Plate 42.—Statue of Joseph Smith, the Prophet
Life-size statues of Joseph and Hyrum Smith are seen on Temple Block. On the front tablet of the pedestal supporting the bronze figure of Joseph, we read:
JOSEPH SMITH
the prophet of the new dispensation of the gospel of jesus christ our lord. he was born at sharon, vermont, on the 23rd of december, 1805; and suffered martyrdom for the word of god and the testimony of jesus at carthage, illinois, on the 27th of june, 1844.
HIS VISION OF GOD
i saw two personages whose glory and brightness defy all description. one of them spake unto me and said:
THIS IS MY BELOVED SON: HEAR HIM.
i asked which of all the sects was right and which i should join. i was answered i must join none of them; they were all wrong; they teach for doctrine the commandments of men; i received a promise that the fulness of the gospel would at some future time be made known to me.
THE BOOK OF MORMON
this book was revealed to him, and he translated it by the gift and power of god. it is an inspired history of ancient america, and contains the fulness of the gospel. it is the american testament of our lord and savior jesus christ.
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH
joseph smith received divine authority through the ministration of angels to teach the gospel and administer the ordinances thereof. he established again in the earth the church of jesus christ, organizing it by the will and commandment of god on the 6th day of april, 1830.
he also received commission to gather israel and establish zion on this land of america; to erect temples and perform ordinances therein both for the living and the dead; and prepare the way for the glorious coming of the lord jesus christ to reign on earth.
The tablet on the back of the pedestal bears the following inscription:
TRUTH-GEMS
FROM THE TEACHINGS OF JOSEPH SMITH
THE GLORY OF GOD IS INTELLIGENCE.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR A MAN TO BE SAVED IN IGNORANCE.
WHATEVER PRINCIPLE OF INTELLIGENCE WE ATTAIN UNTO IN THIS LIFE WILL RISE WITH US IN THE RESURRECTION.
THERE IS A LAW IRREVOCABLY DECREED IN HEAVEN BEFORE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THIS WORLD, UPON WHICH ALL BLESSINGS ARE PREDICATED; AND WHEN WE OBTAIN ANY BLESSING FROM GOD IT IS BY OBEDIENCE TO THAT LAW ON WHICH IT IS PREDICATED.
THIS IS THE WORK AND GLORY OF GOD: TO BRING TO PASS THE IMMORTALITY AND ETERNAL LIFE OF MAN.
ADAM FELL THAT MAN MIGHT BE: AND MEN ARE THAT THE MIGHT HAVE JOY.
THE INTELLIGENCE OF SPIRITS HAD NO BEGINNING, NEITHER WILL IT HAVE AN END. JESUS WAS IN THE BEGINNING WITH THE FATHER: MAN WAS ALSO IN THE BEGINNING WITH GOD. INTELLIGENCE, OR THE LIGHT OF TRUTH, WAS NOT CREATED OR MADE, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE.
THE SPIRIT AND BODY IS THE SOUL OF MAN; AND THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD IS THE REDEMPTION OF THE SOUL.
"IT IS THE FIRST PRINCIPLE OF THE GOSPEL TO KNOW FOR A CERTAINTY THE CHARACTER OF GOD; AND TO KNOW THAT MAN, [AS MOSES], MAY CONVERSE WITH HIM AS ONE MAN CONVERSES WITH ANOTHER."
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