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Brother Joseph

Nearly every day I read to my little boy out of these illustrated scripture story books, based off of my religion's texts. We've been reading in "Doctrine & Covenants Stories" lately. This book relates the restoration of Christ's church on the earth in modern days. Many of these stories explain the life and service of God's prophet Joseph Smith Jr. If you don't know much about him, I recommend you watch this movie. It's TOTALLY worth the hour.

So Charlie and I have been reading these stories every day, stories I've read and heard for years, and my love and admiration for Brother Joseph has swelled. He was a sincere boy with a question--which church should I join? He was a faith filled teen that stood by the answer Heavenly Father gave him in person, that Christ's church no longer existed on the earth, and that Joseph was to be the chosen messenger to preach the word and establish Christ's church once more. He grew to be a good man and a prophet of God. He was a loving husband, a doting father, a kind neighbor, a good citizen, an honest man. He sacrificed his comfort, his time, his safety, his life--he sacrificed them all, because he loved and honored God.

I am aware of the long list of allegations against his name, and I'm reminded of Joseph's recollection of an angel telling him his name would be had for good and evil among all men. I must tell you that I understand he was a mortal man that made mistakes, but I don't believe all allegations against him to be true, and I emphasize that I do not worship him--I worship God the eternal Father and his son, Jesus Christ. Simply, I honor him, and I testify that I KNOW that he was a prophet of God called to organize Christ's church once again on the earth. I have prayed to know it and I have felt peace and joy about the reality of his being a prophet. I admire him and I want to be like him.

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