The Prophet and His Savior
In a way, the story of the Restoration is the story of Joseph Smith’s drawing closer to Jesus Christ.
Every Knee Shall Bow, by Dan Wilson
The story of Joseph Smith’s life is more than just the story of Joseph Smith’s life.
When we tell the story of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we often start by telling Joseph Smith’s story. And that makes sense. He himself told the story of his early life a few different times to help people understand how the Restoration began. But in a way, the story of Joseph Smith’s life is the story of his drawing closer to Jesus Christ.
A Vision of Forgiveness
Young Joseph Smith felt confused about religion. And there was an additional feeling that moved him to pray in that grove of trees where he had his First Vision: “I felt to mourn for my own sins.”
When the Savior spoke to Joseph, He said, “Joseph, my son, thy sins are forgiven thee.”
Joseph learned firsthand that Jesus Christ lives. He also learned that Jesus Christ is merciful and forgives sins. This personal knowledge was important to Joseph. “The salvation of my soul is of the most importance to me [because] I know for a certainty of eternal things,” he once said.
This knowledge about Jesus Christ was also important in the work Joseph was called to do as a prophet. He bore powerful testimony of the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ throughout his life. For instance, he once taught, “All hearts must repent and be pure, and God will regard them and bless them in a manner that they could not be blessed in any other way.”
Mistakes and Mercy
The work Joseph Smith was called to do was hugely important. And Joseph learned to take the Lord’s commandments and counsel seriously, partly through mistakes he made.
For example, when the Book of Mormon manuscript pages were lost, the Lord took the gift of translation away from Joseph and later said to him: “How oft you have transgressed the commandments and the laws of God. … You should not have feared man more than God” (Doctrine and Covenants 3:6–7).
But the Lord also had this message for Joseph: “Remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent” (Doctrine and Covenants 3:10).
Joseph did repent and was again given the gift of translation. The whole experience may have been painful for him, but he learned important lessons—including that we can repent and be blessed because the Lord is merciful.
Savior and Friend
Joseph Smith had a number of visions, visitations, and revelations in which he saw or heard the Lord Jesus Christ or learned about His nature, character, and mission (see, for instance, Doctrine and Covenants 19; 76; 93; 110).
One truth he learned is that the Savior’s redeeming work is for all people who ever lived on this world—and all worlds where sons and daughters of God dwell (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:24).
At the same time he was learning how vast the Savior’s work is, Joseph was also learning that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know and love each of us individually. They want a closer relationship with each of us. They want us to make covenants, keep them, and faithfully endure to the end. This deepening relationship will bring us joy and confidence.
Joseph’s own relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ became so deep that at one of the lowest points in his life, while locked up in Liberty Jail, he was able to say:
“I will try to be contented with my lot, knowing that God is my friend. In him I shall find comfort. I have given my life into his hands. I am prepared to go at his call. I desire to be with Christ.”
As you study Joseph Smith’s life and teachings, you can follow his example. Repent, make and keep covenants, and continue faithful. Then you too can know that the Savior is your Friend.