He “Has Sealed His Mission and His Works
with His Own Blood”
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith
...The Prophet Joseph Smith declared, “Where [the President is] not, there is no First Presidency”. Following the death of the President of the Church, the next ranking body, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, becomes the presiding authority. The president of the quorum becomes the Acting President of the Church until a new President of the Church is officially ordained and set apart in that office.
- David B. Haight, Solemn Assemblies
[A]lthough the events of June 27, 1844, were tragic, we are provided comfort as we realize that Joseph Smith’s martyrdom was not the last chapter in this account. Although those who sought to take his life felt that the Church would collapse without him, his powerful testimony of truth, the teachings he translated, and his declaration of the Savior’s message go on today in the hearts of…members throughout the world, who proclaim him a prophet of God. The testimony of the Prophet Joseph continues to change lives.
- President Thomas S. Monson, The Prophet Joseph Smith: Teacher by Example
President Nelson Opening Remarks | General Conference April 2020
Inspiring Short: A Rich Collection on the Prophet Joseph Smith
Ministry of Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet: The Book of Mormon
Ministry of the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith: Restoration of the Priesthood
What do we learn about testimony from the lives and teachings of the prophets of God? We learn that a testimony is very personal…We are familiar with the vision received by the Prophet Joseph Smith and how he obtained his testimony of God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ...Joseph Smith sealed his testimony with his own blood. The Prophet’s martyrdom was a voluntary acceptance of death to seal the testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants and to bear holy witness of Jesus Christ and his gospel in this dispensation.
- Robert D. Hales, The Importance of Receiving a Personal Testimony
Testimony of the Book of Mormon
Joseph and Hyrum Give Their Lives for the Gospel
Why Was Hyrum Faithful to His Witness of the Book of Mormon? (Knowhy #614)
We are a covenant-making people. We make covenants at the waters of baptism. We renew those covenants each week as we worthily partake of the sacrament. We take upon ourselves the name of Christ; we promise to always remember Him and to keep His commandments. And in return He promises us that His Spirit will always be with us. We make covenants as we enter into the temple, and in return we receive the promised blessings of eternal life—if we keep those sacred covenants. Covenants with God are not to be taken lightly.
- Sheldon F. Child, As Good As Our Bond
Inspiring Short: These Noble Pioneers | Gordon B. Hinckley
The Blessings of Making Covenants
The word pioneer is both a noun and a verb. As a noun it can mean a person who is among the first to explore or settle a new territory. As a verb, it can mean to open or prepare the way for others to follow… Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the ultimate pioneer in preparing the way. Indeed, He is “the way” for the plan of salvation to be accomplished so that we can repent and, through faith in Him, return to our Heavenly Father...[He] has opened the way for us to return to Him by following His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, with faith in every footstep.
- M. Russell Ballard, Follow Jesus Christ with Footsteps of Faith
He Lives–Celebrate Jesus Christ's Resurrection
When we have the sincere desire to put our lives in harmony with the will of the Lord, He will always be ready to help ease our burdens…The Lord’s invitation to each of us is “come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Jesus Christ has the power to give us rest from our pain and suffering… If we daily exercise faith, meekness, charity, and lowliness in heart, confessing that Jesus is the Christ, and accepting His Atonement, we will be blessed with the strength and hope to face and overcome the trials and pains of this life.
- Adhemar Damiani, Be of Good Cheer and Faithful in Adversity
Our family loves the Come, Follow Me program! We have organized the weekly lessons from the Come, Follow Me lesson manual into six lessons per week that work for our young and growing children.
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