The importance of Joseph Smith in the history of mankind is greater than even LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley can fully grasp, a church leader told a group of church history enthusiasts Saturday.

Elder M. Russell Ballard of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Quorum of the Twelve spoke on the life of church founder Smith at the National Society of Sons of Utah Pioneers Historical Symposium.

"I don't believe there's anybody on the earth, including the president of the church, who can fully comprehend the depth of the prophet Joseph Smith," Elder Ballard said.

As the church celebrates the 200th anniversary of Smith's birth this year, Elder Ballard said, it is important to remember the principal impact of Smith's organization of the church. Latter-day Saints have guidance for living their lives solely because Smith established the church, he said.

"We walk in a world that's filled with darkness and, to be frank, is reeling to and fro with the influence of the evil one," Elder Ballard said. But because of Smith's revelations and instruction, church members do not need to fall victim to that darkness, he said.

Reading from the church's "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," Elder Ballard said the only reason there is an organization on earth today that can make such declarations — such as the eternal nature of souls and the fundamental principles of gender and families — is because of Smith's work.

"Now the world is spinning in confusion, in confusion of gender and same-gender relationships," he said. But Smith's teachings, and the teachings of the church he founded, give "clarity" to believers and a knowledge of a premortal and postmortal existence, Elder Ballard said.

Smith's 200th birthday has garnered national and worldwide attention, including a Newsweek cover story last month.

The Sons of Utah Pioneers on Saturday also gave several people the Modern-Day Pioneer Award, including Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who accepted the award in a recorded interview shown at the symposium.

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