In the mind of Joseph Smith a new dispensation had dawned. An enticing opportunity faced every Saint.

Each had the old scriptures written by ancient prophets who received some revelation, but were restricted in their knowledge and understanding. Much was withheld from them to be revealed to the prophets and the Saints in the last dispensation.

Also, the ancient scriptures were open to new interpretation. Some applied then, but not now.

Added to this, each belonged to the Church and there received new revelation given to the Church.

And, each Saint had access to the prophet Joseph Smith who was teaching new concepts and mysteries received by revelation.

However, even he was limited in what he knew and restricted in what he could divulge.

But, each Saint also had the Prophet's and the Divine injunction to seek personal revelation promised to all latter day Saints.

Plus, there were many truths abroad in the world waiting for the Saints to find and incorporate into their beliefs.

Further, the Saints were to share their understanding and discovered mysteries, except where restricted, by teaching one another.

Each Saint was free, perhaps even obligated, to amalgamate truth captured from all these sources into his own personal brand of Mormonism.

The ideal Mormon would realize that all Saints are on different levels of gospel maturity; would acknowledge that he is, as each of his brothers, yet a child, certainly fraught with misconceptions and differences, not to be resolved until long after this life.

While Joseph Smith endorsed diversity, in fact expected and defended it, he condemned those who turned diversity into contention or division within the Church.

To him the ideal Church was a body of independent free thinking individuals, diverse in their doctrinal conclusions, working together in a stong bond of unity to promote the cause of the Restoration. Joseph Smith saw the greatest strength in the Church, in fact the ultimate authority, rested with this body of strong faithful, yet independent, ideal Mormons when they come to a concensus on a matter. Non-thinking blind followers had little to offer.