"Stand Forever" Ep. 31 | The Truth—Was Joseph Smith A Prophet? Part I | Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge

Was Joseph Smith a prophet, or was he a lunatic or a fraud? There is no dispute regarding the facts of the life and work of Joseph Smith. There is no disagreement as to what he did. Only disagreement as to why and how he did what he did. How do you explain him? His critics say he was an impostor or deranged. Those are the options: he was a deceiver, or he was a lunatic, or he was what he said he was, a prophet of God. No one but a lunatic or a prophet endowed with the powers of heaven could endure what he endured, experience what he experienced and never waver regarding the ultimate successful outcome of his labors. Despite every setback and they were constant, despite every defeat, every obstacle, and every crushing blow of opposition, there is no hint he ever doubted the cause of Zion would triumph beyond anyone’s wildest imagination except his and God’s. He was not only a prophet but a seer who foresaw what no one else could have seen at the time—what we all now see in retrospect. The Lord warned, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Let’s look at the fruits of the life of Joseph Smith.