Joseph Smith — "I am not afraid of man, nor of devils."
I am not afraid of man, nor of devils.
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Understanding this quote
What it means
The quote declares absolute fearlessness against all opposition — human and supernatural alike. It asserts that no earthly persecutor or spiritual adversary can silence or intimidate the speaker. In modern terms: a bold refusal to back down from one's convictions regardless of consequences. It signals total commitment to a cause, placing divine calling above personal safety, social pressure, or any threat that could come from the physical or spiritual world.
Relevance to Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith faced relentless persecution throughout his life — mob violence, imprisonment in Liberty Jail in 1838, forced expulsion from Missouri under a literal extermination order, and ultimately assassination in Carthage Jail in 1844. He consistently claimed divine authority despite escalating death threats, continuing to preach and expand his church. His theology centered on direct revelation and spiritual warfare, making fearlessness of both men and devils a lived expression of his prophetic identity, not mere rhetoric.
The era
Joseph Smith's early 19th-century America was shaped by the Second Great Awakening — fierce religious competition, frontier lawlessness, and deep suspicion of new faiths. Anti-Mormon violence was institutionalized: Missouri's Governor Boggs signed an extermination order in 1838. Belief in literal devil-possession and spiritual warfare was mainstream across denominations. Declaring fearlessness of both human mobs and supernatural evil spoke directly to followers navigating real physical danger while also believing they were engaged in a cosmic spiritual conflict.
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