47. Testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 208th birthday today.

You may notice, I'm going to try and make my entries not so long.  One of my sons mentioned they were too long!  

This morning I went again to the St. George Temple for a session, as my husband Wayne was one of the officiators at the 10:40 a.m. session.  I met and sat by a dear friend who was there with her husband.  He has a very serious pulmonary illness, and often is in pain.  He was on a mission years ago in Italy, and spends as much time as he can doing Italian Indexing, and she says it is a great blessing to him.  A few months ago I mentioned in an e mail to her that I was learning Italian indexing.  She said it was a "Tender mercy" that I mentioned it, and I subsequently sent him some helps to get started. They came to St. George for his health, and it has helped him a lot, but he still has problems.  So many people have problems that we don't understand, and treating people with loving kindness is often all we can do.

  It is actually impossible to even understand how much the Prophet Joseph Smith has done for all of us, and this world.  It will last through the Millenium and to the end of the world.  The Gospel he restored is the same Gospel Adam had. Abraham, Moses, and Jesus Christ had it also, with the same Holy Priesthood!  Any man who has received the Priesthood can trace his authority back to Jesus Christ.         

The Prophet Joseph Smith was born 208 years ago today, December 5, 1805,  and he was killed on June 27th, 1844, at age 38 and 1/2 years.  He never denied any of his testimony, and died a martyr.




                   A Painting of the Prophet Joseph Smith (sorry I couldn't find who painted it.)

The following was written by Elder John Taylor of the Council of the Twelve  after the Prophet Joseph Smith's death,  He was one who was with the Prophet Joseph when he was killed.  He later became the 4th President, (and prophet) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It is in the Doctrine and Covenants Section 135: verse 3.

 "Joseph Smith, thProphet 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, verse 3.

   (Pal)    I can't remember a time I haven't known that the Prophet Joseph Smith is a true prophet, and I love to study his life.  I was taught all my life from parents who had this same testimony. I have read many books about his life, and I'm fascinated by the many things he accomplished, and also the truths he helped restore as an instrument in the Lord's hands. 

 The Gospel is a perfect way to live, if it is truly lived as Jesus, through the Prophet Joseph Smith taught.  The way we treat our fellowmen, the way we serve in this life, and care for each other, and our ancestors, all are so profound and true, and it is so soul-satisfying to try and live it.  

I DO KNOW THIS GOSPEL IS THE TRUE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST ON THIS EARTH, AND THAT IT WAS RESTORED AFTER THE PROPHET JOSEPH SAID HIS PRAYER IN THE SACRED GROVE!  I say it in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  
Paralee Miles Eckman ------------December 23, 2013. 

Tomorrow I will post the testimonies of my parents.  They were stalwarts, and both came from early pioneer ancestry.  Between my husband Wayne D Eckman and I, we had 19 direct ancestors who knew and loved the Prophet Joseph Smith, and believed the TRUTH!  At least 2 of them were baptized by the Prophet Joseph Smith, and one, John Lowe Butler, was a bodyguard to the Prophet, and rode with the group that silently rode to Carthage.  The Prophet Joseph sent quite a few back after they got there, (including my great great grandfather Butler) and only 3 others stayed with him, but they all were willing to die for him, such was their trust and love for him



       

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