You guys are killing me! I love the context you are placing this speech in.
In the original context, Joseph was facing intense persecution by many people, including some he had previously considered to be his friends. This statement was supposedly made about a month before he was killed. He made it after reading chapter 11 of 2 Corinthians to the congregation. Note the following statement by Paul, in this scripture:
“Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, that I also may boast a little. That which I am speaking, I am not speaking it as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also. For you, being so wise, bear the foolish gladly. (2 Corinthians 11:16-19)
Paul then launches into a literary tirade where he claims many things to make himself look the fool, to contrast himself with those who the Corinthians were listening to for their words of salvation, instead of to him. His words were meant to compare and contrast what the Saints at Corinth were doing against what he was offering.”
Do you all similarly dismiss the words of Paul and deny his calling as an Apostle because he used such a literary approach that included boasting? No, you don’t. Yet, yo dismiss Joseph Smith when it is clear by his own statements, in context, that he engaged in the exact same literary approach. Consider the words of Joseph right after reading this chapter of Paul’s to the congregation:
“My object is to let you know that I am right here on the spot where I intend to stay. I, like Paul, have been in perils, and oftener than anyone in this generation. As Paul boasted, I have suffered more than Paul did, I should be like a fish out of water, if I were out of persecutions. Perhaps my brethren think it requires all this to keep me humble. The Lord has constituted me curiously that I glory in persecution. I am not nearly so humble as if I were not persecuted. If oppression will make a wise man mad, much more a fool. If they want a beardless boy to whip all the world, I will get on the top of a mountain and crow like a rooster: I shall always beat them. When facts are proved, truth and innocence will prevail at last. My enemies are no philosophers: they think that when they have my spoke under, they will keep me down; but for the fools, I will hold on and fly over them.”
Then Joseph makes the statements that the critics attack, in the same way that Paul made outrageous “boasts” to contrast his position with the position of those who the Corinthians were starting to listen to. Paul starts the next chapter of 2 Corinthians with the statement “boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable.” So, it would appear that Paul recognizes the necessity of boasting at times (though it may do little good, being unprofitable), yet the antis do not allow Joseph to follow Paul’s advice and, of necessity, boast at times.
Perhaps you are all are unaware of Paul’s advice? Or perhaps you apply a double standard where Paul is allowed such literary and rhetorical license, but Joseph is not?
Such double standards seem to be the calling cards of those that lurk these threads.
Joseph was a humble servant of God, his numerous writings attest to that. He was also a man, mortal and driven by righteous indignation and anger at what was done to the Saints and to him. I don't blame him anymore than I blame Paul.
Take a look at yourselves, and your approach to anti Mormonism. You carefully select context-less snippets that you think will drag a man down, destroy the faith of others, and make yourselves appear better among men (on FR anyway) How is this somewhat prideful approach any different than what you are accusing Joseph (or Paul) of?
Take a step back and look what you are doing and how you may be affecting not only others, but yourselves as well?
There, I'm done with my soapbox. Time to get back to work!
Smith was dressed in his military uniform and waving his sword about as he answered his critics by denying he practiced polygamy and was better than Jesus. Of course, he was lying through his teeth on both claims. From what I've read (and documentaries I've watched), I understand you state the truth about this matter, Zakeet.
What blows my mind away are these words (those most especially in red/bold):
I, like Paul, have been in perils, and oftener than anyone in this generation. As Paul boasted, I have suffered more than Paul did. I should be like a fish out of water, if I were out of persecutions. Perhaps my brethren think it requires all this to keep me humble. The Lord has constituted me so curiously that I glory in persecution. I am not nearly so humble as if I were not persecuted. In all these affidavits, indictments, it is all of the devil – all corruption. Come on! ye prosecutors! ye false swearers! All hell, boil over! Ye burning mountains, roll down your lava! for I will come out on the top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam … Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me … God knows that the charges against me are false … what a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can find only one. I am the same man, and as innocent as I was fourteen years ago; and I can prove them all perjurers.
They remind me of Lucifer:
Isaiah 14:12-15:
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
