Home » Mind & Soul » Mormon Church » Joseph Smith, Prophet of God

Joseph Smith, Prophet of God

© Rebecca Talley

In the spring of 1820, a young boy, Joseph Smith, retired to a grove of trees in Palmyra, New York. There, in that grove, he received a vision of the Father and the Son. Excited about his vision, he was eager to share his experience. He expected support and belief from his neighbors and the townspeople. What he got was resentment, ridicule, torture, and eventually death. (See Joseph Smith History 1:21-26)

What would drive so many to such violent hatred against a young boy who claimed a heavenly visitation? How could anyone justify the abuse heaped upon Joseph Smith, his family, and the early members of the Church? Joseph Smith lost his home, his belongings, and even members of his own family to the lunatic ravings of mobs. Many tried to discredit, embarrass, and destroy him. Yet, through it all, never at any time did he deny his testimony.

It would have been so much easier for Joseph Smith to say that he made up the whole incident. He could have kept his life in tact and possibly lived to old age, if only he had recanted his story. He could not do that. " . . . I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I had seen two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was persecuted and hated 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? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it. Joseph Smith was a man filled with honor and integrity. It was against his character to lie, deceive, or manipulate. He said he saw the Father and the Son because he actually did see them. He said he found the golden plates from which he translated The Book of Mormon because it was true. He said the Priesthood of God was restored through Peter, James, and John because it was.

Thankfully, we have the Holy Ghost whose mission it is to testify of all truth. As we ponder things of the spirit, we can be assured that we will know, without any doubt, what is true. We are taught throughout the scriptures that we can ask the Father, in the name of Christ, with a sincere heart, any question and receive our own answer.

The copyright of the article Joseph Smith, Prophet of God in Mormon Church is owned by . Permission to republish Joseph Smith, Prophet of God in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.