http://www.josephsmith.com/JosephSmith-Legacy-of-a-Prophet.htm
Friends, new acquaintances, and even people who saw Joseph Smith only
at a distance could feel the love he had for others. Children could
especially feel this.
Half a century after the fact, Margarette McIntire Burgess looked back
on a day in Nauvoo when she and her brother had become stuck in the
mud on their way to school. =93Child-like, we began to cry, for we
thought we would have to stay there. But looking up, I beheld the
loving friend of children, the Prophet Joseph, coming to us. He soon
had us on higher and drier ground. Then he stooped down and cleaned
the mud from our little, heavy-laden shoes, took his handkerchief from
his pocket and wiped our tear-stained faces. He spoke kind and
cheering words to us and sent us on our way to school rejoicing.=94 1
John W. Hess was fourteen when Joseph Smith spent several days with
his family. Brother Hess recalled: =93At that time Joseph was studying
Greek and Latin, and when he got tired [of] studying he would go and
play with the children in their games about the house, to give himself
exercise. Then he would go back to his studies as before.=94 2
People of all ages seemed drawn to him. They felt the power of both
his personality and his calling.
Jane Snyder Richards first saw the Prophet and shook hands with him,
she said, =93in a dream, about eighteen months before my removal to
Nauvoo. Later, =85 I recognized him at first sight, while he was
preaching to the people. His was one of the most engaging
personalities it has ever been my good fortune to meet. =85 He was
fearless and outspoken, yet humble, never considering that he was more
than the mouth-piece, through whom God spoke. =85
=93As an instance of his humility and faith in prayer, I recall that
upon one occasion when his enemies were threatening him with violence,
he was told that quite a number of little children were then gathered
together praying for his safety. Upon hearing of that, he replied:
=93 =91Then I need have no fear; I am safe.=92 =94 3
Almost anyone who spent time around the Prophet saw evidences of his
humility. =93Zion=92s Camp, in passing through the State of Indiana, had
to cross very bad swamps, consequently we had to attach ropes to the
wagons to help them through, and the Prophet was the first man at the
rope in his bare feet. This was characteristic of him in all times of
difficulty,=94 said John M. Chidester. 4 Samuel Miles commented, =93When
times of trouble came on I have seen the Prophet mustering in the
ranks, his rifle on his shoulder, encouraging the Saints by his
example as well as by his cheering words.=94 5
The Prophet=92s love easily extended to people outside his household and
immediate circle of friends. Andrew Workman recalled that Joseph was
talking to a group of men one day when =93a man came up and said that a
poor brother who lived out some distance from town had had his house
burned down the night before. Nearly all of the men said they felt
sorry for the man. Joseph put his hand in his pocket, took out five
dollars and said, =91I feel sorry for this brother to the amount of five
dollars; how much do you all feel sorry?=92 =94 6
The love between the Prophet and the Saints was reciprocal. Mosiah
Hancock saw it as a youth when he heard Joseph Smith speak to the
Nauvoo Legion. =93He asked the Legions if they were not all his boys,
and they shouted =91Yes!=92 =85 The Prophet said, =91Brethren, the Lord
Almighty has this day revealed to me something I never comprehended
before! That is=97I have friends who have at a respectful distance been
ready to ward off the blows of the adversary. (He brought his hand
down on my father=92s head as he was acting as bodyguard to the Prophet)
While others have pretended to be my friends, and have crept into my
bosom and become vipers, and have been my most deadly enemies. =85 ARE
YOU WILLING TO DIE FOR ME?=92 Yes! was the shout. =91You have said you are
willing to die for me. =85=92 Then he drew his sword and cried, =91I WILL
DIE FOR YOU! If this people cannot have their rights, my blood shall
run upon the ground like water.=92 =94 7
Prophet to the People
As a prophet, Joseph Smith was always accessible to those who humbly
sought the Lord=92s help, even though their individual concerns might
have little impact on the kingdom as a whole.
One day in 1841, Joseph Taylor, whose brother was being held in jail
by enemies of the Church, asked his anguished mother if she would like
him to seek the Prophet=92s help. He found Joseph Smith duck hunting
with his son, Joseph III, a short distance from Nauvoo. =93I told him
that mother was very sad and down-hearted about the safety of her son
John; and she had requested me to come and ask him as a man of God
whether my brother would ever return home.
=93He rested on his gun, and bent his head for a moment as if in prayer
or deep reflection. Then, with a beautiful beaming countenance, full
of smiles, he looked up and told me to go and tell mother that her son
would return in safety inside of a week. True to the word of the
Prophet, he got home in six days.=94 8
William G. Nelson told of an occasion when Joseph Smith came to call,
only to find that the father of the family was away. Joseph inquired
about the welfare of Sister Nelson and the children and was told that
one of the sons was sick with chills and fever. William recalled the
reply: =93 =91Tell Brother Nelson that the boy will get well, and you will
not have any more sickness in your family as long as you live in
Nauvoo,=92 the Prophet said.
=93This prophecy was literally fulfilled.=94
William Nelson was one of many Saints who learned that there was
spiritual safety in following the Lord=92s appointed leader. =93I have
heard the Prophet speak in public on many occasions. In one meeting I
heard him say:
=93 =91I will give you a key that will never rust,=97if you will stay with
the majority of the Twelve Apostles, and the records of the Church,
you will never be led astray.=92 The history of the Church has proven
this to be true.=94 9
Many early members testified from personal experience that Joseph
Smith was in touch with the powers of heaven. Mary Elizabeth Rollins
Lightner was present during an impromptu meeting in the home of the
Prophet=92s parents at Kirtland, Ohio, in 1831. She said that when the
Prophet got up to speak, =93he began very solemnly and very earnestly;
all at once his countenance changed and he stood mute. He turned so
white, he seemed perfectly transparent. Those who looked at him that
night said he looked like he had a search light within him. I never
saw anything like it on earth. =85
=93He stood some moments looking over the congregation, as if to pierce
each heart, then said, =91Do you know who has been in your midst this
night?=92
=93One of the Smiths said, =91An angel of the Lord.=92
=93Martin Harris said, =91It was our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.=92
=93Joseph put his hand down on Martin=92s head and said,
=93 =91The Spirit of God revealed that to thee.=92 =94 10
Some of the Prophet=92s associates learned from experience to recognize
this manifestation of heavenly power in him. Brigham Young said,
=93Those who were acquainted with him knew when the Spirit of revelation
was upon him, for his countenance wore an expression peculiar to
himself while under that influence. He preached by the Spirit of
revelation, and taught in his council by it, and =85 at such times there
was a peculiar clearness and transparency in his face.=94 11
Example of Virtue
Daniel Tyler told of an incident that illustrated both the Prophet=92s
generosity of spirit and his ability to forgive, as the Savior
requires that we do. It happened in Kirtland at a time when a group of
members including Joseph Smith=92s brother, William, had turned against
him. At one evening meeting, those in attendance could see that the
Prophet was sorrowing. Opening the meeting with prayer, =93he turned his
back and bowed upon his knees, facing the wall. This, I suppose, was
done to hide his sorrow and his tears.
=93I had heard men and women pray=97especially the former=97from the most
ignorant, both as to letters and intellect, to the most learned and
eloquent, but never until then had I heard a man address his Maker as
though He was present listening as a kind father would listen to the
sorrows of a dutiful child. Joseph was at that time unlearned, but
that prayer, which was to a considerable extent in behalf of those who
accused him of having gone astray and fallen into sin, that the Lord
would forgive them and open their eyes that they might see aright=97that
prayer, I say, to my humble mind partook of the learning and eloquence
of heaven. =85 It appeared to me as though, in case the vail were taken
away, I could see the Lord standing facing His humblest of all
servants I had ever seen.=94 12
Those who knew Joseph Smith well, and partook of the same Spirit that
motivated him, knew his honesty and integrity were unquestionable. In
1843, Thomas Colborn, who had been a member of Zion=92s Camp with him,
responded to the Prophet=92s request for a short-term loan of one
hundred dollars. Thomas=92s daughter, Sarah, heard Joseph say: =93 =91This
shall be returned within three days, if I am alive.=92 =94 Sarah=92s aunt
angrily told her brother that he was foolish, that he would never see
the money again. =93 =91Don=92t worry, Katie,=92 father replied, =91if he
ca=
nnot
pay it, he is welcome to it.=92 =85
=93The day came when it was to be paid. =85 Night came; 9 o=92clock, 10
o=92clock, and we all retired for the night. Shortly after there was a
knock at the door. Father arose and went to it, and there in the
driving rain stood the Prophet Joseph.
=93 =91Here, Brother Thomas, is the money.=92 A light was struck, and
seated=
at the table, he counted out the $100.00 in gold.
=93He said, =91Brother Thomas, I have been trying all day to raise this
sum, for my honor was at stake. God bless you.=92 =94 13
The goodness of Joseph Smith could be surprising to those who had
expected harsher treatment from him. Young Alvah Alexander was playing
with the Smith children at the Prophet=92s house one day =93when [Joseph
Smith] came home and brought two men =85 [who] had been arrested for
abusing [him]. He brought them in and treated them as he would one who
had never done him a wrong; gave them their dinner before he would
allow them to depart.=94 14
Deep, Enduring Impressions
In person, the Prophet often made people forget all of the evil
re****ts they had heard about him. News re****ter Mathew Davis heard him
speak in Wa****ngton, D.C., on 5 February 1840, to an audience that
included members of Congress. Mr. Davis wrote to his wife: =93[Joseph
Smith] is a plain, sensible, strong minded man. Everything he says, is
said in a manner to leave an impression that he is sincere. There is
no levity, no fanaticism, no want of dignity in his de****tment. =85
=93During the whole of his address, =85 there was no opinion or belief
that he expressed, that was calculated, in the slightest degree, to
impair the morals of society, or in any manner to degrade and
brutalize the human species. There was much in his precepts, if they
were followed, that would soften the asperities of man towards man. =85
His religion appears to be the religion of meekness, lowliness, and
mild persuasion. =85
=93Throughout his whole address, he displayed strongly a spirit of
charity and forbearance. =85
=93I have changed my opinion of the Mormons. They are an injured and
much-abused people.=94 15
If simply hearing Joseph Smith could reshape the thinking of one-time
observers, it seems natural that working with him frequently and
intimately over years would leave unassailable knowledge of his
goodness.
Elder John Taylor, whose loyalty to Joseph Smith had put him in the
path of four musket balls in the Carthage Jail, was called upon to
defend the name of the martyred Prophet during a public debate at
Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, in July 1850. He responded: =93I testify that
I was acquainted with Joseph Smith for years. I have travelled with
him; I have been with him in private and in public; I have associated
with him in councils of all kinds; I have listened hundreds of times
to his public teaching, and his advice to his friends and associates
of a more private nature. I have been at his house and seen his
de****tment in his family. =85 I testify before God, angels, and men,
that he was a good, honourable, virtuous man=97that his doctrines were
good, scriptural, and wholesome=97that his precepts were such as became
a man of God=97that his private and public character was unimpeachable=97
and that he lived and died as a man of God and a gentleman.=94 16
Among the faithful who knew him, he often did the works that the
Savior had commanded his original Twelve to do (see Matt. 10:1=968).
William D. Huntington, for example, related to Levi Curtis the story
of how the Prophet literally brought him back to life. Brother
Huntington was one of a large number of members who fell ill in the
early days of Nauvoo. He told of becoming weaker and weaker, until he
=93presently felt easy, and =85 found that he was in the upper part of the
room near the ceiling, and could see the body he had occupied lying on
the bed, with weeping friends, standing around.=94
Joseph Smith and two other men came into the room and prepared to
administer a priesthood blessing. They =93laid their hands upon the head
of his body, =85 and as the three stretched out their hands =85 , he by
some means became aware that he must go back into that body, and
started to do so. The process of getting in he could not remember; but
when Joseph said =91amen,=92 he heard and could see and feel with his
body. =85
=93As soon as the brethren had taken their hands from his head he raised
up in bed, sitting erect, and in another moment turned his legs off
the bed.
=93At this juncture Joseph asked him if he had not better be careful,
for he was very weak. He replied, =91I never felt better in my life.=92
=94
17
Our Brother Joseph
It would be expected that the Prophet might make lasting impressions
on those who constantly moved within his spiritual circle. But the
testimonies of others show that he made equally enduring impressions
on those whose only tie to him was friend****p.
As a young man, William Taylor, brother of the third president of the
Church, had the privilege of spending time with the Prophet; when
Joseph Smith withdrew from Nauvoo because he was in danger, he stayed
with William=92s family. William recalled: =93I have never known the same
joy and satisfaction in the companion****p of any other person, man or
woman, that I felt with him, the man who had conversed with the
Almighty. He was always the most companionable and lovable of men=97
cheerful and jovial! =85
=93I said to him once:
=93 =91Brother Joseph, don=92t you get frightened when all those hounding
wolves are after you?=92
=93And he answered:
=93 =91No, I am not afraid; the Lord said he would protect me, and I have
full confidence in His word.=92
=93I knew the danger, and whatever happened to him would happen to me,
but I felt no more fear than I now feel. There was something superior
to thoughts of personal safety. Life or death was a matter of
indifference to me while I was the companion of the Lord=92s anointed!=94
18
No matter what he may have known about future trials, Joseph Smith
maintained a faith in God and a constant confidence that were part of
his legacy to those who knew him. More than sixty years after the
Prophet=92s death, Angus M. Cannon would write: =93The impression created
upon my young mind in the inspired utterances of Joseph Smith have
accompanied me throughout my subsequent life; and when darkness would
otherwise have beclouded my mind, his testimony has come up vividly
before me, giving me evidence that the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints has been established and governed by the manifest
power and authority of God.=94 19
The Prophet=92s legacy of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the heritage
of every Latter-day Saint, from those born in pioneer communities at
the turn of the century to those baptized in Sydney or London last
Sunday. For nineteenth-century Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith=92s life
helped define disciple****p. Today, as we each seek to mature
spiritually in a church that is moving to meet the twenty-first
century, we still can find no better latter-day model of a disciple of
Christ.
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