Moroni’s Prophecy

Today, it is obvious that Moroni’s prophecy is fulfilled among the nations; but I invite each of us to sincerely reflect on his prophecy as it relates to our individual hearts. In your own heart, is Joseph Smith’s name had for good—a name of virtue, purity and righteousness? Or, is his name had for evil—a name of a questionable character or wavering inconsistency?

We live in a time when the character of Joseph Smith is under attack. The attacks against him come from every quarter—both flagrant attacks from outside the Church, and more subtle and deadly attacks from among some members within.

President Hinckley taught that now is a “day of fulfillment for the prophecy” recorded in Section 122 of the Doctrine and Covenants, wherein the Lord tells Joseph Smith that: "The ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision, and hell shall rage against thee; While the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous, shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand."

The devil knows that if he can only destroy the character of the Prophet Joseph Smith in our hearts, then we will be barred from the presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ.

Brigham Young

“Who can justly say aught [or anything] against Joseph Smith? I was as well acquainted with him, as any man. I do not believe that his father and mother knew him any better than I did. I do not think that a man lives on the earth that knew him any better than I did; and I am bold to say that, Jesus Christ excepted, no better man ever lived or does live upon this earth. I am his witness.”

John Taylor

“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.”

Boyd K. Packer

"I know that Joseph Smith was a mighty prophet, seer, and revelator. With the exception of Jesus Christ, he is the greatest being who ever walked the face of this earth.”

Though Joseph’s life was taken at an early age, his testimony of the Eternal God and the risen Lord lives on with luster and eloquence. I look to him. I love him. I seek to follow him. I read his words, and they become the standards to be observed in guiding this great Church as it moves forward in fulfilling its eternal destiny. To slightly paraphrase the words of our wonderful hymn:

Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.

Ever and ever the keys he will hold.

Faithful and true, he has entered God’s kingdom,

Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.

We have not seen the last of Joseph Smith. He is not merely a prophet of the past.