Chapter 45

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“I HAVE NO DESIRE BUT TO DO ALL MEN 2

Prophets teach what God reveals to them; we strive to understand and give heed to their words.   Prophets labor to teach people revelations from God. They concentrate on how to prepare the mind of those they teach so the Spirit can fill their hearts and help them understand the gospel. Prophets depend on God for all things they say and reveal to members of the Church. The burden to teach and inspire man is a call from God. We can help lift the prophets’ burdens by striving to understand and heed their teachings. Because we learn line upon line, the prophet can only reveal to us what we can understand. As we learn more and continue to strive to obey, the Lord reveals to His prophets more principles for us to learn and understand. Joseph Smith testified that the Lord preserved his life while he completed his earthly mission. He prophesied that no man had the power to take his life until he completed his world. He knew that the Lord continued to protect him regardless of the opposition he faced. He often remarked that he was not afraid to die for the truth and we shouldn’t be afraid either because the man that is afraid to lose his earthly life for the truth loses his eternal life.  What can interfere with our ability to receive more truth?  What can we do to be “prepared to receive the things of God”?  What counsel could you give someone who refuses to follow a Church leader because the leader has some kind of character flaw?

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Although prophets are men with human frailties, they are called of God to teach and lead His people.  We must remember that although our leaders are men with frailties, they are men called of God to teach and to preach to this people. No man is without fault; we should learn to bear the infirmities of one another and understand that prophets have the word of God revealed to them - what they teach comes from our Heavenly Father. Joseph Smith experienced some of the greatest persecution and opposition possible, and despite it all he continued to fulfill his calling as a prophet of God. Prophets are able to bear opposition and trials because they understand they have been called of God to complete His work.  What experiences have you had in which God has helped you to fulfill your responsibilities in your family or in a Church calling?  How can we rejoice in the words of a prophet or other Church leader even when he reproves us for our misdeeds?

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Prophets love those they serve and desire to lead them well, even if doing so requires reproving them.  Just as the Lord loves us, prophets love those they serve and teach. They are ready and willing to sacrifice for the members of the Church. Joseph Smith taught love by example and showed great compassion for the early Saints. Part of being a prophet is reproving with love and kindness because although the love of the Lord is great. He is not tolerant of sin and iniquity. Prophets must lead in righteousness, teaching the Saints repentance and avoidance of sin. Joseph Smith taught that prophets’ love and care for all those they serve but still hate some of their sins and deeds.  Despite opposition, prophets fulfill the missions given to them by God.  After the study of this chapter influenced your testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith?

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“May I suggest that you emulate the example of the Prophet and take every opportunity to bear witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and of the divine mission of Joseph Smith” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, Sep 2002)

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“The prophets speak to us in the name of the Lord an in divine plainness. As the Book of Mormon confirms, “For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding” (2 Nephi 31:3) 7

“It is our responsibility not only to listen but also to act upon His word that we may claim the blessings of the ordinances and covenants of the restored gospel” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Heeding the Voice of the Prophets,” Ensign,

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“There seems to be no end to the Savior’s desire to lead us to safety, and there is constancy in the way He shows us the path. He calls by more than one means so that it will reach those willing to accept it. Those means always include sending the message by the mouths of His prophets whenever people have qualified to have the prophets of God among them. Those authorized servants are always charged with warning the people, telling them the way to safety” (Henry B. Eyring.

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Birth Date: December 23, 1805 Death Date: June 27, 1844 Years as President: 1832–1844 “Surely I have contemplated the things of God.”

Biographical Sketch: Born December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, Joseph Smith Jr. was the fifth of eleven children of Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack. He worked on the family farm in Vermont and later in western New York. A series of remarkable spiritual experiences prepared him for his prophetic calling. Beginning in 1820 at Palmyra, New York, Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in vision. Through revelation, he translated and published the Book of Mormon, organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830, and received revelations to guide the Church. By inspiration, he called Apostles and other Church leaders, defined doctrines, and taught the principles and ordinances that would lead to exaltation. Under his leadership, Latter-day Saints founded communities in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. He was sustained as First Elder of the 10 Church on April 6, 1830. On June 27, 1844, at Carthage, Illinois, Joseph Smith died