Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith

Teachings of Presidents of the Church

by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith Jr.

This is the ninth in a series of books of the teachings of Presidents of the Church. The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have established the "Teachings of Presidents of the Church" series to help you deepen your understanding of the restored gospel and draw closer to the Lord through the teachings of latter-day Presidents of the Church. As the Church adds volumes to this series, you will build a collection of gospel reference books for your home. The volumes in this series are designed to be used both for personal study and for quorum and class instruction.

This book features the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, who was called of God to open the dispensation of the fulness of times in these latter days. Between his vision of the Father and the Son in the spring of 1820 and his martyrdom in June 1844, he established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and brought forth the fulness of the gospel, never again to be taken from the earth.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction, Church, History, Lds Non Fiction, Inspirational

586 pages, Paperback and online

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad to have read this book in its entirety. My testimony of Joseph Smiths mission to bless the whole human family has grown. If you don’t read any other chapter, read the last chapter-the testimonies of other church prophets. 🩷

[Lisa]

I enjoyed the lesson on Sunday about trials. I certainly have mine. Joseph Smith must have been pretty amazing to get up and preach a sermon and baptize 3 people after a night of being beaten, tarred, and feathered. I don't know that I would be up to that. But I guess I can get back up and keep trying when I have trials, the way he did. And keep praying!!!!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love teaching from this manual. There is so much power in every quote. The hardest part is eliminating which quotes there won't be time to share in class, so there will be time for discussion.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this!

[Misty Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved what was there. Would have liked more detail, but that's probably beyond the scope of this book's purpose.

[Maria Fledgling Author Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent source of information about the teachings of Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of following President Russell M. Nelson's invitation to immerse myself in the light of the restoration. In a few short weeks as of my writing this it will be the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith's first vision-- his experience of seeing Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in vision in a grove of trees near his home in western New York. I know that that event really took place and that Joseph Smith was a genuine prophet of God, called and commissioned by Jesus Christ to restore his gospel and church to the earth. I am grateful for my testimony of Jesus Christ and of the the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know what I know of Jesus Christ and his gospel because of what has been revealed and restored through Joseph Smith, and I am an incredibly grateful beneficiary of his life and mission.

This book addresses Joseph Smith's teachings by topic, which I found very helpful and edifying. I find that this book, the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, and the Words of Joseph Smith by Cook & Ehat are all different but very much complementary volumes. Each in its own way has deepened and enriched my knowledge, understanding, and testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I highly recommend this book to all.

[Juan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un libro que permite conocer al hombre que fue llamado por Dios para restaurar las verdades eternas. Que fue probado en varias ocasiones, incluso atentando contra su vida, sufriendo enfermedades y difamaciones de todo tipo, de personas ajenas, cercanas y amigos íntimos. Este libro DEBE leerse buscando conocer más a fondo quién es aquel de quien tanto se habla y menciona en la Iglesia de Jesucristo de Los Santos de los Últimos Días.
El libro repasa la vida y momentos importantes de José y su proceso de restauración de las doctrinas cristianas, la traducción del Libro de Mormón y otros temas importantes para un mundo verdaderamente caído así como testimonios de personas que estuvieron ahí junto con él.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a rosy version of history the church chose to present. No mention At all of the 23 young ladies he “sealed” to himself in marriage behind his wife and congregations backs. No promising a 14 year old girl that if she would be his wife then her whole family would get celestial glory. They left out all of the spiritual manipulations of young and vulnerable girls. And because Joseph lied about these women, their sacrifice and dedication go unnoticed in history. Just a whisper in relief society if one of the ladies is bold enough speak of it, even in hushed tones.

[Kathryn Hatzenbuhler · Rating 1 out of 5]

Words from the chief liar himself. This book didn’t cover his affair with Fanny Alger and how his wife caught him in the barn giving it to their teenage live in help and THEN the “scriptures” on polygamy were revealed! Didn’t tell about how he said an angel appears on the shore of the river when people are baptized and then it turned out to be Joseph Smith cos-playing an angel. But he was a prophet of God right?!?!! BS!! Nothing but lies!!!!

[Ethan Chappell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book about the mission of joseph Smith. It helped me realize how much Joseph did for the early church and that he was truly called of God. I mostly read this to prepare for General Conference but it wasn't that engaging or interesting so I had to push myself through it. It had some good history sections at the beginning of each chapter which kept me going.

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book to fulfil the goal read a book by or about a martyr. it is part of his teachings and part of his life history. it can be found for free on the gospel library app put out by the church of jesus christ of latter day saints.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The teachings and experiences of Joseph Smith are always enlightening and inspirational. There were quite a few stories about how his contemporaries felt about him and how he treated them. Makes me want to be a better person, and especially a more Christ centered person.

[Anna Mock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, the language was a little hard, but the doctrine was incredible. It took a good 3 months to finish this book! The dates are not even approximates (below, indicated when I read this book). I started it this year and ended it before today.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories of faith that endures persecution. I have loved the stories of these remarkable modern prophets, and Joseph Smith was unique, having started it all.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non Member review

I read this because I wanted to know more. I have learned a great deal. May those who read this and The Book of Mormon be richly blessed.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread rhe whole book. What wonderful truths. What a wonderful man

[Nat.]

waist of time this is so edditted to cut out the facts of the actual history of smith it is fraudulent

[Mabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una vida ejemplar; un testimonio inmutable.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ IT!

[Ryan Heckman]

Enjoyable but a product of Correlation. I really wanted to read about certain topics that weren’t in here.

[David Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of good quotes and stories.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

Joseph Smith was a liar, a conman and a Freemason. He would instill fear to force women to sleep with him.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great to read for enjoyment instead of just as a lesson manual.

[Brent Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection of Joseph Smith's thought, selected and organized around some key topics of interest to the current LDS Churh leadership.

I serve in Primary so don't attend regular priesthood meeting sessions where the book is used as a text. My reaction on reading it was - Joseph Smith is remarkably clear and accessible, when comopared against other 19th century thinker/writers of his time (e.g., Jefferson, Lincoln, Emerson, etc.). Then I wondered, why do I find him so clear and straightforward? Is it because I've grown up hearing his words? Maybe partly. But I really do think he is a clear, sharp, persuasive thinker, ranking with the best of his generation. He set a good standard for the Church, which I think has continued in his tradition.

I compare his account of first visions with that of Oliver Cowdery, his cohort and collaborator. Cowdery's description is much more typical of how I think of 19th century writers - less direct, more flowery and ornamented, more emotionally based. Josph speaks like a witness, not like a salesman. Seems like Arthur Henry King made a similar point in one of his books or articles.

[Dad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent manual reinforcing my testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith. There are many testimonies of important men who knew Joseph and were related to him. Some may say if you were related you would give a quick witness of him. I don't believe so. Many relatives would know his good and bad and just might want to testify against him. These didn't.
I have been to his boyhood home in Palmyra, New York, and experienced the sacred and peaceful Sacred Grove where he saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The grove is so wonderful. I could feel the spirit of the Lord there. I have also climbed the Hill Cumorah where the plates of gold were given to the young Joseph to translate the Book of Mormon. I have also been to the Grandin Press in Palmyra where the Book of Mormon was printed. I have been to other sites related to Joseph Smith in Kirtland, Ohio, Missouri, and Nauvoo, Illinois. Finally, I entered the room in the Carthage Jail where Joseph and Hyrum were murdered. I felt the spirit there too -- a witness that Joseph was a prophet of the living God and that the Book of Mormon was true as well as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

[Daniel Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joseph Smith was a prophet. You know--the kind that speaks with God and relays a message. If you don't know it's true, you haven't really truly checked. If you haven't checked, maybe you're scared it might be true. As Joseph Smith is quoted as saying in this church manual, "[Mormonism takes] a deep hold in the hearts and affections of all those who are noble-minded enough to lay aside the prejudice of education, and investigate the subject with candor and honesty." I don't think many people can lay aside what they have "learned" and know for themselves. I don't think many people have such candor and honesty of soul. Maybe that's why the church will always be relatively few in number.

Aside from me trying to convert people, though, this book really is good and inspiring, and I'm glad I finally got the chance to read it. The teachings about what happens after death in the case of young children especially comforted and thrilled me. I think it's kind of exalting to see through someone's eyes who knows that this life is not the end of our journey.

[Ashley]

Really solid, as far as study manuals go. It is nice to have so many quotations from Joseph Smith in one place and organized by topic. The sources cited can also provide additional resources for further study.

I read this all the way through, treating it like a novel, as part of my Restoration study regime. I wouldn’t say it is a page-turner but it is a great resource!

[Celeste Batchelor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah! We've finished studying Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith this year. We have used this book as a core devotional book for religious studies. I have to say, there is a lot of information in this book. My children and I found new nuggets of information, topics to discuss, and new understanding to add to our every day lives.

I highly recommend this book for all people who wish to understand Joseph Smith's teachings and/or wish to know more about the LDS or Mormon church. The core beliefs and principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that he taught are clearly explained in this book.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very compelling book for me. I have read it in its entirety over the past two years as we studied it in Relief Society. It was very thought provoking for me. I enjoyed reading it and I also found the questions at the back of each chapter very insightful. On the surface the book may seem repetitious of doctrines already known and the questions may seem rote, but for me, I found new insights and knowledge as I read the text. I also found that the questions could be answered on two levels--a surface level and then a deeper more complex level.

This has been a good two years of study for me which I have benefited from. It has increased my understanding and strengthened my testimony of gospel principles, as well as of Joseph Smith as a modern day prophet.