I think the way I see it is that both Joseph Smith and his life are inseparably connected with the teachings and life of Jesus Christ in the sense that Joseph Smith did not devise his own teachings. What he did was restore the teachings of Jesus Christ; he restored the gospel of Jesus Christ. It seems to me that he did this for essentially everyone. He did this for me as well as for many people in many different countries of the world. In this respect, I believe that Joseph Smith was . . .that his contribution to the gospel was truly international.
It seems to me that one of the most important blessings that we have received thanks to Joseph Smith is the knowledge that our families can be eternal; the knowledge that those of my ancestors who died without the opportunity to learn of the true gospel will still receive that opportunity.
If I had the chance to address all Russian-speaking people and those who live in Russia and in many different countries, I would tell them that Joseph Smith is . . . his teachings were truly global, international teachings. Joseph Smith was not an American prophet; he was and is a prophet for all of us.
