A Reliance on Spiritual Gifts

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

“Overarching the Prophet Joseph’s entire ministry was his comparative youth, his superficial formal education, and his incredibly rapid acquisition of knowledge and maturity. … The Prophet Joseph had no role models from whom he could learn how to be a prophet and leader of the Lord’s people. He learned from heavenly messengers and from the harvest of his unique spiritual gifts. He had to rely on associates who had no role models either. They struggled and learned together, and the Prophet’s growth was extremely rapid” (“Joseph, the Man and the Prophet,” Ensign, May 1996, 71, 72).