---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Prophet Joseph Smith warned us to…"
description: "\"The Prophet Joseph Smith warned us to ‘beware of self-righteousness’ and to enlarge our hearts toward all men and women until we feel ‘to take them upo..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/neil-l-andersen-10980_feels_the-prophet-joseph-smith-warned-us-to-be_3048185.png"
---

#  The Prophet Joseph Smith warned us to ‘beware of…

![“The Prophet Joseph Smith warned us to ‘beware of self-righteousness’ and to enlarge our hearts toward all men and women until we feel ‘to take them upon our shoulders.” quote by Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/neil-l-andersen-10980_feels_the-prophet-joseph-smith-warned-us-to-be_3048185.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/neil-l-andersen-10980_feels_the-prophet-joseph-smith-warned-us-to-be_3048185.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/neil-l-andersen-10980_feels_the-prophet-joseph-smith-warned-us-to-be_3048185.png)

> “The Prophet Joseph Smith warned us to ‘beware of self-righteousness’ and to enlarge our hearts toward all men and women until we feel ‘to take them upon our shoulders.”

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Warns against moral superiority and urges expanding compassion to all people, sharing burdens.

**In simple terms:** Avoid self‑righteousness; be compassionate.

Key Takeaway

Practice humility and empathy.

Themes

humility compassion service community

Mood

reflective serious

Type

ethical spiritual

When to use this quote

- volunteering
- counseling
- conflict resolution
- leadership

Key Concepts

Christian doctrine ethical responsibility

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you broaden your empathy toward strangers?
- What burdens can you share with others?

A Different Perspective

Self‑righteousness can blind one to others’ needs.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men and women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-and-women/) [Prophet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prophet/) [Righteousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/righteousness/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self righteousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-righteousness/)

## Related quotes

> [“Beware the self-righteous man, for he will destroy the world many times over before he sees his folly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/beware-the-self-righteous-man-for-he-will-destroy-the-world-many/)

[Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/)

> [When Jesus sent forth his servants formerly he sent them to preach this Gospel. When the Father and the Son and Moroni and others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taylor/when-jesus-sent-forth-his-servants-formerly-he-sent-them-to-preach/)

[John Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taylor/)

> [ Our whole strength rests on the validity of \[Joseph Smith's\] vision. It either occurred or it did not occur. If it did not, then… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/our-whole-strength-rests-on-the-validity-of-joseph-smith-s-vision-it/)

[Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/)

> [ \[Joseph Smith\] foresaw the time when the destiny of the nation would be in danger and would hang as by a thread. Thank God… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/joseph-smith-foresaw-the-time-when-the-destiny-of-the-nation-would-be/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [It is possible to know when, at least basically, we please God. In fact, Joseph Smith taught that one of the conditions of genuine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/it-is-possible-to-know-when-at-least-basically-we-please-god-in-fact/)

[Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/)

> [For hundreds of years the world was wrapped in a veil of spiritual darkness, until there was not one fundamental truth belonging to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-fielding-smith/for-hundreds-of-years-the-world-was-wrapped-in-a-veil-of-spiritual/)

[Joseph Fielding Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-fielding-smith/)

> [I was ordained one of the standing High Council in Zion, under the hands of President Joseph Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-pratt/i-was-ordained-one-of-the-standing-high-council-in-zion-under-the/)

[Orson Pratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-pratt/)

> [When the Constitution of the United States was framed and adopted, those high contracting parties did positively agree that they would not interfere with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taylor/when-the-constitution-of-the-united-states-was-framed-and-adopted/)

[John Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taylor/)

> [I know that God is our Father. He introduced His Son, Jesus Christ, to Joseph Smith. I declare to you that I know that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/i-know-that-god-is-our-father-he-introduced-his-son-jesus-christ-to/)

[Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/)

> [I feel like shouting, hallelujah, all the time, when I think that I ever I knew Joseph Smith, the Prophet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigham-young/i-feel-like-shouting-hallelujah-all-the-time-when-i-think-that-i-ever/)

[Brigham Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigham-young/)

> [I am grateful that early in my life I was blessed with a simple faith that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/i-am-grateful-that-early-in-my-life-i-was-blessed-with-a-simple-faith/)

[Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/)

> [While testimonies can come as dramatic manifestations, they usually do not. Sometimes people think they need to have an experience like Joseph Smith's vision…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-f-packer/while-testimonies-can-come-as-dramatic-manifestations-they-usually-do/)

[Allan F. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-f-packer/)

> [Joseph Smith could not have picked a better year to start The Book of Mormon than 600 B.C.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-nibley/joseph-smith-could-not-have-picked-a-better-year-to-start-the-book-of/)

[Hugh Nibley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-nibley/)

> [ If we get our salvation, we shall have to pass by him \[Joseph Smith\]; if we enter our glory, it will be through the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-q-cannon/if-we-get-our-salvation-we-shall-have-to-pass-by-him-joseph-smith-if/)

[George Q. Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-q-cannon/)

> [There is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...no man can reject…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-fielding-smith/there-is-no-salvation-without-accepting-joseph-smith-if-joseph-smith/)

[Joseph Fielding Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-fielding-smith/)

## More by Neil L. Andersen

> [These fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/these-fiery-trials-are-designed-to-make-you-stronger-but-they-have/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [No trial is so large we can't overcome it together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/no-trial-is-so-large-we-can-t-overcome-it-together/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to “re-turn” toward God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/the-invitation-to-repent-is-rarely-a-voice-of-chastisement-but-rather/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [We do not discard something we know to be true because of something we do not yet understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/we-do-not-discard-something-we-know-to-be-true-because-of-something/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [“Honesty, integrity, and truth are eternal principles that significantly shape our experience in mortality and help determine our eternal destiny.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/honesty-integrity-and-truth-are-eternal-principles-that-significantly/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [Repentance is powerful spiritual medicine. There are few spiritual ills it will not cure. Each sin we leave behind through our faith in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/repentance-is-powerful-spiritual-medicine-there-are-few-spiritual/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [In the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is no place for ridicule, bullying, or bigotry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/in-the-gospel-of-jesus-christ-there-is-no-place-for-ridicule-bullying/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [“Jesus’s call “Come, follow me” is not only for those prepared to compete in a spiritual Olympics. In fact, discipleship is not a competition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/jesus-s-call-come-follow-me-is-not-only-for-those-prepared-to-compete/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/motherhood-is-not-a-hobby-it-is-a-calling-you-do-not-collect-children/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [The wisdom of the world, while in many cases very valuable, is most valuable when it humbly bows to the wisdom of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/the-wisdom-of-the-world-while-in-many-cases-very-valuable-is-most/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [We hold in our arms the rising generation. They come to this earth with important responsibilities and great spiritual capacities. We cannot be casual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/we-hold-in-our-arms-the-rising-generation-they-come-to-this-earth/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [We each have moments of spiritual power, moments of inspiration and revelation. We must sink them deep into the chambers of our souls. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/we-each-have-moments-of-spiritual-power-moments-of-inspiration-and/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [Can you see the hand of God in your own life?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/can-you-see-the-hand-of-god-in-your-own-life/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/faith-in-jesus-christ-is-a-gift-from-heaven-that-comes-as-we-choose/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [We are all in this together. With fellow ward members and missionaries, we plan and pray and help one another. Please keep the full-time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/we-are-all-in-this-together-with-fellow-ward-members-and-missionaries/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

[Explore all 62 Neil L. Andersen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

## More Feels quotes

> [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/)

[Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/)

> [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [We all know what it feels like to love someone and care about them and want to protect them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiana-madeira/we-all-know-what-it-feels-like-to-love-someone-and-care-about-them/)

[Kiana Madeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiana-madeira/)

> [Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they're wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/pain-is-meant-to-wake-us-up-people-try-to-hide-their-pain-but-they-re/)

[Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/)

> [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/)

[Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/)

> [Most days, I go home and I feel rejuvenated. I feel ebullient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siddhartha-mukherjee/most-days-i-go-home-and-i-feel-rejuvenated-i-feel-ebullient/)

[Siddhartha Mukherjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siddhartha-mukherjee/)

> [Do you think that God would separate me from my husband if I killed myself? I feel as though I am going out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-you-think-that-god-would-separate-me-from-my-husband-if-i-killed/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/)

[Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/)

> [Personal Style comes from within. It's when the woman, her individuality and spirit come through. She uses clothes to express who she is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/personal-style-comes-from-within-it-s-when-the-woman-her/)

[Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/)

> [(knitting while on a motorcycle) "For several years she knitted in secret (my father would not approve; she was to concentrate on motorcycling and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-zimmermann/knitting-while-on-a-motorcycle-for-several-years-she-knitted-in/)

[Elizabeth Zimmermann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-zimmermann/)

> [Then come to realize that you're making mountains out of molehills. Realize how petty you've become. Sure, it may feel like you can't get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-asher/then-come-to-realize-that-you-re-making-mountains-out-of-molehills/)

[Jay Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-asher/)

> [A lot of indigenous cultures are deeply involved in working with ancestor spirits, elemental spirits, and demons. Many of these cultures feel that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pinchbeck/a-lot-of-indigenous-cultures-are-deeply-involved-in-working-with/)

[Daniel Pinchbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pinchbeck/)

> [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/)

[Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/)

> [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/)

[Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/)

> [I feel like I could eat the world raw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-miller/i-feel-like-i-could-eat-the-world-raw/)

[Madeline Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-miller/)

Browse all 38,933 Feels quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The Prophet Joseph Smith warned us to ‘beware of self-righteousness’ and to enlarge our hearts toward all men and women until we feel ‘to take them upon our shoulders.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Neil L. Andersen"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/the-prophet-joseph-smith-warned-us-to-beware-of-self-righteousness/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Feels"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/the-prophet-joseph-smith-warned-us-to-beware-of-self-righteousness/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/neil-l-andersen-10980_feels_the-prophet-joseph-smith-warned-us-to-be_3048185.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/neil-l-andersen-10980_feels_the-prophet-joseph-smith-warned-us-to-be_3048185.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/neil-l-andersen-10980_feels_the-prophet-joseph-smith-warned-us-to-be_3048185.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The Prophet Joseph Smith warned us to ‘beware of self-righteousness’ and to enlarge our hearts toward all…” — Neil L. Andersen",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Neil L. Andersen",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The Prophet Joseph Smith warned us...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/the-prophet-joseph-smith-warned-us-to-beware-of-self-righteousness/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/the-prophet-joseph-smith-warned-us-to-beware-of-self-righteousness/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
