Testimony of Joseph, Richard C. Edgley
- Ben
- Mar 14, 2020
- 4 min read
When considering what impact Joseph Smith has made for us and the modern world, Richard Edgley details well what the early prophet of the modern church accomplished.
His testimony about Joseph given in an August 2005 devotional, answers the question that President Nelson posed to us at last Conference during his closing remarks. “How have the events that followed the First Vision made a difference for me and my loved ones?”
Richard C. Edgley bears emphasizes that Joseph Smith is so wonderful because he brings us closer to understanding God and Jesus Christ. I provided a link to a section of his video and a link to the transcript if you prefer to read. A portion of the talk is copied below for quick reference. I thoroughly enjoyed his testimony, I hope you do as well.
These words begin at timestamp 29:50 and continue to 33:52 of the linked video. The video below starts from this section but continues past to the end of his talk.
Joseph Smith lived the life of a prophet. He suffered the life of a prophet. He died the death of a prophet. Out of persecution, suffering, and the shedding of innocent blood, the stone carved out of a mountain without hands rolls forward. The words of John Taylor continue to ring with increasing power and clarity: “The Book of Mormon, and this book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world” (D&C 135:6).
John Taylor also said: “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).
Through trial and affliction Joseph brought together all the elements of the gospel, fitted together like a beautiful puzzle. The true nature of God has been restored. The priesthood is upon the earth. Baptisms can be performed with authority. Temple covenants bind families together forever. The Atonement and the Resurrection are meaningful events affecting the lives of millions. And living prophets today bring divine light to a troubled world. Without the Prophet Joseph Smith, with all his trials, sufferings, and even death:
The priesthood of God could not be found upon the earth.
Temple ordinances and covenants would not be found; hope would be replaced with loneliness, confusion, and despair.
The ordinances of baptism, confirmation, and endowment would have no efficacy.
The concept of God would remain the great mystery of an impersonal force that cannot be explained or understood.
The knowledge and understanding of the plan of salvation and the Atonement of Christ would be replaced with ignorance and superstition.
The prophets would indeed be dead, and revelation would be a thing of the past.
Without the Prophet Joseph Smith, spiritual darkness would continue to reign and hope would continue to wane.
The Lord promised, “If thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes” (D&C 121:8).
In his 1998 Christmas devotional, President Gordon B. Hinckley declared:
No one has borne more certain knowledge of the Son of God, the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, than has this great prophet of this the dispensation of the fulness of times. Praise to his name. Honor to his memory. Reverence to him as an instrument in the hands of the Almighty in bringing to pass the restoration of His work in our time. [Gordon B. Hinckley, First Presidency Christmas devotional delivered at the Tabernacle on Temple Square, Salt Lake City, 6 December 1998]
Joseph declared the Book of Mormon to be the keystone of our religion. Truly it has brought us the fullness of the everlasting gospel with clarity and meaning. I declare Joseph the Prophet to be the keystone of my testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Because of my testimony of Joseph Smith, I know that God and Christ are personal Beings in whose image I am created.
Because of my testimony of Joseph Smith, I know that I am indeed a child of God with a spark of divinity that surpasses even my most lofty hopes and expectations.
Because of my testimony of Joseph Smith, I know that out of trials and tribulations can emerge a triumphant and victorious self.
Because of my testimony of Joseph Smith, I know that the divine authority of God reigns upon the earth.
Because of my testimony of Joseph Smith, I know that I am privileged to receive ordinances and covenants that, if lived, will bring everlasting glory to me and my family with our Father in Heaven.
Because of my testimony of Joseph Smith, I know who I am and what I can become.
And, most important, because of my testimony of Joseph Smith, I have a more complete understanding of the magnitude of Christ’s Atonement and a more sacred relationship with my Lord.
I love the Prophet Joseph Smith. I love him for what he taught. I love him for what he restored. I love him for what he endured. I love him for how he lived.
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