Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Witnesses of Jesus Christ

Taught by Becky S.

President Joseph Fielding Smith didn't know his grandparents, Hyrum and Mary Smith. They both died at a young age. He learned everything about his grandparents and the Prophet Joseph Smith through the example of his father, Prophet Joseph F. Smith, and stories told by his Aunt Mercy Thompson. "These examples and teachings led Joseph Fielding Smith to have a testimony of the restored gospel in his childhood.

Today we don't have the luxury of knowing the Prophet Joseph Smith personally, just like President Joseph Fielding Smith. But as we read accounts of those who have and listen to other people's testimonies, our testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith can be strengthened. It is also important to share and write down our own personal testimonies so that our future posterity can benefit from those accounts.

I love the testimony President Smith shares of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He says "Do I love the Prophet Joseph Smith? Yes, I do, as my father did before me. I love him because he was the servant of God and because of the restoration of the gospel and because of the benefits and blessings that have some to me and mine, and to you and yours, through  the blessings that were bestowed upon this man and those who were associated with him."

Everyone has the opportunity to have a knowledge of the Prophet Joseph Smith's role in bringing forth the gospel in these latter days. President Smith said "Every soul upon the face of the earth who has a desire to know it has the privilege, for every soul that will humble himself, and in the depths of humility and faith, with a contrite spirit, go before the Lord, will receive that knowledge just as surely as he lives."

Joseph and Hyrum Smith had an amazing relationship with each other. Hyrum stood by his brother Joseph from the very beginning and was with him till the very end. "Through [Hyrum's] life he stood by the side of his brother Joseph and strengthened him by encouragement, faith and devoted love. Hyrum was a man of wonderful tenderness of heart. He possessed deep humility and love his brother better than he love his own life...No honor came to Joseph Smith that was not shared by Hyrum who rejoiced with his brother in all the blessings of the Lord bestowed upon him. This same quality of brotherly love was shown by the Prophet Joseph for his brother Hyrum. They passed through the same sorrows  and joys together. the same persecutions descended upon them both."

The Prophet Joseph Smith said "I could pray in my heart that all my brethren were like unto my beloved brother Hyrum, who possesses the mildness and humility of Christ and I love him with that love that is stronger than death, for I never had occasion to rebuke him, nor he me."

Joseph and Hyrum Smith were witnesses of Jesus Christ. They were both called to be "a Prophet, and a Seer, and a Revelator" unto the Lord's church. They gave their lives for the gospel and sealed their testimonies with their blood. Like President Joseph Fielding Smith may we all "want to be an instrument in the Lord's hands of letting the ends of the earth know that salvation is again available because the Lord raised up a might seer in this day to reestablish his kingdom on earth." And may "we raise our voices in thanksgiving for the lives and ministries of the Prophet Joseph Smith, of Hyrum Smith the Patriarch, and of the prophets and apostles and righteous men and women who have built on the foundation they laid."