Happy Sabbath, Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas
BookofMormonArchaeologicalForum
December 23, 2011
From a basically unschooled farm boy to a distinguished prophet who
kept company with prophets and apostles and learned disciples from
ages past and inspired and led the way for millions to follow in these
Latter Days . . . we join with you in remembering and giving thanks
for Jesus the Christ and Joseph the Prophet.
At the young age of 21 years Joseph was entrusted with the valuable
metal plates and began translating them by the power of God a few
months later. He humbly accepted the reprimand of a just God for
allowing the 116 pages of the Book of Lehi to be loaned out, altered,
and then lost. By early 1830, he had completed the translation and
dictation of the Book of Mormon. The completed translation took barely
60 days, an average of over 8 single-spaced pages per day.
During this intense time of study, prayer, meditation, and
translation, he and Oliver Cowdery were given the Aaronic Priesthood,
learned and performed baptism, given the Melchizedek Priesthood,
physically moved several times between Harmony, Pennsylvania, and
Manchester, New York and arranged to have three witnesses testify of
the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and of seeing the angel Moroni.
" Perhaps no other book has been denounced so vigorously by those who
have never read it as has the Book of Mormon." (Boyd K. Packer)
Under the direction of Jesus Christ, and through the medium of the
Holy Ghost, Joseph faithfully followed heavenly instructions to
restore the Church of Jesus Christ as it was when the Savior organized
it in the Meridian of Time – the only religious organization to have a
full complement of church officers and teachers and the priesthood
power to enable continued revelation and direction.
During his short adult life, from 1825 to 1844, not even 20 years, he
endured almost constant mental and physical persecution that no one
should ever have to. Some of the most intense persecution came from
members or former members of the Church. Several of his best friends
could not stand the persecution that was leveled against the Church
and turned against him. 6 of the original 12 apostles either
apostatized or turned on him. Yet, he was free to forgive when
evidence of repentance was shown, and many of them returned to full
fellowship.
He was arrested over 20 times and each time was eventually acquitted.
During all of this turmoil and trouble, he was comforted and aided by
his sweetheart, Emma, and his dearest family and friends, including
his parents, most of his siblings, and the stalwart apostles David W.
Patten, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, John Taylor, and Wilford
Woodruff.
It was his faith in God and in the Savior, Jesus Christ, and in his
knowledge that he was doing everything he could to advance the
restoration of the Church and to teach the principles of salvation to
all mankind that were able to sustain him throughout his life. Well
did John Taylor write, “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the
Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this
world, than any other man that ever lived in it.” (D&C 135:3)
We hope that BMAF is a positive addition to your spiritual life and
welcome any comments and criticisms.
Merry Christmas,
Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum Board of Directors and Advisory
Board
David Asay, Chairman
Richard Gordon, President
Stephen Carr, Senior Vice President and Editor
Douglas Christensen, Vice President and Webmaster
Robert Sperry, Vice President
Richard Averett, Treasurer
Elder Robert Wells
Elder Ted Brewerton
Elder Merrill Oaks
Elder William Bradford