12 Quotes & Sayings By Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith was the founding prophet, president, and first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Born in Sharon, Vermont, on December 23, 1805, Smith moved to New York City at the age of twenty-one to pursue secular studies at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). He was expelled for "unruly conduct" (later confirmed as gambling) and moved to Pennsylvania, where he began work as a schoolteacher. After experiencing an early crisis of faith, he sought divine guidance by praying about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon Read more

The angel Moroni appeared to him in 1823 and told him that he would be visited by two additional angels who would explain the contents of the book. Over the next several years, he received a visitation from God on a number of occasions and heard a voice instructing him on numerous matters. In 1827, Smith published a series of articles in a printing press owned by a local Methodist preacher.

The articles were subsequently compiled into a book called The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon Upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi. In 1830, Smith organized a group that became known as the Church of Christ (Temple Lot). Later that year he traveled to Kirtland, Ohio, to establish an official church headquarters—a new city called Nauvoo that was chosen because it was located on an elevated spot "on a high hill above the flood." In Kirtland, Smith had become acquainted with Sidney Rigdon and had been introduced to some teachings from John Humphrey Noyes's Perfectionists.

Because they clashed with traditional Christianity and were considered heretical by many observers, Noyes's teachings were eventually rejected by most members of the church. Bishop Edward Partridge of Kirtland had been ordained as an apostle but was later excommunicated from the church over his disagreements with Smith's leadership style. In January 1831 Smith called upon Partridge to become his first counselor in Nauvoo; then in February he formally organized what became known as the Quorum of Twelve Apostles and established himself as its president.

On January 21, 1831—the same day that Joseph Smith Sr., Joseph Jr.'s father and namesake, died—the First Vision occurred: "And it came to pass after I had fallen asleep, I had a dream; and behold there stood before me as it were a Pillar." On July 16, 1831

We should gather all the good and true principles in...
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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
Doubt and faith do not exist in the same person...
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Doubt and faith do not exist in the same person at the same time Joseph Smith
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We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. Joseph Smith
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Man is that he might have joy. Joseph Smith
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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
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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
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Take away the Book of Mormon and the revelations, and where is our religion? We have none. Joseph Smith
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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
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An angel of God never has wings. Joseph Smith
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One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may. Joseph Smith
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Never be discouraged. If I were sunk in the lowest pits of Nova Scotia, with the Rocky Mountains piled on me, I would hang on, exercise faith, and keep up good courage, and I would come out on top. Joseph Smith