I’ve always heard that Joseph Smith knew more about the kingdom of God than he could share. Because if he did, people in the church would want to kill him. Sound absurd? Robert Horne, while living in Nauvoo, heard the prophet speak in the Nauvoo Temple —
“On May 23, 1843, I listened to a discourse preached in the Nauvoo temple, which was then only partially finished. Brother Joseph was talking on the pre-existence of our spirits, and our relations to God in the spirit world, and our standing in the family circle of our Father. Now I am telling the truth, and I remember that while thus talking he suddenly turned around to the Apostles sitting on the stand and said in effect:
‘Brethren, if I were to tell you all I know of the kingdom of God, I do know that you would rise up and kill me.’
Brother Brigham arose and said, ‘Don’t tell me anything that I can’t bear, for I don’t want to apostatize.’
Brother Joseph, addressing the Apostles, then said: ‘The weight of this kingdom has been as a millstone around my neck, but I am going to roll it off on your shoulders, and then the kingdom of God will go on.’
There were eleven of the Apostles present at this time. Among them I saw Parley Pratt, Orson Pratt, Willard Richards, Geo. A. Smith, Brigham Young and John Taylor. I don’t remember the others.” (Robert Horne, “Reminiscences of the Church in Nauvoo,” Latter-Day Saints’ Millennial Star, Vol. 55, No. 36, Sept. 4, 1893, p. 585)
