Famous quote by Joseph Smith, Jr.

"If you do not accuse each other, God will not accuse you. If you have no accuser you will enter heaven. What many people call sin is not sin; I do many things to break down superstition, and I will break it down"

About this Quote

Joseph Smith, Jr. challenges conventional religious beliefs regarding judgment, sin, and entrance to heaven. He posits that human beings are often the ones who judge and accuse each other, creating a system in which accusations determine moral standing and ultimate fate, rather than inherent spiritual law. The idea that "If you do not accuse each other, God will not accuse you" suggests that the act of judgment among people is, in Smith's view, the real source of condemnation. Without human accusers, divine condemnation is absent; thus, entering heaven is more about the absence of judgment than about rigid adherence to prescribed rules.

This teaching undermines the traditional concept of sin as something universally agreed upon and emphasizes that much of what society deems sinful arises from social convention, superstition, and generational misunderstandings rather than divinely mandated moral law. Smith states "What many people call sin is not sin", questioning the legitimacy of social and ecclesiastical definitions of wrongdoing. Behaviors considered taboo may, in his estimation, lack spiritual consequence.

His intention to "break down superstition" reveals a reformative agenda, he wishes to liberate individuals from the burden of inherited beliefs that have no basis in actual divine will. Smith sees himself as a reformer intent on challenging the status quo, urging followers to rethink rigid doctrines and dogmas. By breaking down superstition, he fosters a more compassionate, less judgmental society, where forgiveness and understanding supersede punitive condemnation.

Ultimately, Smith's assertion invites an internalization of spiritual judgment, encouraging people to look for truth beyond socially constructed norms and question whether their moral compass is directed by true understanding or simply by tradition. This perspective encourages personal responsibility, urging individuals to cultivate empathy and resist the tendency to accuse or condemn others, thus facilitating a more inclusive view of salvation.

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USA Flag This quote is written / told by Joseph Smith, Jr. between December 23, 1805 and June 27, 1844. He/she was a famous Clergyman from USA. The author also have 29 other quotes.
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