GOSPEL DOCTRINE
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SELECTIONS FROM
THE SERMONS AND WRITINGS
OF
JOSEPH F. SMITH
Sixth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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THE DESERET NEWS
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
1919
PREFACE
President Joseph F. Smith was so long in the public service of theChurch that his published sermons and writings would fill manyvolumes. The difficult problem of the compilers of this volume hasbeen to make a collection of extracts that would do full justice tothe man and that, at the same time, could be contained in a volume ofmoderate size. Every reader who knows Church literature will note theshortcomings of the work; and none more than the compilers. However,incomplete as it may be, this collection is well worth while, for itcontains a wealth of gospel wisdom, to instruct, comfort, and inspirethe Saints.
The literature of the Church has been carefully and systematicallysearched to discover all of President Smith's public writings andsermons. Those of a historical nature have not been used in thiscollection, as they may well be made into another volume.
The compilers give their thanks to the many who, with hearts full oflove for President Smith, have helped in the work.
The work has reaffirmed to us that prophets, speaking for God, are withus.
The Compilers.
INTRODUCTION
President Joseph F. Smith incidentally stated on one occasion that whenhe should pass away, unlike many of his brethren, he would leave nowritten work, by which he might be remembered. It was his modest wayof viewing his own ministry and literary labors, for President Smithwould live in the hearts of the people even if he had said nothing forthe printed page; but on the contrary, it was discovered that there arevolumes in print, though at that time it had not been gathered and wastherefore not so well known.
One of the compilers of this volume, Dr. John A. Widtsoe, listening tohis remark, thought to himself, "certainly it cannot be true that hehas left no written work." He then decided to look into his publishedwritings and sermons, conceived the idea of making extracts from themand arranging these extracts by subjects and in chapters, in the formof a book. The result is this splendid volume now presented to thepublic under the title GOSPEL DOCTRINE.
Doctor John A. Widtsoe interested his brother, Prof. Osborne J. P.Widtsoe, also Albert E. Bowen, Doctor F. S. Harris, and Joseph Quinney,in the work of compiling and classifying from the voluminous writingsand sermons of President Smith, such extracts as would bear upon thesubjects chosen for consideration—subjects covering a wide range ingospel doctrine and philosophy, as taught by the Latter-day Saints.Lorenzo N. Stohl generously paid the expenses of the work.
Without price, and as a matter of love for the work in hand, thesebrethren proceeded with the compilation, had four typewritten copiesprepared, nicely bound and titled, and were privileged, sometime beforethe death of the President, to offer him the first typewritten copy ofthe work, with their love and gratitude for his life, his example, andhis inspired teachings, as well as for his gentle kindness and constanthelpfulness to each of them.
Needless to say, the presentation and the work were gladly accepted andgave President Smith great delight.
The Committee on Study for the Priesthood Quorums, being apprised bythe compilers of the work, conceived the idea, under the initiative ofElder David O. McKay, of the Council of the Twelve, of making it a textbook for the Prie