Joseph Smith

The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead.

I was born to introduce the kingdom of God to the earth.

I am a friend to the whole human race.

I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught.

I had a vision of the Father and the Son, and the Father said, 'This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!'

I will prophesy that the Saints will continue to suffer much affliction, and will be driven to and fro, from the east to the west, and from the north to the south, until they are purified.

The earth was once a garden, and it will be again. And the Saints will inherit it.

I am not afraid to die. I shall die a martyr for the cause of Christ.

I have a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true, and I know that God lives.

I am a man of God, and I will stand for the truth, though the heavens fall.

God will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

I have been called of God to lay the foundation of a great work.

The standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing.

I am a prophet of God, and I know it.

I am going to bring about the redemption of Zion, and build up the kingdom of God.

I am not afraid of death. I have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward all men.

I have seen God, and I know that he lives.

God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret.... It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know... that he was once a man like us.... Here, then, is eternal life – to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves... the same as all Gods have done before you….

I was answered that I must join none of them [the religious sects of the day], for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: 'they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.'

They have souls, and are subjects of salvation. Go into Cincinnati or any city, and find an educated negro, who rides in his carriage, and you will see a man who has risen by the powers of his own mind to his exalted state of respectability.