Joseph Smith: "A Choice Seer" | Neal A. Maxwell, Mar 1986

Elder Neal A. Maxwell helps answer the question: "Who is Joseph Smith?" as he bears powerful testimony of the choice seer Joseph Smith and his role in revealing essential truth about our Savior Jesus Christ.
This devotional was given on March 30, 1986.
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© Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
I am aware that my wise and gentle friend Elder David B. Haight spoke about the Prophet Joseph a month ago. Please bear with me, therefore, as I seek to place the spotlight on the Seer in yet a different way on this Easter Sunday, during which our rejoicing is made more resplendent by the revelations and translations concerning Jesus that came to us through Joseph.
My appreciation is expressed to President Jeffrey Holland, Dean Robert Matthews, Professors Hugh Nibley, Jack Welch, Truman Madsen, Richard Anderson, Dean Jessee, and others for sharing knowledge with me that has been so helpful. These men do their part to slow the process of my becoming intellectually arthritic.
The Prophet Joseph Smith
Whenever we talk about the Prophet Joseph Smith, it is important to remember what he said of himself: “I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught” (Teachings, p. 368). He was a good man, but he was called by a perfect Lord, Jesus of Nazareth! Joseph received his first counsel from God the Father, “This is My Beloved Son.Hear Him!” (JS-H 1:17). Joseph Smith listened carefully to Jesus then and ever after.
Ages ago in the Great Council, Jesus was the prepared but meek volunteer. As the Father described the plan of salvation and the need for a Savior, it was Jesus who stepped forward and said humbly but courageously, “Here am I, send me” (Abraham 3:27; see also Moses 4:2). Never has anyone offered to do so much for so many with so few words!
It is through the Prophet Joseph Smith, whom the resurrected Jesus called, that we learn these things, and so much more, about Jesus-long before Bethlehem and well beyond Calvary. Whenever we speak of the Prophet Joseph Smith, therefore, it should be in reverent appreciation of the Lord who called him and whom Joseph served so well.
From Joseph Smith, one unlearned and untrained in theology, more printed pages of scripture have come down to us than from any other mortal-in fact, as President Holland has pointed out, more than the combined pages, as available at present, from Moses, Paul, Luke, and Mormon.
But it is not only a matter of impressive quantity, it is also a qualitative matter, since dazzling doctrines came through the Prophet, including key doctrines previously lost from the face of the earth, a loss that caused people to “stumble exceedingly” (1 Nephi 13:34). “Plain and precious” things, because of faulty transmission, were “kept back” or “taken away” (see 1 Nephi 13:34, 39-40), and thus do not appear in our treasured Holy Bible.
What came through Joseph Smith was beyond Joseph Smith, and it stretched him! In fact, the doctrines that came through that “choice seer” (2 Nephi 3:6-7) by translation or revelation, are often so light-intensive that, like radioactive materials, they must be handled with great care!
By the way, it appears that in the process of translating the Book of Mormon in the spring of 1829, Joseph was moving along at the rate of seven to ten current printed pages a day. This is but one illustration of how blessed that “choice seer” was. Although Joseph could translate the words of the Book of Mormon, “The learned shall not read them, for they have rejected them” refers to a mind-set that is with us to this day, belonging to more than Professor Anthon (see 2 Nephi 27:20 and JS-H 1:64-65). In contrast, among an increasing number of mortals, Joseph is, as foreseen, “esteemed highly” (2 Nephi 3:7).
Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be. [D&C 93:29]
What a stunning parting of the curtains so that man could have a correct view of himself! The silence of centuries was officially broken. As the morning of the Restoration began to break, the shadows of false doctrines began to flee. Man’s view of himself could become clearer, unimpeded by the overhanging of “original sin.” We are accountable to a just God for our actual and individual sins-not for Adam’s original transgression...

[@johnpatteson8271]

I have recently rediscovered Elder Maxwell. What a strong and compassionate speaker. This is among the best talks on the Prophet Joseph Smith. I have herd. Learned a lot I did not previously known. Thank you.

[@janineadams9556]

I agree

[@judithrasmussem2922]

How I miss this profound, deeply spiritual and intellectual man, and his inspiring and thought provoking words. What a blessing to have his talks available and at our fingertips to review and remember.

[@craigpayne3881]

I love hearing this great Apostle of Jesus Christ. His witnesses and teachings remind me of St Paul: intelligent, poetic and powerful witness.

[@six1nyne]

Wow, what a sermon. Im greatful to be born into this covenant and to honor it the best I can each and every day.

[@WildUtahEdibles]

“I never told you I was a perfect man but there are no errors in the revelations I taught you.” Love that right there! We have rejected so much that he revealed. :(

[@timmccaskill7340]

This is pure truth!

[@smuir6104]

The Lord Jesus! How great can he be? I thank him for sending Joseph Smith, and I thank Christ for all He did!

[@jonnyb9586]

Neal A. Maxwell will forever be a treasure in the kingdom.

[@usa44able]

What's a wonderful story and a wonderful lesson to listen to. This is great 👍.

[@leswalker2639]

Now that was an excellent talk. Teaching with the spirit is all we need to be able to teach others. Just like Neil

[@HighAltitudeInvesting]

Neal A Maxwell is one of my favorite speakers, God bless him.

[@sharylvaler17]

So enjoy these Devotionals, so telling, angels watching

[@user-kx5wu8fg9r]

有り難う御座います。

[@judymccleery8613]

If anyone ever had any doubt - which I have not - they could not listen to this amazing talk without being moved by the Spirit.

[@Tao_Peace]

Absolutely one of the best Maxwell talks I've heard!

[@johnperry1645]

Wow! Apostle and literary genius. Elder Maxwell always one of my favorites.

[@jojolly1154]

This has been Exactly What God Sent Him To Be ... An Amazing and Awesome Teacher.He Has Taught me And Straightened Out many Misunderstood Doctrines Of JESUS CHRIST... "Joseph A Choice Seer" Elder Maxwell is a Choice Teacher

[@jojolly1154]

Beautiful ThankYou💛

[@enochgoodfellow8972]

Elder Maxwell was a choice speaker. I miss him

[@rebelinfla]

What an amazingly touching and enlightening talk. Will hear it again and again. Its message is beyond words.

[@tomnoel7159]

My heart was truly moved. Words can't do justice for how powerful this was. He weaved the Prophet Joseph Smith and Jesus Christ together into a beautiful testimony.

[@Goblin_Tank]

Words spoken without theatrics and energy but weaved with truth and love.

[@rachaelmccarl]

I always appreciate that, too.

[@marthadeerman9998]

Q+1the first thing you have done before you can get your attention from

[@billlystrup7779]

@@marthadeerman9998 don’t miss this Emily Belle Freeman

[@conormackey3410]

@@rachaelmccarl also check out his now is the time talk

[@matthiasweidmann7057]

Thanks for this testimony. It filled my heart and confirms my deepest feelings and love for the prophet Josef.

[@stevefisher3097]

Powerful testimony of the Prophet of this the last dispensation, Joseph Smith, I highly recommend listening to every word from this great latter day Apostle!

[@TheSun_89]

Such an amazing devotional! Elder Maxwell is by far one of my favorites.

[@Tim-French]

I must say, in my humble opinion, that this is the finest talk I’ve ever been privileged to hear. Elder Maxwell delivers a powerful testimony of the special calling of the Prophet Joseph. And his concluding description of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice is intensely inspiring. 🙏

[@cpat7065]

I heard this talk for the first time about 13 years ago. I have listened to it probably 25 times since then. It is one of the finest talks I have ever heard.

[@debbiew.7716]

Words can hardly describe the powerful witness this talk moves inside my heart, and I have already been a believer!

[@wandayanez2454]

Comprehensive, detailed, and feel proud belonging to the church based on Jesus Christ our Savior. We have the truth!

[@johnsullivan7633]

Words cannot express how powerful Elder Maxwells words are. Yes, one of the most inspiring talks I’ve heard.

[@stevendorsey4882]

Wonderful to rehear this great address that I was blessed to attend in person in 1986.

[@user-sv6tr6re6r]

I love Hearing about this remarkable young Joseph Smith JR I love him he's my brother I have prophet for a brother and continuing God calls more prophet when they go home on the other side of the Veil

[@sungame21]

Speaking the unspeakable. When truth is bursting at the seams and real reality is revealed in word, and in between the words

[@peggybogar3059]

So interesting. I can always learn more from searching new and older talks.

[@suem6004]

Stupendous. A true apostle.

[@jonrobjames]

This is a holy man, well acquainted with his master.

[@CraigNewsome.]

Amazing. Thankyou.

[@joycebatesgee893]

So very inspirational

[@contact3604]

🤔 Iam listening👍 Moira From England.

[@phav1832]

I love Neil Maxwell, an inspired metaphor machine . . . I would also point out that his statement that "we don't know the particulars of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon" would also apply to David Whitmer and Emma's statements that people like to quote. They made those statements decades after the events took place, and are subject to the frailties of human memory. I would never consider such recollections, written down by second party interviewers, as absolute.

[@zachmoss8896]

wow

[@iRunfastXC]

Incredible 😀

[@besttrick2]

That last part was hard to hear

[@andrewdurfee3896]

11:40 "most of those who murmur don't know the doctrine" yep my life experience verifies that.

[@mrsvirgotiger]

I miss looking forward to his conference talks.

[@user-sv6tr6re6r]

I feel as though Joseph and I are close brother and sister

[@janettrim7587]

Atonement. At One Ment with Him who mixed his blood with other prophets. Why? To convince whom? LOVE is still the verb!

[@MrGiovannioliva]

❤❤❤

[@MichaelMike]

Any word on when we're going to get more information about Enoch? Any day now, right?

[@jenniferleon-guerrero634]

Look up Professor Hugh Nibley and the Dead Sea scrolls

[@johnnyburns1466]

Primum quaerite regnum Dei, et omnia adjicientur vobis, dicit Dominus. ...