Joseph Smith

Quotes By LDS Prophet Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith was the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, he is considered by members of the Church as a prophet, seer, and revelator. Joseph translated the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ and a record of ancient American peoples as was revealed to him by God.

“The things of God are of deep import, and time, and experience, and careful, and solemn, and ponderous thoughts can only find them out.”

Joseph Smith

Topics: Priorities, Scripture Study, Wisdom

“Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.”

Joseph Smith

Topics: Commandments, Happiness, Plan of Salvation, Purpose

“If children are to be brought up in the way they should go, to be good citizens here and happy hereafter, they must be taught. It is idle to suppose that children will grow up good, while surrounded with wickedness, without cultivation. It is folly to suppose that they can become learned without education.”

Joseph Smith | Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 273

Topics: Education, Parenting, Salvation of Children

“Our Heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive.”

Joseph Smith | History, 1838–1856, volume D-1

Topics: Blessings, Inspirational Quotes, Mercy, Motivational Quotes, Nature of God, Plan of Salvation

“The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the apostles and prophets, concerning Jesus Christ. That he died, was buried, and rose again at the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”

Joseph Smith | History of the Church, 3:30

Topics: Atonement, Gospel

“If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves.”

Joseph Smith | Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Chapter 2

Topics: Character, Nature of God

Many of the signs are terrifying and dreadful. The prophets have warned that the earth will experience great turmoil, wickedness, war, and suffering. The prophet Daniel said that the time before the Second Coming would be a time of trouble such as the earth has never known (see Daniel 12:1). The Lord said, “The love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound” (D&C 45:27). “And all things shall be in commotion; and … fear shall come upon all people” (D&C 88:91). We can expect earthquakes, disease, famines, great storms, lightnings, and thunder (see Matthew 24:7; D&C 88:90). Hailstorms will destroy the crops of the earth (see D&C 29:16).

Jesus told His disciples that war would fill the earth: “Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. . . . For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:6-7). The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “Be not discouraged when we tell you of perilous times, for they must shortly come, for the sword, famine, and pestilence are approaching. There shall be great destructions upon the face of this land, for ye need not suppose that one jot or tittle of the prophecies of all the holy prophets shall fail, and there are many that remain to be fulfilled yet”

Joseph Smith | Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 252

Topics: Last Days, The Second Coming

“The wisdom and mercy of God in preparing an ordinance for the salvation of the dead. . . . Those Saints who neglect it in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own salvation.”

Joseph Smith | History of the Church, 4:426.

Topics: Baptisms for the Dead, Salvation, Temples

“For neglecting to write these things when God had revealed them, not esteeming them of sufficient worth, the Spirit may withdraw and God may be angry; and there is, or was, a vast knowledge, of infinite importance, which is now lost.”

Joseph Smith | History of the Church, 2:199

Topics: Journaling

“The nearer we get to our Heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls.”

Joseph Smith

Topics: Missionary Work & Preparation