President Thomas S. Monson
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
This year, Latter-day Saints celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Through example, he has "affected our lives and has taught us . . . "
Lessons taught by the Prophet Joseph include courage, faith, honesty, patience, diligence, missionary work and love — by example. The lesson of love — by example — is one of the "sweetest," yet "saddest" taught by the prophet as he lost his life in Carthage Jail.
But, in retrospect, " . . . we are provided comfort as we realize that Joseph Smith's martyrdom was not the last chapter in the story. Although those who sought to take his life felt that the church would collapse without him, his powerful testimony of truth, the teachings he translated, and his declaration of the Savior's message go on today in the hearts of over 12 million members throughout the world who proclaim him as a prophet of God.
"The testimony of the Prophet Joseph continues to change lives."
In the Doctrine and Covenants, it states: "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.
"I pray that as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth, we may learn from his life. May we incorporate into our own lives the divine principle which he so beautifully taught — by example — that we, ourselves, might live more completely the gospel of Jesus Christ."
