Why does Joseph Smith directly compare himself to the Apostle Paul?

What did he see in Paul's experience that made him feel that the two held so much in common?

Welcome to Meridian Magazine's Come Follow Me Podcast, and for the next 30 minutes we will explore the lesson called the Lord had called us for to preach the Gospel, which is Acts, chapters 16-21.

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Joseph Smith said that it was hard for him to understand why, quote, an obscure poor boy of a little over 14 years of age,

should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sex of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter persecution and reviling.

But he added, I have thought since that I felt much like Paul when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw light and heard of voice, but still there were but few who believed him.

Some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad, and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision.

He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise, and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard of voice speaking unto him,

and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.

So it was with me the prophet continued, I have actually seen a vision, and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen?

For I had seen a vision, I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it, at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God and come under condemnation.

It was because Paul and Joseph Smith both saw a light that they are so endlessly, relentlessly, and cruelly persecuted.

If they had been scoundrels, if they had been tyrannical politicians, if they had been malicious, they would not have been so hated.

But if you have seen a light and share that astonishing news, all the powers of hell will ring out against you in the form of earthly persecution.

It's a guarantee. See a light and be prepared to be persecuted. Why? Because if you have a true and deep witness of Jesus Christ, then you are compelled to share your knowledge, and people may not like that.

It might confront their biases, their desire to do whatever they want, their ignorance, their disillusionment, they may respond with persecution.

Paul said, of the Jews five times received I-40 stripes, save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, Thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep,

and journeying often in perils of waters, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea,

in perils among faults brethren, in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness,

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