Dedicatory Prayer of the Joseph Smith Statue, "The Frontier Prophet"
Old Slip, New York City, New York, December 23, 2005
President Brent J. Belnap, President of the New York New York Stake

Our Father in Heaven, we, a few of Thy children, have gathered on this cold December afternoon in Lower Manhattan in New York City to dedicate unto Thee a statue honoring the life, memory, and mission of Thy chosen servant, Joseph Smith, Junior, who was born two-hundred years ago today.

We marvel that this striking image of the "farm boy prophet," who was born into poverty and sorely persecuted during his brief lifetime until his tragic martyrdom at the hands of a cursed mob, should stand here today at this prominent site in this great city---as a testament to the increasing stature of Joseph Smith as the great prophet, seer, revelator and translator of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (see Doctrine & Covenants 124:125), a latter-day Moses (see 2 Nephi 3; Doctrine & Covenants 28:2), to whom was given "power to lay the foundation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which . . . the Lord is well pleased." (Doctrine & Covenants 1:30)

From this site at Old Slip, a group of Latter-day Saints set sail on the Ship Brooklyn almost one-hundred-sixty years ago toward a new home in the West, as Joseph had prophesied. Just steps away Thou didst oversee the enactment of the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing religious and other freedoms necessary for the development and flourishing of free peoples everywhere, thereby nurturing the rolling forth of Thy Kingdom throughout the earth. Near this site Thou didst also fulfill ancient prophecy in showing unto "the learned" certain characters from a "sealed book" translated by Joseph Smith as the Book of Mormon—Another Testament of Jesus Christ. We are mindful that Joseph himself once lodged nearby on Pearl Street, and that thousands of early members, heeding his prophetic call to build Zion, passed near here on their way West. We thank Thee for these events and all other blessings in our lives related to this unique location. We also thank Thee for the continued growth of Thy Church in this area, and for the blessings that Thou hast seen fit to bestow upon us, including a temple here in Manhattan.

We thank Thee for the talents of the sculptor, Brother Bawden; for members of the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation and the New York New York Stake History Committee; for the generous donors, city officials, and many others who have contributed so much to see this statue created, unveiled, and dedicated on this bicentennial observance of the Prophet Joseph’s birth.

We especially thank Thee this day for the marvelous and unique truths that Thou didst reveal through Thy Prophet, starting with the appearance of Thee and Thy Son to the boy Joseph in upstate New York, followed by the Book of Mormon, other revelations and inspired writings, the restoration of Thy holy priesthood, the organization of Thy Church, temples and temple ordinances, and many other precious and eternal doctrines and programs to bless and uplift Thy children.

Now, by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood and with authorization from our Area President, we present unto Thee this statue for Thine approval and dedicate it unto Thee as a memorial to the Prophet Joseph Smith and as an ensign to all who will have opportunity to look upon this likeness of Brother Joseph as "The Frontier Prophet" and consider his life and the "incomparable outpouring of knowledge, gifts, and doctrine" that came through him. (Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Great Things Which God Has Revealed," General Conference, April 2005)

Wilt Thou shield this statue from all desecration. May no unhallowed hand harm in any way this image of him who himself was unjustly imprisoned, beaten, tarred and feathered, and, "like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times," ultimately martyred in order to "seal his mission and his works with his own blood." (Doctrine & Covenants 135:3)

May Thy Holy Spirit be felt here in abundance by all pure-in-heart who pass by. Bless those who come upon this monument, who do not yet know Joseph, with a desire to learn more concerning Thee and Thy Gospel restored through him. May this statue serve in spreading the message of Thy Gospel to growing numbers of local inhabitants and to visitors to this great city.

To those who already know Joseph as Thy prophet, wilt Thou renew in each of us a firm testimony that Joseph Smith was chosen by Thee to restore the fullness of Thy Gospel to the earth in this last dispensation. May we "be reminded that the Book of Mormon, [the] Doctrine and Covenants . . ., [and every good thing associated today with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,] cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world." (Doctrine & Covenants 135:6.) May this larger-than-life statue symbolize that Joseph stands at the head of this last dispensation, that he stood firm in spite of ridicule and persecution, that true and living prophets once again speak Thy word to Thy children, and that "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it." (Doctrine & Covenants 135:3)

May its presence in this diverse world-class city assist in fulfilling divine prophecy made by the Angel Moroni that, as the stature of Joseph Smith grows ever larger, the "name [of Joseph Smith] should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people." Bless this memorial, that through it, "Millions [including right here in New York City] shall know ‘Brother Joseph’ again."

Today, may each of us better understand these words of President Gordon B. Hinckley, Joseph’s divinely appointed successor today, who said: "We do not worship [Joseph Smith]. We worship God our Eternal Father and the risen Lord Jesus Christ. But we acknowledge the Prophet; we proclaim him; we respect him; we reverence him as an instrument in the hands of the Almighty in restoring to the earth the ancient truths of the divine gospel, together with the priesthood through which the authority of God is exercised in the affairs of His Church and for the blessing of His people." ("Joseph Smith Jr.—Prophet of God, Mighty Servant," Ensign, December 2005.) Surely, "Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!"

As we close this dedication, at this special Christmas season, we honor the birth of Him whom we worship as our Savior and Thy Only Begotten Son, even Jesus Christ. May we strive today and always to live as He would have us do, we humbly ask, in the sacred name of Thy Son, our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen