In its final formulation by the Prophet, Mormonism...is generous, open, and expansive. Whether it is so in its embodiment in the world depends on the willingness of individual Latter-day Saints to continue their prophet's reformation by reforming Mormonism as it exists in their personal faith and lives...Mormonism will 'revolutionize and civilize the world' no faster than individual Mormons receive erstwhile enemies and strangers as friends and brothers and sisters. Mormonism will...build a heaven on earth no faster and more effectively than individual Mormons shoulder this responsibility themselves

Dom Bradley, "The Grand Fundamental Principles of Mormonism: Joseph Smith's Unfinished Reformation," Sunstone Issue 141, 2006

I clearly saw and understood, by the spirit of revelation manifested in me, that if I was to harbor a thought in my heart that Joseph could be wron in anything, I would begin to lose confidence in him, and that feeling would grow...until at last I would have the same lack of confidence in hes being hte mouthpiece for the Almighty.  Though I admitted in my feelings and knew all the time that Jospeh was a human being and subject to err, still it was none of my business to look after his faults...He was called of God; God dictated [to] him, and if He had a mind to leave him to himself and let him commit an error, that was no business of mine....Though he had his weaknesses he was all that any people coul drequire a true prophet to be.

-Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses 4:297)

Adventures of a Church Historian, Leonard J. Arrington (pg. 4)

I saw Joseph Smith the Prophet do things which I did not approve of; and yet...I thanked God that He would put upon a man who had these imperfections the power and authority which He placed upon him...for I knew I myself had weakness and I thought there was a chance for me.  These same weaknesses...I knew were in Heber C. Kimball, but my knowing this did not impair them in my estimation.  I thanked God I saw these imperfections.

-Lorenzo Snow (as quoted in the diary of George Q. Cannon, Jan. 7, 1898, Archives Division, Historical Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)

Adventures of a Church Historian, Leonard J. Arrington (pg. 4)