YOU'RE RIGHT!
The spat you refer to began with this POST where I pointed out how Joseph was struck down shortly after he boasted he was greater than Jesus.
As you can see HERE, Sevenbak responded by asserting I took Smith's remarks completely out of context in order to destroy the faith of others, and make yourselves appear better among men.
I answered Sevenbak's charge HERE.
Essentially, things boiled down to the following positions:
Sevenbak: Smith was a humble servant of God facing intense persecution who used the Greater than Jesus statement as a metaphor to explain Gospel principles. He did this in a manner not unlike the Apostle Paul, who used similar metaphors in his letters.Unfortunately, in my haste, I inadvertently forgot to post a link to Smith's entire sermon. I hereby rectify that omission with THIS.Zakeet: Smith was boasting in an attempt to establish his authority and lying in order to save his butt.
I also invite the reader of this thread to read the entire sermon and decide for him/herself whether Joseph was being humble in the manner of the Apostle Paul, or answering charges of corruption and polygamy leveled against him.
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THE
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS SECTION 9
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829. HC 1: 37–38. Oliver is admonished to be patient, and is urged to be content to write, for the time being, at the dictation of the translator, rather than to attempt to translate. 1–6, Other ancient records are yet to be translated; 7–14, The Book of Mormon is translated by study and by spiritual confirmation.
1 Behold, I say unto you, my son, that because you did not translate according to that which you desired of me, and did commence again to write for my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun., even so I would that ye should continue until you have finished this record, which I have entrusted unto him.
2 And then, behold, other records have I, that I will give unto you power that you may assist to translate.
3 Be patient, my son, for it is wisdom in me, and it is not expedient that you should translate at this present time.
4 Behold, the work which you are called to do is to write for my servant Joseph.
5 And, behold, it is because that you did not continue as you commenced, when you began to translate, that I have taken away this privilege from you.
6 Do not murmur, my son, for it is wisdom in me that I have dealt with you after this manner.
7 Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must cask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.
10 Now, if you had known this you could have translated; nevertheless, it is not expedient that you should translate now.
11 Behold, it was expedient when you commenced; but you feared, and the time is past, and it is not expedient now;
12 For, do you not behold that I have given unto my servant Joseph sufficient strength, whereby it is made up? And neither of you have I condemned.
13 Do this thing which I have commanded you, and you shall prosper. Be faithful, and yield to no temptation.
14 Stand fast in the work wherewith I have called you, and a hair of your head shall not be lost, and you shall be lifted up at the last day. Amen.
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I have read the entire sermon. Joseph’s “I’m greater than Jesus” remark was not taken out of context.
Furthermore, it was not in the manner of the Apostle Paul's "literary tactic," nor was it in the manner of the Apostle Paul's "literary intent." In fact, the Apostle Paul's tactic and intent was to ensure that the people, who made up the Corinthian church, would not turn aside from Christ and the gospel of Christ.
Furthermore, 2nd Corinthians, where Paul "boasts" about his knowledge, among other things, was but to convince the people of Corinthians that he was indeed a person of authority who should be esteemed only BECAUSE he was preaching the true gospel of Christ.
Furthermore, if one first reads 1st Corinthians, Paul had already admonished this group of people to stop basing their beliefs upon persons and personalities, and actually debased himself in an effort to have them focus on Christ. Indeed, the foundation for our beliefs should be IN CHRIST.
For example, in 1st Corinthians, Paul writes:
11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you.And, in his first letter to Timothy, Paul writes:
12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ."
13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,
15 that no many should say you were baptized in my name.
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void.23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles, foolishness,
24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.1st Corinthians 2:
2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
4 And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5 that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
1 Timothy 2:
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires that all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time.
7 And for this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.