JST

Joseph Smith's Commentary on the Bible - Romans

Romans

Romans 1:16

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16).

Date: 8 September 1842 (Thursday)

Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

Source: Joseph Smith Papers, Illinois Journal 1841-1842, Church Archives (Papers of Joseph Smith, 2:462)

Joseph Smith:

"Mormonism is the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ, of which I myself am not ashamed."

Original:
"Mormonism is the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ, of which I myself am not ashamed."

Romans 2:12

"For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;" (Romans 2:12).

Date: 15 April 1842 (Friday)

Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

Source: Times and Seasons, 15 April 1842, 759-60

Joseph Smith:

"[God] will judge them ['not according to what they have not, but according to what they have' [2 Cor. 8:12]. Those who have lived without law will be judged without law, and those who have a law will be judged by that law. We need not doubt the wisdom and intelligence of the great Jehovah. He will award judgment or mercy to all nations according to their several deserts, their means of obtaining intelligence, the laws by which they are governed, the facilities afforded them of obtaining correct information, and his inscrutable designs in relation to the human family. And when the designs of God shall be made manifest and the curtain of futurity be withdrawn, we shall all of us eventually have to confess that the Judge of all the earth has done right. . . .

"To say that the heathen would be damned because they did not believe the gospel would be preposterous. And to say that the Jews would all be damned that do not believe in Jesus would be equally absurd. For "how can they believe on him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can he preach except he be sent?" [Rom. 10:14-15]. Consequently, neither Jew nor heathen can be culpable for rejecting the conflicting opinions of sectarianism, nor for rejecting any testimony but that which is sent of God, for as the preacher cannot preach except he be sent, so the hearer cannot believe [except] he hear a sent preacher. And [he] cannot be condemned for what he has not heard, and being without law [he] will have to be judged without law."

Original:

"he will judge them "not according to what they have not, but according to what they have" those who have lived without law, will be judged without law, and those who have a law, will be judged by that law; we need not doubt the wisdom and intelligence of the great Jehovah, he will award judgment or mercy to all nations according to their several deserts, their means of obtaining intelligence, the laws by which they are governed; the facilities afforded them of obtaining correct information; and his inscrutable designs in relation to the human family: and when the designs of God shall be made manifest, and the curtain of futurity be withdrawn, we shall all of us eventually have to confess, that the Judge of all the earth has done right.

"The situation of the Christian nations after death is a subject that has called forth all the wisdom, and talent of the philosopher, and the divine; and it is an opinion which is generally received, that the destiny of man is irretrievably fixed at his death; and that he is made either eternally happy, or eternally miserable' that if a man dies without a knowledge of God, he must be eternally damned; without any mitigation of his punishment, alleviation of his pain or the most latent hope of a deliverance while endless ages shall roll along. However orthodox this principle may be, we shall find that it is at variance with the testimony of holy writ; for our Saviour [Savior] says that all manner of sin, and blasphemy shall be forgiven men wherewith they shall blaspheme; but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven, neither in this world, nor in the world to come; evidently shewing [showing] that there are sins which may be forgiven in the world to come; although the sin of blasphemy cannot be forgiven.

"Peter also in speaking concerning our Saviour [Savior] says, that "he went and preached unto spirits in prison, which sometimes were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah.' 1 Pet. iii, 19, 20. Here then we have an account of our Saviour [Savior] preaching to the spirits in prison to spirits that had been imprisoned from the days of Noah; and what did he preach to them? that they were to stay there? certainly not; let his own declaration testify; 'he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised'-Luke iv, 18, Isaiah has it;-'To bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness from the prison, and them that sit in darkness from the prison house.' Is. xlii, 7. It is very evident from this that he not only went to preach to them, but to deliver, or bring them out of the prison house. Isaiah in testifying concerning the calamities that will overtake the inhabitants of the earth says, 'The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgressions thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall and not rise again. And it shall come to pass in that day; that the Lord shall punish the hosts of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in prison, and after many days shall they be visited.' Thus we find that God will deal with all the human family equally; and that as the antediluvians had their day of visitation; so will those characters referred to by Isaiah, have their time of visitation, and deliverance, after having been many days in prison.

"The great Jehovah contemplated the whole of the events connected with the earth, pertaining to the plan of salvation, before it rolled into existence, or over the 'morning stars sung together for joy,' the past, the present and the future, were, and are with him one eternal now; he knew of the fall of Adam, the iniquities of the antedeluvians [antediluvians], of the depth of iniquity that would be connected with the human family; their weakness and strength, their power and glory, apostasies, their crimes, and their righteousness, and iniquity; he comprehended the fall of man, and their redemption; he knew the plan of salvation, and pointed it out; he was acquainted with the situation of all nations; and with their destiny; he ordered all things according to the council of his own will, he knows the situation of both the living, and the dead, and has made ample provision for their redemption, according to their several circumstances, and the laws of the kingdom of God, whether in this world, or in the world to come. The idea that some men form of the justice, judgment, and mercy of God, is too foolish for an intelligent man to think of; for instance it is common for many of our orthodox preachers to suppose, that if a man is not what they call converted, if he dies in that state, he must remain eternally in hell without any hope:-

"'Infinite years in torment must he spend'

"'And never, never, never, have an end.'

"And yet this eternal misery is made frequently to rest upon the merest casuality [casualty];-The breaking of a shoe string; the tearing of a coat, of those officiating; or the peculiar location in which a person lives, may be the means indirectly of his damnation: or the cause of his not being saved. I will suppose a case which is not extraordinary:-Two men who have been equally wicked, who have neglected religion, are both of them taken sick at the same time; one of them has the good fortune to be visited by a praying man, and he gets converted a few minutes before he dies; the other sends for three different praying men, a tailor, a shoemaker, and a tinman. The tinman has a handle to solder on to a can; the tailor has a button-hole to work on some coat that is needed in a hurry; and the shoemaker has a patch to put onto somebody's boot; they none of them can go in time, the man dies and goes to hell: one of these is exalted to Abraham's bosom; he sits down in the presence of God, and enjoys eternal, uninterrupted happiness; while the other who was equally as good as him sinks to eternal damnation; irretrievable misery, and hopeless despair; because a man had a boot to mend, the button hole of a coat to work, or a handle to solder on to a saucepan. The plans of Jehovah are not so unjust; the statements of holy writ so visionary; nor the plan of salvation for the human family so incompatable [incompatible] with common sense; at such proceedings God would frown with indignance [indignation], angels would hide their heads in shame; and every virtuous, intelligent man would recoil. If human laws award to each man his deserts, and punish all delinquents, according to their several crimes; surely the Lord will not be more cruel than man, for he is a wise legislator, and his laws are more equitable, his enactments more just, and his decisions more perfect than those of man: and as man judges his fellow man by law, and punishes him according to the penalty of that law; so does the God of heaven judge "according to the deeds done in the body." to say that the heathen would be damned because they did not believe the gospel would be preposterous; and to say that the Jews would all be damned that do not believe in Jesus, would be equally absurd; for, "how can they believe on him of whom they have not heard; and how can they hear without a preacher; and how can he preach except he be sent" consequently neither Jew, nor heathen, can be culpable for rejecting the conflicting opinions of sectarianism, nor for rejecting any testimony but that which is sent of God, for as the preacher cannot preach except he be sent, so the hearer cannot believe without he hear a sent preacher; and cannot be condemned for what he has not heard; and being without a law will have to be judged without law."

Romans 8:16-17

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:16-17).

Date: February 1834

Location: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio, USA

Source: Evening and Morning Star (February 1834): 136

Joseph Smith:

"We believe that God condescended to speak from the heavens and declare his will concerning the human family, give to them just and holy laws to regulate their conduct, and guide them in a direct way, that in due time he might take them to himself and make them joint heirs with his Son."

Original:

"We believe that God condescended to speak from the heavens and declare his will concerning the human family: give to them just and holy laws to regulate their conduct, and guide them in a direct way, that in due time he might take them to himself, and make them joint heirs with his Son."

Date: 27 August 1843 (Sunday)

Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

Source: Franklin D. Richards "Scriptural Items" (Words of Joseph Smith, 245)

Joseph Smith:

"No man can attain to the joint heirship with Jesus Christ without being administered to by one having the same power and authority of Melchizedek."

Original:

"No man can attain to the Joint heirship with Jesus Christ with out being administered to by one having he same power & Authority of Melchisedec."

Date: 27 August 1843 (Sunday)

Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 244)

Joseph Smith:

"To become a joint heir of the heirship of the Son, [one] must put away all [one's] traditions."

Original:

"To becom a joint heir of the heirship of the son he must put away all his traditions."

Date: 7 April 1844 (Sunday)

Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

Source: Thomas Bullock Report (Words of Joseph Smith, 350)

Joseph Smith:

"[It is] to inherit the same power [and] exaltation, until you ascend the throne of eternal power, same as those who are gone before."

Original:

"to inherit the same power exaltn until you ascd. the throne of Etl power same as those who are gone bef."

Date: 7 April 1844 (Sunday)

Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

Source: William Clayton Report (Words of Joseph Smith, 358)

Joseph Smith:

What is it? To inherit the same glory, power, and exaltation, with those who are gone before."

Original:

"the same glory power & exaltation with those who are gone before."

Date: 7 April 1844 (Sunday)

Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

Source: Wilford Woodruff Journal (Words of Joseph Smith, 345)

Joseph Smith:

"[You will] enjoy the same rise, exaltation, and glory, until you arrive at the station of a God."

Original:

"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 dody [body]. it will rise & dwell with everlasting burnings to be an heir of God & joint heir with Jesus Christ enjoying the same rise, exaltation & glory untill you arive at the station of a God."

Date: 16 June 1844 (Sunday)

Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

Source: Thomas Bullock Report (Words of Joseph Smith, 381)

Joseph Smith:

"They are exalted far above principalities, thrones, dominions, and angels, and are expressly declared to be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, all having eternal power."

Original:

"They are exalted far above princ. thrones dom. & angels--& are expressly decld. to be heirs of God & jt. heirs with J.C. all havg. et[erna]l. power"

Date: 16 June 1844 (Sunday)

Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

Source: George Laub Journal (Joseph Smith, 382)

Joseph Smith:

"The scripture says those who will obey the commandments shall be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ."

Original:

"the Scripture Say those who will obey the commandments shall be heirs of god & Joint heirs with of Jesus Christ."

Romans 8:20

"For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope," (Romans 8:20).

Date: 16 May 1841 (Sunday)

Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

Source: Times and Seasons (1 June 1841): 429

Joseph Smith:

"'The creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but Christ subjected the same in hope.' We are all subject to vanity while we travel through the crooked paths and difficulties which surround us. Where is the man that is free from vanity? None ever were perfect but Jesus, and why was he perfect? Because he was the Son of God and had the fulness of the Spirit and greater power than any man. But notwithstanding our vanity, we look forward with hope (because 'we are subjected in hope') to the time of our deliverance."

Original:

"The creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but Christ subjected the same in hope-we are all subject to vanity while we travel through the crooked paths, and difficulties which surround us. Where is the man that is free from vanity? None ever were perfect but Jesus, and why was he perfect? because he was the son of God, and had the fulness [fullness] of the Spirit, and greater power than any man.-But, notwithstanding our vanity, we look forward with hope, (because 'we are subjected in hope,') to the time of our deliverance."

Romans 9

"I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.

And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;

(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they e called the children of the living God.

Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed" (Romans 9:1-33).

Date: 16 May 1841 (Sunday)

Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

Source: William Clayton's Private Book (Words of Joseph Smith, 74)

Joseph Smith:

"All election that can be found in the scripture is according to the flesh and pertaining to the priesthood."

Original:

"all election that can be found in the scripture is according to the flesh and pertaining to the priesthood."

Date: 16 May 1841 (Sunday)

Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

Source: Times and Seasons (1 June 1841): 430

Joseph Smith:

"The election there spoken of is pertaining to the flesh and has reference to the seed of Abraham, according to the promise God made to Abraham, saying, "In thee and in thy seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed" [Gen. 12:3]. To them belong the adoption and the covenants. . . . The election of the promised seed still continues, and in the last days they shall have the priesthood restored unto them, and they shall be the 'saviors on mount Zion,' the 'ministers of our God.' . . .

"The whole of the chapter had reference to the priesthood and the house of Israel. Unconditional election of individuals to eternal life was not taught by the apostles. God did elect or predestinate that all those who would be saved should be saved in Christ Jesus, and through obedience to the gospel. But he passes over no man's sins but visits them with correction, and if his children will not repent of their sins, he will discard them."

Original:

"the election there spoken of was pertaining to the flesh, and had reverence to the seed of Abraham, according to the promise God made to Abraham, saying, "In thee and in thy seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed." To them belonged the adoption, and the covenants &c. Paul said, when he saw their unbelief I wish myself accursed-according to the flesh-not according to the spirit.

"Why did God say to Pharoah, 'for this cause have I raised thee up?' Because Pharoah was a fit instrument-a wicked man, and had committed acts of cruelty of the most atrocious nature.

"The election of the promised seed still continues, and in the last days, they shall have the priesthood restored unto them, and they shall be the 'Saviors on mount Zion' the 'ministers of our God,' if it were not for the remnant which was left, then might we be as Sodom and as Gomorah.

"The whole of the chapter had reference to the priesthood and the house of Israel: and unconditional election of individuals to eternal life was not taught by the apostles.

"God did elect or predestinate [predestine], that all those who would be saved, should be saved in Christ Jesus, and through obedience to the gospel; but he passes over no man's sins, but visits them with correction, and if his children will not repent of their sins, he will discard them."

Romans 10:14-15

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (Romans 10:14-15).

Date: February 1840

Location: Liberty Jail, Liberty, Clay County, Missouri, USA

Source: Joseph Smith Letter to Isaac Galland, Times and Seasons (February 1840): 54

Joseph Smith:

"And I will ask, how can they be sent without a revelation or some other visible display of the manifestation of God?"

Original:

"and I will ask, how can they be sent without a revelation, or some other visible display of the manifestation of God."

Romans 10:17

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

Date: 27 June 1839 (Thursday)

Location:

Source: Willard Richard Pocket Companion (Words of Joseph Smith, 3-4)

Joseph Smith:

"Faith comes by hearing the word of God through the testimony of the servants of God. That testimony is always attended by the Spirit of prophecy and revelation. . . . Faith comes not by signs but by hearing the word of God."

Original:

"Faith comes by hearing the word of God through the testimony of the Servants of God, that Testimony is always attended by the Spirit of prophecy & Revelation.

"Repentance

"Is a thing that cannot be trifled with every day. Daily transgression & daily repentance is not that which is pleasing in the sight of God—

"Baptism

"Is a holy ordinance preparatory to the reception of the Holy Ghost. It is the channel & Key by which the Holy Ghost will be administered The gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands cannot be received through the medium of any other principle than the principle of Righteousness, or if the proposals are not complied with it is of no use but withdraw.

"Tongues.

"Were given for the purpose of preaching among those whose language is not understood as on the day of Pentecost &c, & it is not necessary for tongues to be taught to the church particularly. for any man that has the Holy Ghost, can speak of the things of God in his own tongue, as well as to speak in another, for faith comes not by signs but by hearing th word of God."

Date: 13 April 1843 (Tuesday)

Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 191)

Joseph Smith:

"God may correct the scripture by me if he chooses: 'Faith comes by hearing the word of God,' and not 'faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.'"

Original:

"God may correct the scripture by me if he choose
faith comes by hearing the word of God. & not faith by hearing & hearing by the word &c."

Date: 6 August 1843 (Sunday)

Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

Source: Levi Richards Diary (Words of Joseph Smith, 237)

Joseph Smith:

"Truth carries its own influence and recommends itself."

Original:

"truth carrys its own influence & reccomends itself &c."

Date: 6 August 1843 (Sunday)

Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 237)

Joseph Smith:

"Every word that proceedeth from the mouth of Jehovah has such an influence over the human mind, the logical mind, that it is convincing without other testimony. Faith cometh by hearing. If ten thousand men testify to a truth you know, would it add to your faith? No. Or will one thousand testimonies destroy your knowledge of a fact? No."

Original:

"every word that proceedeth from the mouth of Jehovah has such an influence over the human mind the logical mind that it is convincing without other testimony. faith cometh by hearing.

"If 10000 men testify to a truth you know would it add to your faith? No."

Romans 12:19

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19).

Date: 2 March 1841 (Tuesday)

Location:

Source: McIntire Minute Book (Words of Joseph Smith, 64)

Joseph Smith:

"There is a difference between the vengeance that belongeth to the Lord, and a man defending himself or [a] friend."

Original:

"Joseph said there was a Diferance Between the vengance that Belongeth to the Lord, & a man Defending himself or friend."