Joseph Smith: The Prophet and Seer

by Richard Neitzel Holzapfel (Editor), Kent P. Jackson (Editor)

In 2008, many of the foremost scholars on the life and teachings of Joseph Smith participated in a lecture series that provided fresh, faithful perspectives about the prophet. This book offers in print the transcripts of those lectures, which were published in an audio CD collection titled Joseph Smith's Prophetic A Year-by-Year Look at His Life and Teachings . Each chapter focuses on one year from 1830 to 1844, providing an overview of key events of that year and discussing a key doctrine or historical event tied to that year.
- The book format allows easy access to the insights in the lectures.
- Poignant and previously unknown insights into the Prophet s life and teachings help readers experience the qualities that inspired the early Saints.
- Each of the contributors is either on the Religious Education faculty at BYU or part of the team working on the landmark Joseph Smith Papers series.
- Includes introductory chapters on the Prophet's early years.

Genres: History

480 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Dr. Richard Holzapfel is a Professor of Church History in the Religious Education Department at BYU. He attended BYU, Hebrew Union College, and the University of California, Irvine (B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.) emphasizing in Middle Eastern Studies, Jewish History, Ancient History. Dr. Holzapfel began teaching at Brigham Young University in 1993, and has taught in the Church History, Ancient Scripture, and History departments. He is currently the Managing Director of Religious Studies Center Publications and the Editor-in-Chief of the center’s periodical The Religious Educator. In addition, he serves as an Editorial Board Member for BYU Studies. Dr. Holzapfel has received various awards and honors for his teaching, including Continuing Education Faculty Teaching Award in 2006. In 2008 he was named the BYU Honors Professor of the Year. Along with his teaching and university appointments, Dr. Holzapfel remains one of the most rigorous and widely published writers on campus.

Reviews

[Kim Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a series of essays by different authors and most of them were fantastic. They gave me a different perspective on a lot of things that were happening in Church History. They helped a lot with the background of the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants, as well as things going on in Joseph's life. It was a great read.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It covers the history of Joseph Smith’s life. Each chapter covers one year giving context with time, place, trials, accomplishments, and experiences. The chapters are based on lectures given at BYU in 2008. Most of the authors work on the Joseph Smith Papers Project and share recent insights in an easy to read format.

I learned so much and am more grateful for the life and miracle of Joseph Smith, his faithfulness, his sacrifices, his humility, those who helped him, and especially for the Church and truths he helped restore to the earth. I have a greater appreciation for the importance of understanding our history. We can avoid similar trials and increase faith.

Here are a few quotes I liked:

"'In spiritual matters, Joseph Smith had no [mortal] role models from whom he could learn how to be a prophet and a leader (Dallin H. Oaks, p. XII).'"

"'Our work is not designated to defend Joseph Smith so much as to understand him (Ronald K. Esplin, p. XX).'"

"We simply do not observe the heavens as Abraham and Sarah, Jesus, Mary, Lazarus, and Joseph and Emma saw them. Additionally, we may not appreciate the fears of natural darkness that existed for those who lived in the past (p. 2)."

"The Lord had prepared western New York as a fertile field to bring about his divine purposes--the Restoration (p. 10)."

"Thus if faith in God opened the heavens the first time, repentance opened them the second time. This pattern of sacred instruction would be repeated in different times and places throughout the pages of early Church history (p. 27)."

"What was needed now was a humble, penitent scribe and devoted supporter and trusted eyewitness to visions soon to occur.... It was a lesson in repentance not missed by either man (p. 44)."

"The translation 'was not a merely mechanical process' but rather a laboratory of spiritual and mental application governed by the principles found in the very book they were now translating. Even after almost 10 years of preparation, Joseph Smith relearned the lesson that even the smallest sins or senseless hurts prevented the free flow of inspiration and revelation. By faith, faith unto repentance that led, in turn, to the guiding and revealing influence of the Spirit of the Lord, he lived his was through to the end of the translation process (p. 45)."

"On March 7, 1831, the Lord instructed him in revelation to stop working on the Old Testament and work on the New Testament instead, because it contained things that he needed to learn (D&C 45:60-62) (p. 63)."

"Seventy-seven sections of the Doctrine and Covenants, 56 percent of the total number, were revealed during the months that the Prophet was engaged in the translation (p. 70)."

"'The Lord had Joseph Smith make a translation of the Bible because of the good it would do Joseph Smith as well as the good it would also do the Church. This is the way in which the Prophet Joseph Smith learned many things about the gospel... Through the experience of translating the Bible Joseph Smith was to come into possession of knowledge he did not previously have.... The labor was to be its own reward and would result in the spiritual education of the Prophet (Robert Matthews, p. 70).'"

"What was it about 1831 that made this a year of such revelatory significance (p. 78)?"

"The Lord had to wean the Saints from constant dependence on the Prophet for revelation on every matter (p. 87)."

"The Lord is not saying he does not care about us, but he does want us to know we have the power within ourselves to make sound decisions (p. 92)."

"According to Philo Dibble, Joseph Smith did not receive section 76 in a closed room with just Sidney Rigdon; there were at least a dozen other people viewing what was taking place. Such was the case with many of the revelations Joseph Smith received (p. 108)."

"'The Lord deals with this people as a tender parent with a child, communicating light and intelligence and the knowledge of his ways as they can bear it (Joseph Smith, p. 109).'"

"'When the vision came first to me, it was directly contrary and opposed to my former education. I said, Wait a little. I did not reject it; but I could not understand it. I then could feel what incorrect tradition had done for me.... I used to think and pray, to read and think, until I knew and fully understood it for myself, by the visions of the Holy Spirit (Brigham Young, p. 113).'"

"The Lord is willing to reveal eternal truths to the obedient (p. 15)."

"'Just as fast as you will prove before your God that you are worthy to receive the mysteries...of the Kingdom of heaven...that you will never betray a thing that God tells you--that you will never reveal to your neighbor that which ought not to be revealed, as quick as you prepare to be entrusted with the things of God, there is an eternity of them to bestow upon you. Instead of pleading with the Lord to bestow more upon you, plead with yourselves to have confidence in yourselves, to have integrity in yourselves, and know when to speak and what to speak, what to reveal, and how to carry yourselves and walk before the Lord (Brigham Young, p. 117).'"

"The testimony of Jesus is a qualification to enter the celestial kingdom (p. 120)."

"'A most priceless blessing available to every member of the Church is a testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ and His Church. A testimony is one of the few possessions we may take with us when we leave this life (Ezra Taft Benson, p. 121).'"

"It is not enough simply to have a testimony of Jesus; one must also be valiant in that testimony. Elder Bruce R. McConkie teaches what it means to be valiant in the testimony of Jesus: ‘It is to be courageous and bold; to use all our strength, energy, and ability in the warfare with the world: to fight the good fight of faith.... 'come unto Christ, and be perfected in him'; it is to deny ourselves 'of all ungodliness,' and 'love God' with all our 'might, mind and strength'..... Believe in Christ and his gospel with unshakable conviction. It is to know of the verity and divinity of the Lord's work on earth.... We must be doers of the word and not hearers only (p. 123).'"

"'Brethren we are laying the foundation of a great work and you know it not, you comprehend it not. The work we are engaged in will grow, spread, and increase until it will fill the land: it will go from sea to sea it will fill the Rocky Mountains: all nations will hear it: it will fill its destiny; It is the work of Almighty God, and he will maintain and defend it (Joseph Smith, p. 161).'"

"George A. further recalled that the Prophet maintained a constant sense of optimism, never expressing the slightest dissatisfaction. 'During the entire trip he never uttered a murmur or complaint (p. 166).'"

"In spite of their physical hardships, Zion's Camp was also a spiritual time (p. 169)."

"'God did not want you to fight. He could not organize His kingdom with twelve men to open the Gospel door to the nations of the earth, and with seventy men under their direction to follow...unless He took them from a body of men who had offered their lives, and who had made as great a sacrifice as Abraham (Joseph Smith, p. 175).'"

"'Thou hast sought to know his ways and from thy childhood thou hast meditated much upon the great things of his law.... Thou hast been an obedient son.... Thou hast been called, even in thy youth to the great work of the Lord: to do a work in this generation which no other man would do as thyself.... (Joseph Smith, Sr., p. 185).'"

"It is impossible to measure the leadership experience or the Christlike attributes Joseph Smith gained or further developed from his Zion's Camp experience, the Philastus Hurbut trial, or the Sylvester Smith hearings--all trials of his personal faith (p. 187)."

"Most Saints today know something of the beginnings of priesthood and Church government, but the story is more interesting and inspiring than most of us realize (p. 195)."

"Though the message seemed unavoidably controversial given its historical context, Americans by the dozens, then hundreds, then thousands found a spiritually steadying bulwark in the Restoration's claims to certainty, authority, and power (p. 209)."

"It appears that the translation of the Book of Mormon provided Joseph Smith and his earliest associates with the first forum in which to work out questions of priesthood and Church governance. While the Book of Mormon was not exactly a handbook for organizing the Church, the text provided important principles and hinted at future developments (p. 210)."

"With all the structuring, ordaining, and organizing, one thing became clear to Joseph Smith: the Brethren would amount to little without power in their priesthood work. Modern Latter-day Saint missionaries learn that priesthood authority comes by ordination, but real power depends on their faithfulness (p. 219)."

"While most modern Latter-day Saints know that the revelations came 'precept upon precept; line upon line' (Isaiah 28:10), getting into the details of the beginnings of priesthood and Church government might convince us that we have underestimated how demanding and drawn out the process can be (p. 224)."

"Joseph subsequently translated the Book of Mormon, received the holy priesthood, restored the Church of Jesus Christ, and obeyed a revealed command to gather all who were willing to Ohio. There, in December 1832, he assembled nine high priests in his translating room and taught them that 'to receive revelation and the blessing of Heaven, it was necessary to have our minds on God and exercise faith and become of one heart and one mind.' He asked them each to pray in turn that the Lord would 'reveal His will to us concerning the upbuilding of Zion and for the benefit of the saints and for the duty...of the elders.' Each man 'bowed down before the Lord, after which each one arose and spoke in his turn his feelings and determination to keep the commandments of God (p. 235).'"

"Section 88 is a thoroughly temple-oriented revelation. Beginning with a promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ to the faithful, the revelation describes the purposeful creation of the earth and then tells how to obey divine law to advance by degrees of light or glory through a perfect resurrection and into the presence of God (p. 236)."

"Now you are twenty-seven years old. You have just received one of the most sublime revelations on record, including a command to build a house for the Lord and assemble your followers in it, solemn and sanctified... You have your own weaknesses and sins to wrestle with in addition to the shortcomings of a sincere but fallen body of Latter-day Saints. You do everything in your power to explain the imperative need they have for the power that only flows through the temple and the Savior's promise to reveal himself if you will build him a house and sanctify your lives (p. 253)."

"One of the things that I have been impressed with...is how resilient Joseph Smith was. He believed in his calling. He believed in the revelations. And partly because of this faith, and maybe also because of the constitution and will he was born with, he could rise, time and again, from the ashes of defeat and do something even better (p. 261)."

"We are all susceptible to what may be called the cycle of prosperity, also known as the Nephite disease (p. 262)."

"Another lesson of 1837 is the importance of having our loyalties in the right place. There was a cultural war going on in the Church in 1837 over what Joseph Smith was trying to introduce: a new way of thinking about society and religion based on ancient scripture models and modern revelation (p. 262)."

"The central issue for many was their understanding of prophetic leadership: What was the role of a prophet? Was a prophet, like the Protestant minister in American tradition, expected to preach to us on Sunday out of the Book of Mormon or modern revelation, but not lead the community? Or was a prophet to lead a community of gathered Saints into a new way of organizing themselves, where all of their labors worked together to build the kingdom of God on earth (p. 265)?"

"The undercurrent of murmuring emerged early in the year while there was still a feeling of prosperity. Before the bank failed, before the severe economic downturn, the murmuring had already begun.... There was an impeding sense that something bad was coming--that they needed to be united or they would be destroyed as a people (p. 272)."

"Of all the original Quorum of the Twelve, only Brigham Young and Heber Kimball never lifted their heel against Joseph Smith (p. 281)."

"The time had now come to cut the apostates off from the Church and have a fresh start with those that were willing to support him (p. 282)."

"So it was that when the crisis came in late 1838, Brigham Young was not among those arrested, and he was able to step forward and lead when Joseph and other leaders were imprisoned in Liberty (p. 285)."

"He had come to understand that his trials were part of the lot of mortality, and he had renewed confidence that he and the Saints could make it through their difficulties and come out the better for it (p. 287)."

"The departure of these leading men from the Church, especially the disaffections of Oliver Cowdery and David and John Whitmer--three of Joseph's closest friends--must have been devastating to him (p. 299)."

"'Question 3rd. Will every body be damned but Mormons?'
'Yes, and a great portion of them, unless they repent and work righteousness....'....
'Question 15th. Do the Mormons baptize in the name of Jo Smith?'
'No, but if they did, it would be as valid as the baptism administered by the sectarian priests....'
'Question 20th. What are the fundamental principles of your religion?
'The fundamental principles of our religion is the testimony of the apostles and the prophets concerning Jesus Christ, 'that he died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended up into heaven;' and all other things are only appendages to these, which pertain to our religion (p. 314).'"

"No one but Joseph Smith himself will ever comprehend the emotional, psychological, and spiritual pain he felt in behalf of those who suffered because they believed in him (p. 331)."

"Emma crossed the ice carefully, walking apart from the wagon. She carried two children while two others hung on to her skirt. Tied to her waist were heavy bags containing Joseph's papers (p. 359)."

"City leaders and residents suddenly had to deal with a humanitarian crisis thrust upon them. Their hospitality stemmed more from pity than anything else.... On February 25, Quincy leaders met and adopted measures to provide relief (p. 368)."

"Quincy's compassion, noted historian Richard E. Bennett, 'saved the saints as a people and may even have saved the Church as an institution (p. 370).'"

"'In conversation, he appears intelligent and candid, and divested of all malicious thought and feeling towards his relentless persecutors (p. 373).'"

"'To look upon the Saints who had been driven from their homes, and scattered as they were, among strangers, without homes, robbed of everything, and to see them under all these trying circumstances assemble to this General Conference from all the region around, and sing of Zion, the city of our God, with so much spirit, showing their love and confidence in the gospel, and the pleasure he felt in meeting with them. [Joseph Smith] could scarcely refrain from weeping (p. 374).'"

"In some respects, the exodus from Missouri was a training exercise for the Saints' exodus from Nauvoo seven years later (p. 379)."

"'Without the advantage of education, he has applied himself, with much industry, to the acquisition of knowledge (p. 404)."

"Joseph Smith's disappointment came when it was apparent that Van Buren's politics not only preempted the divinely granted freedoms of the Constitution but also spurred a heart hardened to the revelation and inspiration of God (p. 414)."

"'He spoke of delivering the keys of the Priesthood to the Church, and said that the faithful members of the Relief Society should receive them in connection with their husbands, that the Saints who integrity has been tried and proved faithful, might know how to ask the Lord and receive an answer (p. 429)."

"One of the blessings reported as a result of the endowment was the enhancement of the power of prayer (p. 431)."

"The year 1841 laid the foundation for the Saints to receive the fulness of the priesthood and other significant truths hidden from before the foundation of the world (p. 433)."

"[Emma] was a woman of extraordinary ability and temperament who understood the finer points of the complex issue and articulated an intelligent argument.... One...sees, in the brief correspondence between Joseph and his wife during this time, the degree to which the Prophet himself relied on her judgment and support--a degree of dependence perhaps too few over the years have appreciated.... 'My [Joseph's] safety is with you [Emma]....Any thing more or less than this cometh of evil (p. 459).'"

"'One of the grand fundamental principles of 'Mormonism' is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may (Joseph Smith, p. 474).'"

"'You will enjoy an eternal companionship in heaven that is more perfect than any earthly partnership. The difference is that you will have such a perfect relationship with every other person in heaven as well. If having such a deep relationship with your spouse here is so wonderful, imagine how glorious it will e to enjoy a perfect relationship with every human in the whole expanse of heaven--forever (p. 477)!"

"'It was from him that I learned that the wife of my bosom might be secured to me for time and all eternity; and that the refined sympathies and affections which endeared us to each other emanated from the fountain of divine eternal love.... I had loved before, but I knew not why. But now I loved--with a pureness an intensity of elevated, exalted feeling, which would lift my soul from the transitory things of this groveling sphere and expand it (Parley P. Pratt, p. 478).'"

"'The Prophet Joseph Smith declared--and he never taught more comforting doctrine--that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves but likewise their posterity.... Our Heavenly Father is far more merciful, infinitely more charitable, than even the best of his servants, and the Everlasting Gospel is mightier in power to save than our narrow finite minds can comprehend (Orson F. Whitney, p. 484).'"

"The prophet lived his life in crescendo (p. 495)."

"Eternal life is available to individuals, but exaltation and eternal lives are available only to families (p. 497)."

"'I am bold to declare before heaven that I am just as ready to die for a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or any other denomination. It is a love of liberty that inspires my soul (Joseph Smith, p. 498).'"

"Joseph Smith knew that the kingdom could only be established after God's people had become a 'kingdom of priests,' as outlined in the book of Exodus.... The Prophet restored an administrative hierarchy of priesthood leaders.... but often overlooked is the fact that he expanded and democratized the priesthood base by making the fulness of the priesthood available to all. In Nauvoo, both men and women received the ordinances associated with temple worship, including the fulness of the priesthood (p. 507)."

"With the fulness of the priesthood restored, the stage was set for an important meeting on April 18, 1844, when Joseph Smith organized the Council of the Kingdom (p. 511).”

"Prophets from the beginning of time have had specific responsibilities.... No matter the specific assignment they have had, all prophets have stood as witnesses of the Lord. The Prophet Joseph Smith was no different (p. 516)."

[Melanie Ashton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fascinating because each chapter covers different periods of Joseph Smith's life and is written by different historians. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to know the inside story of the Prohpet's life.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm actually listening to the 15 cd set, which is a bit longer. That is titled, "Joseph Smith's Prophetic Ministry". Each is a lecture of one year in Joseph's adult life. The lecturers are all of those involved with the Joseph Smith Papers Project. Some are better than others...generally enjoyed Holzapfels the most, but some were a bit boring, or went more into doctrinal things rather than the history of that year. Felt like at times the details were light in a few years, almost glossing over some trouble spots, like polygamy, etc. Overall very interesting, and definitely gives you additional perspective.

[Jeff Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over 17 scholars break down the Prophet Joseph Smith's life year by year from his birth 1805 to his death 1844...a must read for all JS students.

[Jackie Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the format of the different authors for such a book because they kept recapturing my attention with their different focuses. Learned a lot of really good things. Praise to the man!

[David Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written in regards to the prophet Joseph Smith. Each chapter was well researched and added new insights to the the Prophets life.