Offend God, and come under condemnation
neither dare I do it
However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.
So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.
I had now got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian world was concerned–that it was not my duty to join with any of them, but to continue as I was until further directed. I had found the testimony of James to be true–that a man who lacked wisdom might ask of God, and obtain, and not be upbraided.
The Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith–History 1:25
Materialist
- withstand God: God is now a partner in Joseph’s life. Previously, Joseph found ideas of God through pastors and parents. He cannot return to his previous social dynamics. He cannot let God’s witness go unheard. In fact, Joseph is signalling that His voice holds more weight than others.
- deny what I have seen: Joseph is still a witness within his family and community. His voice has weight as he interacts with others in his community. He struggles to deal with a community that doesn’t accept his witness.
- offend God: Websters 1828 Dictionary says that offend is ‘nearly synonumous with displease’ which leaves a much softer defition than current definitions. In any relationship of trust, displeasure occurs when trust is violated.
- come under condemnation: condemnation can also be read as disapproval in 1828. Additionally, it can mean ‘utter rejection’, ‘censure’. Strong disapproval seems to fit best here.
In summary
Proverbs 18:19 says, ‘A brother wronged is like a fortress city’ in Robert Alter’s Old Testament Translation. He adds in a footnote. ’A brother wronged. The formulation in the original is a little cryptic. The most likely meaning: if you wrong someone close to you, he becomes bristlingly defensive, shutting himself off from you like a fortified city.
This seems to align with
Idealist
- witstand God: God’s directing controlling will has spoken. Joseph has accepted God’s word and cannot change it.
- deny what I have seen: The community is denying God’s witness through Joseph.
- offend God: Seen as a willful rejection of God.
- come under condemnation: God’s powerful rejection of Joseph.