Overview of the Work of the Prophet Joseph Smith

On June 27th of 1844, the Prophet Joseph Smith and his older brother, Hyrum, were martyred in Carthage Jail, Carthage, Illinois.

John Taylor, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and third Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was with the Prophet Joseph at the time of his martyrdom.

In his eulogy of the Prophet Joseph Smith—which has since been added to the Doctrine and Covenants (section 135)—John Taylor said:

In his eulogy of the Prophet Joseph Smith—which has since been added to the Doctrine and Covenants (section 135)—John Taylor said: “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.” (D&C 135:3; emphasis added)

How can John Taylor be justified in making such a claim?

To answer this question, we must review the foreordained work Joseph Smith fulfilled in “the great plan of the Eternal God.” (Alma 34:9)

Moses asked God by whom He created the earth and for what purpose it was created (Moses 1:30). God answered: “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39)

From the revelations given Joseph Smith, God has revealed to mankind the following essential truths–

From the revelations given Joseph Smith, God has revealed to mankind the following essential truths– Man is a dual being with a spirit born of Heavenly Parents and physical body born of mortal parents.

From the revelations given Joseph Smith, God has revealed to mankind the following essential truths– Man is a dual being with a spirit born of Heavenly Parents and physical body born of mortal parents. Our Heavenly Parents—Heavenly Father and Mother—are working an eternal plan by which all of their spirit offspring may become equal with them as gods and goddesses (D&C 76:58, 94; 88:107; 131:1-4; 132:4-12, 19-25)

From the revelations given Joseph Smith, God has revealed to mankind the following essential truths– Man is a dual being with a spirit born of Heavenly Parents and physical body born of mortal parents. Our Heavenly Parents—Heavenly Father and Mother—are working an eternal plan by which all of their spirit offspring may become equal with them as gods and goddesses (D&C 76:58, 94; 88:107; 131:1-4; 132:4-12, 19-25) This plan is called “the gospel” (D&C 76:40-44, 69 the “everlasting gospel” entered into by “an everlasting covenant” (D&C 101:39-40)

Mankind has always existed, but not in the same form as he/she is now (D&C 93:21-30: Abr. 3:18).

Mankind has always existed, but not in the same form as he/she is now (D&C 93:21-30: Abr. 3:18). According to “the great plan of the Eternal God” (Alma 34:9), mankind is “evolving” is passing through a various stages of existence to acquire a glory in which they will live forever (Abraham 3:21-26).

Mankind has always existed, but not in the same form as he/she is now (D&C 93:21-30: Abr. 3:18). According to “the great plan of the Eternal God” (Alma 34:9), mankind is “evolving” is passing through a various stages of existence to acquire a glory in which they will live forever (Abraham 3:21-26). There is the first estate, the premortal existence where we grew and developed as spirit children of our Heavenly Parents (Abraham 3:21-23; Alma 13:3-5)

Mankind has always existed, but not in the same form as he/she is now (D&C 93:21-30: Abr. 3:18). According to “the great plan of the Eternal God” (Alma 34:9), mankind is “evolving” is passing through a various stages of existence to acquire a glory in which they will live forever (Abraham 3:21-26). There is the first estate, the premortal existence where we grew and developed as spirit children of our Heavenly Parents (Abraham 3:21-23; Alma 13:3-5) The second estate consists of the earth during its “seven thousand years of its continuance, or its temporal existence (D&C 77:6)

The second estate consists of life in the mortal, fallen world; upon death—which is the separation of spirit and body—life in the spirit realm; and for those desiring to become like our Heavenly Parents—gods and goddesses—resurrection, and life with Jesus Christ during His millennial reign.

The second estate consists of life in the mortal, fallen world; upon death—which is the separation of spirit and body—life in the spirit realm; and for those desiring to become like our Heavenly Parents—gods and goddesses—resurrection, and life with Jesus Christ during His millennial reign. The third estate consists of immortality within various resurrected realms of existence made possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ: celestial, terrestrial, and telestial glories or kingdoms (D&C 76 and 88).

The second estate consists of life in the mortal, fallen world; upon death—which is the separation of spirit and body—life in the spirit realm; and for those desiring to become like our Heavenly Parents—gods and goddesses—resurrection, and life with Jesus Christ during His millennial reign. The third estate consists of immortality within various resurrected realms of existence made possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ: celestial, terrestrial, and telestial glories or kingdoms (D&C 76 and 88). The celestial has three different “heavens or degrees” (D&C 131:1). Exaltation in the celestial glory limited to those who have acquired godhood.

To qualify for the celestial glory one must be able to abide the presence of God the Father through the process of spiritual rebirth brought about through the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel.

To qualify for the celestial glory one must be able to abide the presence of God the Father through the process of spiritual rebirth brought about through the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel.

To acquire the highest degree within the celestial resurrection, one must enter into temple ordinances of washing and anointing (to become a king and priest, queen and priestess; i.e. god and goddess), the endowment (where the role of marriage in the eternal plan is exemplified and covenants of sacrifice, obedience, and consecration are made), the sealing or adoption(being made an heir to God’s eternal kingdom), and the sealing of a man and woman in eternal marriage (an eternal relationship with our Heavenly Parents in which we join with them in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of spirit offspring—see D&C 132:19-24). These ordinances open the gate to godhood.

Further, it is required that all who would have godhood must join together in a community called Zion. Indeed, the end product of the second estate is the perfection of Zion—the family of God (Moses 7:64).

Both the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants teach that as a result Adam and Eve’s transgression, a physical and spiritual death came upon all mankind (Alma 42:7-9; Helaman 14:15-16; emphasis added). Spiritaul death is banishment from the presence of God—which means mankind has lost their standing in the Royal Family of Heavenly Father and Mother.