Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Preparing a Prophet – The Early Life of Joseph Smith
Throughout history the Lord has prepared His prophets from an early age. Moses was saved from death when his mother placed him in a basket. Samuel was given to the Lord by his mother at an early age and then saw the Lord when still a child. Joseph Smith Jr. was no exception.
Joseph Smith Jr. was born 23 December 1805 in Vermont. His family later moved to New York. Joseph Smith's parents Joseph and Lucy Mack were very religious and placed great importance upon hard work, Bible study, and prayer.
One experience in young Joseph Smith's life shows the remarkable courage, strength, and faith that he would exhibit in later years. As a result of typhoid fever which Joseph Smith had contracted when seven years old, a painful infection settled in his leg. The doctors wanted to amputate, but Joseph refused. So the doctors decided to remove a section of bone. Joseph Smith refused alcohol for pain and then instead of being tied down insisted that his father hold him. "Then looking up into [his mother's] face, his eyes swimming in tears, he continued, 'Now mother, promise me that you will not stay, will you? The Lord will help me, and I shall get through with it."1 As the doctors began the procedure Joseph Smith screamed with pain. But when his mother entered the room he regained enough composure to say, "I will try to tough it out, if you will go away." 2
Lucy Mack Smith described her son Joseph Smith as a remarkably quiet, well-disposed child." 3 She played a great role in his upbringing as she sought for her children to seek salvation for their immortal souls. She "had a great deal of faith that [her] children were going to do something great," 3 and felt impressed to prepare them for this greatness.
Joseph Smith himself was child "much less inclined to the perusal of books… but far more given to meditation and deep study."4 He took time to contemplate the nature of God and religion.
Joseph Smith was not only born into a family that taught him to believe in God, to study the Bible, and to seek religious truth, but at a time when religion was a priority. When Joseph Smith was about twelve years old his family moved to the Palmyra New York area, an area that was involved in a great religious revival at the time. This area of New York is referred to as the "Burned-over District" because most people joined a religious sect.
It was into this religious fervor that young Joseph Smith was brought to ask the question, "Which church is true?"
For more information about Joseph Smith see the links below:
Joseph Smith, Jr. - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Joseph Smith - American Prophet
Joseph Smith Daguerreotype Fulfilled Prophecies of Joseph Smith Joseph Smith: Biography and Much More From Answers.com Joseph Smith - Lightplanet Joseph Smith - bellsouth
(1) Anderson, Richard Lloyd. "The Trustworthiness of Young Joseph Smith." The Improvement Era, Vol 73, Number 10 (October 1970). pg. 88 (2) Anderson, Richard Lloyd. "The Trustworthiness of Young Joseph Smith."
(3) Lucy Mack Smith. Wikipedia.org. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Mack_Smith (4) Anderson, Richard Lloyd. "The Trustworthiness of Young Joseph Smith."
Throughout history the Lord has prepared His prophets from an early age. Moses was saved from death when his mother placed him in a basket. Samuel was given to the Lord by his mother at an early age and then saw the Lord when still a child. Joseph Smith Jr. was no exception.
Joseph Smith Jr. was born 23 December 1805 in Vermont. His family later moved to New York. Joseph Smith's parents Joseph and Lucy Mack were very religious and placed great importance upon hard work, Bible study, and prayer.
One experience in young Joseph Smith's life shows the remarkable courage, strength, and faith that he would exhibit in later years. As a result of typhoid fever which Joseph Smith had contracted when seven years old, a painful infection settled in his leg. The doctors wanted to amputate, but Joseph refused. So the doctors decided to remove a section of bone. Joseph Smith refused alcohol for pain and then instead of being tied down insisted that his father hold him. "Then looking up into [his mother's] face, his eyes swimming in tears, he continued, 'Now mother, promise me that you will not stay, will you? The Lord will help me, and I shall get through with it."1 As the doctors began the procedure Joseph Smith screamed with pain. But when his mother entered the room he regained enough composure to say, "I will try to tough it out, if you will go away." 2
Lucy Mack Smith described her son Joseph Smith as a remarkably quiet, well-disposed child." 3 She played a great role in his upbringing as she sought for her children to seek salvation for their immortal souls. She "had a great deal of faith that [her] children were going to do something great," 3 and felt impressed to prepare them for this greatness.
Joseph Smith himself was child "much less inclined to the perusal of books… but far more given to meditation and deep study."4 He took time to contemplate the nature of God and religion.
Joseph Smith was not only born into a family that taught him to believe in God, to study the Bible, and to seek religious truth, but at a time when religion was a priority. When Joseph Smith was about twelve years old his family moved to the Palmyra New York area, an area that was involved in a great religious revival at the time. This area of New York is referred to as the "Burned-over District" because most people joined a religious sect.
It was into this religious fervor that young Joseph Smith was brought to ask the question, "Which church is true?"
For more information about Joseph Smith see the links below:
Joseph Smith, Jr. - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Joseph Smith - American Prophet
Joseph Smith Daguerreotype Fulfilled Prophecies of Joseph Smith Joseph Smith: Biography and Much More From Answers.com Joseph Smith - Lightplanet Joseph Smith - bellsouth
(1) Anderson, Richard Lloyd. "The Trustworthiness of Young Joseph Smith." The Improvement Era, Vol 73, Number 10 (October 1970). pg. 88 (2) Anderson, Richard Lloyd. "The Trustworthiness of Young Joseph Smith."
(3) Lucy Mack Smith. Wikipedia.org. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Mack_Smith (4) Anderson, Richard Lloyd. "The Trustworthiness of Young Joseph Smith."
Joseph Smith – Husband and Father
Much of the character of a man can be determined by how they treat their wife and children. The love and concern that Joseph Smith had for his wife Emma Hale and his children is apparent, and speaks much to the character of the man.
Throughout their seventeen years of marriage Joseph Smith and Emma suffered many hardships including the loss of six of their eleven children, two of which were adopted. Emma was often left alone as Joseph Smith was persecuted for his beliefs.
During separation the thoughts of Joseph Smith often turned to his beloved wife. On one occasion he wrote, "O my affectionate Emma, I want you to remember that I am a true and faithful friend to you and the children forever. My heart is entwined around yours forever an ever… P.S. Write as often as you can, and if possible come and see me, and bring the children."1
And the next year from Pennsylvania: “I feel very anxious to see you all once more in this world. … I pray God to spare you all until I get home. My dear Emma, my heart is entwined around you and those little ones. Tell all the children that I love them and will come home as soon as I can. Yours in the bonds of love, your husband." 2 Parley P. Pratt commented on the example of father and husband that Joseph Smith was to him, saying, "It was from him that I learned that the wife of my bosom might be secured to me for time and all eternity; and that the refined sympathies and affections which endeared us to each other emanated from the fountain of divine eternal love." 3 The prophet Joseph Smith taught that husbands and wives should be "companions, the nearest and dearest objects on earth in every sense of the word." 4 He admonished men to treat their wives kindly. He tried to practice what he preached. When his wife Emma was sick he constantly attended to her needs. One journal entry dated 2 October 1842 stated simply, "Emma continued very sick. I was with her all day." 5
Joseph Smith took advantage of the time that he had with his family, playing with his children, and loving his wife. Before his death, the marriage of Joseph Smith and Emma was sealed for time and all eternity.
Much praise is given to Joseph Smith's many accomplishments and the greatness of his character. But one aspect of his character that should be praised and exemplified by all is best expressed in the oft-repeated entry in the Prophet’s journal: “I was with my family.” 6
For more information about Joseph Smith refer to the sources below: Joseph Smith, Jr. - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith
Fulfilled Prophecies of Joseph Smith JS-H 1 Joseph Smith BBC - Religion & Ethics - The Story of Joseph Smith Joseph Smith: Biography and Much More From Answers.com Joseph Smith - Lightplanet
(1) Letter from Joseph Smith to Emma Smith, 12 Nov. 1838, Richmond, Missouri; Community of Christ Archives, Independence, Missouri. (2) Letter from Joseph Smith to Emma Smith, 20 Jan. 1840, Chester County, Pennsylvania; Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, Illinois. (3) Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, ed. Parley P. Pratt Jr. (1938), 259–60; paragraph divisions altered. (4) They Knew the Prophet, comp. Hyrum L. and Helen Mae Andrus, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1974, p. 139.) (5) History of the Church, 5:167–68. (6) History of the Church, 4:550.
Much of the character of a man can be determined by how they treat their wife and children. The love and concern that Joseph Smith had for his wife Emma Hale and his children is apparent, and speaks much to the character of the man.
Throughout their seventeen years of marriage Joseph Smith and Emma suffered many hardships including the loss of six of their eleven children, two of which were adopted. Emma was often left alone as Joseph Smith was persecuted for his beliefs.
During separation the thoughts of Joseph Smith often turned to his beloved wife. On one occasion he wrote, "O my affectionate Emma, I want you to remember that I am a true and faithful friend to you and the children forever. My heart is entwined around yours forever an ever… P.S. Write as often as you can, and if possible come and see me, and bring the children."1
And the next year from Pennsylvania: “I feel very anxious to see you all once more in this world. … I pray God to spare you all until I get home. My dear Emma, my heart is entwined around you and those little ones. Tell all the children that I love them and will come home as soon as I can. Yours in the bonds of love, your husband." 2 Parley P. Pratt commented on the example of father and husband that Joseph Smith was to him, saying, "It was from him that I learned that the wife of my bosom might be secured to me for time and all eternity; and that the refined sympathies and affections which endeared us to each other emanated from the fountain of divine eternal love." 3 The prophet Joseph Smith taught that husbands and wives should be "companions, the nearest and dearest objects on earth in every sense of the word." 4 He admonished men to treat their wives kindly. He tried to practice what he preached. When his wife Emma was sick he constantly attended to her needs. One journal entry dated 2 October 1842 stated simply, "Emma continued very sick. I was with her all day." 5
Joseph Smith took advantage of the time that he had with his family, playing with his children, and loving his wife. Before his death, the marriage of Joseph Smith and Emma was sealed for time and all eternity.
Much praise is given to Joseph Smith's many accomplishments and the greatness of his character. But one aspect of his character that should be praised and exemplified by all is best expressed in the oft-repeated entry in the Prophet’s journal: “I was with my family.” 6
For more information about Joseph Smith refer to the sources below: Joseph Smith, Jr. - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith
Fulfilled Prophecies of Joseph Smith JS-H 1 Joseph Smith BBC - Religion & Ethics - The Story of Joseph Smith Joseph Smith: Biography and Much More From Answers.com Joseph Smith - Lightplanet
(1) Letter from Joseph Smith to Emma Smith, 12 Nov. 1838, Richmond, Missouri; Community of Christ Archives, Independence, Missouri. (2) Letter from Joseph Smith to Emma Smith, 20 Jan. 1840, Chester County, Pennsylvania; Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, Illinois. (3) Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, ed. Parley P. Pratt Jr. (1938), 259–60; paragraph divisions altered. (4) They Knew the Prophet, comp. Hyrum L. and Helen Mae Andrus, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1974, p. 139.) (5) History of the Church, 5:167–68. (6) History of the Church, 4:550.
