Imperfect People

And I have sent forth the fulness of my gospel by the hand of my servant Joseph; and in weakness have I blessed him. Doctrine & Covenants 35:17

Joseph Smith never claimed to be perfect (History of the Church, 6:366). Like us, he was human, with strengths and weaknesses, imperfections and flaws. In fact, he was blessed with weaknesses so that he might be humble, teachable, and dependent on the Lord. He was no more than a man but no less than a prophet of God: the one called from the foundation of the world to restore the truth, to translate the ancient record containing the fulness of the gospel, to usher in the last and greatest of all dispensations. Because no perfect person but Jesus has ever walked the earth, the Lord has always done his work through the weak and the simple. It is reassuring to know that the Lord works through imperfect people. Whom the Lord calls, he qualifies—when they are steadfast, diligent, and have their eye single to his glory. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 94)