But strange or not, so it was, and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself. : Yes, sir; they can. The list includes at least Brigham Young, Heber J. As a child I knew the Prophet Joseph Smith. While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.. (c) Statistical Analysis: We may share Non-Personal Information and aggregated information with third parties, including but not limited to for advertising or marketing purposes. Joseph Smith was such a prophet. You can instruct your computer to inform you whenever a cookie is being sent, or you can disallow cookies through your web browser. Way to fight fair god/TSCC. And it is not binding upon them as members of the church until they accept it. I never said I had a revelation except so far as God has shown me that so-called Mormonism is Gods divine truth; that is all. This is interesting because the Manifesto was not actually a revelation; it was a smokescreen. who help look after the poor; and who . "Tonight I have written to E.H. Callister that if I send him an cipher telegrams, he is to take them immediately to you and he is to tell the same to James H. Anderson. Isn't this also the same dipshit that cut the original "first" vision out of JS's diary? He quoted also the third chapter of Acts, twenty-second and twenty-third verses, precisely as they stand in our New Testament. : They are sustained as such at our conferences. Rather than affirming that he and the other brethren were prophets, he uses a more lawyerly answer: I am so sustained. While this may be a point for President Smiths honesty, it doesnt look well for the church which claims to be led by a legitimate prophet. What was the last revelation that came to the church from the one authorized to give it as the law of the church? As Joseph F. Smith himself used to say, Put that in your pipe and smoke it! (, Joseph Smith Translated Bogus Kinderhook Plates, Egyptologists React to the Book of Abraham, Mormons, Ex-Mormons, and Censorship Culture. If you do this, however, you may have to manually adjust some preferences every time you visit a site and some services and functionalities may not work. The column to the right addresses the Spanish Flu . Here Joseph F. Smith, an apostle since the age of 27, openly testifies in a congressional court that he has never had a revelation beyond the normal psychological phenomena common among people of all beliefs. Convenient to the village of Manchester, Ontario county, New York, stands a hill of considerable size, and the most elevated of any in the neighborhood. As a child I have listened to him preach the gospel that God had committed to his charge. We use Google Analytics, a popular web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. Google Analytics uses cookies to help us to analyse how users use the site. his jokes on Twitter: @tgilliland789, and his poverty on Venmo: Tanner-Gilliland. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, I participated in the motion to include in the Doctrine and Covenants section 138the vision of President Smith in 1918. : You do not mean that you reached it by any process of reasoning or by any other method by which you reach other conclusions in your mind, do you? Jesus directs His Church today through revelation to a prophet on the earth. : I have never pretended to nor do I profess to have received revelations. We will not sell, rent or disclose to outside parties the information we collect, save and except that we may share the collected information with other parties as follows: Notice how President Smith refuses to answer the question directly. Question: At the Reed Smoot Senate hearings, did Joseph F. Smith testify that he never received revelation? (1:46) The first thing that I can recollect was a voice speaking unto me, calling me by name. Although obviously reluctant to speak about the details of other revelation, he insists that he has it (see images of Smoot hearings on the right). Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. Hmmm, doesn't sound culty to me! For a more complete account of Joseph Smiths story, see Joseph SmithHistory in the Pearl of Great Price or History of the Church, 1:279. Those who receive the Prophets testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost will know the truth of the work he was called to do. . ESPN. It is a document without parallel. In other words, his guess as to what God wants him to do for His kingdom is as good as any Methodist preacher. But by the wisdom of God, they remained safe in my hands, until I had accomplished by them what was required at my hand. In 1903, Apostle Reed Smoot was elected by the Utah legislature to the U.S. senate. : Well, I have reached principles; that is, I have been confirmed in my acceptance and knowledge of principles that have been revealed to me, shown to me, on which I was ignorant before, by reason and fact. Despite these limitations, the cited material make it absolutely clear that President Smith's reference to revelation was in the sense of revelation "has been submitted by you and the apostles to the body of the church in their semiannual conference, which revelation has been sustained by the conference through the upholding of hands?" The information generated by the cookie about your use of our website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States. Choices and How To Opt Out Of Interest-Based Advertising H.R.5687 97th Congress (1981-1982) A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize former members of the armed forces who are totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability to travel on military aircraft in the same manner and to the same extent as retired members of the armed forces are permitted to travel . The answer was usually, Its because we dont value the old scripture enough. Turns out the true answer is that the brethren simply arent receiving revelations. When, according to arrangements, the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him; and he has them in his charge until this day, being the second day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight. Mary reared the five surviving children of Hyrum Smith and his first wife Jerusha Barden, who died in 1837. the full title of the book is: testimony of important witness as given in the proceedings before the committee on privileges and elections of the united states senate in the matter of the protest against the right of hon. Tayler: Are not all of the apostles also prophets, seers, and revelators? : Are not all of the apostles also prophets, seers, and revelators? : No, sir; it has been the choice of the body. McComas: Then the apostles are perpetuated in succession by their own act and the approval of the first presidency? At least he didn't lie to congress. Your email address will not be published. Smith: By reason of being president. My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. While he was conversing with me about the plates, the vision was opened to my mind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly that I knew the place again when I visited it. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the otherThis is My Beloved Son. From that day, Joseph labored in Gods service, working to establish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to build up Gods kingdom on earth in the latter days. On the 5th day of April, 1829, Oliver Cowdery came to my house, until which time I had never seen him. Testimony of Joseph F. Smith 6,749 views Aug 13, 2014 120 Dislike Share Save Latter-day Saint History 16.2K subscribers Listen to an actual recording of Joseph F. Smith's voice as he. Close to 60 people witnessed as 6 men met the requirements of New York to establish a new religious society. In making this confession, no one need suppose me guilty of any great or malignant sins. Joseph F. Smith was born November 13, 1838, in Far West, Missouri. We use Non-Personal Information to examine our traffic and to view how our customers use the Website. And thats just straight from the tapirs mouth. Smith: I am so sustained and upheld by my people. This is the simple, direct testimony of Joseph Smith, giving some of the events that led to the Restoration of the gospel and the founding of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm glad to have left such a deceitful organization. Three years afterJoseph Smiths FirstVision, God sent theangel Moroni toinstruct Joseph aboutrestoring the gospel of The oldest daughter, Lovina, married Lorin Walker in June 1844, shortly before her father's martyrdom. A seven-year-old son died in September 1841. This stone was thick and rounding in the middle on the upper side, and thinner towards the edges, so that the middle part of it was visible above the ground, but the edge all around was covered with earth. , he was asked many insightful questions: : What official position do you now hold in the church? . Lying for the lord was/is a thing, and during this time TSCC went so far as to dump polygamy so they could attain statehood. Even without that, if I have to choose to believe something said at General Conference or under penalty of perjury, Im believing the latter. And he further stated that the fulness of the Gentiles was soon to come in. You say that the councilors are appointed by the president of the church. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrist; so, also, were his feet naked, as were his legs, a little above the ankles. Joseph worked a number of jobs and provided a comfortable living for his family. They dont have extra insight. The answer was usually, Its because we dont value the old scripture enough. Turns out the true answer is that the brethren simply arent receiving revelations. The list includes at least Brigham Young, Heber J. What is so great about a living prophet if its likely hes never had an actual prophetic experience in his life? Google undertakes not to associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. I started with the intention of going to the house; but, in attempting to cross the fence out of the field where we were, my strength entirely failed me, and I fell helpless on the ground, and for a time was quite unconscious of anything. Smith: I will say this, Mr. Chairman, that no revelation given through the head of the church ever becomes binding and authoritative upon the members of the church until it has been presented to the church and accepted by them. In response to this prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph and told him the true Church of Jesus Christ was not on the earth and They had chosen Joseph to restore it. We invite you to give back. Thats just the list of those who, (Now, Joseph F. Smith did acknowledge the Manifesto. Smith: Perhaps I may say in this way: Chosen by the body, the twelve themselves, by and with the consent and approval of the first presidency. Also, some third-party cookies may provide them with information about you (such as the sites where you have been shown ads or demographic information) from offline and online sources that they may use to provide you more relevant and useful advertising. After this communication, I saw the light in the room begin to gather immediately around the person of him who had been speaking to me, and it continued to do so until the room was again left dark, except just around him; when, instantly I saw, as it were, a conduit open right up into heaven, and he ascended till he entirely disappeared, and the room was left as it had been before this heavenly light had made its appearance. Tayler: Is there any other description of your title than mere president? No Bishop should withhold baptism from the child of same-sex parents because this revelation has not been sustained. When asked, he defended his family relationships, telling the committee that he had cohabited with his wives and fathered children with them since 1890. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. United States Senate (1904a), Burrows, Julius Caesar; Foraker, Joseph Benson, eds.. United States Senate (1904b), Burrows, Julius Caesar; Foraker, Joseph Benson, eds.. United States Senate (1905), Burrows, Julius Caesar; Foraker, Joseph Benson, eds.. Smith: Yes, sir. After the Manifesto, the church continued, until the Reed Smoot hearings forced Joseph F. Smith to publish a, . There heread, Ask of God.. Worthington: Who was the president through whom that revelation came? Testimony of Joseph Smith Sixth President of the Church, 1901-1918 Testimony of Joseph Smith "As a child I knew the Prophet Joseph Smith. https://digitallibrary.utah.gov/awweb/awarchive?type=file&item=52004. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 1, p. 483 (Entire Smoot hearings are on-line, Smoot Hearings, Vol. Who was the president through whom that revelation came? Thats just the list of those who admitted to never having a prophetic experience. Alternatively, you can purchase copies of various types through Library of Congress Duplication Services. Smith: The things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God; and I cannot tell you any more than that I received that knowledge and that testimony by the spirit of God. He quoted many other passages of scripture, and offered many explanations which cannot be mentioned here. When he became President, the Church had about 293,000 members, with 50 stakes, 21 missions, and 4 temples. : Is there any other description of your title than mere president? Smith: Well, I have reached principles; that is, I have been confirmed in my acceptance and knowledge of principles that have been revealed to me, shown to me, on which I was ignorant before, by reason and fact. We collect information at various points in the Website to facilitate its use by our customers. The one true Prophet of the Lord in 1904 testified before Congress, under penalty of perjury that he has never received a revelation. . He wrote, After the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22). Hell that is the absolute central teaching of Mormonism! When reading his testimony, I believe he was being very careful to avoid a perjury charge. . 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? : What do you mean by being presented to the church? Well, according to my best recollection, it must have been about 1882. 1) Identify you as a returning user and to count your visits in our traffic statistics analysis; : Do you get that title by reason of being president or by reason of having been an apostle? Learn how . I soon found that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion, and was the cause of great persecution, which continued to increase; and though I was an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen years of age, and my circumstances in life such as to make a boy of no consequence in the world, yet men of high standing would take notice sufficient to excite the public mind against me, and create a bitter persecution; and this was common among all the sectsall united to persecute me. They are literally just guessing and going by their feelings like every other member of the church. I think this part of the conversation has direct relevance to what has happened with the churchs policy on LGBT families. President Joseph F. Smith on April 6, 1904, issued a " Second Manifesto ," which reaffirmed the first regarding polygamy. In his opening address at the 89th Semiannual General Conference of the Church, on October 4, 1918, President Smith declared that he had received several divine communications during the previous months. While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor. How are the apostles selected? I had now got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian world was concernedthat it was not my duty to join with any of them, but to continue as I was until further directed. We link the words together in one great testimony of eternal truth; and the reason we have power to bear witness of Christ, through whom salvation comes, is that Joseph Smith, the prophet and seer of the Lord for our day and in our day, has . .. 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