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Ran into this a long time ago, and it always stuck with me…regarding Joseph Smith… Quote:
He said, “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… Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such 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 6:408–409)I don’t have the History of the Church to verify this is the exact quote, or the context, or to verify who said he said it. Perhaps someone else does and can put it in appropriate light.
But it certainly sounds like JS placed creating a self-perpetuating organization at the top of his personal priorities, and was proud of the accomplishment. Perhaps this explains why the organizational needs tend to be so far out in the forefront in our Church? Is it an extension of the early ideas which were AIMED at creating a deeply committed membership, the goal being organizational survival first and foremost, ahead of all other interests?
Yes, I find that quote just as the reference states. It was part of a sermon and testimony he gave on Sunday May 26th 1844. This was just a month before his murder at Carthage. His topic was persecutions and oppression – and how all his trials have made him stronger and have given him more to boast about. It comes across as a very emotional topic. We know he must have been weary from everything that had been going on in his life over the previous 17 years or so. I wouldn’t take it as a serious statement that he actually thought he accomplished a greater work than the whole of Jesus’ life and death. It hits me as more of an attempt to make people sit up from the shock factor and think about his major point. It was an emotional speech, not a carefully written one. He continued on to say how faithful the saints were and how his enemies had nothing on him that could legally hold water. He also denounced the charges of polygamy and adultery making the other often quoted statement: “What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can only find one.”
I always thought he made this statement after the publication of the Nauvoo Expositor, but this was almost 2 weeks earlier. I guess the general charges had been made before they came out in print. Anyway, it is a little tricky to know exactly how he viewed his statement of “finding only one” wife when we have information on over 30 documented marriages, but it seems fairly clear that he didn’t see this information as something his enemies should be privileged with.
He ends by expressing his love for the saints: “As I grow older, my heart grows tenderer for you. I am at all times willing to give up everything that is wrong, for I wish this people to have a virtuous leader, I have set your minds at liberty by letting you know the things of Christ Jesus. When I shrink not from your defense will you throw me away for a new man who slanders you?”
I think absolutely his top priority was as a “restorer” – seeing himself as someone whose primary responsibility was to establish an organization that would last until the Second Coming. I agree he was speaking hyperbolically – and his statement about Christianity obviously was influenced greatly by his view of “The Great Apostacy” and what happened to the early Christian churches.
I also believe that he knew things were beginning to spiral out of control and that he might not live much longer. I think he was defiant, but I also think he was concerned about the future of the Church without him. I think he was doing his best to provide good pep rallies toward the end of his life – and this really was a good one.
I think good leaders try to provide hope and vision and pride in their followers, so they are motivated to carry the torch for that leader. I think he tried to do this in several moments with bold statements. He gave his life for his work. It was everything to him.
I should add that the statement itself was factually incorrect. I don’t think he lied; I think he was wrong.
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