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“Joseph Smith as Viewed by Converts” was the focus of the
devotional address given by Elder Gary J. Coleman, a member of
the First Quorum of the Seventy, to Brigham Young
University-Idaho students on Tuesday, September 13.
“One of my greatest blessings as a convert to the Church has
been to receive by the power of the Holy Ghost the certain
knowledge that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet of God,” Elder
Coleman said. “Since my conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints in 1962, there have been nearly eight
million converts to the Church. I submit that they, along with
me, have rejoiced in the new knowledge we have gained about our
friend and hero who was raised up to teach all of us about the
glory and power of the great plan of salvation.”
Elder Coleman recognized that one of the reasons the message of
the gospel is so comforting to new converts is they are stepping
away from an environment of confusion and false teachings
regarding the most basic and fundamental doctrines. Without the
knowledge given to Joseph Smith, important principles like the
Atonement of Jesus Christ and God’s gift of eternal life to
mankind would not reach the very people it was intended for.
Elder Coleman recounted the testimonies about Joseph Smith from
five men who were all converts to the Church. They included
Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow and
Heber C. Kimball. These men later became presidents of the
Church or members of the First Presidency and were all
personally acquainted with the Prophet.
Citing a quote from President Brigham Young, Elder Coleman
stated, “I feel like shouting Hallelujah, all the time, when I
think I ever knew Joseph Smith, the Prophet whom the Lord raised
up and ordained, and to whom he gave keys and power to build up
the Kingdom of God on Earth and sustain it.”
President John Taylor 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”
(Doctrine and Covenants 135:3).
Remarking on this proclamation, Elder Coleman said, “It is
obvious to me that Joseph taught as he was taught from on high.
As he received the doctrines of Christ through the Restoration
of the eternal truths, he taught with clarity and power the true
gospel of salvation and eternal life. I know that Joseph was
tutored by the Master Teacher and the declaration by President
John Taylor is indeed true.”
Quoting President Lorenzo Snow, Elder Coleman stated, “It has
been my faith and belief from the time that I was made
acquainted with the Gospel that no greater prophet than Joseph
Smith ever lived on the face of the earth save Jesus Christ. He
was raised up to stand at the head of this great dispensation -
the greatest of all dispensations God has ever given to man.”
Elder Coleman shared the experiences he had as a young man as he
learned for himself the truthfulness of the gospel. Being raised
as a Catholic, he was always taught that God would no longer
call prophets and the days of revelation were over. As he
studied at Washington State University, he met some members and
began to learn more about the Church. Not long after he attended
a seminary class where he heard a tape about Joseph Smith by
Hugh B. Brown, a member of the First Presidency at the time. He
then followed the example of Joseph Smith and “asked the right
questions” of God. As he did so, he received the witness of the
Holy Ghost that the message he had been learning was true,
including the restoration of the gospel through the Prophet
Joseph Smith.
“Coming to know the Prophet Joseph Smith was the key to my
conversion, along with reading the Book of Mormon, the keystone
of our religion,” Elder Coleman concluded. “As I have learned
the doctrine of Christ in the plain and precious teachings of
the Book of Mormon, I have drawn nearer to God and I know that
He lives and He has helped me walk the paths of life.”
Next week’s devotional speaker will be Brother Fraser Bullock,
Former CEO of the Salt Lake Olympic Committee. Devotionals are
held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium with
additional seating in the Hinckley Chapel, Taylor Chapel, and
Kirkham Auditorium. Devotionals are broadcast on KBYI-FM 100.5
at 2 p.m. and rebroadcast Tuesdays at 7p.m. and Sundays at 5p.m. |