W
Wilford Woodruff
Personal journal. Woodruff was apparently not assigned to take notes; he wrote his account into his own journal, probably from rough notes taken while JS spoke — he recalled in 1877 having written the sermon down “on the crown of his hat, standing in the congregation.” JSP judges the journal text a fair copy or refined version of those notes.
- Record
- Woodruff, Journal, 7 Apr. 1844
- Taken down
- personal record, refined from notes taken while JS spoke
- Manuscript pages
- [133]–[140]
- Reading words
- 2403
- Cancellations
- 3
Document and role. Wilford Woodruff, Journal, vol. 5, 1 Jan. 1843–31 Dec. 1844, pp. [133]–[140], Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, Church History Library; handwriting of Wilford Woodruff. Woodruff was apparently not assigned to report the conference. The Joseph Smith Papers describes the surviving journal account as probably a fair copy or refinement of rough notes taken while Smith spoke; Woodruff later recalled writing on the crown of his hat while standing in the congregation.2
Smith calls Woodruff's text an expanded, second-order audit, a digest of notes and memory, and observes that it has less verbal agreement with Bullock and Clayton than those two have with each other (Smith, pp. 58–60, 79). Its more continuous prose can preserve fuller thematic summaries and striking images, but that fluency should not be mistaken for a verbatim transcript.
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Joseph Smith Papers, “Discourse, 7 April 1844, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff,” source note and historical introduction. Citation: “JS, Discourse, [Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL, 7 Apr. 1844]. Featured version inscribed [ca. 7 Apr. 1844] in Wilford Woodruff, Journal, vol. 5, 1 Jan. 1843–31 Dec. 1844, pp. [133]–[140]; handwriting of Wilford Woodruff; Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, CHL.” ↩
Introduction: Occasion and Subject
I now call the attention of this congregation while I addres you upon the subject of the dead The case of our Beloved Brother King Follett who was crushed to death in a well as well as many others who have lost friends will be had in mind this afternoon & shall speak upon the subject in general as far as I shall be inspired by the Holy spirit to treat upon the subject, I want the Prayers & faith of the Saints that I may have the Holy Ghost, that the testimony may carry conviction to your minds of the truth of what I shall say, & pray that the Lord may strengthen my lungs, there is strength here your prayers will be herd.
I now call the attention of this congregation while I addres you upon the subject of the dead The case of our Beloved Brother King Follet[t] who was crushed to death in a well as well as many others who have lost friends will be had in mind this afternoon & shall speak upon the subject in general as far as I shall be inspired by the Holy spirit to treat upon the subject, I want the Prayers & faith of the Saints that I may have the Holy Ghost, that the testimony may carry conviction to your minds of the truth of what I shall say, & pray that the Lord may strengthen my lungs, there is strength here your prayers will be herd.
Preliminary: Paving the Way
Before I enter upon an investigation of this subject, I wish to pave the way, and bring up the subject from the beginning that you may understand, I do not intend to please you with oritory but with the simple truths of heaven Edify you.
Before I enter upon an investigation of this subject, I wish to pave the way, and bring up the subject from the beginning that you may understand, I do not intend to please you with oritory but with the simple truths of heaven Edify you.
Need to Understand God from the Beginning
Go to the morn of creation to understand the decrees of the Eloheem at the creation. It is necessary for us to have an understanding of God at the beginning, if we get a good start first we can go right, but if you start wrong you may go wrong.
Go to the morn of creation to understand of the decrees of the Eloheem at the creation. It is necessary for us to have an understanding of God at the beginning, if we get a good start first we can go right, but if you start wrong you may go wrong.
The World Knows Little of God
But few understand the character of God. they do not know they do not understand their relationship to God. the world know no more than the brute beast & they know no more than to eat drink and sleep, & this is all man knows about God or his exhistance, except what is given by the inspiration of the Almighty.
But few understand the character of God. they do not know they do not understand their relationship to God. the world know no more than the brute beast & they know no more than [133] to eat drink and sleep, & this is all man knows about God or his exhistance, except what is given by the inspiration of the Almighty.
What Kind of Being Is God?
go then to the beginning that you may understand. I ask this congregation what kind of a being is God? turn your thoughts in your hearts, & say have any of you seen or herd him or communed with him this is a question that may occupy your attention The scriptures inform us that this is eternal life to know the ownly wise God & Jesus Christ whome He has sent. If any inquire what kind of a being God is— I would say If you dont know God you have not eternal life, go back & find out what kind of a being God is.
go then to the beginning that you may understand. I ask this congregation what kind of a being is God? turn your thoughts in your hearts, & say have any of you seen or herd him or communed with him this is a question that may occupy your attention The scriptures inform us that this is eternal life to know the ownly wise God & Jesus Christ whome He has sent. If any inquire what kind of a being God is— I would say If you dont know God you have not eternal life, go back & find out what kind of a being God is.
Challenge: If I Show God's Character
If I am the man that shows you what kind of a being God is then let evry man & woman sit in silence and never lift up his hand against me again if I do not do it, I will not make any further pretentions to inspiration or to be a prophet I would be like the rest of the world, fals teachers & you would want to take my life.
If I am the man that shows you what kind of a being God is then let evry man & woman sit in silence and never lift up his hand against me again if I do not do it, I will not make any further pretentions to inspiration or to be a prophet I would be like the rest of the world, fals teachers & you would want to take my life.
Right of Conscience / False Prophets
But you might just as well take the lives of other fals teachers as mine if I was fals, But meddle not with any man for his religion, evry goverment ought to permit evry man to enjoy his religion,
But you might just as well take the lives of other fals teacher[s] as mine if I was fals, But meddle not with any man for his religion, evry goverment ought to permit evry man to enjoy his religion,1
God Is a Man in Form
I will show the world is wrong by showing what God is I am going to inquire after God so that you may know God, that persecution may cease concerning me, I go back to the beginning to show what kind of a being God was, I will tell you & hear it O Earth! God who sits in yonder heavens is a man like yourselves That GOD if you were to see him to day that holds the worlds you would see him like a man in form, like yourselves. Adam was made in his image and talked with him, walked with him.
I will show the world is wrong by showing what God is I am going to inquire after God so that you may know God, that persecution may cease concerning me, I go back to the beginning to show what kind of a being God was, I will tell you & hear it O Earth! God who sits in yonder heavens is a man like yourselves That GOD if you were to see him to day that holds the worlds you would see him like a man in form, like yourselves. Adam was [134] made in his image and talked with him, walk[ed] with him.
God Was Once a Man / Refuting Eternal Godhood
In order to understand the dead for the consolation of those that mourn, I want you to understand God and how he comes to be God. We suppose that God was God from eternity, I will refute that Idea, or I will do away or take away the veil so you may see. It is the first principle to know that we may convers with him and that he once was man like us and the Father was once on an earth like us
In order to understand the dead for the consolation of those that mourn, I want you to understand God and how he comes to be God. We suppose that God was God from eternity, I will refute that Idea, or I will do away or take away the veil so you may see. It is the first principle to know that we may convers with him and that he once was man like us and the Father was once on an earth like us
Christ's Power from the Father
And I wish I was in a suitable place to tell it The scriptures inform us mark it that Jesus Christ said As the Father hath power in himself so hath the son power in himself to do what the father did even to lay down my body & take it up again do you believe it if not dont believe the bible I defy all Hell and earth to refute it.
And I wish I was in a suitable place to tell it The scriptures inform us mark it that Jesus Christ said As the Father hath power in himself so hath the son power in himself to do what the father did even to lay down my body & take it up again do you believe it if not dont believe the bible I defy all Hell and earth to refute it.
Becoming Gods: Exaltation by Degrees
And you have got to learn how to make yourselves God, king and priest, by going from a small capacity to a great capacity to the resurrection of the dead, to dwelling in everlasting burnings,
And you have got to learn how to make yourselves God, king and priest, by going from a small capacity to a great capacity to the resurrection of the dead, to dwelling in everlasting burnings,
Consolation for Mourners: Heirs of God
I want you to know the first principle of this law, how consoling to the mourner when they part with a friend to know that though they lay down this body it will rise & dwell with everlasting burnings to be an heir of God & joint heir of Jesus Christ enjoying the same rise exhaltation & glory untill you arive at the station of a God.
I want you to know the first principle of this law, how consoling to the mourner when they part with a friend to know that though they lay down this body it will rise & dwell with everlasting burnings to be an heir of God & joint heir of Jesus Christ enjoying the same rise exhaltation & glory untill you arive at the station of a God.
Christ Followed the Father's Pattern
What did Jesus Christ do the same thing as I see the Father do see the father do what, work out a kingdom, when I do so to I will give to the father which will add to his glory, He will take a Higher exhaltation & I will take his place and am also exhalted.
What did Jesus Christ do the same thing as I se[e] the Father do see the father do what, work out a kingdom, when I do so to I will give to the father which will add to his glory, He will take a Higher exhaltation & I will take his place and am also exhalted.
First Principles / Not All Comprehended in This World
These are the first principles of the gospel. It will take a long time after the grave to understand the whole If I should say anything but what was in the bible the cry of treason would be herd I will then go to the bible,
These are the first principles of the gospel. It will take a long time after the grave to understand the whole If I should say anything but what was in the bible the cry of treason would be herd I will then go to the bible, [135]
Hebrew Exegesis: Bereshit / Genesis 1:1
Barasheet in the beginning, Analize the word in and through the head, an old Jew added the word Bath, it red the head one of the gods, broat forth the gods, I will transpose it in the english language. I want you to know & learn that the Holy Ghost knows somthing.
Barasheet in the beginning, Analize the word in and through the head, an old Jew added the word Bath, it red the head one of the gods, broat forth the gods, I will transpose it in the english language. I want you to know & learn that the Holy Ghost knows somthing.
Grand Council of the Gods
The grand council set at the head and contemplated the creation of the world,
The grand council set at the head and contemplated the creation of the world,
The Polyglot Bible: Jacob vs. James
some will say the scriptures say so & so, but I will show you a text out of an old book containing the four languages, the german is here what does this text say, yoakabeam, the son of Zebedee, the bible says James the son of Zebedee, but this says Jecob son of Zebedee 21 ch 4th ver Matthew The Dr says (I mean Dr of Law not of physic) If you say any thing not according to the Bible we will cry treason, But if ye are not led by revelation how can ye escape the damnation of Hell, here we have the testimony of four I have the oldest Book in the world & the Holy Ghost I thank God for the old Book but more for the Holy Ghost. The Gods came together & concocked the plan of making the world & the inhabitants,
some will say the scriptures say so & so, but I will show you a text out of an old book containing the four languages, the german is here what does this text say, yoakabeam, the son of Zebedee, the bible says James the son of Zebedee, but this says Jecob son of Zebedee 21 ch 4th ver Matthew The Dr says (I mean Dr of Law not of physic) If you say any thing not according to the Bible we will cry treason, But if ye are not led by revelation how can ye escape the damnation of Hell, here we have the testimony of four I have the oldest Book in the world & the Holy Ghost I thank God for the old Book but more for the Holy Ghost. The Gods came together & concocked the plan of making the world & the inhabitants,
Creation Ex Nihilo Refuted
having an knowledge of God we know how to Approach him & ask & he will answer An other thing the Learned Dr says the Lord made the world out of nothing, you tell them that God made the world out of somthing, & they think you are a fool. But I am learned & know more than the whole world, the Holy Ghost does any how, & I will associate myself with it. Beaureau, to organize the world out of chaotic matter, element they are principles that cannot be disolved they may be reorganized.
having an knowledge of God we know how to Approach him & ask & he will answer2 An other thing the Learned Dr says the Lord made the world out of nothing, you tell them that God made the world out of somthing, & they think you are a fool. But I am learned & know more than the whole world, the Holy Ghost does any how, & I will associate myself wit[h] it. Beaureau, to organize the world out of chaotic matter, element they are principles that cannot be disolved they may be reorganized.
The Soul / Mind of Man: Pre-existence
Another subject which is calculated to exhalt man I wish to speak of, The resurrection of the dead The soul the mind of man, whare did it come from. The learned says God made it in the beginning, but it is not so I know better God has told me so, If you dont believe it, it wont make the truth without effect God was a self exhisting being, man exhist upon the same principle. God made a tabernacle & put a spirit in it and it became a Human soul,
Another subject which is calculated to exhalt man I wish to speak of, The resurrection of the dead [136] The soul the mind of man, whare did it come from. The learned says God made it in the beginning, but it is not so I know better God has told me so, If you dont believe it, it wont make the truth without effect God was a self exhisting being, man exhist upon the same principle. God made a tabernacle & put a spirit in it and it became a Human soul,
Mind of Man Coequal with God / Mourners' Comfort
man exhisted in spirit & mind coequal with God himself, you who mourn the loss of friends are ownly seperated for a moment, the spirit is seperated for a little time, they are now conversant with each other as we are on the earth.
man exhisted in spirit & mind coequal with God himself, you who mourn the loss of friends are ownly seperated for a moment, the spirit is seperated for a little time, they are now conversant with each other as we are on the earth.
Intelligence Is Self-Existent: The Ring Analogy
I am dwelling on the immutibility of the spirit of man, is it logic to say the spirit of man had a begining & yet had no end, it does not have a begining or end, my ring is like the exhistanc of man it has no begining or end, if cut into their would be a begining & end, so with man if it had a begining it will have an end, if I am right I might say God never had power to create the spirit of man, God himself could not create himself.
I am dwelling on the immutibility of the spirit of man, is it logic to say the spirit of man had a begining & yet had no end, it does not have a begining or end, my ring is like the exhistanc of man it has no begining or end, if cut into their would be a begining & end, so with man if it had a begining it will have an end, if I am right I might say God never had power to create the spirit of man, God himself could not create himself.
God Instituted Laws for Lesser Intelligences
Intelligence is Eternal & it is self exhisting, All mind is susseptible of improvement, the relationship we have with God places us in a situation to advance in knowledge. God has power to institute laws to instruct the weaker intelligences that they may be exhalted with himself this is good doctrin, it taste good, I can taste the principles of eternal life, so can you, they are given to me by the revelations of Jesus Christ and I know you believe it.
Intelligence is Eternal & it is self exhisting, All mind that is susseptible of improvement, the relationship we have with God places us in a situation to advance in knowledge. God has power to institute laws to instruct the weaker intelligences that they may be exhalted with himself this is good doctrin, it taste good, I can taste the principles of eternal life, so can you, they are given to me by the revelations of Jesus Christ and I know you believe it.
Revelations Save Spirit and Body
All things that God sees fit to reveal to us in relation to us, reveals his commandments to our spirits, and in saving our spirits we save the body, (the same as though we had no Body
All things that God sees fit to reveal to us in relation to us, reveals his commandments to our spirits, and in saving our spirits we save the body, (the same as though we had no Body [137]
Awful Responsibility for Our Dead
How comes the awful responsibility if in relation to our dead, if they do not be baptized they must be damned, (I wish I had 40 days to talk) what promises are made, what can be said if in the grave, God dwells in eternity, and he does not view things as we do, the greatest responsibility lade upon us in this life is in relation to our dead Paul cannot be made perfect without us. for it is necessary that the seals are in our hands to seal our children & our dead for the folness of the dispensation of times, A dispensation to meet the promises made by Jesus Christ befor the foundation of the world for the salvation of man.
How comes the awful responsibility if in relation to our dead, if they do not be baptized they must be damned, (I wish I had 40 days to talk) what promises are made, what can be said if in the grave, God dwells in eternity, and he does not view things as we do,3 the greatest responsibility lade upon us in this life is in relation to our dead Paul cannot be made perfect without us. for it is necessary that the seals are in our hands to seal our children & our dead for the folness of the dispensation of times, A dispensation to meet the promises made by Jesus Christ befor the foundation of the world for the salvation of man.
All Sins Forgiven Except One
All sins and blasphemy, were to be forgiven except the sin against the Holy Ghost. God has made provision for evry spirit in the eternal world, and the spirits of our friends should be searched out & saved, Any man that has a friend in eternity can save him if he has not commit the unpardonable sin,
All sins and blasphemy, were to be forgiven except the sin against the Holy Ghost. God has made provision for evry spirit in the eternal world, and the spirits of our friends should be searched out & saved, Any man that has a friend in eternity can save him if he has not commit the unpardonable sin,
Cannot Commit Unpardonable Sin After Death / Knowledge Saves
He cannot be damned through all eternity, their is a possibility for his escape in a little time, If a man has knowledge he can be saved, if he has been guilty of great sins he is punished for it, when he consents to obey the gospel whether, Alive or dead, he is saved, his own mind damns him I have no fear of hell fire that dont exhist, No man can commit the unpardonable sin, untill He receives the Holy Ghost, All will suffer untill they obey Christ himself,
He cannot be damned through all eternity, their is a possibility for his escape in a little time, If a man has knowledge he can be saved, if he has been guilty of great sins he is punished for it, when he consents to obey the gospel whether, Alive or dead, he is saved, his own mind damns him I have no fear of hell fire that dont exhist, No man can commit the unpardonable sin, untill He receives the Holy Ghost, All will suffer untill they obey Christ himself,
The Devil's Plan vs. Christ's Plan
even the devil said I am a savior and can save all rose up in rebelion against God and was cast down. Jesus Christ will save all except the sons of perdition.
even the devil said I am a savior and can save all rose up in rebelion against God and was cast down. Jesus Christ will save all except the sons of perdition.
The Unpardonable Sin Defined
What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin they must receive the Holy Ghost have the heavens opened unto them, & know God, & then sin against him,
What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin they must receive the Holy Ghost have the heavens opened unto them, & know God, & then sin against him,
Apostates of the Church
this is the case with many apostates in this Church they never seease to try to hurt me, they have got the same spirit the devil had, you cannot save them they make open war like the devil,
this is the case with many [138] apostates in this Church they never seease to try to hurt me, they have got the same spirit the devil had, you cannot save them they make open war like the devil,
Warning: Be Careful
stay all that hear, dont make any hasty mooves you may be saved, if a spirit of Bitterness is in you, dont be in haste, Say you that man is a sinner, well if he repents he shall be forgiven. I could go back and trace evry subject of interest concerning the relationship of man to God if i had time,
stay all that hear, dont make any hasty mooves you may be saved, if a spirit of Bitterness is in you, dont be in haste, Say you that man is a sinner, well if he repents he shall be forgiven. I could go back and trace evry subject of interest concerning the relationship of man to God if i had time,
Many Mansions / Degrees of Glory
their is many mansions in my fathers Kingdom, what have we to console us in relation to our dead, we have the greatest hope in relation to our dead of any people on earth we have seen them walk worthy on earth and those who have died in the faith are now in the selestial kingdom of God, they have gone to await the resurrection of the dead to go to the celestial glory, while their is many who die who will have to wait many years, But I am authorized to say to you my friends in the name of the Lord that you may wait for your friends to come forth to meet you in Eternity in the morn of the celestial world, those Saints who have been murdered in the persecution shall triumph in the celestial world while their murderers shall dwell in torment untill they pay the utmost farthing.
their is many mansions in my fathers Kingdom, what have we to console us in relation to our dead, we have the greatest hope in relation to our dead of any people on earth we have seen them walk worthy on earth and those who have died in the faith are now in the selestial kingdom of God, they have gone to await the resurrection of the dead to go to the celestial glory, while their is many who die who will have to wait many years, But I am authorized to say to you my friends in the name of the Lord that you may wait for your friends to come forth to meet you in Eternity in the morn of the celestial world, those Saints who have been murdered in the persecution shall triumph in the celestial world while their murderers shall dwell in torment untill they pay the utmost farthing.
Friends Gone for a Moment / Eternity
I have Fathers, Brothers, Children, that are gone to eternity soon to meet me, the time will soon be gone, the trump will soon be blown.
I have Fathers, Brothers, Children, that are gone to eternity soon to meet me, the time will soon be gone, the trump will soon be blown.
Mothers Shall Have Their Children
A question will Mothers have their Children in Eternity yes, yes, you will have the Children, But as it falls so it will rise, It will never grow, It will be in its precise form as it fell in its mothers arms. Eternity is full of thrones upon which dwell thousands of Children reigning on thrones of glory not one cubit added to their stature
A question will Mothers have their Children in Eternity yes, yes, you will have the Children, But as is it falls so it will rise, It will never grow, It will be in its precise form as it fell in its mothers arms. Eternity is full of thrones upon which dwell thousands of Children reigning on thrones of glory not one cubit added to their stature [139]
Baptism: Water, Fire, and Holy Ghost
I will leave this subject here and make a few remarks upon Baptism, I will read a text in Jerman upon Baptism, John says I Baptise you with water But when Jesus Christ comes He shall administer the baptism of fire & the Holy Ghost, John said his baptism was good for nothing without the Baptism of Jesus Christ, Many talk of any baptism not being essential to salvation but this would lay the foundation of their damnation, There has also been remarks made concerning all men being redeemed from Hell, But I say that any man who commits the unpardonable sin must dwell in hell worlds without end
I will leave this subject here and make a few remarks upon Baptism, I will read a tex[t] in Jerman upon Baptism, John says I Baptise you with water But when Jesus Christ comes He shall administer the baptism of fire & the Holy Ghost, John said his baptism was good for nothing without the Baptism of Jesus Christ, Many talk of any baptism not being essential to salvation but this would lay the foundation of their damnation, There has also been remarks made concerning all men being redeemed from Hell, But I say that any man who commits the unpardonable sin must dwell in hell worlds without end [1/3 page blank] [140]
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.