In August of 1830, Newel and Sally Knight visited Joseph and Emma Smith at their home in Harmony, Pennsylvania. Both Sally and Emma had been baptized, but neither had yet been confirmed members of the Church, so they decided to partake of the sacrament and perform the confirmations during their visit. Joseph went to obtain... Continue Reading →

Portrait of Emma Hale Smith, by Lee Greene Richards What was Emma's role in the church of Jesus Christ? Soon after the church was organized, the Lord instructed her husband, Joseph, to prioritize his leadership role in the church. He was told to travel again after his crops were planted, and to visit the members... Continue Reading →

Screensthot from the film "A Day for the Eternities" On April 6, 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ was organized in the home of Peter Whitmer in Fayette, New York. In preparation for this event, Joseph Smith received a revelation with detailed instructions on how to administer the church. That revelation, which has been called... Continue Reading →

People have infinite value. We may take others for granted at times, but God always recognizes their true worth, and He wants us to learn to see it too. Shortly after learning for themselves of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, the Three Witnesses received specific assignments: Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer were instructed... Continue Reading →

Depiction of David Whitmer seeing the angel Moroni from the film “A Day for the Eternities” In May of 1829, David Whitmer helped Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery move from Harmony, Pennsylvania to Fayette, New York to stay with his family. Oliver was a friend of David and had written to him about the translation... Continue Reading →

Detail of "Upon You My Fellow Servants," by Michael T. Malm As Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery translated the account of Jesus visiting the American continent after His death and resurrection, they were filled with the desire to be baptized. "No men in their sober senses," wrote Oliver, "could translate and write the directions given... Continue Reading →

Replica of the original Book of Mormon manuscript About 600 years before the coming of Christ, God commanded Nephi to make a second version of his record. Why did He command this? "For a wise purpose in him," Nephi wrote, "which purpose I know not" (1 Nephi 9:5). (See also 1 Nephi 19:1-6.) Nearly 1,000... Continue Reading →

Portrait of Oliver Cowdery by Lewis A. Ramsey How can we prepare ourselves to receive revelation? How can we recognize it when we receive it? What is the relationship between personal revelation and the words of prophets? Oliver Cowdery was wrestling with these kinds of questions in April of 1829, as he assisted Joseph Smith... Continue Reading →

Portrait of Martin Harris by Lewis A. Ramsey God's work will not fail. We can rely on that. Furthermore, we can be part of it, if we're willing to do things His way, instead of insisting on doing them our way. That's the main message I get from three revelations Joseph Smith received in 1828... Continue Reading →

How do we react when we are called by God to assist Him in his work? Do we focus on our weaknesses and worry that we will not do well enough? Do we place too much confidence in our own abilities and fail to rely sufficiently on Him? Are we impatient to get started and... Continue Reading →