R
Willard Richards
JS's private secretary and historian, and keeper of JS's journal. Richards recorded his account as JS spoke; JSP describes it as shorter, less detailed and at times cryptic.
- Record
- Richards, Journal, 7 Apr. 1844
- Taken down
- as JS spoke
- Manuscript pages
- [67]–[71]
- Reading words
- 1066
- Cancellations
- 7
Document and role. Joseph Smith, Journal, 1842–1844, book 4, pp. [67]–[71], JS Collection, Church History Library; handwriting of Willard Richards. Richards was Smith's private secretary and historian and keeper of his journal; he recorded the sermon as Smith spoke.3
The Joseph Smith Papers describes the record as shorter, less detailed, and at times cryptic.3 Smith likewise calls it a brief first-order audit that often witnesses—and sometimes diverges from—the two longer aural audits (Smith, pp. 28, 58, 61, 78–79). Its telegraphic form limits context, yet it sometimes preserves names, terms, or compact clauses absent from the other reports.
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Joseph Smith Papers, “Discourse, 7 April 1844, as Reported by Willard Richards,” source note and historical introduction. Citation: “JS, Discourse, [Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL, 7 Apr. 1844]. Featured version inscribed [ca. 7 Apr. 1844] in JS, Journal, 1842–1844, bk. 4, pp. [67]–[71]; handwriting of Willard Richards; JS Collection, CHL.” ↩↩
Introduction: Occasion and Subject
Joseph commenced speaking on the subject of the Dead— relative to the death of elder King Follett who who was crushed in a well. by the falling of a tub of rock on him.—
Joseph commenced speaking on the subject of the Dead— relative to the death of elder King Follet[t] to who who was crushed in a well. by the falling of a tub of rock on him.—
The World Knows Little of God
If men do not comprehend the character of God they do not comprehend themselves.
If men do not compreh[e]nd the character of God they do not comprehe[n]d themselves.
What Kind of Being Is God?
what kind of a being is God?— Eternal life is to know God.— if man does not know God. has not Eternal life.—
what kind of a being is God?— Eternal life is to know God.— if man does not know God. has not Eternal life.—
Challenge: If I Show God's Character
if I am so fortunate as to comprehend and explain the— let every one sit in silence and never lift your voice against the servants of God again.
if I am so fortunate as to comprehe[n]d and explain the— [blank]1 let eve[r]y one sit in silenc[e] and never lift your voice again[s]t the servants of God again.
Right of Conscience / False Prophets
Every man has a right to be a false prophet. as well as a true prophet.—
Every man has a right to be a false prophet. as well as a true prophet.—
God Is a Man in Form
in the beginning. befor the world was.— Is a man like one of yourselves— should you see him to day, you would see a man in fashion and in form. Adam was formd in his likeness.——
in the beginning. befor the world was.— Is a man like one of yourselves— sh[o]uld you see him to day, you would see a man in fashion and in form. Adam was formd in his likeness.——
God Was Once a Man / Refuting Eternal Godhood
refute the Idea that God was God from all eternity—
refute the Idea that God was God from all eternity—
Christ's Power from the Father
Jesus said as the father Had power in himself even so hath the son power to do what the fathr did.— Lay down his body. & take it up again.——
Jesus said as the father Had power in himself even so hath the son power to do what the fathr did.— Lay down his body. & take it up again.——
Becoming Gods: Exaltation by Degrees
you have got to learn how to make yourselves Gods Kings. Priests.— &— by going from a small to great capacity. . . Till they are able to dwell in everlasting burning & everlasting power.—
you have got to learn how to make you[r]selves Gods Kings. Prie[s]ts.— &— by going from a small to g[r]eat capacity. . . Till they are able to dwell in evelastig [everlasting] burni[n]g & everlasti[n]g power.—
Consolation for Mourners: Heirs of God
how consoling when calld to part with a dear friends. to know their very being will rise to dwell in everlasting burning.— heirs of God.
how consoling when calld to part with a dear frie[n]ds. to know their ve[r]y being will rise to dwell in everlasti[n]g bunig [burning].— heirs of God. [67]
Christ Followed the Father's Pattern
and ascend a throne as those who have gone before.— I saw the father work out his kingdom with fear & trembling.—— god is gratified in salvation Exaltation— of his creations &c—
and ascend a throne as those who have gone before.— I saw the father work out his kingdom with fear & trembling.—— god is gra[ti]fied2 in salvati[o]n Exaltation— of his creati[o]ns &c—
First Principles / Not All Comprehended in This World
not all to be comprehended in this world——
not all to be comprehedd [comprehended] in this world——
Hebrew Exegesis: Bereshit / Genesis 1:1
the head.— the head one— The head one of the Gods, brought forth the Gods.— Dr & Lawyer that have persecuted.—
the head.— the head one— The head one of the God[s], brought fo[r]th the Gods.—
Dr & Lawyer that have persecuted.—
Grand Council of the Gods
The head one called the Gods together in grand council— to bring forth the world.—
The head one called the Gods together in grand coun[c]il— to bring fo[r]th the world.—
The Polyglot Bible: Jacob vs. James
Example of error as Yacob. Jacob— the son of Zebedee— & James James the son of Zebedee 4. mat. 21. Greek Hebrew. German. & Latin.— In the beginning the the head of the gods calld a council of the Gods— and concoctd a scheme to create this world.—
Example of error as Yacob. Ja[c]ob— th[e] son of Zebedee— & James James the son of Zebede[e] 2 4. mat. 21. Greek Hebrew. German. & Latin.— In the begin[nin]g the the head of the gods calld a coun[c]il of the Gods— and concoctd a scheme to create this world.—
Creation Ex Nihilo Refuted
Soon as we begin to understand the character of God, he begins to unfold the heavns to us.— Doctors say.— created the earth out of nothing. Barau.— create.— it means to organized.— God had materials to organize the world.— Elements— nothing. can destroy. no beginning no end.——
Soon as we begin to understand the character of the Gods, he begin[s] to unfold th[e] heavns to us.—
Doctors say.— created the earth out of nothing.
Barau.— create.— it means to organized.— God had mat[er]ials to organ[i]ze the world.— Elements— nothing. can destroy. no beginni[n]g no end.——
The Soul / Mind of Man: Pre-existence
The soul. Doctor of Divinity. God created in the beginning— lessens the character of man.— dont believe it.—— who told you God was Self existnt? correct enough.— in hebrew put into him his spirit.— which was created before.
The soul. Doctor of Divin[i]ty. God created in the beginn[in]g— lessens the chara[c]ter of man.— dont [68] believe it.—— who told you God was Self existnt? correct enough.— in hebrew put into him his spirit.— which was created before.
Mind of Man Coequal with God / Mourners' Comfort
Mind of man co-equal with God himself— friends separated. for a small moment. from their spirits. coequal with God. and hold conversation when they are one with another.—
Mind of man co-equal with God him[s]elf— frie[n]ds separated. for a small mom[en]t. from their spir[i]ts. coequal with God. and hold conversa[tion] when they are one with another.—
Intelligence Is Self-Existent: The Ring Analogy
If man had a beginning he must have an end.—— might proclaim. God never had power to create the spirit of man at at all.
If man had a beginig [beginning] he must have an end.—— might proclaim. God never had power to create the spir[i]t of man at at all.
God Instituted Laws for Lesser Intelligences
Intelligence exist upon a self existent principle no creation about. it. all minds & spirit God ever sent into the world are susceptible of enlargement.——
Intiignc [Intelligence] exist upon a self existe[n]t principle no creation about. it. all mi[n]ds & spir[i]t God ever sent into the wo[r]ld are susceptible of enlargeme[n]t.——
Revelations Save Spirit and Body
all things God has seen fit proper to reveal while dwelling in mortality. are reveald.— precisely the same— as though we were destitute of bodies.—— what will save our spirits will save our bodies.—— our tabernacles—— for our spirits—
all things God has seen fit proper to r[e]veal in while dwelli[n]g in mortality. are reveald.— precisely the same— as though we were destitute of bodies.——
what will save our spi[r]its will save our bodies.—— our taberacls [tabernacles]—— for our spi[r]its—
Awful Responsibility for Our Dead
All spirits— who have not obeyed the Gospel must be damnd.— Who have not obeyed the decrees of son of man. we are looked upon by God as though we were in Eternity— the greatest responsibility resting upon us is to look upon our dead.— they without us cannot be made perfct without us. meet Paul 1/2 way.— Hence the saying of Elijah.—
All spirits— who have not obedye [obeyed] th[e] Gospel must be damnd.— Who have not obeyed th[e] decrees of son of man.
we are looked upon by God as though we were in Eternity— the greate[s]t responibity [responsibility] resting upon us is to look upon our dead.— they without us cann[o]t be made perfct without us. meet Paul 1/2 way.—
Hence the saying of Elijah.— [69]
All Sins Forgiven Except One
God made provisions before the world was— for every creature in all sin shall be forgivn in this world or world to com—— except one. Salvation for all men who have not committed a certain sin can save every man who has not committd the unpardonable sin.
God made provisio[n]s before th[e] world was— for every cr[e]ature in
all sin shall be forgivn in this world or world to com—— except one[.] Salvati[o]n for all men who have not committed a certain sin
can save ev[er]y man who has not committd the unpardonable sin.
Cannot Commit Unpardonable Sin After Death / Knowledge Saves
cannot commit the unpardonable sin after the dissolution of the body—— Knowledge saves a man.— no way for a man to come to understanding but giv his consent to the commandment—— Damnd by mortification.—— a lake as of fire of brimstone— as exquisite the disappointment of the mind of man—— why? must commit the unpardonable sin in this world. will suffer in the eternal world until he will be exalted.—
cannot commit the unpdonbl [unpardonable] sin after th[e] decay dissolution of the body—— Knowledge save[s] a man.—
no way f[o]r a man to come to undestadig [understanding] but giv his conse[n]t to th[e] comandmet [commandment]—— Damnd by mo[r]tification.—— a lake as of fire of brimston[e]— as exquisite th[e] disappointme[n]t of the mind of man——
why? must commit the unpardon[a]ble sin in this wo[r]ld. will suffer in th[e] ete[r]nal world until he will be exalted.—
The Devil's Plan vs. Christ's Plan
works of the devil. the plans the devil laid to save the world.— Devil said he could save them all— Lot fell on Jesus.——
works of th[e] devil. the pl[a]ns th[e] devil laid to save th[e] wo[r]ld.—
Devil said he could save them all— Lot fell on Jesus.——
The Unpardonable Sin Defined
all sin &c forgiven except the sin against the Holy Ghost.— Got to deny the plan of Salvation. &c— with his eyes open.—
all sin &c fogen [forgiven] except the sin agai[n]st th[e] Holy Gh[o]st.— Got to de[n]y th[e] plan of Salvati[o]n. &c— with his eyes open.—
Apostates of the Church
Like many of the apostates of church of the church of Jesus Christ.— of Last Days
Like ma[n]y of the apostates of chu[r]ch of the chu[r]ch of Jesus Christ.— of Last Days
Warning: Be Careful
Let All be careful.— lest you be deceived. best men brings forth best works.
Let All be careful.— lest you be dec[e]ived. best men brings forth best works. [70]
Many Mansions / Degrees of Glory
to the mourners your friend has gone to wait— the perfection.— of the reunion.— the resurrection of your friend in felicity while worlds must wait myriads of years befor they can receive the like blessings.—
to the mourne[r]s your f[r]iend has gone to wait— the perfection.— of the reunion.— the resurrecti[o]n of your frie[n]d in felicity while worlds mu[s]t wait myr[i]ads of years befor they can receive the like blessi[n]gs.—
Friends Gone for a Moment / Eternity
leave the subject— bless those who have lost friends. only gon for a few moments.—
leave th[e] subject— bless thoes [those] who have lost frie[n]ds. only gon for a few mome[n]ts.—
Mothers Shall Have Their Children
Shall mothrs have their Children? Yes. they shall have it without price. redemption is paid possessing all the intelligence of a god. the child as it was before it died out of your arms throne upon thrones. Dominion upon dominions just as you——
Shall mothrs have their Child[re]n? Yes. th[e]y shall have it with[o]ut price. redempt[io]n is paid possessing all the intelgen [intelligence] of a god. the child as it was before it died out of your arm[s] throne up[o]n thrones. Domin[ion] up[o]n domnins [dominions] just as you——
Baptism: Water, Fire, and Holy Ghost
Baptism of water fire & Holy Ghost. are inseparably— connected.— found in the German Bible to prove what I have taught for 14 years about baptism.— I baptize you with— water. but when Jesus comes having the keys— he shall baptize you with the baptisms of fire & Holy Ghost.—— Leaving the principles of doctrin of baptism &c— one god. one baptism— & one baptism— I.E. all three— called upon all men. Priests and all to repent and obey the gospel.— if they do not they will be damnd.— those who commit the unpardonable sin are doomd to Gnolom. without end.— God dwells in everlasting burnings.——
Baptism of water fire & Holy Ghost. are insepa[r]ably— connected.— found in th[e] Germ[a]n Bible to prove what I have taught for 14 years ab[o]ut baptism.— I baptize you with— water. but when Jesus comes having the keys— he shall baptize you with th[e] baptisms of fire & Holy Ghost.——
Leaving th[e] pincipls [principles] of doctrin of baptism &c—3 one god. one bapti[s]m— & one bapti[s]m— I.E. all three—4
called upon all men. Pri[e]sts and all to repe[n]t and ob[e]y the gospel.— if th[e]y do not th[e]y will be damnd.— those who commit the unpdoabl [unpardonable] sin are doomd to Gnolom.5 without end.—
God dwells in everlasti[n]g burnings.——
Closing: Personal Testimony / 'You Don't Know Me'
Love all men but hate your deeds.— You dont know me— you never will I dont blame you for not believing my history had I not experienced it could not believe it myself
Love all men but hate your deeds.—
You dont know me— you never will
I dont blame you for not believi[n]g my histo[r]y had I not expeind [experienced] by it could not believe it myself [71]
The Joseph Smith Papers' notes on this text
Reproduced from the Joseph Smith Papers. They are that project's editorial work, not this edition's; the ones beginning TEXT: are where its editors flag a reading of the manuscript as uncertain, and those are the uncertainty this edition records.
- 1The Wilford Woodruff account renders this passage as “If I am the man that shows you what kind of a being God is.” The Times and Seasons account renders this passage as “if I should be the man to comprehend God, and explain or convey the principles to your hearts so that the spirit seals it upon you.”times and seasons
- 2TEXT: Possibly “g[lo]rified”.textual
- 3See Hebrews 6:1–2; and New Testament Revision 2, part 2, p. 139 [Joseph Smith Translation, Hebrews 6:1–2].scripture
- 4The Times and Seasons account renders this passage as “There is one God, one Father, one Jesus, one hope of our calling, one baptism—all these three baptisms only make one.”times and seasons
- 5Gnolaum, or ‘olam, is a Hebrew noun defined as “eternity” or “a long period” (referring to “time to come or to time past”). The word is used and defined as the adjective “eternal” in the Book of Abraham, which JS published in 1842. (Gibbs, Manual Hebrew and English Lexicon, 160; Book of Abraham Excerpt and Facsimile 2, 15 Mar. 1842 [Abraham 3:18].)scripture