How did you gain your testimony of Joseph Smith?

This was the question posed to our Sunday School class yesterday.

As I was pondering this question, I realized that the media has had a pivitol role in my testimony.

The first time I remember really KNOWING, was when I was asked to play a piano number for sacrament meeting. I was around 11 years old. I chose an arrangement of one of my favorite hymns, Praise to the Man. I remember as I was playing during sacrament meeting, I was thinking the lyrics in my mind. And it hit me: I really did believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet.

Time two: I was a Beehive, and the film Legacy came out at the Joseph Smith Memorial building. As I watched, the Spirit witnessed to me that Joseph was a prophet and that he DID see God. I couldn't stop crying as this thought resonated through me.

Time three: At age 18, I was reading the Work and the Glory. A fictional book, I know, but it really captured me. I thought a lot about Joseph Smith and his story, and how fantastical it must sound to those who hear it for the first time. I went back and read Joseph's own account of the First Vision. And again, I realized that I believed, no matter how fantastical it sounds.



I do believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that HE did see God the Father and Jesus Christ. He went through so much to help restore the gospel on the earth, and I can't wait to meet him someday. The Spirit can and does speak to us through the media and I am so grateful for these early experiences that helped cement my testimony of this prophet of the Lord.