . . ." (See 2 Nephi 25:26.)

We are mindful of and thankful for those prophets of the old and new worlds who prophesied of His birth, and are strengthened by testimonies of His humble servants who recorded the many events of His mortal ministry.

And certainly, we are aware of the great role that the Prophet of the Restoration, Joseph Smith, fulfilled in bringing to the world a greater understanding and knowledge of the Savior. Since the Prophet's birth is commemorated Dec. 23, it often receives little attention. But what a happy circumstance of timing: the greatest advocate of the Savior known to this dispensation was born at Sharon, Vt., within 48 hours of that day in 1805 that Christendom observed the birth of Jesus Christ.

In his address at the First Presidency Christmas Devotional Dec. 7, President Gordon B. Hinckley said: "We are now an immense worldwide family of those who love the Lord Jesus Christ and who also love His great Prophet of this dispensation, even Joseph Smith. As we celebrate the birth of the Savior, we also remember the birth of the Prophet. It is because of him, and his singular and remarkable experience, that we know the Savior as we do. There is no event to compare with the First Vision. In previous occurrences the Son was seen and the Father's voice was heard. It was so at the Savior's baptism. It was so at the Mount of Transfiguration. It was so when the Resurrected Lord appeared among the Nephites. But when this great and final dispensation was ushered in, both the Father and the Son appeared in person to the kneeling boy. They spoke, as men speak, clearly and understandably. In that single, glorious vision, more knowledge was gained concerning the nature of Deity than had been obtained in all the endless discussions of men through the centuries. Though Joseph's life was taken at an early age, his testimony of the Eternal God and the risen Lord lives on with luster and eloquence.

"I look to him. I love him. I seek to follow him. I read his words, and they become the standards to be observed in guiding this great Church as it moves forward in fulfilling its eternal destiny."

At this time of year, Christians everywhere speak freely of angelic pronouncements. Just as we believe, as Luke recorded, that an angel appeared and spoke to "shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night," so do we believe that another angel appeared to a boy in upstate New York to open this dispensation. Not since an angel and heavenly hosts spread the news over the plains of Judea announcing the Savior's birth and not since the angel at the empty tomb told the women of Galilee of His resurrection, had there been an angelic appearance of such significance as that of Moroni to Joseph Smith.

Moroni tutored Joseph, and it was from this angel that the young prophet received the gold plates, from which would emerge the Book of Mormon — Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Through Joseph Smith, the gospel was restored, the priesthood and its keys were received, the doctrine of salvation was revealed, the gospel and temple ordinances, along with the sealing power, were returned, and, in 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ was re-established on the earth.

Though reviled and persecuted, the Prophet Joseph never wavered in his testimony of Jesus Christ. While some ridiculed him, others marveled. The New York Sun carried this opinion of one newspaper writer: "This Joe Smith must be set down as an extraordinary character, a prophet-hero, as Carlyle might call him. He is one of the great men of this age, and in future history will rank with those who, in one way or another, have stamped their impress strongly on society." (See History of the Church 6:3.)

Shortly after Joseph's martyrdom, Elder John Taylor paid this lasting tribute:

"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it" (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3).

Few in this dispensation have paid so dearly for an irrevocable testimony of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, who came to earth as a babe in a humble manger as did the Prophet Joseph Smith.