Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was. I suppose I was ordained to this very office in that Grand Council.

In your hands or that of any other person, so much power would, no doubt, be dangerous. I am the only man in the world whom it would be safe to trust with it. Remember, I am a prophet!

If I had not actually got into this work and been called of God, I would back out. But I cannot back out: I have no doubt of the truth.

Joseph Smith, Jr. Quotes