Joseph Smith, Jr. famous quotes

We don't ask any people to throw away any good they have got; we only ask them to come and get more. What if all the world should embrace this Gospel? They would then see eye to eye, and the blessings of God would be poured out upon the people, which is the desire of my whole soul.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Eye #Blessing #People

Let us this very day begin anew, and now say, with all our hearts, we will forsake our sins and be righteous.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Forgiveness #Heart #Sin

The Book of Mormon is true, just what it purports to be, and for this testimony I expect to give an account in the day of judgment.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Book #Giving #Judgment

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, Jr.

#Book #Men #Religion

Salvation could not come to the world without the mediation of Jesus Christ.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Jesus #World #Christ

Sectarian priests cry out concerning me, and ask, "Why is it this babbler gains so many followers, and retains them?" I answer, It is because I possess the principle of love. All I can offer the world is a good heart and a good hand.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Heart #Hands #Principles

Seek to know God in your closets, call upon him in the fields. Follow the directions of the Book of Mormon, and pray over, and for your families, your cattle, your flocks, your herds, your corn, and all things that you possess [see Alma 34:18-27]; ask the blessing of God upon all your labors, and everything that you engage in.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Book #Blessing #Corn

Baptism is a sign to God, to angels, and to heaven that we do the will of God, and there is no other way beneath the heavens whereby God hath ordained for man to come to Him to be saved, and enter into the kingdom of God, except faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins, and any other course is in vain; then you have the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Jesus #Angel #Men

When you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Jesus #Ideas #Giving

Friendship is one of the grand fundamental principles of “Mormonism”; [it is designed] to revolutionize and civilize the world, and cause wars and contentions to cease and men to become friends and brothers
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Brother #War #Men

I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Foundation #World

A man filled with the love of God is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Men #Blessing #Race

It is my meditation all the day, and more than my meat and drink, to know how I shall make the Saints of God comprehend the visions that roll like an overflowing surge before my mind.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Meditation #Mind #Vision

It must be emphasized that as a father, you are always teaching. For good or ill your family learns your ways, your beliefs, your heart, your ideas, your concerns. Your children may or may not choose to follow you, but the example you give is the greatest light you hold before your children, and you are accountable for that light.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Children #Father #Teaching

The best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask from books, but to go to God in prayer, and obtain divine teaching.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Wisdom #Prayer #Book

In your hands or that 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, Jr.

#Trust No One #Men #Hands

What is the damnation of hell? To go with that society who have not obeyed His commands.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Damnation #Hell #Command

We may continue to expect the enjoyment of all the blessings of civil and religious liberty, guaranteed by the Constitution. The citizens of Illinois have done themselves honor, in throwing the mantle of the Constitution over a persecuted and afflicted people.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Religious #Freedom #Blessing

We think it would be wise in you to try to git [sic] influence by offering to print a paper in favor of the government as you know we are all friends to the Constitution yea true friends to that Country for which our fathers bled.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Wise #Country #True Friend

I am tired of the misrepresentation, calumny and detraction, heaped upon me by wicked men; and desire and claim, only those principles guaranteed to all men by the Constitution and laws of the United States and of Illinois.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Freedom #Tired #Men

Shall we longer bear these cruelties which have been heaped upon us for the last ten years in the face of heaven, and in open violation of the constitution and law of these United States and of this state? God forbid! I will not bear it. If they take away my rights, I will fight for them manfully and righteously until I am used up. We have done nothing against the rights of others.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Freedom #Fighting #Rights

The Constitution of our country [was] formed by the Fathers of liberty... Exalt the standard of Democracy! Down with that of priestcraft, and let all the people say Amen! that the blood of our fathers may not cry from the ground against us. Sacred is the memory of that blood which bought for us our liberty.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Country #Memories #Freedom

Noah came before the flood. I have come before the fire.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Fire #Flood

Mormonism is the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ; of which I myself am not ashamed.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Jesus #Doctrine #Mormonism

Your constitution guarantees to every citizen, even the humblest, the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property. It promises to all, religious freedom, the right to all to worship God beneath their own vine and fig tree, according to the dictates of their conscience. It guarantees to all the citizens of the several states the right to become citizens of any one of the states, and to enjoy all the rights and immunities of the citizens of the state of his adoption.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Religious #Freedom #Rights

Hence we say, that the Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is to all those who are privileged with the sweets of liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a thirsty and weary land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun...
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Sweet #Freedom #Men

Where has the genius of the pedistal [sic] of the laws and constitution of our boasted country fled?
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Country #Freedom #Law

Blessed be the memory of those few brethren who contended so strenuously for their constitutional rights and religious freedom, against such an overwhelming force of desperadoes!
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Religious #Memories #Freedom

The Mayor, Aldermen and Councilors of the City of Nauvoo, IL, before entering upon the duties of their office, shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation that they will support the Constitution of the United States, and of this State and that they will well and truly perform the duties of their offices to the best of their skill and abilities.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Freedom #Skills #Cities

The benefits of the constitution and laws are alike for all; and the great Elohim has given me the privilege of having the benefits of the constitution and the writ of habeas corpus.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Freedom #Law #America

I am the greatest advocate of the Constitution of the United States there is on the earth. In my feelings I am always ready to die for the protection of the weak and oppressed in their just rights. The only fault I find with the Constitution is, it is not broad enough to cover the whole ground.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Freedom #Rights #America

Patriotism is a passion which induces hot youth to rush forth to get shot and half shot, while sober, conservative age waves the flag and corrals the contracts.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Passion #Patriotism #Age

The flavor of patriotism depends upon its habitat.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Patriotism #Flavor #Habitat

If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Character #Men

The heads (Plural) 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, Jr.

#Views #Perfection #Holiness

I am not learned, but I have as good feelings as any man.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Men #Feelings #Good Feeling

One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Principles #Mormonism #Fundamentals

I could explain a hundred fold more than I ever have of the glories of the kingdoms manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted, and were the people prepared to receive them.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#People #Vision #Kingdoms

I never feel to force my doctrine upon any person; I rejoice to see prejudice give way to truth, and the traditions of men dispersed by the pure principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Jesus #Men #Giving

When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth’s sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he does know, most assuredly, that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not, nor will not seek his face in vain.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Believe #Sacrifice #Men

That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Daughter #Son #World

Friendship is the grand fundamental principle of Mormonism
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Principles #Mormonism #Fundamentals

The aspirations and expectations of a virtuous people, environed with so wise, so liberal, so deep, so broad, and so high a charter of equal rights as appears in said Constitution, ought to be treated by those to whom the administration of the laws is entrusted with as much sanctity as the prayers of the Saints are treated in heaven, that love, confidence, and union, like the sun, moon, and stars, should bear witness,
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Wise #Stars #Prayer

Patience is heavenly, obedience is noble, forgiveness is merciful, and exaltation is godly; and he that holds out faithful to the end shall in no wise lose his reward.  A good man will endure all things to honor Christ, and even dispose of the whole world, and all in it, to save his soul.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Wise #Godly #Men

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, Jr.

#Angel #Gold #Church

And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me. Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Freedom #Rights #Law

Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Freedom #Men #Law

Therefore let the Saints be diligent in building the Temple, and all houses which they have been, or shall hereafter be, commanded of God to build; and wait their time with patience in all meekness, faith, perseverance unto the end.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Perseverance #House #Waiting

Surely I have contemplated the things of God.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

Mormons can testify whether I am willing to lay down my life for a Mormon; If it has been demonstrated that I have been willing to die for a Mormon I am bold to declare before heaven that I am just as ready to die for a Presbyterian, a baptist or any other denomination.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Heaven #Baptists #Denominations

I never thought it was right to call up a man and try him because he erred in doctrine, it looks too much like methodism and not like Latter day Saintism. Methodists have creeds which a man must believe or be kicked out of their church. I want the liberty of believing as I please, it feels so good not to be tramelled.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Believe #Men #Church

You will live to see men arise in power in the Church who will seek to put down your friends and the friends of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Many will be hoisted because of their money and worldly learning which they seem to be in possession of; and many who are the true followers of our Lord and Savior will be cast down because of their poverty.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Jesus #Men #Church

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 towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall be said of me-He was murdered in cold blood
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Summer #Morning #Men

God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what he will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them...
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Twelve #Saint #May

I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit: and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Jesus #Father #Three

It is one thing to see the kingdom of God, and another thing to enter into it. We must have a change of heart to see the kingdom of God, and subscribe the articles of adoption to enter therein.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Heart #Adoption #Kingdoms

The things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Careful #Solemn

Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Reading #Heaven #Minutes

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, Jr.

#Eye #Body #Matter

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 in that Grand Council.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Men #Office #Heaven

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 . . .
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Government #Israel #Years

I combat the errors of ages; I meet the violence of mobs; I cope with illegal proceedings from executive authority; I cut the gordian knot of powers, and I solve mathematical problems of universities, with truth-diamond truth; and God is my 'right hand man'.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Cutting #Men #Errors

Sarah lied about me. I never made the offer which she said I did. I will not advise you to break up your family - unless it were asked of me. Then I would council you to get a bill from your wife and marry a virtuous woman - and a new family but if you do not do it I shall never throw it in your teeth.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Wife #Teeth #Bills

This doctrine of polygamy, or spiritual wife-system, that has been taught and practiced among us, will prove our destruction and overthrow.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Spiritual #Wife #Doctrine

Men will be held accountable for the things which they have and not for the things they have not. ... All the light and intelligence communicated to them from their beneficent creator, whether it is much or little, by the same they in justice will be judged, and ... they are required to yield obedience and improve upon that and that only which is given, for man is not to live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Men #Yield #Agency

The purposes of our God are great, His love unfathomable, His wisdom infinite, and His power unlimited; therefore, the Saints have cause to rejoice and be glad.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Saint #Purpose #His Love

When a man works by faith, he works by mental exertion instead of by physical force.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Faith #Men #Force

Afflictions, persecutions, imprisonments, and death, we must expect, according to the scriptures, which tell us that the blood of those whose souls were under the altar could not be avenged on them that dwell on the earth, until their brethren should be slain as they were.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Blood #Soul #Affliction

Wherefore a good name is better than riches.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Names #Riches

May those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Father #Land #America

A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge. For if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power..
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Education #Men #Other Worlds

I love that man better who swears a stream as long as my arm yet deals justice to his neighbors and mercifully deals his substance to the poor, than the long, smooth faced hypocrite.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Hypocrite #Men #Long

I know what I say; I understand my mission and business. God Almighty is my shield; and what can man do if God is my friend?
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Friendship #Men #Shields

I told them I was but a man, and they must not expect me to be perfect; if they expected perfection from me, I should expect it from them; but if they would bear with my infirmities and the infirmities of the brethren, I would likewise bear with their infirmities.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Friendship #Men #Perfect

There are so many fools in the world for the devil to operate upon, it gives him the advantage oftentimes.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Honesty #Giving #Devil

It is a time-honored adage that love begats love...cast your bread upon the waters and ye shall receive it after many days, increased to a hundredfold.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Love #Water #Bread

Rumor with her ten thousand tongues is diffusing her uncertain sounds in almost every ear..
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Rumor #Sound #Ears

I will prove that the world is wrong, by showing what God is...God himself was once as we are now and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret...I am going to tell you how God came to be God. 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
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Men #Ideas #Heaven

When did I ever teach anything wrong from this stand? When was I ever confounded? I want to triumph in Israel before I depart hence and am no more seen. I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught. Must I, then, be thrown away as a thing of naught?
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Errors #Israel #Perfect

This society is not only to relieve the poor, but to save souls. 
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Soul #Poor #This Society

Trust in God, always take care of each other.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Care #Trust In God #Take Care

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Lying #Arms #May

Nothing is so much calculated to lead people to forsake sin as to take them by the hand and to watch over them in tenderness. When persons manifest the least kindness and love to me, O what pow'r it has over my mind.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Kindness #Lds #Hands

Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things, never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Sacrifice #Doe #Salvation

Even this nation (the US) will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Freedom #People #Ruins

Shall we not go on in such great a cause?
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Goes On #Causes

Stand Fast Through the Storms of Life. "You will have all kinds of trials to pass through. And it is quite as necessary for you to be tried as it was for Abraham and other men of God... God will feel after you, and He will take hold of you and wrench your very heart strings and if you cannot stand it you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Celestial kingdom of God" -John Taylor recalls the words of Joseph Smith to the Twelve. JS manual page 231
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Heart #Men #Storm

The nearer a person approaches the Lord, a greater power will be manifested by the adversary to prevent the accomplishment of His purposes.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Power #Accomplishment #Purpose

The important consideration is not how long we can live but how well we can learn the lesson of life, and discharge our duties and obligations to God and to one another.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Life Lesson #Long #Important

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 would not have believed it myself. I never did harm any man since I was born in the world. My voice is always for peace.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Believe #Heart #Men

Peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee...' -Jesus the Christ
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Jesus #Adversity #Lds

I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Principles #Teach

Great blessings await us at this time, and will soon be poured out upon us, if we are faithful in all things, for we are even entitled to greater spiritual blessings than they [the faithful at the time of Christ] were, because they had Christ in person with them, to instruct them in the great plan of salvation. His personal presence we have not, therefore we have need of greater faith.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Spiritual #Blessing #Faithful

I don't blame anyone for not believing me, if I had not experienced it myself, I would not have believed it myself.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Believe #Blame

I am a lover of the cause of Christ and of virtue, chastity, and an upright, steady course of conduct and a holy walk. I despise a hypocrite or a covenant breaker. I judge them not; God shall judge them according to their works. I am a lover even of mine enemies, for an enemy seeketh to destroy openly. I can pray for those who despitefully use and persecute me, but for all I cannot hope.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Hypocrite #Judging #Enemy

Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Book #Words Of Wisdom #Study

God sees the secret springs of human action, and knows the hearts of all living.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Spring #Heart #Secret

The exaltation and happiness of any community, goes hand in hand with the knowledge possessed by the people, when applied to laudable ends; whereupon we can exclaim like the wise man; righteousness exalteth a nation; for righteousness embraces knowledge and knowledge is power.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Wise #Men #Hands

God judges men according to the use they make of the light which He gives them.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Men #Light #Giving

Never give up an old tried friend, who has waded through all manner of toil, for your sake, and throw him away because fools may tell you he has some faults.
-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

#Giving Up #Faults #Toil