"Salvation cannot come without revelation. Men of the present time testify of heaven and hell, and have never seen either; and I will say that no man knows these things without this"
- Joseph Smith, Jr.
About this Quote
This quote by Joseph Smith, Jr. talks to the importance of revelation in attaining redemption. He suggests that without discovery, it is impossible to know the fact about paradise and hell. He indicates that males of today time can affirm of paradise and hell, but they have never ever seen either. This suggests that the understanding of heaven and hell originates from a source besides physical experience. Smith recommends that this source is revelation, which is a direct communication from God. He indicates that without revelation, it is impossible to understand the reality about paradise and hell. This quote speaks to the importance of discovery in attaining salvation, as it is the only method to get knowledge of the afterlife. Smith's words recommend that without discovery, it is difficult to know the truth about paradise and hell, and therefore salvation can not be attained.