--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If men do not comprehend the character of…" description: "\"If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves.\" — Joseph Smith, Jr" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/677/joseph-smith-jr-1647_character_if-men-do-not-comprehend-the-character-o_1471178.png" --- # If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not… ![“If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves.” quote by Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/677/joseph-smith-jr-1647_character_if-men-do-not-comprehend-the-character-o_1471178.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/677/joseph-smith-jr-1647_character_if-men-do-not-comprehend-the-character-o_1471178.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/677/joseph-smith-jr-1647_character_if-men-do-not-comprehend-the-character-o_1471178.png) > “If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves.” [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding God's nature is essential to self‑knowledge; without it, one cannot fully grasp personal identity. **In simple terms:** Knowing God helps know yourself. Key Takeaway Study divine attributes to understand self. Themes theology self‑discovery identity Mood contemplative inquisitive Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - religious study - personal reflection - counseling Key Concepts metaphysics spiritual psychology Questions to Reflect On - How does your view of the divine shape your self‑image? - Can you find self‑knowledge without religious context? A Different Perspective Interpretations of God vary, affecting conclusions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-of-god/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves..." If the veil were rent today, and the great God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-men-do-not-comprehend-the-character-of-god-they-do-not-comprehend-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret……](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/god-himself-was-once-as-we-are-now-and-is-an-exalted-man-and-sits/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [For we are so preciously loved by God that we cannot even comprehend it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-of-norwich/for-we-are-so-preciously-loved-by-god-that-we-cannot-even-comprehend/) [Julian of Norwich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-of-norwich/) > [A God alone can comprehend a God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-god-alone-can-comprehend-a-god/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You may know God, but not comprehend Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-baxter/you-may-know-god-but-not-comprehend-him/) [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) > [Laws are essential emanations from the self-poised character of God; they radiate from the sun to the circling edge of creation. Verily, the mighty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/laws-are-essential-emanations-from-the-self-poised-character-of-god/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Nothing can alter the character of God. In the course of a human life, tastes and outlook and temper may change radically: a kind,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/nothing-can-alter-the-character-of-god-in-the-course-of-a-human-life/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [When we say "Thy will be done," do we say it with a sigh? If so, we have never realized that the character of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/when-we-say-thy-will-be-done-do-we-say-it-with-a-sigh-if-so-we-have/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [We're not trying to prove the character of God through science. That's a bad idea. What I'm trying to do is clear away the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillip-e-johnson/we-re-not-trying-to-prove-the-character-of-god-through-science-that-s/) [Phillip E. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillip-e-johnson/) > [Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you cannot understand at the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/faith-is-deliberate-confidence-in-the-character-of-god-whose-ways-you-2/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [“The character of God is an unchanging Northstar five which to find our way through a world of moral complexity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirby-anderson/the-character-of-god-is-an-unchanging-northstar-five-which-to-find/) Kirby Anderson > [Worship is not something we "work up," it is something that "comes down" to us, from the character of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/worship-is-not-something-we-work-up-it-is-something-that-comes-down/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [Holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/holiness-is-nothing-less-than-conformity-to-the-character-of-god/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [Oh the folly of any mind that would explain God before obeying Him! That would map out the character of God instead of crying,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/oh-the-folly-of-any-mind-that-would-explain-god-before-obeying-him/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [The certainty of our salvation rests on the character of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-b-meyer/the-certainty-of-our-salvation-rests-on-the-character-of-god/) [F.B. Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-b-meyer/) ## More by Joseph Smith, Jr > [ According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I \[the Lord\] have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/according-to-the-laws-and-constitution-of-the-people-which-i-the-lord/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [All your losses will be made up to you in the resurrection, provided you continue faithful. By the vision of the Almighty I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/all-your-losses-will-be-made-up-to-you-in-the-resurrection-provided/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge. For if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/a-man-is-saved-no-faster-than-he-gets-knowledge-for-if-he-does-not/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/i-never-told-you-i-was-perfect-but-there-is-no-error-in-the/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [ \[W\]e shall have the satisfaction of knowing that we have acted conscientiously, and have used our best judgment. And if we have to throw… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/w-e-shall-have-the-satisfaction-of-knowing-that-we-have-acted/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [If I had not actually got into this work and been called of God, I would back out. But I cannot back out: I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/if-i-had-not-actually-got-into-this-work-and-been-called-of-god-i/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [I will prove that the world is wrong, by showing what God is...God himself was once as we are now and is an exalted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/i-will-prove-that-the-world-is-wrong-by-showing-what-god-is-god/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/one-of-the-grand-fundamental-principles-of-mormonism-is-to-receive/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [I never thought it was right to call up a man and try him because he erred in doctrine, it looks too much like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/i-never-thought-it-was-right-to-call-up-a-man-and-try-him-because-he/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [The laundry has its hands on my dirty shirts, sheets, towels and tablecloths, and who knows what tales they tell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/the-laundry-has-its-hands-on-my-dirty-shirts-sheets-towels-and/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [When we are accomplishing the good, the greatest opposition comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/when-we-are-accomplishing-the-good-the-greatest-opposition-comes/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [Salvation cannot come without revelation. Men of the present time testify of heaven and hell, and have never seen either; and I will say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/salvation-cannot-come-without-revelation-men-of-the-present-time/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [ Will not the Lord hear my prayers and listen to my cries as soon as he ever did to theirs \[the ancient saints'\] if… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/will-not-the-lord-hear-my-prayers-and-listen-to-my-cries-as-soon-as/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [Let the Saints remember that great things depend on their individual exertion, and that they are called to be co-workers with us and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/let-the-saints-remember-that-great-things-depend-on-their-individual/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [Friendship is the grand fundamental principle of Mormonism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/friendship-is-the-grand-fundamental-principle-of-mormonism/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) [Explore all 219 Joseph Smith, Jr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) David Hudgins > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. 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