My Testimony of Joseph Smith

By Steven Martineau

I wanted to prepare for my mission and was pondering some things that would strengthen my testimony. I knew that building up my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith would greatly strengthen me and prepare me for my mission in the future.

At about this time I heard Elder Glenn L. Pace speak at the Cape Girardeau Stake and then at general conference. His words went deep into my mind.

He challenged everyone to prayerfully read and study the Joseph Smith story. I had read the story before but had not read it prayerfully. I decided now was the time to do so. After general conference I found myself with some free time, and I was inspired to prayerfully read the Joseph Smith story. I desired a testimony of Joseph’s story so that my faith would be unshaken and so that the Book of Mormon would mean more to me.

As I prayerfully read the holy scriptures, I was filled with the Spirit, and after I read, I took Moroni’s challenge found in Moroni 10:3–5. I prayed to Heavenly Father asking if what I had read about the Joseph Smith story was true. I felt a burning within my bosom that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and I knew that the things Joseph Smith told were true.

I am so thankful for my testimony of Joseph Smith. I know that Joseph Smith did see God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and that Joseph, through the ministering of angels, did restore the only true Church of Jesus Christ in these latter days. I am thankful for my testimony because I know that this is a good start in preparation for a future mission. I am also thankful for my testimony because now I am certain that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that no one can shake this testimony. We can all gain a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith by prayerfully studying the Joseph Smith story with an intent to gain a testimony, and this knowledge fills my heart with joy.

Joseph Smith, © Dee Jay Bawden