Joseph Smith says that he'd be just as willing to lay down his life for "a presbytiran. a baptist or any other denomination" as he would a Latter-day Saint.

Date
Jul 9, 1843
Type
Speech / Court Transcript
Source
Joseph Smith, Jr.
LDS
Hearsay
Scribed Verbatim
Reference

Discourse, 9 July 1843, as Reported by Willard Richards, pp. 300-302, The Joseph Smith Papers website, accessed August 11, 2021

Scribe/Publisher
Willard Richards
People
Joseph Smith, Jr., Willard Richards
Audience
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Transcription

Joseph remarced [remarked] that all was well between him and the heavens that he had no emnity against any one. and as the prayer of Jesus. or his pattern so prayed Joseph. Father forgive me my trespasses. as I forgive those who trespass. against me. for I freely forgive all men.—— if we would s[e]cure & cultivate the love of others we must love others. even our enemies— as well as friends “why is it this babler gains so many followers. & retains them”? because I possess the principle of love, All I can offer the world a good heart & a good hand. Mormons can testify whether I am willing to lay down my life for a mormon; If it has been demonstrated that I have been willing to die for a mormon I am bold to declare <​befo[r]e heaven​> that I <​am​> just as ready to die for a presbytiran. a baptist or any other denomination.— It is a love of libe[r]ty which inspires my soul. civil and religious liberty— were diffused into my soul by my grandfathers. while they dandld me on their knees.— and shall I want friends? no!—— “Where in do you differ from other[s] in your religious. views?”— In reality & essencce we do not differ so far in our religio[us] v[i]ews but that we could all dring [drink] into one principle of love one [of] the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism <​is​> to receivee thruth [truth] let it come from where it may.— we beli[e]ve in the great Eloheem. who— sits enthrond in yonder heavens.— so do the presbyterian. If as a skillful mechanic In taking a weldi[n]g heat I use a borax & allum. &c—— an[d] succe[e]d in welding you all together shall I not have attaind a good object. if I esteem mankind to be in error shall I bear them down? no! I will will lift them up.— & in his own way if I cannot persuade him my way is better? & I will ask no man to believe as I do.

Citations in Mormonr Qnas
Copyright © B. H. Roberts Foundation
The B. H. Roberts Foundation is not owned by, operated by, or affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.