"...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," (Joseph Smith, HC, vol. 6:408-409).
2007-12-10 02:57:36 · 27 answers · asked by don_steele54 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sounds prideful, This could borderline blaspheme
2007-12-10 07:24:16 · answer #1 · answered by Tinkerbelle 6 · 6⤊ 3⤋
While we aren't sure this is a completely accurate quote, let us assume that it is. Detractors read into this statement that the Prophet was saying he did a greater work than Jesus Christ. Considering the entire text and the circumstance of the time, he seems to be saying only that he was able to keep the Church together better than others did, including Jesus Christ. Surely Joseph Smith would be the first to agree that keeping a church together is not a greater or a more significant work than what was done by Jesus.
There is nothing as significant as being the God of Israel, taking upon oneself the sins of the world, dying for all mankind that they might live, nor being resurrected. Surely, everlasting life is the greatest gift anyone could give.
Nevertheless, the Lord himself said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" (John 14:12). To what greater work could the Savior be referring? Perhaps the Lord means a larger work, but certainly not more significant. For example, John the Baptist presumably baptized more people than Jesus, Paul may have converted more as a missionary, Moses led more Israelites out of bondage, Noah built a bigger ship, and Joseph Smith kept the Church together longer.
The point should be clear: if greater means quantity, there are many who fulfilled the Savior's promise that his followers would do "greater works," and this includes Joseph Smith.
2007-12-11 10:23:44 · answer #2 · answered by notoriousnicholas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
enable me clarify what others advise, when you consider which you look angered and/or pissed off with the help of their solutions. Judging out of your different questions, you at the instant are not asking a question. You ask Mormons a question and in user-friendly terms supply a suitable answer to non-Mormons!. that's an indignant returned and forth preaching which you're doing. that doesn't something to earnings our expertise or the certainty of others. whenever you employ [] or ..., you're making *your own context*. it somewhat is termed taking a quote out of context. It skill you're changing the speaker's reason to greater healthful your own time table. as an occasion: [there is] end. What did it say here? I even have the e book: i understand what it says. Why could you alter that? "If Joseph Smith replaced into verily a prophet, and if he instructed the actuality... end. What did it say here? It talks with reference to the testimony approximately faith, baptism, and repentance being needed as a follower of Christ. Why are you hiding it? this may well be a approach of devil interior the deception of adult adult males, not of a Christian. in case you talk like a Christian, different followers of Christ will view your questions with plenty much less disdain. Your glaring rage and selective quoting makes you seem as though a jihadist concentrated on destruction, not on expertise or in the direction of any purpose. Please understand the reactions you will acquire on your rejection of communicate to apply a *question* as a weapon..
2016-10-02 08:03:27 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is referring to a statement Joseph Smith delivered in Nauvoo, Illinois, in May, 1844, shortly before his death. Detractors often use it, sometimes out of context, to discredit the LDS church.
It is true that he was boasting. This speech has been patterned after a talk by Paul recorded in 2 Corinthians chapter 11. In that sermon, Paul the Apostle was doing some boasting of his own to the Gentiles. Joseph Smith picked up on Paul's theme when he said this.
While we aren't sure this is a completely accurate quote, let us assume that it is. Some read into this statement that the Prophet was saying he did a greater work than Jesus Christ, but considering the entire text and the circumstance of the time, instead, he seems to be saying only that he was able to keep the Church together better than others did, including Jesus Christ. Surely Joseph Smith would be the first to agree that keeping a church together is not a greater or a more significant work than what was done by Jesus. Many other times he indicated that he was nowhere close to Jesus in greatness. Joseph knew that there is nothing as significant as being the God of Israel, taking upon oneself the sins of the world, dying for all mankind that they might live, nor being resurrected. Certainly, everlasting life is the greatest gift anyone could give.
Nevertheless, the Lord himself said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" (John 14:12). To what greater work could the Savior be referring? Perhaps the Lord means a larger work, but certainly not more significant. For example, John the Baptist presumably baptized more people than Jesus, Paul may have converted more as a missionary, Moses led more Israelites out of bondage, Noah built a bigger ship, and Joseph Smith kept the Church together longer.
The point should be clear: if greater means quantity, there are many who fulfilled the Savior's promise that his followers would do "greater works," and this includes Joseph Smith.
2007-12-10 03:30:11 · answer #4 · answered by phrog 7 · 11⤊ 3⤋
That was his human side and being a little boastful.
Yes the LDS church members never left him because we were faithful and had God's answers to what he was saying.
He was comparing the faith of people when trouble and persecutions arise, Peter, James and John and all the apostles ran away from Jesus when he arrested.
The LDS members never left Joseph out of all the troubles, and persecutions he had to endure. That was just some human boastings. The prophet was a man, he isn't God so he is human with feelings and boastings just like any other man.
2007-12-10 06:54:34 · answer #5 · answered by Brother G 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It cracks me up that some of the people on here, the mormons, say that he was just "praising the loyalty of the early saints," but they conveniently ignore that fact that he just said he was better than everyone, even Jesus. This is why you will never really convince all mormons that the church is false. They are programmed to ignore things like that and only focus on things that prove that they haven't wasted their entire life on a false religion.
2007-12-10 22:37:26 · answer #6 · answered by friendlyexmo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mormon's evidently is Satans Child, Who would want to stand by you?? Defintly not the Brother's and Sister's Of
Jesus Christ.
Who Have you stood by?? other than your own Cardinal Beliefs.
Joseph Smith, The Jews Handed Jesus over and Crucified him, they was satan children anyway, and the lord Jesus knew it, But My Brother Jesus the Christ so love them he preached to there sorry butt too.
Joseph Smith---------Don't you ever compare to your-self and Jesus Christ you Jerk
2007-12-11 12:37:01 · answer #7 · answered by masterdk888p 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am an ex LDS also and have never heard of this statement, but from what I have read about Joseph Smith it doesn't surprise me.
2007-12-10 15:23:03 · answer #8 · answered by gabeymac♥ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The entire quote needs to be read in context with what else was being said. If you read the entire account, you will learn that this statement was a reference to the faithfulness of the early members of the LDS Church who stayed true to their beliefs, and the teachings of God revealed by Joseph Smith, and that those saints withstood temptations, persecutions, and all manner of efforts of naysayers to dissuade them.
It is a statement of recognition of the Saints of the early 1800's and not a boasting by Joseph.
2007-12-10 04:38:18 · answer #9 · answered by Kerry 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋
If I understand this right, he is saying that he is better than Jesus. That's crap. The guy is a false prophet, God warned us about them in the Bible...
Revelation 22:18-19 (New Living Translation)
18 And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.
2007-12-10 06:54:03 · answer #10 · answered by Dani Marie 4 · 5⤊ 3⤋
Haha, Hey Phrog, you quoting "The Day of Defense"? I love that book.
2007-12-10 14:38:23 · answer #11 · answered by mweyamutsvene 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋