Prophet Joseph Smith

1 Scriptural Teachingsof theProphet Joseph SmithTaken from his sermons and writings as they arefound in the Documentary History and otherpublications of the Church and writtenor published in the days of theProphet s ministrySelected and arranged by the Historian, Joseph Fielding Smith , and hisAssistants in the Historian s Office ofthe Church of Jesus Christof Latter-day Scriptural AnnotationsBy Richard C. GalbraithDedicationTo my two scriptural grandmothers, Harriet Amanda Davis and Louise Oscarson Belnap.(2 Timothy 1:5)About the AuthorRichard C. Galbraith is a Professor of Marriage, Family, and Human Development at BrighamYoung University. He received his degree in experimental psychology at NorthwesternUniversity. His research and scholarly publications include the areas of human memory andintelligence, statistics and computer :MSS Manuscript Journal History of the Documentary History of the Evening and Morning Times and Far West Messenger and 's ForewordI have had a fondness for the sermons and writings of the Prophet Joseph Smith for manyyears.

2 My interest was initially sparked in the classes of Hyrum L. Andrus when I was anundergraduate student at Brigham Young University. I always appreciated the Prophet 's usage ofthe scriptures, and would occasionally note a few scriptural references in the margins of my copyof the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph November, 1989, I decided it was time to formally catalog these marginal notes and huntup what scriptural references remained. I contacted a friend in the Ancient scripture Department,Monte S. Nyman, and asked if he had any scriptural references in his copy of the Teachings whichmight save me a little time. Mont gave me a list containing 700 entries. I was sure the task wasnearly with so many things, the little project began to take on a life of its own. My first carefulreading of the Teachings resulted in 2,000 scriptural references. In addition, I discovered that manyof the phrases and passages of the Teachings, although not quoting verbatim, were extremely usefulin the interpretation of many other scriptures, and vice versa.

3 Several readings have transpired since,and the final count now stands at over 11,000 references, both direct and contextual. Doubtless thereare also found that the line between scripture cited and scriptural concept noted becameincreasingly blurred as my appreciation of the Prophet 's scriptural prowess grew. When asked if hestole his wife, the Prophet once replied "Ask her, she was of age, she can answer for herself" (TPJS,p. 120). In a strict sense, this is not a scriptural citation. But after experiencing the Prophet 'sscriptural genius time and again, I am persuaded that a clever use was made of John 9:21. In thispassage, the parents of the man born blind, seeking to avoid excommunication (John 9:22), repliedto the Pharisees, "he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself."A brief sampling of the Prophet 's scriptural usage, including a basis for this ability from hislife experiences, is included in the Appendix. It is hoped that the present work highlights one of thegreat contributions of the Prophet Joseph Smith , that of "expounding all scriptures unto the church"(D&C 24:5).

4 The Scriptural Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith has benefitted from the contributionsof friends and family. My wife Sandy, and children James, Jennifer, Daniel, Stefanie and Michellehave patiently allowed me to see an idea through to fruition. The Department of Family Sciencesat Brigham Young University (Terrance D. Olson, Chairman) has tolerated my wide range ofresearch interests and generously provided computer equipment. Specialty Reference Retrieval (PaulM. Urie, Mark L. Donaldson, RCG) provided Retriever, a computer text retrieval program, whichgreatly aided in the identification of scriptural references. Don E. Norton of the English Department,Brigham Young University, has been most helpful in editing my nonscriptural , two women have greatly influenced my love of the scriptures and the restored gospelof Jesus Christ. My angel grandmother, Harriet Amanda Davis, raised me as a child to appreciatethe abundant life contained in the scriptures (John 10:10).

5 Her life was "seasoned with grace" (TPJSp. 156, Col. 4:6). Truly, "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law ofkindness" (Prov. 31:26; Eph. 4:32). Louise O. Belnap, a dear friend, was a saint "instructed unto thekingdom of heaven who freely brought forth of her treasure goodly pearls, new and old" ( :45, 52; Matt. 10:8).INTRODUCTIONA quarter of a century ago, Elder Edwin F. Parry compiled and published a classifiedarrangement of excerpts from doctrinal sermons and writings of the Prophet Joseph Smith . Thesesayings were taken from the Documentary History of the Church. That little work filled animportant mission, but left in the hearts and minds of all who were interested in the sayings of thegreat latter-day Prophet , a longing for more of his sayings, which longing was not satisfied. Manyfaithful members of the Church have expressed the desire that a more extensive work of this kindbe published. The members of the Church quite generally desire to know what the Prophet JosephSmith may have said on important subjects, for they look upon his utterances as coming throughdivine of these discourses and writings appear in the Documentary History of the Church, butothers have not been included in these volumes, but are scattered through the early publications ofthe Church.

6 It has been difficult even for the student to obtain these because the old publicationsare not accessible for general accordance with the many calls that have been made that there be a more extensivecompilation of these discourses and sayings, the matter was taken up in the Historian s Office andsuch a compilation has been prepared, submitted to the First Presidency and passed by them should be remembered that this compilation contains some discourses and statements fromthe minutes of council and priesthood meetings, which are not verbatim reports of the Prophet sremarks, but which have been approved in those minutes. There has been no attempt to compilethese sayings by subject, because frequently in the same article or discourse, several subjects arediscussed. It has been thought best to give each article, or portion of article, chronologically, withan exhaustive index through which the various subjects may be found. Historical matters andincidental or unimportant matters have been eliminated.

7 By the use of asterisks these portions leftout are indicated in the body of the which are accessible, such as Joseph Smith Tells His Own Story, which has beenpublished in tract form and also in the Pearl of Great Price, are not added to this work. Referenceshave been made to the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants where necessary, but theserevelations are not included in this is felt that this volume will meet a need and promote faith among the members of theChurch. With this intent it is sent out on its mission as another testimony of the divine calling ofthe Prophet Joseph FIELDING Smith ,Church published in ONE1830 1834 This page left intentionally 7 TEACHINGSOF THEPROPHET Joseph SMITHT itle Page of The Book of MormonMeantime our translation drawing to a close, we went to Palmyra, Wayne County, New York,secured the copyright, and agreed with Mr. Egbert B. Grandin to print five thousand copies for thesum of three thousand wish to mention here, that the title-page of the Book of Mormon1 is a literal translation, takenfrom the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained therecord which has been translated, the language of the whole running the same as all Hebrew2 writingin general; and that said title-page is not by any means a modern composition, either of mine or ofany other man who has lived or does live in this generation.

8 Therefore, in order to correct an errorwhich generally exists concerning it, I give below that part of the title-page of the English versionof the Book of Mormon, which is a genuine and literal translation of the title-page of the originalBook of Mormon, as recorded on the plates. DHC 1:71. (1830.)Value of the Revelations and CommandmentsMy time was occupied closely in reviewing the commandments and sitting in conference, fornearly two weeks, for from the first to the twelfth of November [1831] we held four specialconferences. In the last which was held at Brother Johnson s, in Hiram, after deliberateconsideration, in consequence of the Book of revelations,3 now to be printed,a being1. Title Page B of Morm. 9 D&C 1 a conference of the Church held in November, 1831, the Prophet received the revelation known as SectionOne, or the Preface to the Book of Commandments. At this conference the Elders considered the question ofpublishing the revelations which had been given up to that time as the Book of Commandments.

9 This action the Lordapproved by revelation. It was decided that 10,000 copies should be published, but later this wasTPJS 8the foundation of the Church1 in these last days, and a benefit to the world, showing that the keysof the mysteries2 of the kingdom of our Savior3 are again entrusted to man;4 and the riches ofeternity5 within the compass6 of those who are willing to live by every word that proceedeth out ofthe mouth of God7 therefore the conference voted that they prize8 the revelations to be worth tothe Church the riches of the whole earth,9 speaking temporally. The great benefits to the world whichresult from the Book of Mormon and the revelations, which the Lord has seen fit10 in His infinitewisdom11 to grant unto us for our salvation,12 and for the salvation of all that will believe,13 wereduly appreciated; and in answer to an inquiry, I received the (Nov., 1831) DHC1 the Veil Through Perfect FaithBrother Joseph Smith , Jr. said: We have assembled together to do the business of the Lord15 andit is through the great1 1.

10 D&C 1:17. 2. D D&C 64:5. 3. 2 Pet. 1:11. 4. Alma 37:14; D&C 3:5. 5. D&C 78:18. 6. Isa. 44:13; 1 Ne. 18:12,21;Alma 37:43-44. 7. Matt. 4:4. 8. Moses 6:55. 9. D&C 38 Mosiah 27 Ps. 147 Ps. 85 Alma 34 D&C 70 D&C 64 to 3,000 copies. A number of the brethren, at this conference, arose and stated that they were willing totestify to the world that they knew that the revelations received by the Prophet were of the Lord. In due time therevelations were compiled by the Prophet , and at a conference held November 12, 1831, the revelations werereceived with thanksgiving. Oliver Cowdery, John Whitmer and William W. Phelps, were appointed to review therevelations for printing, and Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer were appointed to carry them to Missouri where theprinting was to be done. These brethren were "dedicated and consecrated with the sacred writings and all they haveentrusted to their care to the Lord." The publication was commenced by William W.