Among many of Joseph's teachings, he taught the elders not to "whip the sects", or in other words, persecute and prove wrong other religions. Joseph continues his counsel to invite all men to bring the good they have so that they can have more added thereto.
There is a small account I found interesting. Joseph discovered some men preaching and practicing plural marriage. Joseph put a stop to it and said he was the only one who held the keys pertaining to this practice and nobody was to do it without divine sanction.
As I have read books about the spirit world and life after death, many people have quoted Joseph Smith. I discovered his entire discourse in this volume on pages 50-52. Joseph encourages the saints to learn all they can on the subject, and then expounds the doctrine that has been revealed.
This book also tells of Joseph Smith's bid as a candidate for President of the United States. Based on some comments he made, he actually didn't want this office, but if nobody else was going to honorably serve the country without regard to any party or belief, then Joseph felt it was his duty to do so. He also gives an excellent discourse on the powers and policy of government, which I thought was right on the mark.
I also enjoyed an excellent sermon by him detailing the differences in the missions of Elias and Elijah. It was very interesting to read about how these offices have been used, and how they are being used today. This sermon is essential reading to understand this topic.
This volume also contains the famous sermon, the King Follet's discourse. I have read this before and it is cited a lot, but now I got to read it from its original source. Here, again, Joseph teaches and expounds on some wonderful doctrines. The book contains so many of Joseph Smith's sermons that I really enjoyed. Another neat doctrine he taught is that the land of Zion consists of all of North and South America.
Sadly, the book eventually ended with the martyrdom. Through this volume we read of traitors, apostates, and hypocrites who told the blackest lies and falsehoods. Joseph Smith and the saints tried to be as transparent as possible with the government of Illinois in all their proceedings. Joseph told the governor several times that if the supreme court of the state found him guilty in anything, then he was willing to abide by the law and pay any damages.
But the governor never gave the prophet the opportunity to be legally tried by the supreme court. The governor, instead, broke his promises to the prophet again and again. He accused Joseph of acting beyond his office as mayor, only to turn around and act beyond his office of governor. There seems to be a strong hint that Governor Ford wanted Joseph dead almost as much as the mob did. No wonder that Gordon B. Hinckley called Governor Ford a wicked man.
However, Joseph knew his lot. Hyrum perhaps didn't, though Joseph tried to warn him. In fact, Hyrum had been ordained by Joseph to take the lead of the Church, but Hyrum died before Joseph did. The shocking brutality of the Carthage massacre happened so quickly. My eyes were wet as I pictured being in the jail with Willard Richards and witnessing the horrific events. But in the words of W. W. Phelps, "death cannot conquer the hero again." Joseph Smith left a legacy which cannot be erased by bullets, and at the conclusion of reading about his life, I am led to exclaim that he is indeed a prophet and will be recognized as such by all men one day. I am thankful for him, his dedication and humility.
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