Joseph Smith

I am so grateful for my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I love the gospel. I love the Book of Mormon. I know that I am a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father and that I can return to him again one day and be with my family for eternity.

I also know that I wouldn't have this knowledge without the sacrifices that Joseph Smith made in order to help restore the church on the earth again. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know that he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know he was an amazing, faithful, and honorable man who gave his life to the Lord. I'm so grateful for him and for the sacrifices that all the early saints made.

Today we went to Carthage Jail where Joseph Smith was martyred. On the drive from Nauvoo to Carthage we listened to the beautiful hymns, "Praise to the Man," "Joseph Smith's First Prayer," and "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief," sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It was a beautiful and touching drive. As we sat in the room where Joseph was martyred and listened to the tape they play of the last minutes before the mob attacked them, you are able to feel the spirit so strongly. There is no denying that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and an amazing man. I know with all my heart that this gospel is true.