Joseph Smith — "I am a man of good will, and I will do good to all men."
I am a man of good will, and I will do good to all men.
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Understanding this quote
What it means
The quote declares a personal commitment to universal benevolence — defining oneself by intent and active conduct toward others, not by circumstance or reciprocity. It frames goodwill as both an identity and a moral obligation. In plain terms: the speaker asserts he is fundamentally good-natured and will translate that goodness into action toward every person he encounters, unconditionally and regardless of how others treat him in return.
Relevance to Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith led a religious movement that faced extraordinary persecution — expulsion from Missouri under a gubernatorial extermination order, repeated mob violence, and his own murder in 1844. Yet he consistently preached universal brotherhood and baptized members across backgrounds. This declaration reflects his self-image as a prophet called to build Zion, a peaceable community, and his insistence on moral high ground even as his followers were driven across the frontier.
The era
The 1830s–1840s were shaped by the Second Great Awakening's religious ferment, westward expansion, and fierce sectarian hostility. New religious movements faced mob violence and government persecution. Smith's church was expelled from Missouri by order of Governor Boggs and from Illinois by vigilante force. Publicly asserting goodwill toward all men countered charges that Mormonism was anti-social or dangerous — a direct moral claim in an era of brutal frontier religious conflict.
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