Joseph Smith the Prophet
Official Statements:
Joseph Smith’s Life:
Joseph Smith’s Character
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Social Media Resources:
Did Joseph Smith restore early Christianity? (1 hr 38 min)
In part 2 of my interview with author Barry Bickmore, we discuss many early Christian doctrines, beliefs and practices which are no longer part of mainstream Christianity but show up in early Christian sources outside of the Bible. Joseph Smith appears to be vindicated in his doctrinal and theological teachings in that he restored the early teachings of the first Christians as claimed. What’s truly fascinating is that Joseph Smith did not have access to the sources and research that are available in our day. Only a prophet of God could have hit the nail on the head so squarely.
Top 10 attacks on Joseph Smith that BACKFIRE and strengthen his position as a Prophet (10 min)
Surprisingly often, claims or attacks on Joseph Smith backfire and strengthen my faith in the restored gospel. Here are just 10 examples
Was Joseph Smith a prophet? (6 min)
In this episode, Dave explores some of the prophecies of Joseph Smith, the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the “Mormon” Church). Many of Joseph’s prophecies are simply miraculous. Others are more controversial. Dave outlines a few important principles to help guide our analysis of prophecies both ancient and modern.
The King Follett Discourse (52 min)
"The King Follett Discourse in the Light of Ancient and Medieval Jewish and Christian Beliefs" by John Tvedtnes, presented by Matt Roper. A masterful review of the ground breaking doctrines restored through Joseph Smith that he shared during his “King Follett Discourse”. It’s amazing how so many doctrines restored by Joseph Smith had been known by early Christians and ancient jews but had been forgotten or purposefully rejected in our day. His sermon sheds very important light on the origin of God and our potential future as his literal spiritual children.
Anti-Mormon Fawn Brodie Got Caught Lying About Joseph Smith...AND Thomas Jefferson.
Discover the fascinating story of Fawn Brody, a controversial figure in the world of historical writing. Known for her psychoanalytic approach to history, Brody's work has sparked debate and has largely been dismissed by historians and readers alike. Her biography of Joseph Smith, 'No Man Knows My History,' remains an impactful piece in the study of Mormon history, often cited by critics and supporters. Despite criticism from scholars who question her methods and conclusions, Brody's work continues to be a significant part of discussions around historical narratives and their impact on modern perceptions. Dive into the complexities of her research and how she has largely been dismissed as a serious author and historian by today’s standards.
Ask Me Anything About Joseph Smith! (feat. Don Bradley) (2 hrs)
Multiple guests review the prophecies and the incredible life of Joseph Smith, the American Prophet from our time.
Debunking Anti-Mormon Free Mason and Seer Stone Myths (feat. Don Bradley) (58 min)
Lively discussion reviewing and debunking myths surrounding Joseph Smith his seer stones and the idea that somehow he stole the temple ceremony from the Free Masons.
Joseph Smith’s Prophecies Fulfilled - Evidences (25 min)
This video goes over a number of prophecies Joseph Smith (the modern American prophet) made which were fulfilled in amazing ways and are another evidence of the restoration.
BYU prof. unpacks radical truths of King Follett Discourse (58 min)
Joseph Smith's "King Follett Discourse" was essentially his last general conference talk, and boy was it controversial. It still is, almost 200 years later. In this episode, David Snell sits down with BYU professor Casey Paul Griffiths to dive into the nitty gritty. The “King Follett Discourse” is the pinnacle of Joseph Smith’s teachings, introducing the most clear thinking and brave Christian doctrine the world has heard since Christ walked the earth.
Discussing Joseph Smith and Seer Stones w/ Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (58min)
Dr Gerrit Dirkmaat gives a wonderful discussion on how historical research works, how that pertains to settling the debate on how Joseph Smith translated the book of Mormon and what tools he used to accomplish the translation.
Joseph Smith Was a Prophet and Ethiopic Book of Enoch Proves It! (27 min)
The concept of Enoch receiving a vision of the Son of Man is a recurring theme in both Joseph Smith's writings and the Ethiopic Book of Enoch. In the Book of Moses, Enoch sees the Son of Man lifted up into the bosom of the Father, a vision that echoes the messianic themes found in the Book of Enoch. This parallel is particularly striking given that the term 'Son of Man' is not used for Jesus in the Old Testament, yet it appears prominently in both Joseph Smith's account and the ancient text. Such consistencies suggest that Joseph Smith's revelations were informed by a profound understanding of ancient scripture, potentially through divine means.
Refuting Joseph Smith's Critics by Matthew Brown (1 hr)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWECKkzw830
Matthew Brown gives a masterful rebuttal to various claims made against Joseph Smith by his various critics. Claims including Joseph Smiths history, character, claims about the Book of Mormon, having the Gold Plates etc are soundly refuted with primary sources and serious historical research.
The Lost Gems of Genesis: How Apocryphal Texts Prove Joseph Smith Fixed the Bible (1 hr 30 min)
Join us for this special Stick of Joseph Live Stream event with Cardon Ellis from @WARDRADIO and your favorite Stick of Joseph team members Mike Day from @talkingscripture David Butler, Greg Matsen from @CwicShow , Cade Alvey from @AllThoseInFavor and Andrea Woodmansee. We are launching Jonah Barnes's upcoming book The Lost Gems of Genesis and having a lot of fun doing it!
Discussing among other things, how Joseph Smith put together so many doctrines that were removed or left out of the Bible. Truly a prophet of God.
Key Points:
When Joseph Smith entered a grove of trees as a 14 year old boy with an honest question for God about which church he should join because of the constant fighting and debates between the existing church bodies, he received a visitation from Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.
In that moment Joseph learned several incredibly important truths from the mouth of God and his Son:
That the Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost were 3 distinct beings, one in purpose but separate in body and spirit.
He learned from Jesus Christ himself that none of the churches in that day contained the fullness of the gospel that Christ had taught, and that Joseph should not join any of the existing churches.
He learned that he (Joseph Smith), would be asked to do a great work, that would lead to the restoration of the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Christ had taught his prophets throughout all time starting with Adam and during his own earthly ministry.
During Joseph Smiths life, as a prophet of God, he helped accomplish many incredibly important things pertaining to the salvation of mankind:
Restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ as originally taught by Christ and his apostles and prophets from Adam until our present day.
Established the structure of Christ’s Church complete with offices, callings, stewardships, positions just as in days of old ie Prophets, apostles, teachers, priests, deacons, patriarchs, sealers etc.
Restored the Priesthood structure and Authority so that men may truly act in God’s name with his authority to seal on earth and in heaven marriages, covenants and blessings.
Brought to light ancient scripture in the form of the Book of Mormon, the Book of Abraham and Moses and others that help us understand the original Gospel of Jesus Christ untouched by anyone who wasn’t a prophet of God, limiting the corrupting influence of man as much as is possible and still have it pass through the hands and minds of mortal men as is the case with all scriptures and the pattern of God.
Established a line of Priesthood Authority that has passed down uninterrupted from Christ, to his apostles and prophets, who also appeared to Joseph Smith and continued the line of authority by the laying on of hands to him and from him through an unbroken chain of men to our current day. The President and Prophet of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints currently holds all of the keys and authority necessary to conduct Christ’s Church until he returns again.
Restored ancient ordinances and covenants such as baptism, endowment, washings and anointings, marriage/sealings etc that when combined with and carried out through authentic priesthood power, enable members of Christ’s church to prepare to return to their Heavenly Father by way of the Atonement of Jesus Christ once our lives on this earth are concluded.
“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!”
“Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus Christ 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.”
D&C 135:3
Joseph Smith prophesied that:
"forty days shall not pass, and the stars shall fall from heaven".
This prophecy was fulfilled by the Leonids meteor shower of November 12-13, 1833, which was a dramatic display of falling stars. It is estimated that for over four hours, a billion shooting stars were noted and documented all over the east coast of the United States. Many ran and woke up neighbors thinking the end of the world had come. This kind of massive shooting star event has rarely if ever been recorded since.
