On October 14, Joseph gathered his troops in the…
““On October 14, Joseph gathered his troops in the northwestern Mormon settlement of Far West, and gave a rousing speech, including these fateful lines: “If the people will let us alone, we will preach the gospel in peace. But if they come on us to molest us, we will establish our religion by the sword. We will trample down our enemies and make it one gore of blood from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. I will be to this generation a second Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was ‘the Alcoran or the Sword.’ So shall it eventually be with us—‘Joseph Smith or the Sword!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker declares that peaceful preaching is preferred, but if threatened, they will defend their faith violently, equating their cause with a holy war.
In simple terms: Peaceful preaching unless attacked, then violent defense.
Key Takeaway
Choose peace, prepare for resistance.
Themes
faith
conflict
religion
violence
leadership
Mood
defiant
serious
historical
Type
historical
political
religious
When to use this quote
- missionary work
- persecution
- settlement defense
- political tension
Key Concepts
holy war
defensive aggression
religious zeal
Questions to Reflect On
- Is violence justified to protect belief?
- How can faith be defended without bloodshed?
A Different Perspective
Violence may alienate potential allies and provoke further conflict.