Praise to the Man...Joseph Smith

bytor2112 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-20-2008, 12:54 PM

I wonder how many criticisms and insults and salacious stories were written about other prophets like Moses or Abraham. How many different versions of seeing the burning bush did Moses tell or how different were each of his accounts of receiving the Ten Commandments or parting the Red Sea. How did people really feel about Abraham having a child with Hagar...he was after all married to Sariah. Do you think books were published about how Abraham was just a dirty old man and Sariah never knew or that he couldn't be a Prophet after the way he lied to that man in Egypt about his wife being his sister.

So many of the stories posted on this site and the net in general are about controversial issues, I thought it would be nice to add some of the wonderful stories and accounts of the man who was called to usher in the last great dispensation of the gospel.

PapilioMemnon · #2 (**permalink**) 08-20-2008, 01:32 PM

bytor2112,

You just hijacked my idea!!!!

I just had to tell you that you literally "read" my mind!!! Even the title of the thread... I was just humming this hymn thinking about the same, exactly thoughts you had and posted!!!!

That's truly amazing!!! You beat me to it!!!

Yes... Praise to the man!

I just have to say that when I read his stories, I'm taken back by his courage, boldness, perseverance, and humbleness!
I KNOW he was/is a prophet of Heavenly Father, and was called to restore His Church in this last dispensation! No, I don't know all things about him, but what I DO KNOW sufficeth me! I may not understand all things the way he did, like Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, David, Solomon.... nevertheless, I KNOW they were men called to be prophets, and the crucial message lives on regardless of several things: Heavenly Father lives! Jesus Christ lives, was, and is the only Begotten of Heavenly Father, our Savior and Redeemer!!! Heavenly Father still reveals His will to us through prophets as He did before! And I KNOW of these things because the Holy Ghost does testify of them.

Take care!!!

bytor2112 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-20-2008, 02:10 PM

The Holy Spirit at work perhaps.... I sure felt the Spirit when I read your post.

Thanks- Bytor

goofball · #4 (**permalink**) 08-20-2008, 02:15 PM

I add my two cents to this even though it is not worth two cents to anyone but me and my family. Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God! I find it cool that W.W. Phelps wrote in his Praise to the Man, "millions shall know Brother Joseph again" Can you imagine what a bold statement this about someone who restored a church starting with six members. Bold yet very true.

I don't let what people say about Joseph Smith bother me. He is in a long line of men of God who have been persecuted and continue to be persecuted. I know what I know and although I work hard to continue to expand my knowledge I don't let what anyone say affect my testimony of this work

I don't have any good stories at this time as I am in the office and don't have any good stories to share. However I feel this is a great topic hopefully there will be more addition to these posts.

candyprpl · #5 (**permalink**) 08-20-2008, 02:59 PM

I admit that my testimony of Brother Joseph is weak -- but I know the comfort that reading the Book of Mormon brings to me is because of his faith that brought it forward. The Book of Mormon has helped me understand the Bible and who Jesus Christ, my Savior and Redeemer is. I know by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are led by a Prophet of God today. I have been blessed many times by the power of the restored Priesthood -- the power of God. I have my own sacred experience/witness that tells me this is the church with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Yes, PRAISE TO THE MAN -- Joseph Smith!

goofball · #6 (**permalink**) 08-20-2008, 03:43 PM

candyprpl-Keep doing what you are doing. It will come as long as you stay the course, read much, study more, pray the most.

Unrelated but have you read Christ and the New Covenant? I dont know why I ask but I think you should read it.

Misshalfway · #7 (**permalink**) 08-20-2008, 03:50 PM

Thank you Bytor and Pap!!!!! for sharing a little badly needed perspective.

I love the Truman G Madsen cd's about the life of the prophet from his 8 different perspectives. I still think my all time favorite story is when he was headed to Carthage and he knew he wasn't coming home and he turned his horse around three times to say goodbye to Emma..... just one more time! I am teary even thinking about it.

My next favorite is the accounts of how Joseph and Sydney returned from their days in Liberty jail and how Joseph seemed to be more refined by the trial while Sydney was somewhat bitter.

Gosh....I need a refresh. I think I will listen to those cd's again. Thanks again you two!!!

Listener · #8 (**permalink**) 08-20-2008, 04:34 PM

The newest church-sponsored movie out is "Joseph Smith--Prophet of the Restoration".

We have watched it three times, and I cried myself silly each time.

There is a scene where Joseph is beating a rug in the yard, and an English convert chastises him for demeaning his role of prophet. Joseph's reply is one which should make every woman smile.

candyprpl · #9 (**permalink**) 08-20-2008, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goofball

candyprpl-Keep doing what you are doing. It will come as long as you stay the course, read much, study more, pray the most.

Unrelated but have you read Christ and the New Covenant? I dont know why I ask but I think you should read it.

No, I haven't -- where can I find it.

Last year I went to Women's Conference with my sisters and we went to Temple Square and saw the JS movie. We all cried. And I did get a stronger testimony of JS then. I've read Lucy Mack Smith's book -- loved it! And I've ordered Rough Stone Rolling and Emma Smith.

goofball · #10 (**permalink**) 08-20-2008, 07:57 PM

[quote=candyprpl;245814]No, I haven't -- where can I find it.

Just type the name of the book into google and many sites will pop up where you can get the book. You may even be able to read part of it online.