Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith

Earlier this year, as part of my preparation for April general conference, I studied the manual containing teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Here are some of the quotes that stood out to me as I read. Hopefully they’ll be inspiring to you as well.

Concerning the Book of Mormon – “He who reads it oftenest will like it best.” (page 66)

“Being born again, comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances.” (page 95)

“The power of the Melchizedek Priesthood is to have the power of ‘endless lives;’ for the everlasting covenant cannot be broken. … What was the power of Melchizedek? ‘Twas not the Priesthood of Aaron which administers in outward ordinances, and the offering of sacrifices. Those holding the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood are kings and priests of the Most High God, holding the keys of power and blessings.” (page 109)

“Be faithful, be diligent, contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the Saints [see Jude 1:3]; let every man, woman and child realize the importance of the work, and act as if success depended on his individual exertion alone.” (page 152)

Building up Zion includes reclaiming the backslider and bringing back the wanderer. (page 187)

“Before you joined this Church you stood on neutral ground. When the gospel was preached, good and evil were set before you. You could choose either or neither. There were two opposite masters inviting you to serve them. When you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God. When you did that you left the neutral ground, and you never can get back on to it.” (page 324)

“Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.” (page 331)

“Righteousness must be the aim of the Saints in all things.” (page 353)

“You cannot be too good. Patience is heavenly, obedience is noble, forgiveness is merciful, and exaltation is godly; and he that holds out faithful to the end shall in no wise lose his reward. A good man will endure all things to honor Christ, and even dispose of the whole world, and all in it, to save his soul.” (page 356)

“The past, the present, and the future were and are, with Him, one eternal ‘now.’” (page 406)

“Could we read and comprehend all that has been written from the days of Adam, on the relation of man to God and angels in a future state, we should know very little about it. Reading the experience of others, or the revelation given to them, can never give us a comprehensive view of our condition and true relation to God. Knowledge of these things can only be obtained by experience through the ordinances of God set forth for that purpose. Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject. … I assure the Saints that truth … can and may be known through the revelations of God in the way of His ordinances, and in answer to prayer.” (page 419)

I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God to restore His true church in these latter days. I am thankful for that testimony.