Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-12-22
THE PROPHET JOSEPH.

December %, is the lolst anniversary
OF tho birth OF the Prophet Joseph. In
sharon, windsor CO.. In the state OF
Vermont. The event Is well worthy OF
notice, FOR no man Of the last century
has exercised more lasting influence
upon the religious world, than this
sMormon" Prophet, whose name now is
known almost in every part of the
globe.
In considering, briefly, the remark
able history of this chosen instrument
OF the Almighty, it may be convenl-
ent to regard some OF the most promi-
nent events as marking so many DIFF
ferent periods or stages Of develop
ment, IN his earthly career. We may
look upon the first iifteen years, from
the Prophets birth until the day when
no had the glorious vision Of the Faith
or aud the Son, as one Of preparation
for the great mission he had come 10
perform The ten years following ul-
III the organization OF thc Church IN
1890 was one OF trials and probation
and the laying OF the hrst foundations
for a work destined TO remain through
out all eternity. The following "a years
until the martyrdom in 1851 was
period Of lncessant labor and constant
warfare with the powers Of darkness,
ending In the victory In which martyrs
IN all ages have gloried. We can only
briefly touch upon some OF the main
features OF each of these three periods
The Prophets life as child IN
sharon, Palmyra, and Manchester was
not different from that OF other chill
dren in similar humble circumstances
His parents were not wealthy, but they
were enterprisIng and trusted because
honest and God-fearing. The Prophet
did not have the advantageous dis
adyantages--of college educatoni nut
his eyes and heart were opened to the
teachings OF nature. He had listened
10 the voice OF God in the rustling OF
the wind IN the forests, In the sweet
babblIng OF the brooks, or the over
whelmlng majesty OF hills and noun
tains. BY meditations and communion
with God In nature, augmented by the
teachings OF pious parents, the young
boy was prepared for the future work
os his life. The result was, that when
be heard the voices OF different sects'
he hesitated, lie knew not the strange
sounds. but he went into one Of the
sacred chambers OF the forest and
there poured out his soul In prayer and
duplication for wisdom. II was In
answer to this prayer that he received
the most glorious vision ever voueh-
safed to mortal man. He saw the
Father and the Son, and received an
intImatlon OF the work before him. pro-
vlded he would be faithful and loyal to
his God.
II should be remarked here, that
the early education OF the Prophet
Joseph makes the assumption that ne
was the originator Of the Book OF
Mormon impossible of acceptance
That volume has received strong cor
roboration from scientific research.
Its history appears more probable to-
day than II did when It was published,
owing to the greater light spread over
the past of these continents. by yari-
Gus explorers and students Of arche-
ology. The proper names OF the book
can, many Of them. be traced to Sc
mitic origin, and that itself Is proof
sufficient that It did not evolve
in the brain Of an lllterate boy The
Prophet Joseph knew no foreign tom
CUES at the time he was called to give
this volume to the world The lam
guage reveals In many Instances the
imperfectlons Of tho human lnstru-
ment thro Ugh which Il pleased the
Almighty TO again bring the records
10 the light just as the language Of
the New Testament reveals the ma
tlonalty, training, and other peculiari-
ties OF the inspired writer's, but there
IS no other reasonable way of account
ing for the coming forth Of the Book
of Mormon than that which ascrlbes II
to divine agencies. That is the I'M
mistakeble lesson Of the childhood and
education OF the Prophet Joseph.
The second period Of the Prophets
lie commences with q short time OF
temptations, drrlng which he says he
"fe,l into many foolish errors" But
on tho glst OF September, 1923. at
night, the Angel Moronl appeared to
him repeatedly, IN answer TO earnest
suppllcatiors TO God for forgiveness
for sins and follies, and for a mani
festation OF the divine presence. In
answer TO these prayers the Ange
appeared, and told him OF the exis.
tence OF ancient records, and the place
where they were deposited were
shown him In a vision. The heavenly
visitor instructed him on many doc
trlnes ana opened his mind so that he
could discern the future judgments
that were % come upon the world
In this way desire was kindled II
his soul TO dedicate himself to tn,
work OF salvation. II is vivid com
prehenslon Of what is to come, tina
inspires the true missionary TO zeal
Without the prophetic spirit, there &
no effective missionary work
The angel appeared again the fol
4 Lowing day and admonshed the younl
( Seer TO communicate what he ha,
seen and heard 10 his father Thi
4 no did and thus obtained what h
80 much needed. faithful oonhdan
and supporter.