“Here then is eternal life, to know the only wise and true God. You have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves; to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done; by going from a small degree to another, from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you are able to sit in glory as doth those who sit enthroned in everlasting power; and I want you to know that God in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming his name, is not trifling with you or me.” — Joseph Smith¹

On April 7, 1844, during the church’s general conference, Joseph Smith delivered a sermon, prompted by the recent death of his friend, King Follett. Joseph sought to comfort the Saints and expand their understanding of the afterlife.² He taught that God possesses a human-like form and declared that mankind has divine potential, capable of becoming like God through spiritual progression. This idea, known as theopoiesis, constitutes a central doctrine of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.^3,4

During the sermon, Joseph also reassured the Saints that death was a temporary separation and that the faithful would one day reunite with their loved ones in immortal glory. In total, he spoke for nearly two and a half hours.² This sermon is now known as the "King Follett Discourse."⁵

1. Times and seasons, 1844-1845 (Volume 5) / 1844 August 15 (No. 15)

2. Saints, Chapter 43, A Public Nuisance, page 522-524

3. Abouna Athanasis, Theopoiesis and Theosis

4. Becoming Like God, Gospel Topics Essays

5. Discourse, 7 April 1844, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff