Comments on: Propets old and new alike

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 18:47:39 +0000

Mary said, “I think it was predetermined that Joseph would learn about this at his age.” Perhaps this would be a good thread to link to the “Pre-Mortal Works” thread.

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 01:51:01 +0000

For more thoughts on why God chose someone young, rough and uneducated, take a look at 1 Corinthians 1:27 and Alma 37:6.

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 18:54:02 +0000

Joseph didn’t really become a full-fledged Prophet at age 14. His first vision was a preparatory experience, along with many others that followed over several years. Finally, he was prepared to receive the Priesthood. Yet he still continued receiving more keys, understanding and authority after that–line upon line. So in fact, Joseph Smith did have some age and experience aiding him, as well as a lot of tutoring by heavenly beings.

By: Mary Siever

Mary Siever — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I think it was predetermined that Joseph would learn about this at his age. ONe thing though, he was always a very responsible and mature boy (well, ok in SOME ways) even as a child and so I think the natural inclinations hehad to things spiritual were just natural progression. Others have become prohpets at early ages, or knew this would happen (Mormon for example, and the Prophet Samuel). You also see this in Joseph, the son of Jacob. Nephi is another one who was spiritual and discerning as a younger man. It may have had to do with the times, or life experiences, or just personal maturation, or a combination?

I don't know if Joseph knew. I personally think if it was me and *I* knew, I would be rather terrified, lol. But he also died at a relatively young age, having accopmplished an incredible amount of work in his short life. I do think he was prepared in his life, and he was led by the Spirit.

By: Kim Siever

Kim Siever — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

"But he also died at a relatively young age, having accomplished an incredible amount of work in his short life"

If he had the First Vision at 44 instead, I doubt things would have turned out much different as far as when he died. He died young because he started his prophetic role young.

By: Mary Siever

Mary Siever — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Yeah, but still.

By: Sally

Sally — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

yeah but I wanted to know why God would choose a 14 year old to give him that much responsibility?

By: Kim Siever

Kim Siever — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Why not?

He used other young people in the past (Mormon, Samuel, etc). I think if He had picked someone who was 83, people would be asking, "why did He pick someone who was 83". If the gospel was restored in France, people would have asked, "why did He restore it France". If it iwas in 1910, people would have asked, "why did He restore it in 1910". And so forth.