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Teachings of Presidents of the Church
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith
President Joseph F. Smith served for 52 years as a General Authority of the Church—as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, as a Counselor to four Church Presidents, and for 17 years as the President of the Church. He taught the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with eloquence, tenderness, and conviction, calling for the people to “live in harmony with the designs of our Heavenly Father.” His ministry was marked by his powerful witness of Jesus “I have received the witness of the Spirit in my own heart, and I testify before God, angels and men… that I know that my Redeemer lives.”
Today his messages and sermons continue to give divine direction on our path of eternal progress. Our work in this world, said President Smith, “is to do good, to put down iniquity under our feet, to exalt righteousness, purity, and holiness in the hearts of the people, and to establish in the minds of our children, above all other things, a love for God and his word.” He declared that “to be a Latter-day Saint requires the sacrifice of worldly aims and pleasures; it requires fidelity, strength of character, love of truth, integrity to principle, and zealous desire to see the triumphant, forward march of truth.”
The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have established the series Teachings of Presidents of the Church to help Church members deepen their understanding of gospel doctrines and draw closer to Jesus Christ through the teachings of the prophets in this dispensation. This book features the teachings of President Joseph F. Smith, who “To be Latter-day Saints, men or women must be thinkers, and workers; they must be men and women who weigh matters in their minds, men and women who consider carefully their course of life and the principles that they have espoused. … When people understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will see them walking straightforward, according to the word of the Lord, and the law of God, strictly in accordance with that which is consistent, just, righteous, and in every sense acceptable to the Lord.”
Each chapter in this book includes four (1) a statement that briefly summarizes the focus of the chapter; (2) “From the Life of Joseph F. Smith,” which illustrates the chapter’s teachings by an example from President Smith’s life or his wisdom; (3) “Teachings of Joseph F. Smith,” which presents important doctrines from his many messages and sermons; and (4) “Suggestions for Study,” which encourages personal review and inquiry, further discussion, and application to our lives today through questions.
Today his messages and sermons continue to give divine direction on our path of eternal progress. Our work in this world, said President Smith, “is to do good, to put down iniquity under our feet, to exalt righteousness, purity, and holiness in the hearts of the people, and to establish in the minds of our children, above all other things, a love for God and his word.” He declared that “to be a Latter-day Saint requires the sacrifice of worldly aims and pleasures; it requires fidelity, strength of character, love of truth, integrity to principle, and zealous desire to see the triumphant, forward march of truth.”
The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have established the series Teachings of Presidents of the Church to help Church members deepen their understanding of gospel doctrines and draw closer to Jesus Christ through the teachings of the prophets in this dispensation. This book features the teachings of President Joseph F. Smith, who “To be Latter-day Saints, men or women must be thinkers, and workers; they must be men and women who weigh matters in their minds, men and women who consider carefully their course of life and the principles that they have espoused. … When people understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will see them walking straightforward, according to the word of the Lord, and the law of God, strictly in accordance with that which is consistent, just, righteous, and in every sense acceptable to the Lord.”
Each chapter in this book includes four (1) a statement that briefly summarizes the focus of the chapter; (2) “From the Life of Joseph F. Smith,” which illustrates the chapter’s teachings by an example from President Smith’s life or his wisdom; (3) “Teachings of Joseph F. Smith,” which presents important doctrines from his many messages and sermons; and (4) “Suggestions for Study,” which encourages personal review and inquiry, further discussion, and application to our lives today through questions.
447 pages, paperback
First published January 1, 1998
28 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 11, 2020
An exceedingly edifying book of gospel principles as taught by President Joseph F. Smith, organized topically. This is one of my favorite volumes of this series. I found it exceedingly edifying and enlightening on many subject. I know Joseph F. Smith was a prophet of God, and his testimony and teachings are true.
June 27, 2025
What a life! Every time I read one of these books I think, wow, this man was just incredible! He's my new favorite! And now that I'm on President Grant, I may think that too about him. But wow! Joseph F. Smith - what a life! I wish I could be like him. You know, it's so strange, but you read this books - which aren't really about the presidents themselves, but just records of their teachings and sermons on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and you seriously grow to love not only the doctrine and not only our Savior, but the messengers as well! I am so grateful for this serious of books! They have become so precious to me. I can hardly get myself to read anything else! (Good thing I'm only about half way through the series!)
June 19, 2019
Terrible Cult.
Reading this and trying to find comfort would be devastating to a soul.
Law and Gospel are mixed in this cult such that the "Gospel" becomes a "principle" instead of good news of the substitionary atonement of Jesus Christ.
You can find a short summary of Mormon teachings here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3BqL...
Latter Day Re-gift
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7buk...
God Never Sinned - Do Mormons Agree?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyH61...
The Scary History of Mormonism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLPgX...
Reading this and trying to find comfort would be devastating to a soul.
Law and Gospel are mixed in this cult such that the "Gospel" becomes a "principle" instead of good news of the substitionary atonement of Jesus Christ.
You can find a short summary of Mormon teachings here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3BqL...
Latter Day Re-gift
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7buk...
God Never Sinned - Do Mormons Agree?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyH61...
The Scary History of Mormonism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLPgX...
May 15, 2021
Conocemos al hombre por sus enseñanzas
Joseph F. Smith es una de los profetas más interesantes que he conocido. Sus enseñanzas van muy relacionadas a lo que José Smith enseñaba enfocándose un poco más en cómo ser verdaderos discípulos de Cristo en todas las esferas de nuestra vida.
Joseph F. Smith es una de los profetas más interesantes que he conocido. Sus enseñanzas van muy relacionadas a lo que José Smith enseñaba enfocándose un poco más en cómo ser verdaderos discípulos de Cristo en todas las esferas de nuestra vida.
January 7, 2026
Excellent teachings and life advice from an early and extremely formative Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The chapter titles alone give wise counsel, from "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" to the importance of mothers, the duty of fathers in the home, integrity and finding rest in Christ.
Well worth a read for much evergreen wisdom.
Well worth a read for much evergreen wisdom.
January 22, 2019
It's in my top 3 of the teachings of the prophets series
March 22, 2020
Instructive, inspirational AND thought-provoking
Read
June 25, 2023Subject Themed Quotations.
September 19, 2024
A fine collection of prophetic teachings. I learned and was edified.
January 7, 2025
Good material. A good resource.
April 24, 2025
Remember the F. :)
October 26, 2014
This was an excellent manual. We don't hear as much from Joseph F. Smith as some of the other presidents of the Church. It is interesting that he was Hyrum Smith's son and Joseph Smith, the first president of the Church, was his uncle.
I was interested that he served a mission to Hawaii at a young age. He was president in the early 1900's, which was an important stage in Church history. He also had a vision of the Redemption of the Dead in 1918, which is one of the few things canonized after Brigham Young.
I was interested that he served a mission to Hawaii at a young age. He was president in the early 1900's, which was an important stage in Church history. He also had a vision of the Redemption of the Dead in 1918, which is one of the few things canonized after Brigham Young.
May 16, 2015
One of the modern-day prophets, this guy was a missionary, leader, father, and humanitarian. This topic-organized book takes you through many teachings and life stories of the nephew of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He was a witness of Jesus Christ, and received a cool revelation on what happened to Christ between His death and resurrection (where he went when he died), which also explains why Mormons build temples, not just meetinghouses. He started the Family Home Evening program, and taught that the state of the world is a reflection of the state of our homes. Cool guy, great book.
February 10, 2016
I loved reading about his kind heart, his love for all children especially his own, and his compassion for the Saints in Hawaii.
Particularly enjoyed the explanation of basic doctrines in Chapter 17: The Great Plan of Life and Salvation. "Had we not known before we came [to earth] the necessity of our coming.... -we never would have come" page 148.
As well as the triumphs of freedom from debt as explained in Chapter 31: Obedience to the Law of Tithing.
President Joseph F. Smith admonished, "Live your religion."
Particularly enjoyed the explanation of basic doctrines in Chapter 17: The Great Plan of Life and Salvation. "Had we not known before we came [to earth] the necessity of our coming.... -we never would have come" page 148.
As well as the triumphs of freedom from debt as explained in Chapter 31: Obedience to the Law of Tithing.
President Joseph F. Smith admonished, "Live your religion."
July 20, 2016
I know I read this book. I remember taking it with me to church. I had it with me during my Nauvoo semester. But somehow I can't remember studying it in Relief Society at all! Good thing I have my own copy--given to me by my home RS president apparently.
March 9, 2008
Loved it!
April 29, 2010
I believe in prophets and I believe Joseph F. Smith to be one. I enjoyed learning more about his life and teachings.
March 12, 2013
This was an amazing prophet of God. I taught some of the lessons in this manual in Relief Society.
April 14, 2015
As I've read more about Joseph F Smith, the more I admire him. He is definitely one of the "non-standard" people I would like to meet someday.
November 30, 2016
Omitted key information on his life and presidency. The biggest oversight was that there was not a single mention of the Second Manifesto of 1904.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews