Mormon Quotes

Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith
[Joseph Smith] described the men as averaging near six feet in height, and dressing quite uniformly in something near the Quaker style. In my patriarchal blessing, given by the father of Joseph the Prophet, in Kirtland, 1837, I was told that I should preach the gospel before I was 21 years of age; that I should preach the gospel to the inhabitants upon the islands of the sea, and ‑‑ to the inhabitants of the moon, even the planet you can now behold with your eyes. The first two promises have been fulfilled, and the latter may be verified.
Joseph Smith, Young Woman's Journal, vol. 3, p. 263‑264 (1892)
Joseph Smith
SIR:‑‑Through the medium of your paper I wish to correct an error among men that profess to be learned, liberal and wise; and I do it the more cheerfully because I hope sober‑thinking and sound‑reasoning people will sooner listen to the voice of truth than be led astray by the vain pretensions of the self‑wise. The error I speak of is the definition of the word 'Mormon.' It has been stated that this word was derived from the Greek word mormo. This is not the case. There was no Greek or Latin upon the plates from which I, through the grace of the Lord, translated the Book of Mormon. The word Mormon, means literally, more good.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 5:399‑400
Joseph Smith
And the Lord had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them.
Joseph Smith, 2 Nephi 5:21
Joseph Smith
And the skins of the Lamanites were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them because of their transgression and their rebellion against their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph, and Sam, who were just and holy men.
Joseph Smith, Alma 3:6
Joseph Smith
And it came to pass that those Lamanites who had united with the Nephites were numbered among the Nephites; And their curse was taken from them, and their skin became white like unto the Nephites.
Joseph Smith, 3 Nephi 2:14‑15
Joseph Smith
And Enoch also beheld the residue of the people which were the sons of Adam; and they were a mixture of all the seed of Adam save it was the seed of Cain, for the seed of Cain were black, and had not place among them.
Joseph Smith, Moses 7:22
Joseph Smith
Now this king of Egypt was a descendant from the loins of Ham, and was a partaker of the blood of the Canaanites by birth. From this descent sprang all the Egyptians, and thus the blood of the Canaanites was preserved in the land. ... Now, Pharaoh being of that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood, notwithstanding the Pharaohs would fain claim it from Noah, through Ham, therefore my father was led away by their idolatry.
Joseph Smith, Abraham 1:21‑24,27
Joseph Smith
And the skins of the Lamanites [Native Americans] were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them because of their transgression and their rebellion against their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph, and Sam, who were just and holy men.
Joseph Smith, Alma, chapter 3, verse 6
Joseph Smith
Verily, I say unto you, that the wisdom of man, in his fallen state, knoweth not the purposes and the privileges of my [holy] priesthood, but ye shall know when ye receive a fullness by reason of the anointing: For it is my will, that in time, ye should take unto you wives of the Lamanites and Nephites, that their posterity may become white, delightsome and just, for even now their females are more virtuous then the gentiles.
Joseph Smith, 1831 revelation, recorded in a letter from W.W. Phelps to Brigham Young, dated August 12, 1861
Joseph Smith
And now, behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us the reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech.
Joseph Smith, Mormon 9:32
Joseph Smith
I prophesy in the name of the Lord God, .. the Son of Man will not come in the clouds of heaven till I am eighty‑five years old.... [T]he 14th chapter of Revelation... The hour of his judgement is come .... After ... 2,520 years; which brings it to 1890.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, v5, p 336; Doctrine and Covenants 130:14‑17
Joseph Smith
I prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, unless the United States redress the wrongs committed upon the Saints in the state of Missouri and punish the crimes committed by her officers that in a few years the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be so much as a potsherd left for their wickedness.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, v5, p 394
Joseph Smith
While discussing the petition to Congress, I prophesied, by virtue of the holy Priesthood vested in me, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that, if Congress will not hear our petition and grant us protection, they shall be broken up as a government, and god shall damn them. And there shall nothing be left of them ‑ not even a grease spot.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, v.6 p. 116
Joseph Smith
The coming of the Lord, which is nigh ‑‑ even fifty‑six years should wind up the scene.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, v2, p 182
Joseph Smith
There are those of the rising generation who shall not taste death till Christ comes.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, v5, p 336
Joseph Smith
The word of the Lord came to me last night that ... whatever we may suffer during this captivity, not one of our lives shall be taken.
Joseph Smith, Dona Hill, Joseph Smith: The First Mormon, Doubleday and Company, Garden City, New York, 1977, p. 244
Joseph Smith
What a strange people these Mormons are. They are like a flock of sheep; if I should jump into hell, I believe they would follow me!
Joseph Smith, (on the block‑voting of Mormons) Macomb Journal, January 25, 1877, p. 2, Politics and Mormons
Joseph Smith
As the 'world is governed too much,' and there is not a nation or dynasty, now occupying the earth, which acknowledges Almighty God as their lawgiver, and as 'crowns won by blood, by blood must be maintained,' I go emphatically, virtuously, and humanely for a theo‑democracy, where God and the people hold the power to conduct the affairs of men in righteousness, and where liberty, free trade, and sailor's rights, and the protection of life and property shall be maintained inviolate for the benefit of ALL.
Joseph Smith, Jr. Daily Globe, April 14, 1844, also see Millennial Star, v. 23, June 22, 1861, p. 391. Deleted from the History of the Church, v. 6, pp. 340‑341
Joseph Smith
[A]s the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene... while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. That man that has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have a new creation by the Holy Ghost. In such a case, there may be more of a powerful effect upon the body, and visible to the eye, than upon an Israelite.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, v. 3, p. 380
Joseph Smith
Joe claimed he could tell where money was buried, with a witch hazel consisting of a forked stick of hazel. He held it ‑‑ one fork in each hand ‑‑ and claimed the upper end was attracted by the money.
Joseph Smith, March 23, 1885, Naked Truths About Mormonism; April 1, 1888; Joseph Smith's New York Reputation Re‑examined, p. 166; Mormonism Unvailed, by E.D. Howe, p. 12
Joseph Smith
The prophet's [Joseph Smith] staff, which by the direction of its fall had hitherto pointed out the way, now stood still; and he declared that here was commanded to settle and build a church.
Joseph Smith, Wonderful Infatuation: Modern Pilgrims, Wayne Sentinel (Palmyra, N.Y.) May 26, 1826
Joseph Smith
The Seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles in all the world — thus differing from other offices of the church in the duties of their calling. And they form a quorum equal in authority to that of the Twelve special witnesses or Apostles just named.
Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 107:25‑26
Joseph Smith
When the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the Father had begotten him in his own likeness. He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. And who is the Father? He is the first of the human family; and when he (Christ) took a tabernacle, it was begotten by his Father in Heaven, after the same manner as the tabernacles of Cain, Abel, and the rest of the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve. Jesus, our elder brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the garden of Eden, and who is our Father in Heaven.
Joseph Smith, Answers, vol. 5, p. 121
Joseph Smith
And they said unto him: Behold, he is feeding thy horses. Now the king had commanded his servants, previous to the time of the watering of their flocks, that they should prepare his horses and chariots, and conduct him forth to the land of Nephi; for there had been a great feast appointed at the land of Nephi, by the father of Lamoni, who was king over all the land.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Alma 18:9
Joseph Smith
I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ, that not many years shall pass away before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation.
Joseph Smith, letter to N.E. Seaton, January 4, 1833, in History of the Church, v. 1, p. 315
Joseph Smith
The people of the Lord... have already commenced to gather together to Zion, which is in the state of Missouri; therefore I declare unto you the warning which the Lord has commanded me to declare unto this generation,.... '[T]he hour of His judgment is come.'... Flee to Zion, before the overflowing scourge overtake you, for there are now those living upon the earth whose eyes shall not be closed in death until they see all these things, which I have spoken, fulfilled.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, v. 1, pp. 315‑316
Joseph Smith
My Son, if thou livest until though art eight‑five years of age [i.e., December 1890], thou shalt see the face of the Son of Man.... in the name of the Lord God, and let it be written ‑ the Son of Man will not come in the clouds of heaven till I am eighty‑five years old.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, v. 5, p. 324
Joseph Smith
The day of your deliverance is not far distant for the judgments of the Lord are already abroad in the earth and the cold hand of death will soon pass through your neighborhood, and sweep away some of your most bitter enemies... The day is fast hastening on when the restoration of all things shall be fulfilled.
Joseph Smith, letter to Colesville, New York LDS members, in Newel Knight Journal, pp. 132‑136; reprinted in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, v. 1, p. 14
Joseph Smith
The land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints. Wherefore, this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion. And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place.
Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 57:1‑3
Joseph Smith
Had I anything to do with the negro, I would confine them by strict law to their own species and put them on a national equalization.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 5, pages 218 ‑ 219
Joseph Smith
Come on! ye prosecutors! ye false swearers! All hell, boil over! Ye burning mountains, roll down your lava! for I will come out on top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter‑day Saints never ran away from me yet...When they can get rid of me, the devil will also go.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 408, 409
Joseph Smith
If any man preach any other Gospel than that which I have preached, he shall be cursed.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 6, page 365; Joseph Smith, Jr, The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 366
Joseph Smith
In the evening debated with John C. Bennett and others to show that the Indians have greater cause to complain of the treatment of the whites, than the Negroes, or sons of Cain.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church 4:501
Joseph Smith
Having learned with extreme regret, that an article entitled, 'Free People of Color,' in the last number of the Star has been misunderstood, we feel in duty bound to state, in this Extra, that our intention was not only to stop free people of color from emigrating to this state, but to prevent them from being admitted as member of the Church.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 1:378‑379
Joseph Smith
And thus six years had not passed away since the more part of the people had turned from their righteousness, like the dog to his vomit, or like the sow to her wallowing in the mire.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 7:8
Joseph Smith
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 14:16
Joseph Smith
And they did also carry with them deseret, which, by interpretation, is a honey bee; and thus they did carry with them swarms of bees, and all manner of that which was upon the face of the land, seeds of every kind.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Ether 2:3
Joseph Smith
And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 17:18
Joseph Smith
O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 10:6
Joseph Smith
And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 10:4
Joseph Smith
O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 10:5
Joseph Smith
The "hour is nigh and day soon at hand" when Jesus will return.
Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 29:9‑11
Joseph Smith
The Mormons should be ready to move into Jackson County, Missouri, on Sept 11, 1836, "the appointed time for the redemption of Zion."
Joseph Smith, History of Church, v2, p 145
Joseph Smith
The coming of the Lord, which is nigh ‑ even fifty‑six years should wind up the scene.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, v2, p 182
Joseph Smith
Smith was to go to Salem, Massachusetts, where he would receive "its wealth pertaining to gold and silver".
Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 111:4
Joseph Smith
While in prison, Smith prophesied that his enemies would be taken "in their own craftiness" and that "not many years hence ... [his enemies] and their posterity shall be swept from under heaven, saith God, that not one of them is left to stand by the wall".
Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 121:11
Joseph Smith
I now prophecy that before ten years shall roll around, the queens of the earth shall come and pay their respects to this [Relief] Society.
Joseph Smith, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, D. Michael Quinn, p. 634
Joseph Smith
I [am] opposed to hanging, even if a man kill another, I will shoot him, or cut off his head, spill his blood on the ground, and let the smoke thereof ascend up to God; and if ever I have the privilege of making a law on that subject, I will have it so.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, v. 5, p. 296, 1949
Joseph Smith
I insert fac‑similes of the six brass plates found near Kinderhook... I have translated a portion of them, and find they contain the history of the person with whom they were found. He was a descendant of Ham, through the loins of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, and that he received his Kingdom from the ruler of heaven and earth.
Joseph Smith, Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., History of the Church, v. 5, p. 372
Joseph Smith
And the skins of the Lamanites [Native Americans] were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them because of their transgression and their rebellion against their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph, and Sam, who were just and holy men.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Alma, chapter 3, verse 6
Joseph Smith
And it came to pass that when Ammon had made ready the horses and the chariots for the king and his servants, he went in unto the king, and he saw that the acountenance of the king was changed; therefore he was about to return out of his presence.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Alma 18:12
Joseph Smith
Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 12:7
Joseph Smith
Whose arrows shall be sharp, and all their bows bent, and their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind, their roaring like a lion.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 15:28
Joseph Smith
And they also had horses, and asses, and there were elephants and cureloms and cumoms; all of which were useful unto man, and more especially the elephants and cureloms and cumoms.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Ether 9:19
Joseph Smith
And it came to pass that the people of Nephi did till the land, and raise all manner of grain, and of fruit, and flocks of herds, and flocks of all manner of cattle of every kind, and goats, and wild goats, and also many horses.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Enos 1:21
Joseph Smith
Yea, wo be unto the Gentiles except they repent; for it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Father, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots;
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 21:14
Joseph Smith
And now it came to pass that the people of the Nephites did all return to their own lands in the twenty and sixth year, every man, with his family, his flocks and his herds, his horses and his cattle, and all things whatsoever did belong unto them.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 6:1
Joseph Smith
And he laid a tax of one fifth part of all they possessed, a fifth part of their gold and of their silver, and a fifth part of their ziff, and of their copper, and of their brass and their iron; and a fifth part of their fatlings; and also a fifth part of all their grain.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 11:3
Joseph Smith
And it came to pass in the seventeenth year, in the latter end of the year, the proclamation of Lachoneus had gone forth throughout all the face of the land, and they had taken their horses, and their chariots, and their cattle, and all their flocks, and their herds, and their grain, and all their substance, and did march forth by thousands and by tens of thousands, until they had all gone forth to the place which had been appointed that they should gather themselves together, to defend themselves against their enemies.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 3:22
Joseph Smith
Now when king Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his horses and his chariots he was more astonished, because of the faithfulness of Ammon, saying: Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Alma 18:10
Joseph Smith
Therefore, there was no chance for the robbers to plunder and to obtain food, save it were to come up in open battle against the Nephites; and the Nephites being in one body, and having so great a number, and having reserved for themselves provisions, and horses and cattle, and flocks of every kind, that they might subsist for the space of seven years, in the which time they did hope to destroy the robbers from off the face of the land; and thus the eighteenth year did pass away.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 4:4
Joseph Smith
Yea, and I will cause that they shall have burdens lashed upon their backs; and they shall be driven before like a dumb ass.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 12:5
Joseph Smith
And they did work in all manner of ore, and they did make gold, and silver, and iron, and brass, and all manner of metals; and they did dig it out of the earth; wherefore, they did cast up mighty heaps of earth to get ore, of gold, and of silver, and of iron, and of copper. And they did work all manner of fine work.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Ether 10:23
Joseph Smith
And again, doth a man take an ass which belongeth to his neighbor, and keep him? I say unto you, Nay; he will not even suffer that he shall feed among his flocks, but will drive him away, and cast him out. I say unto you, that even so shall it be among you if ye know not the name by which ye are called.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 5:14
Joseph Smith
Now they durst not slay them, because of the oath which their king had made unto Limhi; but they would smite them on their cheeks, and exercise authority over them; and began to put heavy burdens upon their backs, and drive them as they would a dumb ass—
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 21:3
Joseph Smith
And behold, also, they have brought breastplates, which are large, and they are of brass and of copper, and are perfectly sound.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 8:10
Joseph Smith
And he also caused that his workmen should work all manner of fine work within the walls of the temple, of fine wood, and of copper, and of brass.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 11:10
Joseph Smith
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 30:13
Joseph Smith
And all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns; but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and the treading of lesser cattle.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 17:25
Joseph Smith
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man‑servant, nor his maid‑servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 13:24
Joseph Smith
And it came to pass that we did find upon the land of promise, as we journeyed in the wilderness, that there were beasts in the forests of every kind, both the cow and the ox, and the ass and the horse, and the goat and the wild goat, and all manner of wild animals, which were for the use of men. And we did find all manner of ore, both of gold, and of silver, and of copper.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 18:25
Joseph Smith
And it came to pass that king Noah built many elegant and spacious buildings; and he ornamented them with fine work of wood, and of all manner of precious things, of gold, and of silver, and of iron, and of brass, and of ziff, and of copper;
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 11:8
Joseph Smith
And we multiplied exceedingly, and spread upon the face of the land, and became exceedingly rich in gold, and in silver, and in precious things, and in fine workmanship of wood, in buildings, and in machinery, and also in iron and copper, and brass and steel, making all manner of tools of every kind to till the ground, and weapons of war ‑‑ yea, the sharp pointed arrow, and the quiver, and the dart, and the javelin, and all preparations for war.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Jarom 1:8
Joseph Smith
And again, they have brought swords, the hilts thereof have perished, and the blades thereof were cankered with rust; and there is no one in the land that is able to interpret the language or the engravings that are on the plates. Therefore I said unto thee: Canst thou translate?
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 8:11
Joseph Smith
And it came to pass that as I, Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of fine steel; and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 16:18
Joseph Smith
And I beheld his sword, and I drew it forth from the sheath thereof; and the hilt thereof was of pure gold, and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine, and I saw that the blade thereof was of the most precious steel.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 4:9
Joseph Smith
Wherefore, he came to the hill Ephraim, and he did molten out of the hill, and made swords out of steel for those whom he had drawn away with him; and after he had armed them with swords he returned to the city Nehor, and gave battle unto his brother Corihor, by which means he obtained the kingdom and restored it unto his father Kib.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Ether 7:9
Joseph Smith
And I did it because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 20:4
Joseph Smith
And he shall cut down the thickets of the forests with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 20:34
Joseph Smith
And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 5:15
Joseph Smith
And the angel said unto me: Behold the formation of a church which is most abominable above all other churches, which slayeth the saints of God, yea, and tortureth them and bindeth them down, and yoketh them with a yoke of iron, and bringeth them down into captivity.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 13:5
Joseph Smith
For I will make my people with whom the Father hath covenanted, yea, I will make thy horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass. And thou shalt beat in pieces many people; and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. And behold, I am he who doeth it.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 20:19
Joseph Smith
Now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 11:2
Joseph Smith
And it came to pass that Riplakish did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives and concubines, and did lay that upon men's shoulders which was grievous to be borne; yea, he did tax them with heavy taxes; and with the taxes he did build many spacious buildings.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Ether 10:5
Joseph Smith
For behold, we are in bondage to the Lamanites, and are taxed with a tax which is grievous to be borne. And now, behold, our brethren will deliver us out of our bondage, or out of the hands of the Lamanites, and we will be their slaves; for it is better that we be slaves to the Nephites than to pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 7:15
Joseph Smith
And he did erect him an exceedingly beautiful throne; and he did build many prisons, and whoso would not be subject unto taxes he did cast into prison; and whoso was not able to pay taxes he did cast into prison; and he did cause that they should labor continually for their support; and whoso refused to labor he did cause to be put to death.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Ether 10:6
Joseph Smith
Yea, and thus they were supported in their laziness, and in their idolatry, and in their whoredoms, by the taxes which king Noah had put upon his people; thus did the people labor exceedingly to support iniquity.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 11:6
Joseph Smith
And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 2:14
Joseph Smith
Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:1
Joseph Smith
And now, the words which I shall read are they which Isaiah spake concerning all the house of Israel; wherefore, they may be likened unto you, for ye are of the house of Israel. And there are many things which have been spoken by Isaiah which may be likened unto you, because ye are of the house of Israel.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 6:5
Joseph Smith
And then the words of the prophet Isaiah shall be fulfilled, which say:
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 16:17
Joseph Smith
Yea, even doth not Isaiah say: Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 14:1
Joseph Smith
The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 23:1
Joseph Smith
The word that Isaiah, the son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 12:1
Joseph Smith
Ye remember that I spake unto you, and said that when the words of Isaiah should be fulfilled—behold they are written, ye have them before you, therefore search them—
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 20:11
Joseph Smith
Then said the Lord unto Isaiah: Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 17:3
Joseph Smith
And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 23:1
Joseph Smith
And after all this, after working many mighty miracles among the children of men, he shall be led, yea, even as Isaiah said, as a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 15:6
Joseph Smith
Wo unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope;
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 15:18
Joseph Smith
And also all manner of cattle, of oxen, and cows, and of sheep, and of swine, and of goats, and also many other kinds of animals which were useful for the food of man.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Ether 9:18
Joseph Smith
Now the people having heard a great noise came running together by multitudes to know the cause of it; and when they saw Alma and Amulek coming forth out of the prison, and the walls thereof had fallen to the earth, they were struck with great fear, and fled from the presence of Alma and Amulek even as a goat fleeth with her young from two lions; and thus they did flee from the presence of Alma and Amulek.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Alma 14:29
Joseph Smith
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 14:6
Joseph Smith
A senum of silver was equal to a senine of gold, and either for a measure of barley, and also for a measure of every kind of grain.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Alma 11:7
Joseph Smith
A shiblon is half of a senum; therefore, a shiblon for half a measure of barley.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Alma 11:15
Joseph Smith
And we began to till the ground, yea, even with all manner of seeds, with seeds of corn, and of wheat, and of barley, and with neas, and with sheum, and with seeds of all manner of fruits; and we did begin to multiply and prosper in the land.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 9:9
Joseph Smith
And all this he did, for the sole purpose of bringing this people into subjection or into bondage. And behold, we at this time do pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites, to the amount of one half of our corn, and our barley, and even all our grain of every kind, and one half of the increase of our flocks and our herds; and even one half of all we have or possess the king of the Lamanites doth exact of us, or our lives.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Mosiah 7:22
Joseph Smith
Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Helaman 11:13
Joseph Smith
Having all manner of fruit, and of grain, and of silks, and of fine linen, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things;
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Ether 9:17
Joseph Smith
And they did have silks, and fine‑twined linen; and they did work all manner of cloth, that they might clothe themselves from their nakedness.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Ether 10:24
Joseph Smith
And I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and fine‑twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing; and I saw many harlots.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 13:7
Joseph Smith
And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the gold, and the silver, and the silks, and the scarlets, and the fine‑twined linen, and the precious clothing, and the harlots, are the desires of this great and abominable church.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 13:8
Joseph Smith
And it came to pass in the eighth year of the reign of the judges, that the people of the church began to wax proud, because of their exceeding riches, and their fine silks, and their fine‑twined linen, and because of their many flocks and herds, and their gold and their silver, and all manner of precious things, which they had obtained by their industry; and in all these things were they lifted up in the pride of their eyes, for they began to wear very costly apparel.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Alma 4:6
Joseph Smith
And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine‑twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Alma 1:29
Joseph Smith
And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 22:12
Joseph Smith
And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have windows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Ether 2:23
Joseph Smith
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 24:10
Joseph Smith
Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Alma 34:29
Joseph Smith
Therefore they were not permitted to enter into their synagogues to worship God, being esteemed as filthiness; therefore they were poor; yea, they were esteemed by their brethren as dross; therefore they were poor as to things of the world; and also they were poor in heart.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Alma 32:3
Joseph Smith
For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 20:10
Joseph Smith
Wherefore he did obtain all his fine work, yea, even his fine gold he did cause to be refined in prison; and all manner of fine workmanship he did cause to be wrought in prison. And it came to pass that he did afflict the people with his whoredoms and abominations.
Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Ether 10:7
Joseph Smith
[Are the Mormons abolitionists?] No, unless delivering the people from priestcraft, and the priests from the power of Satan, should be considered abolition. But we do not believe in setting the negroes free.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol 3, Ch 3, p 28‑30
Joseph Smith
[Will everybody be damned, but Mormons?] Yes, and a great portion of them, unless they repent, and work righteousness.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol 3, Ch 3, p 28‑30
Joseph Smith
To our great grief, however, we soon found that Satan had been lying in wait to deceive,... Brother Hiram Page had in his possession a certain stone, by which he obtained certain "revelations" ... all of which were entirely at variance with the order of God's house, ... the Whitmer family and Oliver Cowdery, were believing much in the things set forth by this stone, we thought best to inquire of the Lord concerning so important a matter ...
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, by Joseph Smith, vol. 1, pp.109‑10
Joseph Smith
Now regarding Adam, He came here from Another planet, an Immortalized being, and brought his wife Eve with him, and by eating of the fruit of this earth, became subject to death and decay... was made mortal and subject to death.
Joseph Smith, Records of both Anson Call and Patriarch John M. Whitaker. Nauvoo, Illinois
Joseph Smith
Ordinance on the Personal Sale of Liquors. Section 1. Be it ordained by the City Council of Nauvoo, that the Mayor of the city be and is hereby authorized to see or give spirits of any quantity as he in his wisdom shall judge to be for the health and comfort, or convenience of such travelers or other persons as shall visit his house from time to time.
Joseph Smith, Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., History of the Church, v. 6, p. 111, Tuesday, December 12, 1843
Joseph Smith
Called at the office and drank a glass of wine with Sister Jenetta Richards, made by her mother in England, and reviewed a portion of the conference minutes.
Joseph Smith, Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., History of the Church, v. 5, p. 380, Wednesday, May 3, 1843
Joseph Smith
We then partook of some refreshments, and our hearts were made glad with the fruit of the vine. This is according to the pattern set by our Savior Himself, and we feel disposed to patronize all the institutions of heaven.
Joseph Smith, Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., History of the Church, v. 2, p. 369, Thursday, January 14, 1836
Joseph Smith
Drank a glass of beer at Moessers.
Joseph Smith, Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., History of the Church, June 1, 1844
Joseph Smith
April 17.‑ This day the Twelve blessed and drank a bottle of wine at Penworthan, made by Mother Moon forty years before.
Joseph Smith, Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., History of the Church, v. 4, p. 120, Friday, April 17, 1840
Joseph Smith
Elders Orson Hyde, Luke S. Johnson, and Warren Parrish, then presented the Presidency with three servers of glasses filled with wine, to bless. And it fell to my lot to attend to this duty, which I cheerfully discharged. It was then passed round in order, then the cake in the same order; and suffice it to say, our hearts were made glad while partaking of the bounty of earth which was presented, until we had taken our fill...
Joseph Smith, Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., History of the Church, v. 2, p. 378, Wednesday, January 20, 1836
Joseph Smith
The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead.
Joseph Smith, Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Chapter 9, p. 356
Joseph Smith
I do not believe that the people of the North have any more right to say that the South shall not hold slaves, than the South have to say the North shall.... the first mention we have of slavery is found in the Holy Bible.... And so far from that prediction being averse to the mind of God, it [slavery] remains as a lasting monument of the decree of Jehovah, to the shame and confusion of all who have cried out against the South, in consequence of their holding the sons of Ham in servitude.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, v. 2, p. 438
Joseph Smith
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife... as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Joseph Smith, Latter‑day Saint Messenger and Advocate, Nov. 1835
Joseph Smith
And also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days...
Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 27:11
Joseph Smith
Everlasting covenant was made between three personages before the organization of this earth, and relates to their dispensation of things to men on the earth; these personages, according to Abraham's record, are called God the first, the Creator; God the second, the Redeemer; and God the third, the witness or Testator.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 190
Joseph Smith
He [Adam] is the father of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him in this grand council. This may take place before some of us leave this stage of action. The Son of Man stands before him, and there is given him glory and dominion. Adam delivers up his stewardship to Christ, that which was delivered to him as holding the keys of the universe, but retains his standing as head of the human family.
Joseph Smith, Messages of the First Presidency, v. 1, p. 113, July 1839; History of the Church, v. 3, pp. 386‑387
Joseph Smith
We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see. These are incomprehensible ideas to some, but they are simple. It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know that we may converse with him as one man converses with another, and that he was once a man like us; yea, that God the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did, and I will show it from the Bible.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp.345‑346
Joseph Smith
I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol. 4, p. 461
Joseph Smith
Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
Joseph Smith, 2 Nephi, 2:25
Joseph Smith
Take away the Book of Mormon and the revelations, and where is our religion? We have none.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church
Joseph Smith
And, I, the Lord God caused a river to go out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.... And the name of the second river was called Gihon; the same that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. And the name of the third river was Hiddekel; that which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river was the Euphrates.
Joseph Smith, Pearl of Great Price, Moses 3:10, 13-14
Joseph Smith
I see no faults in the Church, and therefore let me be resurrected with the Saints, whether I ascend to heaven or descend to hell, or go to any other place. And if we go to hell, we will turn the devils out of doors and make a heaven of it.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church 5:517; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 316
Joseph Smith
I want to say to you before the Lord, that you know no more concerning the destinies of this Church and Kingdom than a babe upon its mother's lap. You don't comprehend it... It is only a little handful of Priesthood you see here tonight, but this Church will fill North and South America -- it will fill the world... It will fill the Rocky Mountains.
Joseph Smith, Conference Report
Joseph Smith
The old Catholic church traditions are worth more than all you have said. Here is a principle of logic that most men have no more sense than to adopt. I will illustrate it by an old apple tree. Here jumps off a branch and says, I am the true tree, and you are corrupt. If the whole tree is corrupt, are not its branches corrupt? If the Catholic religion is a false religion, how can any true religion come out of it? If the Catholic church is bad, how can any good thing come out of it?
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 6:478; Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 223; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 375
Joseph Smith
Go tell your general for me that if he does not immediately withdraw his men, I will send them to hell!
Joseph Smith, The Life of John Taylor, p. 63-64; The Gospel Kingdom, p. 354-355
Joseph Smith
Kill me if you will, I am not afraid to die; and I have endured so much oppression that I am weary of life. But I am a strong man, and I could cast both of you down, if I would. If you have any legal process to serve, present it, for I am at all times subject to law and shall not offer resistance.
Joseph Smith, Life of Joseph Smith the Prophet, p.445
Joseph Smith
No, I am not afraid; the Lord said he would protect me, and I have full confidence in His word.
Joseph Smith, They Knew the Prophet, p. 161
Joseph Smith
Some have supposed that Brother Joseph could not die; but this is a mistake: it is true there have been times when I have had the promise of my life to accomplish such and such things, but, having now accomplished those things, I have not at present any lease of my life, I am as liable to die as other men.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church 4:587
Joseph Smith
If my life is of no value to my friends it is of none to myself.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church 6:549
Joseph Smith
If you go back I will go with you, but we shall be butchered.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church 6:549-550
Joseph Smith
I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer's morning; I have a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me -- he was murdered in cold blood.
Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 135:4
Joseph Smith
There is one principle which is eternal; it is the duty of all men to protect their lives and the lives of the household, whenever necessity requires, and no power has a right to forbid it, should the last extreme arrive...
Joseph Smith, History of the Church 6:605
Joseph Smith
I am not learned, but I have as good feelings as any man.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church 5:362; Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 159; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 296
Joseph Smith
Although I do wrong, I do not the wrongs that I am charged with doing; the wrong that I do is through the frailty of human nature, like other men. No man lives without fault.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church 5:140; Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 29; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 258
Joseph Smith
Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was. I suppose I was ordained to this very office [of a Prophet] in that Grand Council.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 365
Joseph Smith
You don't know me; you never knew my heart. No man knows my history. I cannot tell it: I shall never undertake it. I don't blame any one for not believing my history. If I had not experienced what I have, I could not have believed it myself... When I am called by the trump of the archangel and weighed in the balance, you will all know me then.
Joseph Smith, King Follett discourse; History of the Church 6:317
Joseph Smith
In your hands or the hands of any other person, so much power would no doubt be dangerous. I am the only man in the world whom it would be safe to trust with it. Remember, I am a prophet!
Joseph Smith, B.H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of the Church, Vol. 2, Footnotes
Joseph Smith
A man may act as proxy for his own relatives; the ordinances of the Gospel which were laid out before the foundations of the world have thus been fulfilled by them, and we may be baptized for those whom we have much friendship for; but it must first be revealed to the man of God, lest we should run too far.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 6:366
Joseph Smith
Many persons think a prophet must be a good deal better than anybody else. Suppose I would condescend - yes, I will call it condescend, to be a great deal better than any of you. I would be raised to the highest heaven; and who should I have to accompany me?
Joseph Smith, Documentary History of the Church, 5:401
Joseph Smith
What did Jesus do? Why I do the things I saw my Father do when worlds came rolling into existence. My Father worked out his kingdom with fear and trembling, and I must do the same; and when I get my kingdom, I shall present it to my Father, so that he may obtain kingdom upon kingdom, and it will exalt him in glory. He will then take a higher exaltation, and I will take his place, and thereby become exalted myself.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 347-348.
Joseph Smith
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death...Many have supposed that the doctrine of translation was a doctrine whereby men were taken immediately into the presence of God, and into an eternal fullness, but this is a mistaken idea. Their place of habitation is that of a terrestrial order, and a place prepared for such characters he held in reserve to be ministering angels unto many planets... But we shall leave this subject of terrestrial bodies for another time.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 170-171
Joseph Smith
Our heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive; and at the same time more terrible to the workers of iniquity, more awful in the executions of His punishments, and more ready to detect in every false way, than we are apt to suppose Him to be...
Joseph Smith, The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, 509
Joseph Smith
If you do not accuse each other, God will not accuse you. If you have no accuser you will enter heaven... What many people call sin is not sin; I do many things to break down superstition, and I will break it down.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 4:445-446
Joseph Smith
What is the damnation of hell? To go with that society who have not obeyed His [the Lord's] commands.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 4:554-555
Joseph Smith
Nothing is so much calculated to lead people to forsake sin as to take them by the hand, and watch over them with tenderness. When persons manifest the least kindness and love to me, O what power it has over my mind, while the opposite course has a tendency to harrow up all the harsh feelings and depress the human mind.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 5:23–24
Joseph Smith
Before you joined this Church you stood on neutral ground. When the gospel was preached, good and evil were set before you. You could choose either or neither. There were two opposite masters inviting you to serve them. When you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God. When you did that you left the neutral ground, and you never can get back on to it. Should you forsake the Master you enlisted to serve, it will be by the instigation of the evil one, and you will follow his dictation and be his servant.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p. 324
Joseph Smith
One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may.
Joseph Smith, Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 199
Joseph Smith
We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up, or we shall not come out true Mormons.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 316
Joseph Smith
Mormonism, is the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ; of which I myself am not ashamed.
Joseph Smith, The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, p. 547-548
Joseph Smith
Truth is Mormonism. God is the author of it.
Joseph Smith, Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 199
Joseph Smith
It is not always wise to relate all the truth. Even Jesus, the Son of God, had to refrain from doing so, and had to restrain His feelings many times for the safety of Himself and His followers, and had to conceal the righteous purposes of His heart in relation to many things pertaining to His Father's kingdom.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 392
Joseph Smith
The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.
Joseph Smith, Joseph Smith Jr. (History of the Church, 3:30)
Joseph Smith
The heads of the Gods appointed one God for us; and when you take that view of the subject, it sets one free to see all the beauty, holiness and perfection of the Gods.
Joseph Smith, DHC 6:476
Joseph Smith
I want to ask this congregation, every man, woman and child, to answer the question in their own heart, what kind of a being God is? ... Does any man or woman know? Have any of you seen him, heard him, or communed with him? . . . God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by his power, was to make Himself visible, I say -- if you were to see Him today, you would see Him like a man in form -- like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked, talked and conversed with Him, as one man talks and communes with another.... It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know that we may converse with him as one man converses with another, and that He was once a man like us; yea, that God Himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did; and I will show it from the Bible.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 6:303-304
Joseph Smith
The doctrine of a plurality of Gods is as prominent in the Bible as any other doctrine.... I will show from the Hebrew Bible that I am correct, and the first word shows a plurality of Gods; and I want the apostates and learned men to come here and prove to the contrary, if they can. An unlearned boy must give you a little Hebrew. Berosheit baurau Eloheim ait aushamayeen vehau auraits, rendered by King James' translators, 'In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.' I want to analyze the word Berosheit. Rosh, the head; Sheit, a grammatical termination; the Baith was not originally put there when the inspired man wrote it, but it has been since added by an old Jew. Baurau signifies to bring forth; Eloheim is from the word Eloi, God, in the singular number; and by adding the word heim, it renders it Gods. It read first, 'In the beginning the head of the Gods brought forth the Gods,' or, as others have translated it, 'The head of the Gods called the Gods together.' I want to show a little learning as well as other fools.... The head God organized the heavens and the earth. I defy all the world to refute me. In the beginning the heads of the Gods organized the heavens and the earth. Now the learned priests and the people rage, and the heathen imagine a vain thing. If we pursue the Hebrew text further, it reads, 'The head one of the Gods said, Let us make a man in our own image.' I once asked a learned Jew, 'If the Hebrew language compels us to render all words ending in heim in the plural, why not render the first Eloheim plural?' He replied, 'That is the rule with few exceptions; but in this case it would ruin the Bible.' He acknowledged I was right.... In the very beginning the Bible shows there is a plurality of Gods beyond the power of refutation. It is a great subject I am dwelling on. The word Eloheim ought to be in the plural all the way through -- 'Gods'. The heads of the Gods appointed one God for us; and when you take [that] view of the subject, its
Joseph Smith, History of the Church 6:474-476
Joseph Smith
Many men say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are only one God. I say that is a strange God anyhow -- three in one, and one in three! It is a curious organization. 'Father, I pray not for the world, but I pray for them which thou hast given me.' 'Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are.' All are to be crammed into one God, according to sectarianism. It would make the biggest God in all the world. He would be a wonderfully big God -- he would be a giant or a monster. I want to read the text to you myself -- 'I am agreed with the Father and the Father is agreed with me, and we are agreed as one.' The Greek shows that it should be agreed. 'Father, I pray for them which Thou hast given me out of the world, and not for those alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word, that they all may be agreed, as Thou, Father, are with me, and I with Thee, that they also may be agreed with us,' and all come to dwell in unity, and in all the glory and everlasting burnings of the Gods; and then we shall see as we are seen, and be as our God and He as His Father. I want to reason a little on this subject. I learned it by translating the papyrus which is now in my house.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church 6:476
Joseph Smith
If Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and John discovered that God the Father of Jesus Christ had a Father, you may suppose that He had a Father also. Where was there ever a son without a father? And where was there ever a father without first being a son? Whenever did a tree or anything spring into existence without a progenitor? And everything comes in this way. Paul says that which is earthly is in the likeness of that which is heavenly, Hence if Jesus had a Father, can we not believe that He had a Father also? I despise the idea of being scared to death at such a doctrine, for the Bible is full of it. I want you to pay particular attention to what I am saying. Jesus said that the Father wrought precisely in the same way as His Father had done before Him. As the Father had done before? He laid down His life, and took it up the same as His Father had done before. He did as He was sent, to lay down His life and take it up again; and then was committed unto Him the keys.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church 6:476
Joseph Smith
You have to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you, namely by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one: from grace to grace from exaltation to exaltation until you attain the resurrection of the dead.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church; Vol. 6 Pg. 306
Joseph Smith
[A]ll will be raised by the power of God, having spirit in their bodies, and not blood.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 199
Joseph Smith
All your losses will be made up to you in the resurrection, provided you continue faithful. By the vision of the Almighty I have seen it.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 296
Joseph Smith
An angel of God never has wings.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 162
Joseph Smith
Would you think it strange if I relate what I have seen in vision in relation to this interesting theme[, the resurrection]? Those who have died in Jesus Christ may expect to enter into all that fruition of joy when they come forth, which they possessed or anticipated here. So plain was the vision, that I actually saw men, before they had ascended from the tomb, as though they were getting up slowly. They took each other by the hand and said to each other, "My father, my son, my mother, my daughter, my brother, my sister." And when the voice calls for the dead to arise, suppose I am laid by the side of my father, what would be the first joy of my heart? To meet my father, my mother, my brother, my sister; and when they are by my side, I embrace them and they me.... More painful to me are the thoughts of annihilation than death. If I have no expectation of seeing my father, mother, brothers, sisters and friends again, my heart would burst in a moment, and I should go down to my grave. The expectation of seeing my friends in the morning of the resurrection cheers my soul and makes me bear up against the evils of life. It is like their taking a long journey, and on their return we meet them with increased joy.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church 5:361-362
Joseph Smith
I take my ring from my finger and liken it unto the mind of man - the immortal part, because it had no beginning. Suppose you cut it in two; then it has a beginning and an end; but join it again, and it continues one eternal round. So with the spirit of man. As the lord liveth, if it had a beginning, it will have an end. All the fools and learned and wise men from the beginning of creation, who say the spirit of man had a beginning, prove that it must have an end; and if that doctrine is true, then the doctrine of annihilation would be true.
Joseph Smith, King Follett discourse
Joseph Smith
There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes. We cannot see it, but when our bodies are purified, we shall see that it is all matter.
Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 131:7-8
Joseph Smith
[W]e shall find a very material difference between the body and the spirit; the body is supposed to be organized matter, and the spirit, by many, is thought to be immaterial, without substance. With this latter statement we should beg leave to differ, and state the spirit is a substance; that it is material, but that it is more pure, elastic and refined matter than the body; that it existed before the body, can exist in the body; and will exist separate from the body, when the body will be mouldering in the dust; and will in the resurrection, be again united with it.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 207 (April 1, 1842)
Joseph Smith
You ask the learned doctors why they say the world was made out of nothing; and they will answer, 'Doesn't the Bible say He created the world?' And they infer, from the word create, that it must have been made out of nothing. Now, the word create came from the word baurau which does not mean to create out of nothing; it means to organize; the same as a man would organize materials and build a ship. Hence, we infer that God had materials to organize the world out of chaos -- chaotic matter, which is element, and in which dwells all the glory. Element had an existence from the time he had. The pure principles of element are principles which can never be destroyed; they may be organized and re-organized, but not destroyed. They had no beginning, and can have no end.... [T]he mind of man -- the immortal spirit. Where did it come from? All learned men and doctors of divinity say that God created it in the beginning; but it is not so: the very idea lessens man in my estimation. I do not believe the doctrine; I know better. Hear it, all ye ends of the world; for God has told me so... We say that God himself is a self-existent being. Who told you so? It is correct enough; but how did it get into your heads? Who told you that man did not exist in like manner upon the same principles? Man does exist upon the same principles. God made a tabernacle and put a spirit into it, and it became a living soul.... How does it read in the Hebrew? It does not say in the Hebrew that God created the spirit of man. It says 'God made man out of the earth and put into him Adam's spirit, and so became a living body.' The mind or the intelligence which man possesses is [co-eternal] with God himself. I know that my testimony is true... Is it logical to say that the intelligence of spirits is immortal, and yet that it had a beginning? The intelligence of spirits had no beginning, neither will it have an end. That is good logic. That which has a beginning may have an end. There never was a time whe
Joseph Smith, History of the Church 6:308-309
Joseph Smith
Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and understand wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and concubines -- Behold, and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and will answer thee as touching this matter. Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same. For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory. ... if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood ... Then shall they be gods, because they have no end ... to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my law. ... God commanded Abraham, and Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham to wife. And why did she do it? Because this was the law; and from Hagar sprang many people. This, therefore, was fulfilling, among other things, the promises. ... Was Abraham, therefore, under condemnation? Verily I say unto you, Nay; for I, the Lord, commanded it. ... Abraham received concubines, and they bore him children; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and he abode in my law; as Isaac also and Jacob did none other things than that which they were commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods. David also received many
Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 132:1-4, 19, 20, 24, 34, 35, 38, 39, 52, 60-62
Joseph Smith
Was not Joseph Smith a money digger? Yes, but it was never a very profitable job for him, as he only got fourteen dollars a month for it.
Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 120; History of the Church 3:29; Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 271
Joseph Smith
Noah came before the flood. I have come before the fire.
Joseph Smith, Diary of Abraham H. Cannon, 16:30; Dennis B. Horne, ed., An Apostle's Record: The Journals of Abraham H. Cannon
Joseph Smith
I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves.
Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses 10:57-58
Joseph Smith
The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us, is to seek after our dead...They without us cannot be made perfect.
Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons 5:616; Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 147; History of the Church 6:313
Joseph Smith
But meddle not with any man for his religion: all governments ought to permit every man to enjoy his religion unmolested. No man is authorized to take away life in consequence of difference of religion, which all laws and governments ought to tolerate and protect, right or wrong. Every man has a natural, and, in our country, a constitutional right to be a false prophet, as well as a true prophet. If I show, verily, that I have the truth of God, and show that ninety-nine out of every hundred professing religious ministers are false teachers, having no authority, while they pretend to hold the keys of God's kingdom on earth, and was to kill them because they are false teachers, it would deluge the whole world with blood.
Joseph Smith, History of the Church 6:304
Joseph Smith
Brethren, if I were to tell you all I know of the kingdom of God, I do know that you would rise up and kill me.
Joseph Smith, Parley P. Pratt in MS 55 (September 4, 1893): 585
Joseph Smith
No one can ever enter the celestial kingdom unless he is strictly honest.
Joseph Smith, Joseph Smith papers, recalled by Milo Andrus
Joseph Smith
We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 121:39
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