Deanna Draper Buck - My First Book of the Latter-Day Prophets

Text 2011 Deanna Draper Buck

Illustrations 2011 Casey Nelson

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Buck, Deanna Draper.

My first book of the latter-day prophets / retold by Deanna Draper Buck;
illustrated by Casey Nelson.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-60641-155-1 (board book)

1. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsPresidentsBiography. 2. Prophets (Mormon theology) I. Nelson, Casey (Casey Shane), 1973 II. Title.

BX8693.B83 2011

289.3'32092273dc22

[B]

2010011522

Printed in Mexico 03/2011

R. R. Donnelley, Reynosa, Mexico

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To my grandchildren

Elijah, Kjai, Meagan, Cirdan, Kiersten, and Mason

PROPHETS

Heavenly Father has always talked with His people through His prophets. Prophets are men chosen by God who lead the Church and teach us about Heavenly Father and Jesus.

There were prophets long ago; we read about them in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon.

We have a prophet today who is the head of the Church on earth. The prophet listens to the Lord and receives messages from Him. From the time a prophet is a young boy, Heavenly Father guides and protects him so that when the time is right he will be prepared to lead the Church.

When we follow the prophets teachings we are blessed.

JOSEPH SMITH, JR. (18301844)

Joseph Smith was the first prophet of the latter days. When Joseph was only seven years old, he needed an operation on his leg. The doctor didnt have any medicine to put Joseph to sleep or to stop the pain. Joseph told the doctor that he would be brave and stay still if his father would hold him during the operation.

After the painful operation, Josephs leg got better, and he was eventually able to run and play, although he had a slight limp the rest of his life.

When Joseph was fourteen years old, he prayed to know which of all the churches he should join. In answer to his prayer, Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to him in the Sacred Grove.

As a prophet and the president of the Church, Joseph Smith sent out missionaries to preach the gospel, and the new converts helped to strengthen the Church. He directed the building of the Kirtland and Nauvoo temples. He received many revelations from Heavenly Father to instruct the Church, which are now in the Doctrine and Covenants. Joseph loved his family and took time to play with them and teach them, even though he was very busy.

Later, with Heavenly Fathers help, Joseph translated the Book of Mormon from the golden plates that had been placed in the Hill Cumorah by Angel Moroni. Through Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

BRIGHAM YOUNG (18441877)

Brigham Youngs mother was sick most of the time when he was a boy, so he learned to make bread, churn butter, and prepare many of the familys meals by the time he was eight years old. Brigham learned how to work hard and take good care of the things he had.

After missionaries taught him the gospel, Brigham Young wanted to meet Joseph Smith. As soon as he met him, Brigham knew that Joseph was a prophet of God. Brigham was always loyal to Joseph and was one of his trusted friends.

After the Prophet Joseph Smith was killed in Carthage Jail by enemies of the Church, Brigham Young was called by God to lead the Saints to the West, where they could get away from their enemies, build up the Church, and follow Gods plan.

Brigham Young directed the building of the Salt Lake Temple. He asked some members of the Church to leave the Salt Lake Valley and settle in out-lying areasmaking new towns and building new farms and homes. Soon there were many towns, and the desert blossomed like a rose.

JOHN TAYLOR (18771887)

John Taylor was born in England. While he was young, his parents taught him to read the Bible and to pray. They also made sure that he had a good education.

When he grew up, he traveled to Canada, where he met Parley P. Pratt, who had been sent to Canada as a missionary. Elder Pratt taught John and his wife the gospel and baptized them.

John Taylor went with the Prophet Joseph Smith to Carthage Jail because he loved Joseph and wanted to help him. John had a beautiful voice and sang for Joseph and Josephs brother Hyrum to comfort them while they were in jail.