Real genius Quote by B. H. Roberts
““These unwise utterances, however, were made, for the most part, by the overzealous and ignorant. Men who had no grasp of the real genius of the great work whose foundations were then being laid; men who, in common with men of like nature in all ages and in all great movements, have been trouble-breeders; who, in their contemplation of ultimate results to be achieved, overleaped the intervening space through which the movement must pass, the difficulties it must encounter and overcome, the experiences its adherents must gain, the great and varied labors they must perform. They seem not to understand that great movements require time for the achievement of their ends; that time with God is one thing, with man quite another thing; that the thing which is "nigh at hand" with the Lord may be to men afar off; and overlooking these important facts leads such men into many errors of thought and action.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Doctrine and Covenants History, 19th century LDS writings
The quote warns that eager, uninformed people often jump ahead of a movement’s natural progression, ignoring necessary challenges and timing, leading to mistakes.
In simple terms: Overeager people skip steps and err.
Key Takeaway
Respect process and timing.
Themes
patience
process
movement
mistakes
growth
Mood
cautious
reflective
serious
Type
advisory
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- religious reform
- social activism
- organizational change
- personal development
Key Concepts
spiritual development
historical context
human psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you recognize when you are overleaping?
- What steps are essential before a major change?
A Different Perspective
Great movements need time and gradual learning; rushing causes error.
![“[T]he kingdom of God... is to be a political institution that shall hold sway over all the earth; to which all other governments will be subordinate and by which they will be dominated.” quote by B. H. Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c8b/b-h-roberts-42473_earth_t-he-kingdom-of-god-is-to-be-a-political_51017.jpg)
