1830–1832

Samuel Smith Shares the Book of Mormon

One book blesses many lives

The Lord called Samuel Smith, Joseph’s younger brother, on a mission to share the gospel. Samuel met John and Rhoda Greene and told them about the Book of Mormon. John was a preacher in another church. He said that he would take a copy of the book and see if anyone in his church wanted to read it.

Saints, 1:99

After a few months, Samuel came back. Rhoda said her husband couldn’t find anyone who wanted to read the Book of Mormon. She gave it back to Samuel.

Saints, 1:99

Samuel was sad. He turned to leave, but Rhoda stopped him. She said that she had read the Book of Mormon, and she liked it.

Saints, 1:99

The Holy Ghost told Samuel to give the book back to Rhoda. “Ask God to give you a testimony,” Samuel told her. He taught Rhoda about the Holy Ghost and how she would know that the Book of Mormon is true.

Moroni 10:3–5; Saints, 1:99–100

Samuel returned home from his mission. He hadn’t baptized anyone, and only a few people were interested in the Book of Mormon.

Rhoda and John prayed, and the Holy Ghost told them the Book of Mormon is true. Then Rhoda shared the book with her brother, Brigham Young.

Saints, 1:100

Brigham and his friend, Heber Kimball, had been searching for Jesus’s true Church. They read the Book of Mormon. They studied and prayed about the gospel of Jesus Christ for almost two years.

During this time, Brigham and Heber went to Church meetings with their families. In one of these meetings, Brigham heard a missionary share his testimony. The missionary was not a great speaker, but Brigham felt the Holy Ghost as he spoke. Brigham knew he was telling the truth.

Brigham, Heber, and their wives, Miriam and Vilate, were baptized. They loved the Savior and His gospel. Years later, the Lord called Brigham and Heber to be His Apostles and serve missions. Because Samuel shared the Book of Mormon, many people joined the Savior’s Church.

Doctrine and Covenants 124:127–29; 126; Saints, 1:215–16