The Return of the Prophet Joseph Smith

The Return of the Prophet Joseph Smith - "I come again to lead you forth"

The last admonition of Joseph the Prophet to the Nauvoo Legion, before leaving for the Carthage Jail where he was murdered: "You will be called the first Elders of the Church, and your missions will be to the nations of the earth. You will gather many people into the vastnesses of the Rocky Mountains as a center for the gathering of the people, and you will be faithful because you have been true; and many of those that come under your ministry, because of their much learning, will seek for high positions, and they will raise themselves in eminence above you, but you will walk in low places unnoticed and you will know all that transpires in their midst, and those that are my friends will be your friends. This I will promise you, that when I come again to lead you forth, for I will go to prepare a place for you, so that where I am you shall be with me."

The following scriptures and prophecies, referring to the one mighty and strong, are intended to help give the reader an idea of what type of person Joseph Smith is, to consider the picture that has been created .

(D&C Sec. 85, Verse 7) "And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth will utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God..."

It is clear that this setting in order refers to the state of the LDS church in the last days. The 43rd section of the Doctrine and Covenants assures us that the keys to the church reside with the LDS Church leaders (Verses 2-7). Verse 4 states that the power to appoint the leader of the church will not be taken from the church, whether or not those leaders are faithful to their calling. Verse 7 states, "...he that is ordained of me shall come in at the gate and be ordained as I have told you before..." Joseph Smith foresaw that the time would come when many would be claiming the keys of priesthood authority, which is now. He stated he would give a sure key so you wouldn't be deceived of where the keys would be , that those keys would be where the main body of the church was; where the church records and the history of the church were kept is where the keys would be. This is important to note in a time when many break-off groups from the LDS Church are falsely claiming priesthood authority; the arrival of the one mighty and strong is promoted with erroneous pretense by many of those groups.

The return of Joseph Smith is indisputable. The issues of where he will be, who he is, and when he will be here breeds more deceptions, more false conclusions, more false prophets, more erroneous assumptions than any foretold event in the last days, among those that identify themselves with the Mormon faith. The resulting confusion has produced such a clouded state of thinking and erroneous expectations, that it is likely the emergence of the one mighty and strong will be rejected by the majority of those who look for him. The following scripture reference provides a clear outline for those seeking to endure to the end and be saved:

"But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of the devils." (D&C 46:7)

For those that would react to the preceding scripture nonchalantly or with ambivalence, or if you simply thought "I am not among those deceived, it is not a major concern for me", it is you for which it is intended the most. We, as Joseph Smith himself said he himself did, are all commanded to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, as in Mormon, 9:27:

"O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your salvation with fear and trembling before him."

Mormon Doctrine and Covenants Section 124, verse 12 states the importance of finding the truth:
“For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait of men, whereby, they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not
where to find it.”

(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith p. 237) ADDRESS OF THE PROPHET TO THE RELIEF SOCIETY: President Joseph Smith read the 14th chapter of Ezekiel - said the Lord had declared by the Prophet, that the people should each one stand for himself, and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption in the Jewish church -that righteous persons could only deliver their own souls - applied it to the present state of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - said if the people departed from the Lord, they must fall - that they were depending on the Prophet, hence were darkened in their minds, in consequence of neglecting the duties devolving on themselves, envious towards the innocent, while they afflict the virtuous with their shafts of envy."

Only those with a strong testimony of the Savior, who are guided by the holy spirit will be able to stand. The following scriptures will clear up some of the confusion on the role that Joseph Smith plays in these last days. Many are looking for an appearance of a man to prove to them that he is the one mighty and strong spoken of in the 85th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, which promises the one mighty and strong will be sent to set in order house of God.

Prophecy of Heber C. Kimball: Before that day comes , however, the Saints will be put to a test that will try the integrity of the best of them. The pressure will become so great that the more righteous among them will cry unto the Lord day and night until deliverance comes. Then the Prophet Joseph and others will make their appearance and those who have remained faithful will be selected to return to Jackson County, Missouri and take part in the upbuilding of that beautiful city, the New Jerusalem."

D&C 103:Verse 15: Behold, I say unto you, the redemption of Zion must needs come by power;

16. "Therefore, I will raise up unto my people a man, who shall lead them like as Moses led the children of Israel.

"For ye are the children of Israel, and of the seed of Abraham, and must needs be led out of bondage by power, and with a stretched forth arm.

"And as your fathers were led at first, even so shall the redemption of Zion be.

Which people do these previous two verses refer to? Here the Lord is referring to those people who are to redeem Zion. Again, much confusion exists as to who these people are. In the dedicatory prayer (D&C Section 109:60) of the Kirtland Temple, the Prophet Joseph made the Gentile identification clear when he referred to "the revelations and commandments which thou (the Lord) hast given us who are identified with the Gentiles." 3rd Nephi, 21: 22-23 tells us it is primarily Lamanite people, along with those remaining Gentiles who have repented.:

D&C 103, Verse 21: Verily, verily I say unto you, that my servant Baurak Ale (Joseph Smith Jun.) is the man to whom I likened the to whom the Lord of the vineyard spake in the parable which I have given you. "

Verse 35: "Therefore as I said unto you, ask and ye shall receive; pray earnestly that peradventure my servant Baurak Ale (Joseph Smith Jun.) may go with you, and preside in the midst of my people, and organize my kingdom upon the consecrated land, and establish the children of Zion upon the laws and commandments which have been and which shall be given unto you.

"All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith."

2 Nephi, 3:6 "For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins.

"Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I give commandment that he will do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers.

"And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him. And I will make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work."

This scripture clearly refers to a man who has to put his efforts towards the converting of the House of Israel Lamanite people. Here the specific commandment given to Joseph Smith is that when he returns he is given a commandment that he has a most specific duty to do a work for the Lamanites, and "he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him." For those looking to identify the man Joseph Smith, they can be assured the efforts and life's mission of Joseph Smith have been focused on the Lamanite people as well as the Gentiles.

Verse 11: "But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of my loins- and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them.

These are the promises given to Joseph of Egypt, that one day a man will be raised up from his descendants who will one day convince the House of Israel of the truthfulness of the Gospel. A chief calling of Joseph Smith is to convince the Lamanites of the Book of Mormon which has already gone forth among them.

3 Nephi, 20:43 "Behold, my servant shall deal prudently; he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.

(It is suggested that the reader research all possible meanings of the word "prudently" as defined in a scriptural sense. In the standard dictionary, "prudently" is defined by several synonymous adverbs: wisely, judiciously, discreetly and sagaciously, or, in a circumspect manner). Joseph Smith is a man with a work to complete with the Lamanites, and he will "deal prudently" as he performs this work.

3 Nephi, 20:44 "As many were astonished at thee - his visage was so marred, more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men-

This describes a man that, when his identity becomes known, will cause many to be astonished; his appearance will confound expectations, a man so marred he will not be easily identified as Joseph Smith, but rather a humble and simple man subjected to the ailments of a mortal body. The need for this servant to be healed is obvious and promised in the next verse:

3 Nephi, 21:10 "But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil."

3 Nephi, 21:9 "For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it."

"Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thrash the nations by the power of my spirit; and their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler; and I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them." (D&C 35:12-14)

Romans 11:25-27

"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.

"And then all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob;

"For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Who shall be cast off?

(Romans 11:1) "I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

"God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Know ye not what the scriptures saith of Elias? how he maketh complaint to God against Israel, saying,

"Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

"But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

"Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Verse 7: "What then? Israel hath not obtained that which they seek for: but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded."

Verse 11: "I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid; but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy."

Paul speaks of the parable of the vineyard earlier in this same chapter and warns the grafted in Gentiles to not boast against the natural branches, His covenant people:

(Romans 11:13-24) "For I speak unto you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.

"If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

"For if the casting away of them is is the reconciling of the world, what shall the restoring of them be, but life from the dead?

"For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

"And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wast grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

"Boast not against the branches, for thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

"For if thou boast, thou wilt say, The branches were broken off, that we might be grafted in.

"Well; because of unbelief they were were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear.

"For if God spare not the natural branches, take heed lest he also not spare thee.

"Behold, therefore the Goodness and severity of God; on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness; otherwise thou shall be cut off also."

Isaiah, 11:1 "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

(Verse 10) "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand as an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious."

D & C Section 113:

"Who is the stem of Jesse, spoken of in the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th and 5th verses of the 11th Chapter of Isaiah?

Verily thus saith the Lord: It is Christ.

"What is the rod spoken of in the first verse of the 11th Chapter of Isaiah, that should come of the Stem of Jesse?

"Behold, thus saith the Lord: It is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendent of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the House of Joseph, on whom is laid much power.

"What is the root of Jesse spoken of in the 10th verse of the 11th chapter?

"Behold, thus saith the Lord, it is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days."

D & C Section 113, 7-10 "...What is meant by the command in Isaiah, 52nd chapter, 1st verse, which saith: Put on thy strength, O Zion - and what people had Isaiah reference to?

"He had reference to those whom God should call in the last days, who should hold the power of the priesthood to bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel; and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood, which she, Zion, has a right to by lineage; also to return to that power which she had lost.

"What are we to understand by Zion loosing herself from the bands of her neck; 2nd verse?

"We are to understand that the scattered remnants (the house of Israel) are exhorted to return to the Lord from whence they have fallen; which if they do, the promise of the Lord is that he will speak to them, or give them revelation."

"Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion."

2 Nephi, 3:4-18 (Lehi to his son Joseph) "For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins, and I am a descendant of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt. And great were the covenants of the Lord which he made unto Joseph.

"Wherefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would rise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light - yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom.

"For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins.

"And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him. And I will make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work."

"And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.

"And Moses will I raise up, to deliver thy people out of the land of Egypt.

"But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of my loins- and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them.

"Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which is written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord."

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