Line upon Line: D&C 135:3

Joseph Smith restored the Church and gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. The effects of his faithfulness are still rolling forth today. John Taylor, who became the third President of the Church, wrote this description of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Read the Bible Dictionary entries for “prophet” and “seer,” and then study Joseph Smith—History. As you read his history, write down all the evidences you find that Joseph Smith was a prophet and seer. Bear your testimony of what you learn.

It took the Prophet Joseph Smith only about 65 working days to translate the Book of Mormon, during the time he had the gold plates (see Neal A. Maxwell, “By the Gift and Power of God,” Ensign, Jan. 1997, 39.)

For a Duty to God or Personal Progress goal, commit to reading the Book of Mormon in as many days as it took the Prophet to translate it. You can do it if you read about nine pages a day.

President Taylor (1808–87) was referring to North America and Europe. The Book of Mormon is now available in more than 100 languages all over the world.

Read these scriptures to find out about others who sealed their testimonies with their deaths:

Stephen—Acts 7:51–60

Abinadi—Mosiah 17:7–20

Zenos—Hel. 8:19

The Church now has more than 51,000 full-time missionaries and has members in most countries.

Nauvoo, Illinois

Hyrum was the first to be killed in Carthage Jail. He was nearly six years older than Joseph, and the brothers loved each other dearly. President Heber J. Grant (1856–1945) said of Hyrum: “No mortal man could have been more loyal, more true, more faithful in life or in death than was Hyrum Smith to the Prophet of the living God” (in James E. Faust, “Some Great Thing,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 47).

[This Work Is True]

“Jesus is the Christ, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Savior, our Redeemer. He is our advocate with the Father. He is the one who died and suffered great agony, great humiliation, and great pain for us. The Restoration of the gospel is true. Someday we’ll know of the greatness of the Prophet Joseph Smith. All this work is true.”
—Elder David B. Haight (1906–2004), “This Work Is True,” Ensign, May 1996, 23.

Editors’ note: This page is not meant to be a comprehensive explanation of the selected scripture verses, only a starting point for your own study.

Bust of Joseph Smith by Dee Jay Bawden