Did Joseph Smith do more for the church than Jesus?

Question

Joseph Smith blaspemously boasts that he did more than Jesus to keep a church together:
“God is in the still small voice. In all these affidavits, indictments, it is all of the devil–all corruption. Come on! ye prosecutors! ye false swearers! All hell, boil over! Ye burning mountains, roll down your lava! for I will come out on the 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 . . . ”
(History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 408-409). (I added caps for emphasis)

Don't tell me you didn't hear the pride in that statement?

‘Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). ...Joe definitely was not boasting in the Lord.

Johnny: Huh??? Make some sense, man...

Dear Mumof4: Listen to his words " I will come out on the top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had". He clearly is boasting of himself, not of the Lord and clearly not giving glory to God. Joe mixes small amounts of Scripture with large amounts of sinful, prideful boasting. I could say, "Glory to God! I am better than anyone out there!"

Now, which part of what I said would you focus on?

Dear Hawaii...: "Neither Paul, John, Peter, NOR JESUS ever did it." As you can see, this is a comma clause. If Joe had meant to say "except for Jesus", he would have, but he didn't. Joe thought he did more for the church than Jesus and the Apostles. Take it for what it's worth. You can't argue with a quote. It was said; I didn't say it. It was recorded in the Mormon's own church documents. So, do you trust Joe or Jesus? There's no middle ground.

Answer 1

During that particular time period, if you wanted to make waves, you had to make exaggerated claims. Davey Crockett, Daniel Boone all had myths, some of which they contributed too. It's not much different than John Lennon's comparison to the Beatles popularity, or Britney Spears acting up. Any publicity, even (especially) bad, is good by American standards.

Now, JS wasn't ordinary, even by 19th century standards. Several books discuss his psychological makeup as a narcissic bipolar schizophrenic. JS's own son David was institutionalized for life, so there is a strong probability of s genetic disorder as well.

The books available on Amazon are: "Inside the Mind of Joseph Smith: Psychobiography and the Book of Mormon" by Robert D. Anderson, MD
"Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet (A Biography)" by Dan Vogel
"The Sword of Laban: Joseph Smith, Jr., and the Dissociated Mind (Hardcover)" by William D.Morian, MD

Answer 2

Listen friend, before you make your judgement.

Now pay attention to that first line:

"God is in the still small voice." He IS boasting in the Lord. He is pointing out that the work of God cannot be stopped, because all that he did was to trust in the "still small voice", which is the voice of God.

The next line gives you understanding (hopefully) of the reason for his strong language:

"In all these affidavits, indictments, it is all of the devil - all corruption. Come on! ye prosecutors! ye false swearers!..."

He is saying to the lawyers (never the most spiritual people, historically speaking), that they can bring on all their prosecutions (and persecutions) because hell cannot win against God!

The Mormons and JS were so very persecuted (as it seems they still are now). If you were leading a group of devout, but highly persecuted people, what would you say to them to build up their downtrodden spirits? With the kind of incessant persecution they were suffering, it's not surprising he used strong words and emotions to help and shore them up. I love God.

And I testify also, that I do not run away from Joseph Smith, either, because the Spirit bears witness that he is a prophet of God. "God is in the still small voice." I believe God.

May you find peace.

To Disciple: Although I don't believe that numbers of members is any kind of proof for the truth, just for your information, I am Australian, living in Australia. There are about 11 million members of the Church worldwide, and more than half of those are living outside of the US.

Reply: People in His day, told Jesus he was a blasphemer for saying he is the Son of God. Don't be so quick to judge... it's all been done before.

Reply: I would focus on the part that says "Glory be to God" - that is essentially what JS is saying. Trust in the Spirit - the one which leads you to be peaceable, loving, etc. You can't go wrong when you put your trust in God. There's no need to attack the sincere beliefs of other people.

Answer 3

Hmm.
Joseph Smith did more for the church than Jesus did ?

Last I knew, it was Jesus that died on the cross for the sin(s) of the whole world.

All old Joe did was to listen to an angel and receive some golden plates (which have never been found) and start a cult in hopes of getting his own planet someday and being its god.

( Joe is dead.......Jesus still reigns alive! )

Answer 4

If you read the quote the proper way he said he has done more than save Jesus Christ. What he is saying is that Jesus has done the most and then he has done the Lord's work to bring the true church back to the earth.

Answer 5

Hrm...Well since Joe Smith was mortal and Jesus was the son of God. What has Smith done for the World? and what has the Catholic Church done?? I think Jesus wins.

Answer 6

There wouldn't of been a church to start with if it wasn't for Jesus, he is the church. JS started his own church.

Answer 7

Joseph Smith was a homo... But I bet they left that out in your doctrine... Or maybe you revised it like you did for what it said about black people... ignoramuses.

Answer 8

Get real.

Answer 9

ofcourse not

Answer 10

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!