Joseph Smith: Mormon Prophet

Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called Mormon Church), championed globalism.

One of his early associates, Wilford Woodruff (who later became the fourth president of the Church), recalled a meeting held in the 1830s. In it, Joseph Smith spoke of the worldwide destiny of the Church:

“The Prophet called on all who held the Priesthood to gather into the little log school house they had there. It was a small house, perhaps 14 feet square. But it held the whole of the Priesthood of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who were then in the town of Kirtland. … When we got together the Prophet called upon the Elders of Israel with him to bear testimony of this work. … When they got through the Prophet said, ‘Brethren, I have been very much edified and instructed in your testimonies here tonight, but I want to say to you before the Lord, that you know no more concerning the destinies of this Church and kingdom than a babe upon its mother’s lap. You don’t comprehend it.’ I was rather surprised. He said, ‘It is only a little handful of Priesthood you see here tonight, but this Church will fill North and South America—it will fill the world.’”
("Chapter 11: The Organization and Destiny of the True and Living Church,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, [2007], 135–47.)

In another setting, Joseph Smith affirmed:

“I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world.” (“Chapter 44: The Restoration of All Things: The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, [2007], 507–16.)

Joseph Smith had a global vision. The Church began in the United States, then Joseph Smith sent missionaries to Canada, and later went himself in 1833. In 1837 he sent missionaries to Great Britain. From there, it branched out to the rest of Europe, and then the world.

However, some people see the Church and Joseph Smith as a local or national phenomenon. Scholar Harold Bloom wrote, “Mormonism is a purely American Gnosis” (The American Religion, 123). To an extent, that is true. I cannot imagine Joseph Smith and the Church of Jesus Christ arising in any other country besides America. Despite the persecutions and the Extermination Order, no other country is as religiously free as the United States.

On the other hand, if Joseph Smith was merely a permutation of Jacksonianism, then why does the Church have 27,475 congregations with 13 million members worldwide?

Howard W. Hunter, the fourteenth president of the Church, explained:

“Mormonism, so-called, is a world religion, not simply because its members are now found throughout the world, but chiefly because it has a comprehensive and inclusive message based upon the acceptance of all truth, restored to meet the needs of all mankind.” (Howard W. Hunter, “The Gospel—A Global Faith,” Ensign, Nov 1991, 18.)

I am a part of this global phenomenon. I am from California, and I served my mission in Portugal. While there, I had a companion who was Portuguese, I worked with a local church leader from Mozambique, and had a Brazilian mission president. We were a mini-United Nations.

This globalization has also affected the Church on a general level. The second counselor in the First Presidency (the supreme governing council of the Church), is from Germany. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has been a worldwide Church leader in various positions since 1994.

Not only are there Europeans in high office, but also people from other areas as well. From 1990 to 1995, Helvécio Martins, a black Brazilian, was a general authority of the Church. On the worldwide level, the Church has leaders from all nationalities.

I have met both of these men, President Uchtdorf and Elder Martins, and am grateful that the Church has so much to offer people from all nationalities and races. Yes, the Church is headquartered in the United States of America, but it is a global phenomenon.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly referred to as the Mormon Church, claim that The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ was translated from gold plates. To substantiate this claim, they usually cite Joseph Smith’s own testimony of the gold plates, and the testimony of the Three and the Eight Witnesses.

However, there are two more witness to the physical gold plates. The first is Mary Whitmer. She was the wife of Peter Whitmer, Sr. and mother of several of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon: Christian, Jacob, David, and Peter Jr.

Here is her account, as told by her grandson John C. Whitmer:

“One evening, when (after having done her usual day's work in the house) she went to the barn to milk the cows, she met a stranger carrying something on his back that looked like a knapsack. At first she was a little afraid of him, but when he spoke to her in a kind, friendly tone and began to explain to her the nature of the work which was going on in her house, she was filled with inexpressible joy and satisfaction.”

“He then untied his knapsack and showed her a bundle of plates, which in size and appearance corresponded with the description subsequently given by the witnesses to the Book of Mormon. This strange person turned the leaves of the book of plates over, leaf after leaf, and also showed her the engravings upon them; after which he told her to be patient and faithful in bearing her burden a little longer, promising that if she would do so, she should be blessed; and her reward would be sure, if she proved faithful to the end. The personage then suddenly vanished with the plates, and where he went, she could not tell. (Andrew Jenson, LDS Biographical Encyclopedia 1:283)

I’m impressed with this opportunity she had. I’m sure it strengthened her faith. And she probably needed it. As the record shows, the events surrounding the translation and the publication of the Book of Mormon taxed the power and patience of the people involved.

Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church, referring to these trying times, wrote:

"Now my wife had written some for me to translate, and also my Brother Samuel H. Smith. But we had be come reduced in property, and my wife’s father was about to turn me out of doors and I had not where to go. And I cried unto the Lord that he would provide for me to accomplish the work whereunto he had commanded me." (1832 History. Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, 14. Standardized.)

His prayer was answered. God raised up people to help him. Not just men, such as Oliver Cowdery and the Whitmer men, but also women. In addition to Mary Whitmer, there was also Joseph Smith’s wife Emma. She served as a scribe between Martin Harris’s departure and the coming of Oliver Cowdery.

She was not exactly a witness of the gold plates, but she was almost a witness. Here is her story, as told to her son Joseph Smith III:

“The plates often lay on the table without any attempt at concealment, wrapped in a small linen tablecloth, which I had given him [Joseph Smith, Jr.] to fold them in. I once felt of the plates, as they thus lay on the table, tracing their outline and shape. They seemed to be pliable like thick paper, and would rustle with a metallic sound when the edges were moved by the thumb, as one does sometimes thumb the edges of a book. … I did not attempt to handle the plates, other than I have told you, nor uncover them to look at them. I was satisfied that it was the work of God, and therefore did not feel it to be necessary to do so. … I moved them from place to place on the table, as it was necessary in doing my work.” (The Saints’ Herald, 1 Oct. 1879, p. 290; spelling modernized.)

So the plates were there, but covered. Like the Eight Witnesses, she handled them, and moved them around as she kept house. Her testimony reflects her unique position as wife of Joseph Smith. It has a folksy charm about it. You can picture Emma sliding the heavy plates around the table as she is dusting.

And as both a wife of the prophet and a scribe of the Book of Mormon, I find her testimony compelling:

“My belief is that the Book of Mormon is of divine authenticity—I have not the slightest doubt of it. I am satisfied that no man could have dictated the writing of the manuscripts unless he was inspired; for, when acting as his scribe, your father [Joseph Smith] would dictate to me hour after hour; and when returning after meals, or after interruptions, he would at once begin where he had left off, without either seeing the manuscript or having any portion of it read to him. This was a usual thing for him to do. It would have been improbable that a learned man could do this; and, for one so ignorant and unlearned as he was, it was simply impossible.” (Ibid.)

I am glad that God raised up these women to help move the Lord’s work along. I have read the Book of Mormon scores of times, and appreciate their part in bringing forth the keystone of our religion, and this new witness of the divinity of Christ.