Joseph Smith Biography

(Grace) #1

Without Disclosing My True Identity


that could save lives, the inventor would be faced with a free-willed choice: Do I give my
medicine away for free, anonymously, without letting others know where it came from?^81 Do I
sell my medicine so that I can take care of myself and those dependent upon me? Or do I seek
praise, honor, and money for my medicine, pricing it according to supply and demand?


Joseph’s Words Taken out of Context


The principle of “the glory of God is intelligence”^82 was eventually incorporated into
LDS/Mormon canonized scripture completely out of context. Like most of what he wrote or
said, Joseph didn’t expect this to be made scripture; but alas, as he groaned within himself,
the people desired it. So they got what they desired to their detriment.
Discussion of the principle is currently found in section 130 of the LDS/Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants. It didn’t exist in the 1833 Book of Commandments,^83 or in the 1835
Kirtland version of the D&C, or in the 1844 Nauvoo edition, or in the 1876 Utah version
under Brigham Young. It was added by the modern LDS/Mormon Church in the 1971
version^84 by taking parts of some of Joseph’s writings that had been convoluted into a
Comprehensive History of the Church.^85 Why? The modern LDS/Mormon Church had to
somehow justify their emphasis on worldly education, university degrees, and secular
learning (“the honors of men”).
Joseph, however, did not write this statement in conjunction with any worldly
knowledge, but meant it as pertaining to the same “intelligence” that gives a god glory.
No amount of intelligence gained on this earth in the ways and things of the world is
incorporated into an advanced human society. So why would a worldly education be of
any importance except to “sell your tokens or signs for money?”^86 Again and again, the
LDS/Mormon people, seeing, do not see; and hearing, do not hear. In other words, by
gaining worldly education, the LDS/Mormons have corrupted the true concept of
“intelligence” and are opposing their pre-mortal foundationalization of equality. Instead
of seeing all people as equal to themselves, they have built themselves up above others
in their supposed “knowledge,” in order to get the praise, gain, and honors of the world.
Joseph had to deal with this attitude and general consensus among the LDS people all of
his life—something that saddened him greatly.


NOTES


(^1) See, e.g., HR, 8:4–15; 13:19, 22.
(^2) HR, 6:20, “The father has no problem seeing his children suffer if it means that they will
learn the lessons of true humanity.” See also HR, 7:29–30.
(^3) HR, 1:3.
(^4) HR, 1:5–6; BOM, Moroni 7:16–17.
(^5) BOM, Alma 12:24; 42:4, 10, 13.
(^6) BOM, Mosiah 16:10; Jacob 6:13; 2 Nephi 33:15.
(^7) HR, 2:12–13.
(^8) HR, chapter 6.

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