- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
The following excerpt from a sermon by Joseph Smith is interesting. (May 21, 1843) Quote:“Brethren I am not a very Pieus man. I do not wish to be a great deal better than any body else. If a Prophet was so much better that any body else was he would inherit a glory far beyond what any one else would inherit and behold he would be alone, for who would be his company in heaven. for If I should condescend to be so righteous as the brethren would wish me to be, lo I should be taken from your midst and be translated as was Elijah. Righteousness is not that which men esteem holiness. That which the world call righteousness I have not any regard for. To be righteous is to be just and merciful. If a man fails in kindness justice and mercy he will be damed for many will say in that day Lord, have we not prophecie in thy name and in thy name done many wonderful works but he will say unto them ye workers of iniquity…”
I really don’t get the impression Joseph always took himself quite so seriously as everyone else insisted he should be. I love these kind of frank quotes from him. I remember hearing a story of a recent convert family that arrived in Kirtland. They asked where the great prophet was so they could meet him. Someone pointed to this goofy guy digging in his garden (which was Joseph). They turned around and went back to where they came from.
(paraphrasing the story a bit, and oversimplifying)
My concept of JS is that he was more LIKE other people than unlike them… but that there was something about him that was compelling to people. One thing I know about him is that he wanted other people with him in all this, and valued his friendships much more than seems likely, had he been nothing but a swindler. Here’s a quote from Amasa Lyman who related the experience of meeting JS for the first time, a few months after joining the church:
Quote:Of the impressions produced I will here say, although there was nothing strange or different from other men in his personal appearance, yet, when he grasped my hand in that cordial way (known to those who have met him in the honest simplicity of truth), I felt as one of old in the presence of the Lord, my strength seemed to be gone, so that it required an effort on my part to stand on my feet; but in all this there was no fear, but the serenity and peace of heaven pervaded my soul, and the still small voice of the spirit whispered its living testimony in the depths of my soul, where it has ever remained, that he was the Man of God. –Amasa Lyman
I wonder if the prophet Elijah would describe himself the same way as Joseph did. That was a great quote. It helps me put into perspective that following our church leaders doesn’t mean almost worshiping them, like we tend to do to much in our church. I agree, and it also throws this whole concept of seeking for position and being ambitious in the Church into question.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.