He was inquisitive.
It didn't matter that people twice his age were telling him what he should believe. He wanted to find truth for himself, from the source of truth.
He was bold.
Many disbelieved him when he told them he had seen a vision. Yet, he would say:
" It caused me serious reflection then, and often has since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years of age, ...should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter persecution and reviling. But strange or not, so it was, and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself.
UAdd a Note However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad, and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.
UAdd a Note So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision;
I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation."
(Joseph Smith History, vs 23-25)
He loved his people.
He treated the Saints he led with love and compassion. He prayed for them, played with them, blessed them, chastened them, and suffered with them.
He lived in sacrifice, constantly.
Whether it was guarding the plates, leading Zion's camp, being beaten my mobs, watching his fellow disciples suffer for the cause, being jailed on spurious charges, rarely having a home of his own, or being betrayed by those he loved... he did it. He paid the great price to bring forth this Latter Day work of the Lord.
He brought back doctrines which had been lost which are precious to me.
Eternal Marriage. Knowledge of Premortal and Postmortal life. Three members of the Godhead with distinct purposes. Priesthood Power necessary for ordinances of Salvation. Temples. Proper mode of baptism. Clarity of the doctrine of the Atonement as found in the Book of Mormon. Visions. Healings. Organization of the Kingdom of God on the earth. Necessity of Prophets. Continuous Revelation, including personal. The necessity for the Holy Ghost. And many, many more...
He died for the cause.
"To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o’clock p.m., by an armed mob—painted black—of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming:
I am a dead man! Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming:
O Lord my God! They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner...
UAdd a Note Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!"
(Doctrine and Covenants, section 135, vs 1-3)
Joseph and Hyrum, his devoted brother...
Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus anointed that prophet and seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation.
Kings shall extol him and nations revere.
Hail to the prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him again.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.
"Praise to the Man, Hymn no 27"
I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God! Through the knowledge he restored, I have come closer to my Savior and Redeemer. Whenever I tell the story of Joseph Smith, I feel the spirit, reconfirming my knowledge that he was and is truly a vessel in the hand of the Lord, even as Moses, Abraham, Adam, Isaiah, and all the other prophets the Lord has called to lead. I love him and honor his name.
