Hyrum Smith A Prophet Unsung

By: Whitney N. Horning

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

The world has long spoken both good and evil of Joseph Smith Jr., but few know his older brother, Hyrum. Few in this world have acknowledged or given any attentiveness to this man who, from his childhood, lived a life of honor, integrity, humility, and faith. During Joseph’s dispensation, there is record of only one other man who rose up out of the darkness of this world and into the Light, receiving Eternal life. On January 19, 1841, the Lord pronounced Hyrum a Patriarch, Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and recognized his place as first in His Priesthood. As one of God’s chosen servants, he was largely ignored and dismissed by the people in his day. Today, not one of the Churches that claim their foundation in Joseph’s Restoration Movement recognize Hyrum in their line of Prophet/president successors. Hyrum’s full value in the Restoration and in the Lord’s unfolding work today has yet to be fully understood, appreciated, or acknowledged. Joseph prophesied, “Hyrum, thy name shall be written in the Book of the Law of the Lord, for those who come after thee to look upon, that they may pattern after thy works.” The Lord loved Hyrum because of the integrity of his heart and because he loved that which was right before Him. The Lord vouched for Hyrum Smith, and promised Hyrum that his name would be had in honorable remembrance from generation to generation for ever and ever. Yet he remains a Prophet unsung. The work of salvation cannot be achieved in ignorance or indifference. Hyrum paid for his testimony of the Risen Lord with his life, and we take him lightly, we look away, we disregard him, and in many cases, we have forgotten him and his words. The price the Lord asks us to pay to come to know Him is to repent of our ignorance and our neglect by studying His words contained in the scriptures, studying the lives of His chosen servants, and by honoring, remembering, turning, and sealing our hearts to the Fathers who are in Heaven: men, and their wives, who have sacrificed and given their all for the Gospel’s sake. Hyrum Smith was such a man.

fascinating history

Great and interesting research. The AI voice is pretty good. It gets a few words wrong and has some inconsistencies in pronunciation. And there are a couple moments where the file might be glitchy and repeat itself (or I was just on my phone's end?). But overall I think it's an important read even if everyone doesn't agree with all the final conclusions.

What is not to love?!!

Incredible. Just incredible. I loved getting much more of Hyrum's history and teachings and faith, but that of his whole family, parents, brothers and sisters and so on. The whole family was amazing. I especially love how often and succinctly the author pointed to Hyrum's being a prophet. He and Joseph Smith are the only two people in the Doctrine and Covenants to be called specifically as prophets, seers and revelators. Nobody else. I learned so much about Hyrum and his whole family. I have read several books about Hyrum but this tops them all be leaps and bounds. Read it. You will not be disappointed.

The inaccuracy

Seems more personalized than factual, with some biased. Could finish it. I am sad that it was such a Disappoint