Introduction
Begin by showing the first 3½ minutes of Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration, showing the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum in Carthage Jail. Invite class members to consider how their lives have been affected by Joseph Smith throughout this lesson, and to share their feelings.
“Calm as a summer morning”
Read D&C 135:4–5.
How could Joseph be “calm as a summer morning” when he knew the possibility that he would be killed?
What comfort might Hyrum have found in Ether 12:36–38?
The Prophet Joseph Smith did more for the salvation of men in this world than anyone except Jesus
Refer to D&C 135:3 as quoted in the video presentation. The statement that Joseph Smith did more for the salvation of men in this world than anyone except Jesus is extremely bold, but I have a testimony it is true. In what ways is this so?
*** Encourage class discussion, and individual testimonies of how the work God did through Joseph has blessed us individually and as a people. The notes below are from the Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual and can help guide and enrich the discussion. ***
Truths about the Godhead
What truths about the Godhead were restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith? (See D&C 130:22–23; Joseph Smith—History 1:17; and the following quotation.)
In a sermon given at the funeral of Elder King Follett on 7 April 1844, the Prophet Joseph Smith taught:
“God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by his power, was to make himself visible,—I say, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form—like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked, talked and conversed with him, as one man talks and communes with another” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 345).
· Why are the truths about the Godhead that were restored through Joseph Smith important to us?
Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve said: “Knowledge of God is the greatest truth in all eternity. … Joseph Smith came to reveal God, in a day of almost total spiritual darkness, in a day when men no longer knew the nature and kind of Being whom they should worship” (“This Generation Shall Have My Word through You,” Ensign, June 1980, 55).
The authority of the priesthood
Point out that through Joseph Smith, heavenly messengers restored the Aaronic Priesthood, the Melchizedek Priesthood, and keys of the priesthood (D&C 13; 110:11–16). As the Restoration unfolded, the Lord gave revelations about priesthood offices, organization, covenants, ordinances, duties, and blessings. We would not understand the priesthood or how it operates without these revelations.
· What blessings do you have in your life because of the priesthood? How can we show our appreciation for the blessings of the priesthood?
For more information about the priesthood, see lessons 8 and 25.
Truths about our origin and relationship to God
· What truths about our origin and relationship to God were restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith? (Answers could include that we are literally the spirit children of God and that we lived with Him before we were born on earth. See D&C 76:23–24; Abraham 3:22–28.)
· How is the knowledge that you are literally a child of God a blessing in your life?
Scriptures
Elder Bruce R. McConkie said that the Prophet Joseph Smith “has given to our present world more holy scripture than any single prophet who ever lived” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1976, 142; or Ensign, May 1976, 95). These scriptures include the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible.
While serving in the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley said: “[Joseph Smith] translated and published the Book of Mormon, a volume of 522 pages which has since been retranslated into [many] languages and which is accepted by millions across the earth as the word of God. The revelations he received and other writings he produced are likewise scripture to these millions. The total in book pages constitutes the equivalent of almost the entire Old Testament of the Bible, and it all came through one man in the space of a few years” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1977, 96; or Ensign, May 1977, 65).
· How have the scriptures that were brought forth through the Prophet Joseph Smith been a blessing in your life?
For more information about these scriptures, see lessons 1, 4, and 13.
Truths about the plan of salvation
· What truths about the plan of salvation were restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith? (You may want to highlight some of the material in lessons 19 and 20.)
· How has knowing these truths been a blessing in your life?
Truths about the salvation of the dead
· What truths about the salvation of the dead were restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith? (Answers could include that we can perform vicarious baptisms in temples for those who died without receiving this ordinance. See D&C 128:18.) Why are these truths important?
Explain that the salvation of the dead is one of the most enlarging and inspiring doctrines restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. For more information, see lessons 29 and 39.
The building of temples and the performance of temple ordinances
· What are some of the blessings that have come into your life because of temples and temple ordinances? (You may want to discuss the blessing of eternal families, which is made possible by the sealing ordinance in the temple.)
Other contributions
You may want to review briefly some of the other contributions of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the blessings they bring to our lives:
· The Church was restored through him (see lesson 9).
· He began the work in this dispensation of taking the gospel to all nations and gathering
· The law of consecration was revealed through him (see lesson 14).
· The Word of Wisdom was revealed through him (see lesson 22).
· Information about the building of the latter-day
· He wrote the Articles of Faith (see the first additional teaching idea).
Conclusion
Why is it important for each of us to have a personal testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith? How did (or is) your testimony develop?
I testify that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God in every sense of the word. He restored a true knowledge of God the Father and his perfect Son Jesus Christ. Everything he did points us to them. Through him, God restored every principle, ordinance, and power necessary to save every child of God through faith on Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith lived and died valiantly, striving to fulfill the mission given to him. That is why I love the Prophet Joseph Smith.
