Bottom Line
The claim that Joseph equated himself with divine rulership is a distortion. The text plainly exalts Christ, not Joseph. This is scripture misrepresented as ambition.
| Podcast | Mormon Stories – Joseph Smith Podcast |
|---|---|
| Episode | Ep. 2046 – John Turner Pt. 9 |
| Category | Prophetic Authority & Revelation Misrepresentation |
| Quote | “He receives a revelation basically where he says he has Jesus saying, ‘I will be your ruler’ … it’s kind of like Joseph saying, ‘I will be your ruler.’ … That combined with ‘I am Joseph the prophet.’ That’s a level of hubris…” — John Dehlin, 00:36:29–00:38:29:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} |
| Core Claim | Joseph Smith used divine revelation as a mask for personal power, equating “Jesus will be your ruler” with “Joseph will be your ruler.” |
| Conclusion | False / Rhetorically Misleading |
| Logical Questions |
|
🔍 Core Finding
This quote grossly distorts the meaning of Doctrine and Covenants 41:4, which reads:
“He that receiveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple… for it is meet that I should be your ruler, and your lawgiver.”
— D&C 41:4
The speaker is Jesus Christ, not Joseph Smith. The verse continues a scriptural tradition of divine kingship:
- Isaiah 33:22: “The Lord is our king.”
- Mosiah 2:19: “Ye are eternally indebted to your heavenly King.”
- 2 Nephi 10:14: “He that fighteth against Zion… shall be as a garment in a furnace of fire.”
Joseph’s leadership followed a revealed structure, with checks and ratification by councils and membership. D&C 28:2 makes clear:
“No one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.”
— D&C 28:2
Bottom Line
The claim that Joseph equated himself with divine rulership is a distortion. The text plainly exalts Christ, not Joseph. This is scripture misrepresented as ambition.