Summary: David O. McKay begins the issue with an editorial about Joseph Smith’s first vision and his claim to revelation as a young boy. President McKay explains that Joseph boldly rejected the established Christian creeds, declaring them false and unauthorized, and instead relied directly on God for knowledge. Though uneducated and without support from ministers or scholars, Joseph remained firm even when mocked and ostracized. McKay highlights that Joseph’s revelations became the foundation of Christ’s restored Church, giving him authority to organize it and act in God’s name.
Source: “Joseph Smith—His Source of Knowledge,” (David O. McKay, Millennial Star, Feb. 8, 1923, 88–89).
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Notable Quotes
[Many years ago] Joseph Smith, a mere boy between fourteen and fifteen years of age, declared that, in answer to prayer, he received a revelation from God. His declaration was simple, but positive; and he was surprised when men doubted its truth. To him his claim was but the statement of a simple fact; to the Christian world it proved to be a lightning flash that, striking, weakened their religious structure from turret to foundation. . . .His claim to revelation from God, if established, leaves no doubt as to his authority to organize the Church of Christ upon earth, and to administer authoritatively the principles and ordinances thereof. Thus at the very inception of this great latter-day work was laid the immoveable corner-stone of Christ’s Church in this dispensation, viz., the authority to officiate in the name of Jesus Christ in things pertaining to his Church
As with the Master, so with the prophet [Joseph Smith]u; his instructions came not through man-made channels but direct from God, the source of all intelligence.
Not only did [Joseph Smith] receive guidance and instruction from the Divine Head, but, once received, defended it with invincible resolution, and his ‘reliance on truth, on virtue and in God were most unfaltering’.
Below is President McKay’s full article in the Millennial Star. Or you can view the original document.
JOSEPH SMITH–HIS SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE
DAVID O. MCKAY
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1923
One hundred years ago Joseph Smith, a mere boy between fourteen and fifteen years of age, declared that, in answer to prayer, he received a revelation from God. His declaration was simple, but positive; and he was surprised when men doubted its truth. To him his claim was but the statement of a simple fact; to the Christian world it proved to be a lightning flash that, striking, weakened their religions structure from turret to foundation.
Two important elements in his first message were these: First, that God is a personal being, who communicates his will to man; and second, that no creed in Christendom had the true plan of salvation. Indeed, the creeds “were an abomination in the sight of God;” and their “professors” taught “for doctrine the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” For boldness of assertion; as an unqalified rejection of prevailing orthodoxy, as a challenge to ministers, this claim of a fair-haired, blue-eyed youth stands without parallel since the days of Jesus of Nazareth. Not even Lather’s defiance at Worms is excepted; for his inspired effort at first was only to purify the church of corrupt practices, while Joseph Smith rejected the creeds as amauthoritative, and many of their doctrines as absolntely false.
The result of this declaration was his immediate ostracism from the religions world. In a very short time he found himself standing alone. Alone—and macquainted with the learning and philosophy of his day. Alone and unschooled in the arts and sciences. Alone—with no philosopher to instruct him, no minister to guide him. In simplicity and kindness he had hastened to them with his glorious message; in scorn and derision they had turned from him saying “it was all of the devil; that there were no such things as visions or revelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the apostles, and that there would never be any more of them.” Thus he was left alone to embark upon the ocean of religions.
thought, having rejected every known vessel with which to sail and never having built one or even having seen one built himself. Surely if an imposter, the bark he could build would be indeed a crude one. On the other hand, if that which he built possesses an excellence and superiority over that which the learned professors and philosophers had given to the world during the preceding hundreds of years, men will be forced, at least, to say in surprise, whence hath this man his wisdom!
It would appear, then, that though he seemed alone, he was alone only as was Moses on Sinai; as Jesus on the Monnt of Olives. As with the Master, so with the prophet; his instructions came not through man-made channels bnt direct from God, the scource of all intelligence. He says: “I am a rough stone. The sound of the hammer and chisel were never heard on me until the Lord took me in hand. I desire the learning and wisdom of Heaven alone.” The result of this divine gnidance was an assurance of the righteousness of what he tanght and a fearlessness in proclaiming it.
When Joseph Smith taught a doctrine he taught it authoritatively. His was not the question whether it agreed with man’s thoughts or not, whether it was in harmony with the teachings of the orthodox churches or whether it was in direct opposition. What was given to him he gave to the world irrespective of its agreement or disagreement, of its harmony or its discord with the belief of the churches, or the prevailing standards of mankind; and to-day, as we look through the vista of over one hundred years, we have a good opportunity of judging of the virtue of his teachings, and of concluding as to the source of his instruction. It is interesting as well as profitable, too, to know how the advanced thought of to-day harmonizes with what he taught so authoritatively three-quarters of a century ago. The guiding spirit of his life was manifest right in the beginning and harmonizes with his wonderful declaration that God had spoken to him. In his own words it is this: “Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof until long after the events transpire.”
His claim to revelation from God, if established, leaves no doubt as to his authority to organize the Church of Christ upon earth, and to administer authoritatively the principles and ordinances thereof. Thus at the very inception of this great latter-day work was laid the immoveable corner-stone of Christ’s Church in this dispensation, viz., the anthority to officiate in the name of Jesus Christ in things pertaining to his Church. Each succeeding year of the past century has tended to vindicate, and the contending and dwindling creeds of Christendom to-day confirm, the Prophet’s teachings in regard to the necessity of Divine authority to officiate in the things pertaining to God.
Not only did he receive guidance and instruction from the Divine Head, but, once received, defended it with invincible resolution, and his “reliance on truth, on virtue and in God were most unfaltering.”
D. O. M.
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