Joseph Smith’s Boast: Is Joseph Better than Jesus?

What would you say if someone claimed to be better than Jesus? He’s, of course, the Savior of the world, the Messiah! But what if a person said they were greater than Christ—would that be problematic? Could we trust such a person? Consider the following quote:

“Come on! ye prosecutors! ye false swearers! All hell, boil over! Ye burning mountains, roll down your lava! for I will come out on top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet…When they can get rid of me, the devil will also go” (History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 408).

This was spoken by Joseph Smith, and is recorded in “History of the Church”, Volume 6, pages 408—published by the LDS Church itself. Here’s why this should be such a serious problem for Latter-day Saints:

Beware False Prophets

Jesus says,

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-16a).

False prophets look like the real deal. They are convincing. At first glance – they SEEM to be faithfully representing God. But we’re commanded not to examine how a prophet appears…we’re commanded to examine that prophet’s fruit. What is the fruit of a prophet? Prophecy! Their teachings and their works! 

Joseph Smith—a self-proclaimed prophet, who (for many) appears to be a genuine prophet—said that he was “greater” than Jesus. Why? Because he held the whole church together, and Jesus did not. We are commanded by our Lord to test his claims, and examine his fruit.

Jesus: The Highly Exalted Head of the Church

So let’s test this claim: is Joseph greater than Jesus because he held the whole church together? Consider these verses,

“And (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent” (Colossians 1:18).

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

 “that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:20-23).

The Father exalts Jesus, giving Him a name above all other names in heaven and on earth, now and forever. Is Joseph greater than Jesus? No.

The Lord Hates Pride

Joseph’s boast reveals his pride and arrogance. He thought of Himself as greater than the Savior. This isn’t me twisting his words—that is exactly what he said! “I have more to boast of than ever any man had.” But James 4:6 says,

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

God OPPOSES the proud….meaning God opposes Joseph Smith. He is Joseph’s enemy (Because of his pride). The Bible also teaches:

“The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate” (Proverbs 8:13).

“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 16:5).

Look at how The Apostle Paul spoke about boasting,

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The difference between Paul and Joseph is striking.

If you remain unconvinced that Joseph said these things, research this quote yourself. This is bad fruit; evidence of a false prophet. Reject Joseph Smith. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. You can have Jesus without Joseph. Jeremiah 9:23-24 says,

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me…’” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)