Teachings Of The Prophet Joseph Smith

Where do we find Joseph Smith's teachings?

Original Sources

Diaries
Contemporary Newspaper Accounts
Letters
Manuscript histories
Reminiscences

Joseph Smith's teachings, as published in many books and articles, come from these sources. However, the most authoritative and authentic teachings of the Prophet are found in the textual material that was published by him or under his direction, which is found in the print media of the day.

Two important reasons why the teachings we have of Joseph Smith are limited:

1. First, Joseph did not write out his talks prior to giving them, nor did he create any sort of an outline

2. Second, because modern technology was not available to record the sermons or teachings of Joseph Smith verbatim as he gave them, most of what we have of his teachings comes from the journals and clerical records of those who heard him speak. These manuscripts are obviously only portions or excerpts of full-length discourses.

History of the Church

A collection of manuscripts written by Joseph Smith and his secretaries (a process that started during his lifetime but continued after his death)
Eventually, this material was collected together and edited by Elder B. H. Roberts (First Council of the Seventy) for publication
Before publication, this book was approved by Elder Anthon H. Lund (Quorum of the Twelve and Church Historian) and by President Joseph F. Smith
Six volumes were published between 1910 and 1912

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith

Taken from the sermons and writings of Joseph Smith as they are found in the Documentary History (History of the Church by B. H. Roberts) and other publications of the Church (some of which were written and published in the Prophet's lifetime)
Selected and arranged by Joseph Fielding Smith and his assistants in the Historian's Office of the Church
Published by Deseret Book in 1938
Index and Concordance prepared by Robert J. Matthews (1976)

The Words of Joseph Smith

Contemporary accounts of the Nauvoo discourses of Joseph Smith
Compiled by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook and published in 1980 by the Religious Studies Center at Brigham Young University

The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith

Contains original, handwritten sources (reproduced in type) of the Prophet's words (some in his own hand, some in the handwriting of a scribe as Joseph dictated)
Compiled and edited by Dean C. Jessee
First edition published in 1984 by Deseret Book
Revised edition published in 2002

The Papers of Joseph Smith

The Papers of Joseph Smith contains an abundance of historical and autobiographical material, including revelations, volumes of his journal, several manuscripts, and the Prophet's translation of the Bible
Although the History of the Church contains similar material, these volumes comprise a more complete and accurate edition
Edited by Dean C. Jessee
First volume published in 1989
Second volume published in 1992

Scriptural Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith

Takes the text of Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, and annotates it with scriptural references
Scriptural annotations and introduction by Richard C. Galbraith
Published by Deseret Book in 1993

Joseph Smith's Commentary on the Bible

A compilation of excerpts from Joseph Smith's discourses and writings in which he gave commentary on passages from the Bible
Compiled and edited by Kent P. Jackson
First published in 1994 by Deseret Book
Paperbound edition published in 2006

Encyclopedia of Joseph Smith's Teachings

Chronicles all of Joseph's known teachings on specific topics (including what other people report Joseph taught on a variety of topics)
Formerly titled The Teachings of Joseph Smith (published by Bookcraft in 1997)
Edited by Larry E. Dahl and Donald Q. Cannon
Currently published by Deseret Book (2000)