Joseph Smith Jr. - Liberty Jail

On a spring day in 1820 14-year-old Joseph Smith sought solitude in a grove of trees and prayed to know which church was true. God the Father and Jesus Christ, "two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description," appeared and spoke with him.

Wondering which of the many churches to join, Joseph had followed the counsel in the Bible's book of James: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God." The Lord told Joseph "that all the religious denominations were believing in incorrect doctrines" and that he was to await further instructions from on high.2 "In a state of calmness and peace indescribable," Joseph left that sacred grove knowing the reality of our Father in Heaven and His resurrected Son, Jesus Christ.

Joseph Smith's first vision stands today as the greatest event in world history since the birth, ministry, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. After centuries of darkness, the Lord opened the heavens to reveal His word and restore His Church through His chosen prophet.

Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, not once, but innumerable times throughout his life. He translated the Book of Mormon, organized the true Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth once more and restored the plain and precious truths which were lost due to the apostasy of men. He lived great and he died great in the eyes of God!

Hail to the Prophet.

Of Joseph Smith, the Lord Himself said: "The ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision, and hell shall rage against thee; while the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous, shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand." (Doctrine & Covenants 122:1-2)

On Sunday evening, April 26th, 1834 at a priesthood meeting in Kirtland, Ohio, the Prophet Joseph Smith invited those present to bear testimony of the importance of the latter day work. Several men responded.

"Brethren, I have been very much edified and instructed in your testimonies here tonight," said the Prophet, "but I want to say to you before the Lord that you know no more concerning the destinies of this church and kingdom than a babe upon its mothers lap. You don't comprehend it. It is only a little handful of the Priesthood you see here tonight, but this church will fill North and South America--It will fill the world." Since that 1834 meeting in Kirtland, a series of events evidences the veracity of this prophetic utterance.

In 1901 five out of every six Latter-day Saints lived in the western United States and the church had a membership of 250,000. Today, the membership grows at a rate of a million members ever three and a half years. Approximately 375 buildings are constructed annually to provide meetinghouses for the mushrooming membership. Faithful members enjoy the blessings of temple worship in over 120 temples throughout the earth. There is not a city in the United States or Canada of any consequence which does not have a Latter-day Saint congregation. It is the same in Mexico, Central, and South America as well as New Zealand, Australia, Europe, Africa, and may of the islands of the sea. An estimated 85 million copies of the Book of Mormon are in circulation, and that is just the beginning.

Do you wonder if Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God? Look around you and see prophesy being fulfilled. Faithful Latter-day Saints have looked and now invite family, friends, and near neighbors to embrace the joy of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.