I say to you from the very center of my heart that by the revelations of the Holy Ghost I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Although these evidences and many others that could be cited may have the effect of giving one an intellectual conviction, only by the whisperings of the Holy Spirit can one come to know the things of God.
Elder Hugh B. Brown, "The Profile of a Prophet", BYU Speeches, October 4, 1955
His name, even Joseph Smith, will be had for good and evil among all nations and people!
We definitely see this in our day. There are people going out of their way to sit outside the church house on Sunday and say that the Book of Mormon is not true. And that Joseph Smith was not a true prophet.
There are people all over social media saying the church, the Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith are false. As if the mere fact that they are writing such things is supposed to convince me of their words? Me....who received word by the Holy Ghost that these things are definitely true. Who do you think I will believe?
Kyle (Elder Pullin) hears this all the time, as did I when I served....people trying to counteract what he says and teaches. Trying to convince him and others of the "error of their ways".
Is the name of Joseph Smith being spoken of in good and also evil ways? Absolutely! Is what he brought forth being spoken of in good and evil ways? Absolutely!
Was he a prophet of God? Absolutely!
But don't take my word for it. And don't take the word of others either. Ask God. Find out for yourself. God WILL NOT lead us, led you, astray. He knows all. He is not ignorant. He is not influenced, or deceived. He doesn't have a hidden agenda. His sole purpose is to help us each to reach eternal life.
No matter the many perspectives on what we think truth is, there is only one truth. And God, our Father in Heaven, will lead us to find it. There are only two sides of this war. We know who the winner is. The only thing in question is on which side each of us find ourselves.