Is Joseph Smith a True Prophet of God … and the 16 men who followed him?

Is Joseph Smith a true Prophet of God and what about the sixteen men who have followed him as Presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? If they are Prophets, they are also Seers and Revelators. I like this definition of what that means, given by Apostle John A. Widtsoe: “A prophet is a teacher of known truth; a seer is a perceiver of hidden truth, a revelator is a bearer of new truth.” (John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, 3 vols. in one, Bookcraft, 1960, 258) Each of the seventeen men have taught, perceived and revealed new and/or hidden truths since Joseph’s ‘First Vision’ in 1820; therefore, they are Prophets, Seers and Revelators.

I am sharing a quote from each of our 17 Prophets, they have led me to my Savior more than any other single help. From each of them I have gained greater Love for my family and my friends. I agree with these words from Truman Madsen: “There is a tangible sense of love that seems to emanate from the prophets of God… their love is something you can almost feel on your skin, like sunshine. They have learned, somehow, the power of the love of Christ and how for them it infuses everything…” So here they are with their name, age at death, a quote, (and in red) a quick statement (from me) of what I think they would have me do or be:

Joseph Smith, 38 – “For behold, this is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39) “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;” (D&C 18:10) When the Lord Commands, I Do It!

 

 

Brigham Young, 76 – “If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful … that [your] eyes may be opened … and [your] ears opened that [you] may hear.” (D&C 136:29,32) Live Godly, Be Morally Clean!

 

 

John Taylor, 78 –“Some people suppose that persecutions and trials are afflictions; but sometimes, and generally, if we are doing the will of the Lord and keeping His commandments, they may be truly said to be blessings in disguise.” ((Teachings of Presidents of the Church John Taylor, 202) Learn the Hymns & Sing!

 

Wilford Woodruff, 91 – “If a man is living his religion and enjoys the …Spirit of God … and then follows its dictates. This is revelation … we need that more than any other gift …” (Teachings … Woodruff, 51) Work Hard and Build the Kingdom!

 

 

Lorenzo Snow, 87 – “We should bring our wills into subjection to the will of the Father … whom we are here in the world to serve? Then every act that we perform will be a success.” (Teachings … Snow, 147) “As man is, God once was; As God is, man may become!”

 

 

Joseph F Smith, 80 – “Through the witness of the Holy Ghost, each of us can know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Teachings …Joseph F Smith, 1) Remember Them (your Ancestors)!

 

 

Heber J Grant, 88 – “I firmly believe that no man who honestly bows down every day of his life and supplicates God in sincerity for the light of His Holy Spirit to guide him will ever become proud and haughty.” (Teachings … Grant, Chap 19) Be Generous!

 

 

George Albert Smith, 81 – “I know that my Redeemer lives and gladly yield my humble efforts to establish His teachings. … Every fibre of my being vibrates with the knowledge that He lives and some day all men will know it.” (Teachings … George Albert Smith, 22) Be Like Him!

 

 

David O McKay, 96 – “What you sincerely in your heart think of Christ, will determine what you are; will largely determine what your acts will be. No person can study this divine personality, can accept His teachings without becoming conscious of an uplifting and refining influence within himself … by choosing Him as our ideal, we create within ourselves a desire to be like Him, to have fellowship with Him.” (McKay, Gospel Ideals, pp.34&35) Be a Missionary!

 

Joseph Fielding Smith, 95 – “If we could see the Savior of men suffering in the garden and upon the cross and could fully realize all that it meant to us, we would … keep the commandments … we would love the Lord our God with all our heart, … and … would serve Him.”(Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:347.)

 

 

Harold B Lee, 74 – “At the root of the individual testimony must be a righteous, pure life, else the Spirit cannot witness as to the divinity of the mission of the Lord or of this work in our day. (The Teachings of Harold B Lee, 155) “When your heart begins to tell you what your mind does not know.” (Ibid., 140) Be Diligent!

 

 

Spencer W Kimball, 90 – “You have a testimony! It needs building and lifting and enlarging, of course; and that is what you are doing. Every time you bear your testimony it becomes strengthened… I know … I know.” (New Era, Aug 1981, 6-7) Do It Now!

 

 

Ezra T Benson, 94 – “The only true test of greatness, … is how close a life can come to being like the Master, Jesus Christ. He is the right way, the full truth, and the abundant life… Those who are captained by Christ … Their will is swallowed up in His will.” (Teachings … Benson, 99, 100) Be Faithful!

 

 

Howard W Hunter, 87 – “Embrace life joyfully and full of faith. Study the scriptures regularly. Pray fervently. Obey the voice of the Spirit and the prophets. Do all you can to help others… Some glorious day all your worries will be turned to joys.” (Teachings … Hunter, 46-47) Be Temple Worthy!

 

 

Gordon B Hinckley, 97 – “Miracle of miracles and wonder of wonders, they [Heavenly Father & Jesus] are interested in us and we are the substance of their great concern.” (Ensign, Mar 1998, 7) Be Kind!

 

 

 

Thomas S Monson, 90 – “I know these sacred books of scripture are the word of God. With all my soul, as a special witness, I testify that they are true. As we search them, as we understand them, as we live them, may we one day be privileged to meet Him who beckoned us with His words, “Come. … learn of me,” and abide His holy presence forever and ever.” (Ensign, Dec 1985, “Come Learn of Me”) Rescue!

 

Russell M Nelson, 93 -“Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual privilege and blessing available to women, men, and children everywhere,” Be True!