time of the pilgrims. They came seeking civil and

religious freedom and to build a better

life for their children.

The story I tell begins two days before Christmas, 1805.

While living in Sharon, Vermont, our family was

blessed with a son.

We called him Joseph, after the name of his father.

Supper's ready!

It is thought by some that I shall tell many remarkable

incidents which attended Joseph's childhood, but

nothing occurred during his early life except those

trivial circumstances which are common to that state of

human existence.

My husband farmed in the summer and taught school in

the winter.

We worked hard, and raised our children to fear God.

Let's see.

Thank you, Catherine.

Yesterday we were reading in the gospel of--

Our family consisted of nine children.

Alvin was the oldest and a hero in Joseph's eyes, as was

Hyrum, our second oldest. They, in turn, saw something

special in their younger brother.

We all did.

God gives us power over temptation, but we are weak in

the face of it.

All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Therefore, we must repent and be baptized.

It is the only path to His kingdom.

Mr. Smith, a word please.

You seem to be a God-fearing man, but I don't see you with

your family in my congregation

It seems that preacher nowadays teaches folks to fear

God too much, and trust in Him too little.

You're a difficult man, Mr. Smith.

I don't mean to be.

I'm just concerned for your salvation.

Alvin, have you ever wondered what we

need to do to be saved?

You worry too much, little brother.

But I need to know.

Well, you remember that sea shell you

found at Uncle Jesse's?

Yeah.

Well, some small creature made that shell, Joseph.

Layer by layer until they finally outgrew it.

Maybe God intends for us to outgrow ourselves too.

I just--

I can't believe he'd only want to save a few of us.

If you embrace false doctrine, you can expect coldness and

darkness all your life.

The Bible teaches that there is only one way

to salvation, Joseph.

Study the word of God, and you will know the

truth of what I say.

With his mind considerably troubled, Joseph continued his

search for answers, a search that would have been difficult

even for those much older than he, who had the benefit of an

education he never had.

I was one day reading the Epistle of James.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God." The words

came with great force into my heart.

I reflected upon them again and again.

At length, I came to the conclusion that I must do as

James directs, that is, ask of God.

It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day early in

the spring of 1820.

I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my

heart to God.

I was seized upon by some power, an actual being from

the unseen world.

Exerting all my strength to call upon God, I

saw a pillar of light.

When the light rested upon me, I saw two personages.

One of them spake unto me.

Joseph, this is my beloved son, hear him.

I am Jesus Christ.

I saw God the Father, and his son Jesus Christ. They did, in

reality, speak to me.

I knew it.

And I knew that God knew it.

And I could not deny it.

I was told in the vision to join none of the churches, but

that the gospel in its fullness

was about to be restored.

I'm grateful for your help, Joseph, but you

must know how I feel.

There are no such things as visions and revelations in

these days.

All of that ceased with the apostles and there will never

be any more of it.

Don't speak of it further.

It will only bring you grief.

Hey, Joseph!

You seen any visions lately?

[LAUGHTER]

Mind your own business, Smith.

Worry about your brother.

In September 1823, as he again opened his heart to God,

Joseph was visited by a heavenly messenger.

Joseph, I am your fellow servant.

Moses truly--

He said his name was Moroni and that God had a

work for me to do.

He told me of an ancient record written upon gold

plates, giving an account of the former

inhabitants of this continent.

The writing on the gold plates was unknown to me.

I was told the plates contained a fullness of the

gospel of Jesus Christ.

Joseph was given knowledge of an appearance that Jesus

Christ himself made after the Resurrection to the people of

ancient America.

During this visit, Jesus invited the people to feel the

wound marks in his hands, feet, and his side.

He called twelve apostles to teach his gospel

and performed miracles.

Joseph could describe this as though he had spent his whole

life with them.

I think that we presented the most particular aspect of any

family that ever lived upon the earth.

All of us giving the most profound attention to a boy,

17 years of age, who had never read the Bible

through in his life.

In time, Joseph would be given the knowledge to translate the

record which had been revealed to him.

Until then, he was instructed to wait and prepare.

That preparation would include more challenges to

his trust in God.

I'm sorry.

I've done everything I know how to do.

Our beloved oldest son and Joseph's hero on earth.

Joseph, if Alvin dies without being baptized, He will never

see heaven.

I wish I could say otherwise.

Joseph, I'm sorry, I truly am sorry.

You're the oldest now.

Joseph.

Do everything you can to obtain the record.

Everything.

God has given travail to the sons of man.

For dust we are, and unto dust shall we return.

Perhaps God is trying to warn you, Joseph.

Alvin is lost, but there is still hope for you.

Forget these foolish notions.

But it was Alvin's words have were in Joseph's mind, I can't

believe God would want to save just a few of us.

As Joseph grew to manhood, he continued to ponder all that

had happened and to wonder about all he had been promised

was yet to come.

The same tomorrow, boys.

It was during this time he became acquainted with a young

woman named Emma Hale.

As so often happened, rumors preceded Joseph.

Father has heard some stories.

Well, what if I told you that they were true?

He told her of all that had happened.

She would have to decide for herself.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.

That's what I did.

You win.

There's something I want to show you.

I've thought a great deal about what you told me.

And?

I believe you.

Although her parents did not approve, Joseph and Emma were

married the following year.

For four years, Joseph returned each September to the

hiding place of the sacred record.

Each time, he received further knowledge until, at length, he

was given permission to begin the long promised translation.

You married a dreamer, Emma.

Translate.

You normally read and write.

Until he gives up these foolish ideas, he is no longer

welcome in this house.

He'll change his mind after the baby comes.

They named their first child Alvin, after Joseph's beloved

older brother.

He lived only a few hours.

During their 17 years together, they

would see many sorrows.

The Lord called Joseph in his weakness, but He qualified him

for His work.

The translation continued.

Others joined Joseph in this great undertaking.

All men must repent and be baptized in His name.

One such was Oliver Caldery.

How are we to be baptized?

I don't know.

In May 1829, Joseph and Oliver inquired of the Lord.

A messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light.

He said he was John the Baptist, the same who has

baptized Jesus Christ. He laid his hands upon their heads and

gave Joseph and Oliver the authority to baptize.

Later, Peter, James and John, three of Christ's original

apostles, restored the same authority they were given

anciently by Jesus Christ, so that man could once again act

in all things for the salvation of his children.

The work of translation finished, and Joseph returned

the plates to the angel Moroni.

The ancient record was published as the Book of

Mormon, another witness of Jesus Christ.

I have been asked many times if the Book of Mormon is true.

The scriptures say, prove all things.

Read it and ask God.

And when you shall receive these things, I would exhort

you that ye would ask God, the eternal father, in the name of

Christ, if these things are not true.

And if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real

intent, having faith in Christ, He will manifest the

truth of it unto to you by the power of the Holy Ghost. And

by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth

all things.

Is this book meant to replace the Bible?

Nothing can replace the Bible, Father.

This is another witness of the glory of Christ.

My husband was baptized by immersion on April 6, 1830,

the day the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

was organized.

When he came up out of the water, Joseph exclaimed,

"Praise to my God that I have lived to see my own father

baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ. " With Christ's

priesthood authority, the same church that Jesus Christ

established anciently was restored to the earth.

That we proceed and organize ourselves as a church

according to the commandments of God.

All those who are in favor, please so indicate.

Oh, God, the eternal Father, we ask--

Are you still determined to organize this church of yours?

The Lord has commanded it, but it is not my

church, it is His.

It is the Church of Jesus Christ.

I kept my promise, Alvin.

Mr. Smith, forgive the intrusion but I wonder, could

you tell me more about that book?

Yes, yes I could.

I do not believe in your religion, Mr. Smith, but I do

thank you for your kindness.

You might say that is our religion, ma'am.

I've never been thrown by anyone, so I'll just apologize

now, brother Joseph.

Sometimes the Lord brings us low before

he can lift us higher.

Have you begun?

[APPLAUSE]

Brothers and sisters, be not weary in well doing, for when

we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are only in

the service of our God.

We do not ask people to give up any good that they have, we