Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith
Lessons 1 & 2: “Our Father in Heaven” & “Our Savior, Jesus Christ”
presented by Michelle
Joseph Fielding Smith was the grandson of Hyrum Smith, the brother of Joseph Smith. He was also the son of President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph Fielding Smith became the prophet at the age of 94 and served for two and half years. He was an apostle for 60 years. He also officiated at the laying of the cornerstone of the Oakland temple.
Joseph Fielding Smith emphasized home and family while he was prophet. Although he did not establish family home evening, he did designate Mondays as family night, where no church meetings would be scheduled, etc.
He gave many testimonies and messages of Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. He also spoke to the youth to forsake the ways of the world and to stand firm in their faith. He also encouraged people to see the good in people and for members of the Church to seek the blessings of the temple.
Joseph Fielding Smith was married three times and this quote is from Ethel, his second wife:
“I have often thought when he is gone people will say, ‘He is a very good man, sincere, orthodox, etc.’ They will speak of him as the public knows him; but the man they have in mind is very different from the man I know. The man I know is a kind, loving husband and father whose greatest ambition in life is to make his family happy, entirely forgetful of self in his efforts to do this. He is the man that lulls to sleep the fretful child, who tells bedtime stories to the little ones, who is never too tired or too busy to sit up late at night or to get up early in the morning to help the older children solve perplexing school problems. When illness comes, the man I know watches tenderly over the afflicted one and waits upon him. It is their father for whom they cry, feeling his presence a panacea for all ills. It is his hands that bind up the wounds, his arms that give courage to the sufferer, his voice that remonstrates them gently when they err, until it becomes their happiness to do the thing that will make him happy.
“The man I know is most gentle, and if he feels that he has been unjust to anyone the distance is never too far for him to go and, with loving words or kind deeds, erase the hurt. He welcomes gladly the young people to his home and is never happier than when discussing with them topics of the day-sports or whatever interests them most. He enjoys a good story and is quick to see the humor of a situation, to laugh and to be laughed at, always willing to join in any wholesome activity.
“The man I know is unselfish, uncomplaining, considerate, thoughtful, sympathetic, doing everything within his power to make life a supreme joy for his loved ones. That is the man I know.”
Joseph Fielding Smith often marveled at the technological advances of his day, but he was also concerned about the trends he saw in the world. He said, “All of these discoveries and inventions have not drawn men nearer to God! Nor created in their hearts humility and the spirit of repentance, but to the contrary, to their condemnation...Faith has not increased in the world, nor has righteousness, nor obedience to God.”
These words are even more relevant for us in today’s world and today’s technological advances.
“In contrast to the world’s growing indifference toward God, President Smith demonstrated a closeness to his Father in Heaven. One of his grandsons recalled: “...my grandfather ate frequently at our house. Quote often he would be invited by my father to ask a blessing on the food. His prayers were always very personal-as if talking to a friend.”
Belief in God was very important to Joseph Fielding Smith and is important to us in our lives. It frames everything we do and believe. It is the basis by which we know right and wrong. President Gordon B. Hinkley said regarding the God Head, “They are interested in us, and we are the substance of Their great concern. They are available to each of us.” God is available through His Son, Jesus Christ, who petitions on our behalf. We pray to God the Father through Jesus. Michelle said that most of her relationship with God is on her knees in prayer but her relationship with Christ is mainly on her feet by service.
Moses 1:35-37: But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you. For behold, there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and innumerable are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them.
36 And it came to pass that Moses spake unto the Lord, saying: Be merciful unto thy servant, O God, and tell me concerning this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, and also the heavens, and then thy servant will be content.
37 And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying: The heavens, they are many, and they cannot be numbered unto man; but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine.
Joseph Fielding Smith said, “Beginning with Joseph Smith’s First Vision, the true knowledge of God has been restored in our day...It should be remembered that the entire Christian world in 1820 had lost the true doctrine concerning God. The simple truth which was understood so clearly by the apostles and saints of old had been lost in the mysteries of an apostate world. All the ancient prophets, and the apostles of Jesus Christ had a clear understanding that the Father and the Son were separate personages, as our scriptures so clearly teach. Through apostasy this knowledge was lost. ... God had become a mystery, and both Father and Son were considered to be one unknowable effusion of spirit, without body, parts, or passions.”
“The [first] vision of Joseph Smith made it clear that the Father and the Son are separate personages, having bodies as tangible as the body of man. It was further revealed to him that the Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit, distinct and separate from the personalities of the Father and the Son [see D&C 130:22]. This all-important truth staggered the world; yet, when we consider the clear expressions of holy writ, it is a most astounding and wonderful fact that man could have gone so far astray. The Savior said, “My Father is greater than I;” [John 14:28] and he invited his disciples, after his resurrection, to handle him and see that it was he, for, said he, “A spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” [Luke 24:39.]”
“Joseph Smith beheld the Father and the Son; therefore he could testify with personal knowledge that the scriptures were true wherein we read: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” [Genesis 1:27.] This was to be understood literally, and not in some mystical or figurative sense.”
In order to have a relationship with God, we must know his characteristics. Michelle asked what are His characteristics? Some responses were:
Omnipotent-all powerful
Omniscient-all knowing
Omnipresent-always with us
All loving
All justice
Kind
Creator/creative
Unchangeable
Holy
All faith
All mercy
All truth
Fullness of all Godly attributes
His attributes:
Body of flesh and bone
Has a face
Has feelings-He wept for us
Literal/personal Father of our spirits
Supreme Creator (through Christ)
Author of the Plan of Salvation (Moses 1:39)
Sent His Son to atone for our sins
Joseph Fielding Smith added his testimony, “I am grateful that the knowledge of God and his laws has been restored in our day and that we who are members of the Church know he is a personal being and not, as some sectarians have said, “a congeries [a disorderly collection] of laws floating like a fog in the universe.” I am grateful that we know he is our Father in heaven, the Father of our spirits, and that he ordained the laws whereby we can advance and progress until we become like him. And I am grateful that we know he is an infinite and eternal being who knows all things and has all power and whose progression consists not in gaining more knowledge or power, not in further perfecting his godly attributes, but in the increase and multiplying of his kingdoms.”
Joseph Fielding Smith loved our Savior, Jesus Christ, above all else. He said, “I did not live in the days of our Savior; he has not come to me in person. I have not beheld him. His Father and he have not felt it necessary to grant me such a great blessing as this. But it is not necessary. I have felt his presence.”
One of President Smith’s sons recounted:
“As children, so frequently we would hear him say, ‘If only the people in the world would understand the trials, the tribulations, the sins our Lord took upon himself for our benefit.’ Whenever he would refer to this, tears would come into his eyes.”
Joseph Fielding Smith was such an example of love for the Savior for all of us. Michelle closed by saying “Christ atoned for each us personally. He knows us and He is aware of each of us. He was aware of each of us in the Garden of Gethsamane. This really gives deeper meaning for me to the scripture, “Even as you have done it unto the least of me, my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” No only does He know the least of us, He atoned for each of us and that is the miracle of the Atonement.”
Joseph Fielding Smith’s testimony of the Savior: “We accept Jesus as the Redeemer of the world. We know ... that He revealed Himself in this dispensation. We are not dependent upon the testimonies of ... ancient worthies, who lived in His day and conversed with Him in His ministry, and to whom He appeared after His resurrection. We have witnesses who have lived in our own day, who have seen Him, who knew that He lives and have testified to us and to the world of this fact. We know their testimonies are true...We have an individual testimony given through the Spirit of the Lord to all who have lived in accordance with the Gospel...I pray that we may all walk in his footsteps and keep his commandments so that we may be like him. This is my desire. I hope it is yours.”
