Celebrating 210 Years!

Last Wednesday we celebrated the birthday of the Prophet Joseph Smith in his hometown of Palmyra, NY.  The farm welcomed us that evening, lit in pastel blue Christmas lights. All was quiet and still by comparison of the other places we had been.  It was as though we were still in the early 1800's.

If it weren't for the life of this great man, our lives would be dramatically different.

"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. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent thefulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; . . . ." (Doctrine & Covenants 135:3)

Elder Tad R. Callister said:

“Through Joseph Smith have been restored all the powers, keys, teachings, and ordinances necessary for salvation and exaltation. You cannot go anywhere else in the world and get that. It is not to be found in any other church. It is not to be found in any philosophy of man or scientific digest or individual pilgrimage, however intellectual it may seem. Salvation is to be found in one place alone, as so designated by the Lord Himself when He said that this is ‘the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth’ (D&C 1:30)”

In what specific ways might your life be different without the ministry of the Prophet Joseph Smith?

It was a great day to visit Palmyra!