What a Liturgical Order of Smithmas Sacrament Meeting Might look like! [Vanity, Part B]

If you were ever to receive a liturgical Order of Smithmas Sacrament Meeting devoted to Joseph Smith, here's what it might look like!

Part B of Double Posting: 'Answers' to the 26-Question Quiz from Part A

Well, the "answers" to the 26-question quiz of part A weren't included there. Want to see how you scored in that Part A Quiz? [If you haven't yet taken the Quiz, go HERE before continuing to read this piece...Then come back here for the "answers!"]

Answers to 26-Question Quiz

In each of the 26 questions, you could answer:
(a) God
(b) Jesus Christ
(c) Holy Spirit
(d) Joseph Smith

Answers to questions 15 & 16 were worded slightly distinctly – involving a specific activity/event of one of these four.

Without further adieu (yes I can use this French word just like Jacob did in the Book of Mormon in 500 B.C. -- before the French language was even developed!), here are the "answers":

From the Mormon Church/Mormon leader perspective, the "answer" to all 26 questions was...

...JOSEPH SMITH

...since these Mormon leaders aren't Christians using Biblical sources or standards, if you are a Christian and "missed" Joseph Smith as THE ANSWER to every question, hey, we understand.

From a Biblical angle, (b) "Jesus Christ" -- is THE "Answer" to every question except Question #18 – in which the Holy Spirit is the correct Answer. And, given that God is 3-in-1, a/b/c is actually the correct Answer for Questions 9, 15, 16, 19 and 20.

Therefore, unless you're a Smithmas devotee – closeted or not – Joseph Smith is not the real answer to any of these questions. Hence, there's actually two "keys" to scoring this quiz: The Mormon Church key, and the Biblical key!

Back to: A Liturgical Order of Smithmas Sacrament Meeting devoted to Joseph Smith

'Tis Dec. 1, 2008. A Mormon blogger at bycommonconsent.com blogs: "The two hundredth anniversary of Joseph Smith’s birth is three years past, and the hand wringing of Smith-centric sacrament meetings in December (Christmas infringement!) is mostly abated. Still, it shouldn’t be a surprise that commemorating the birth and life of the Prophet of the Restoration is part of our liturgical calendar, ad hoc and informal though it may be." Bycommonconsent.com: 'Joseph and Jesus'

Here's Your 'Bulletin' for the Order of Smithmas Sacrament Meeting unto Joseph Smith

An 'All-star lineup' of Mormon Church/Mormon leader citations re: Joseph Smith

From the article:

If you were ever to receive a liturgical Order of Smithmas Sacrament Meeting devoted to Joseph Smith, here's what it might look like!

Part B of Double Posting: 'Answers' to the 26-Question Quiz from Part A

{Note: This is part B of How would YOU score on this 26-question quiz about 'Smithmas?' [Vanity, Part A]}

What makes this part B?

Answers to 26-Question Quiz

In each of the 26 questions, you could answer:
(a) God
(b) Jesus Christ
(c ) Holy Spirit
(d) Joseph Smith

Answers to questions 15 & 16 were worded slightly distinctly – involving a specific activity/event of one of these four.

Without further adieu (yes I can use this French word just like Jacob did in the Book of Mormon in 500 B.C. -- before the French language was even developed!), here are the "answers":

From the Mormon Church/Mormon leader perspective, the "answer" to all 26 questions was...

[SNIP]

Back to: A Liturgical Order of Smithmas Sacrament Meeting devoted to Joseph Smith

And for further information, as to why the late December Sacrament meeting is so "dreaded," see: The dreaded Christmastime ward sacrament meeting [Mormon Merry Smithmas!] (by Mormon columnist Doug Gibson, Dec. 24, 2009

As an afterthought, I suppose I could have added the song, Oh come, Oh come EmmanSMITHuel" -- where the Mormon Church consistently teaches that Joseph Smith is the "Rod of Jesse" cited in "Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel".

I'll bet Ol' Joe would rather be remembered as the guy with the 'Rod of Iron'!

The First Book of Nephi

Chapter 8

Lehi sees a vision of the tree of life—He partakes of its fruit and desires his family to do likewise—He sees a rod of iron, a strait and narrow path, and the mists of darkness that enshroud men—Sariah, Nephi, and Sam partake of the fruit, but Laman and Lemuel refuse. About 600–592 B.C.

1 And it came to pass that we had gathered together all manner of ^aseeds of every kind, both of grain of every kind, and also of the seeds of fruit of every kind.

2 And it came to pass that while my father tarried in the wilderness he spake unto us, saying: Behold, I have ^adreamed a dream; or, in other words, I have ^bseen a ^cvision.

3 And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of ^aNephi and also of Sam; for I have reason to suppose that they, and also many of their seed, will be saved.

4 But behold, ^aLaman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly because of you; for behold, methought I saw in my dream, a dark and dreary wilderness.

5 And it came to pass that I saw a ^aman, and he was dressed in a white ^brobe; and he came and stood before me.

6 And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him.

7 And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste.

8 And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have ^amercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies.

9 And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord I beheld a large and spacious ^afield.

10 And it came to pass that I beheld a ^atree, whose ^bfruit was desirable to make one ^chappy.

11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the ^afruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the ^bwhiteness that I had ever seen.

12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great ^ajoy; wherefore, I began to be ^bdesirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was ^cdesirable above all other fruit.

13 And as I cast my eyes round about, that perhaps I might discover my family also, I beheld a ^ariver of water; and it ran along, and it was near the tree of which I was partaking the fruit.

14 And I looked to behold from whence it came; and I saw the head thereof a little way off; and at the head thereof I beheld your mother Sariah, and Sam, and ^aNephi; and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go.

15 And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit.

16 And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also.

17 And it came to pass that I was desirous that Laman and Lemuel should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast mine eyes towards the head of the river, that perhaps I might see them.

18 And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would ^anot come unto me and partake of the fruit.

19 And I beheld a ^arod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood.

20 And I also beheld a ^astrait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a ^bworld.

21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were ^apressing forward, that they might obtain the ^bpath which led unto the tree by which I stood.

22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.

23 And it came to pass that there arose a ^amist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were ^blost.

24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, ^aclinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the ^bfruit of the tree.

25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ^aashamed.

26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the ^aother side of the river of water, a great and ^bspacious building; and it stood as it were in the ^cair, high above the earth.

27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the ^aattitude of ^bmocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.

28 And after they had ^atasted of the fruit they were ^bashamed, because of those that were ^cscoffing at them; and they ^dfell away into forbidden paths and were lost.

29 And now I, Nephi, do not speak ^aall the words of my father.

30 But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the ^arod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.

31 And he also saw other ^amultitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.

32 And it came to pass that many were drowned in the ^adepths of the ^bfountain; and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads.

33 And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of ^ascorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.

34 These are the words of my father: For as many as ^aheeded them, had fallen away.

35 And ^aLaman and Lemuel partook not of the fruit, said my father.

36 And it came to pass after my father had spoken all the words of his dream or vision, which were many, he said unto us, because of these things which he saw in a vision, he exceedingly feared for Laman and Lemuel; yea, he feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lord.

37 And he did ^aexhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them.

38 And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord; and he did cease speaking unto them.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Order of Smithmas Sacrament Meeting unto Joseph Smith

CONFESSION

"Whosoever CONFESSETH THAT JOSEPH SMITH WAS SENT OF GOD to reveal the holy Gospel to the children of men, and lay the foundation for gathering Israel, and building up the kingdom of God on the earth, that spirit is of God;" and every spirit that does not confess that God has sent Joseph Smith, and revealed the everlasting Gospel to and through him, is of Antichrist, no matter whether it is found in a pulpit or on a throne... -- -- Discourses of Brigham Young, 1860; "I have taught for thirty years, and still teach, that he that believeth in his heart and confesseth with his mouth that Jesus is the Christ and that Joseph Smith is his Prophet to this generation, is of God; and he that confesseth not that Jesus has come in the flesh and sent Joseph Smith with the fulness of the Gospel to this generation, is not of God, but is antichrist. All who confess that Joseph Smith is sent of God in the latter days, to lay the foundation of his everlasting kingdom no more to be thrown down, and will continue to keep his commandments, are born of God"-- Brigham Young, 1862
HYMN #27
Intro: "When we sing of Joseph Smith, 'Praise to the Man' (Hymns, 1985, no. 27), we remember so many praiseworthy things about him. We praise him for his...We praise Joseph, too, for his...We praise Joseph...Likewise, we praise him...We praise Joseph for...We can now sing of how Joseph has been “crowned in the midst of the prophets of old” (Hymns, 1985, no. 27)." -- Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, 1994, reference republished by church in 2007
1. Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah, Jesus anointed that prophet and seer. Blessed to open that last dispensation, Kings shall exalt him and nations revere! Hail to the prophet, ascended to heaven. Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain. Mingling with Gods he can plan for his brethren; death cannot conquer the hero again.
2. Praise to his memory he died as a martyr. Honored and blest be his ever great name! Long shall his blood which was shed by assassins, plead unto heaven while the earth lauds his fame. Hail to the prophet, ascended to heaven. Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain. Mingling with Gods he can plan for his brethren; death cannot conquer the hero again.
3. Great is his glory and endless his priesthood, Jesus anointed that prophet and seer. Ever and ever the keys he will hold. Faithful and true he will enter his kingdom, crowned in the midst of the prophets of old. Hail to the prophet, ascended to heaven. Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain. Mingling with Gods he can plan for his brethren; death cannot conquer the hero again.
4. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven; Earth must atone for the blood of that man. Wake up the world for the conflict of justice. Millions shall know Brother Joseph again. Hail to the prophet, ascended to heaven. Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain. Mingling with Gods he can plan for his brethren; death cannot conquer the hero again.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

”Christmas is a busy time of year. However, Dec. 23 is a good time to remember and reflect on all that Joseph Smith did for each of us.” --Mormon Times, Dec. 20, 2009
"He [Joseph Smith] stands at the head of this great and mighty work which is spreading across the earth...Let not his memory be forgotten in the celebration of Christmas..." --Lds Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, A Season for Gratitude, December 1997
"And at this season, he's happy that our thoughts can be drawn to Joseph Smith. ‘He gave us everything.’" --Thomas S. Monson, Dec. 22, 2008, 'Praise to the Man' honors Joseph Smith, Deseret News
"'Mormonism' has made me all I am..." --Brigham Young, 1860
"Joseph Smith lies at the heart of it all..." -- James E. Faust, 1981, “Praise To The Man”: A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons
"This is a season for giving and a time for gratitude. We remember with appreciation the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith, which is celebrated this same month of December, two days before Christmas. How great indeed is our debt to him. His life began in Vermont and ended in Illinois, and marvelous were the things that happened between that simple beginning and tragic ending. It was he who brought us a true knowledge of God, the Eternal Father, and His Risen Son, the Lord Jesus Christ." --Lds Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, December, 1997
TESTIMONY-BEARING

[There is] "no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God" Lds Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith Doctrines of Salvation, 1954, 1982 vol. 1, p.190
"If we get our salvation, we shall have to pass by him [Joseph Smith]; if we enter our glory, it will be through the authority he has received. We cannot get around him [Joseph Smith]" Lds "apostle" George Q. Cannon, as cited by Editor Jerreld L. Newquist, Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, Vol. 1, p. 255 Deseret Book Co., 1974
"If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation." --Lds Apostle Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 670, republished later by Deseret Book Co. (Last republishing date 1978)
THE PROPHET'S CREED [Said together in unison]

"Now, brethren, this is a consolation to us all. Believe in God, believe in Jesus, and believe in Joseph his Prophet, and in Brigham his successor. And I add, 'If you will believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph was a Prophet, and that Brigham was his successor, you shall be saved in the kingdom of God,' which I pray, in the name of Jesus, may be the case. Amen."--Joseph Young, 1857 (one other than Brigham Young or Joseph Smith)
TEXT OF THE DAY

Doctrine & Covenants 135:3: "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. "
Testimony on the Text: Lds “prophet” Gordon B. Hinckley focuses on "Testimony of the First Vision"...and, in doing so, compares and contrasts Joseph Smith to the members of the Godhead earthly events such as Heavenly Father speaking at Jesus' baptism, the cross, the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit's coming at Pentecost: "I hope with all my heart that each member of this Church will read the story of the Prophet Joseph Smith, read the story of the First Vision...There's no other event in all recorded history that compares with it, not even at the baptism of the Savior." --Lds Church News, July 2006, p. 2
Further Testimony on the Text: Joseph's event, says Lds Prophet Joseph F. Smith, does indeed outrank the Holy Spirit's coming at Pentecost: "The greatest event that has ever occurred in the world since the resurrection of the Son of God from the tomb, and his ascension on high, was the coming of the Father and of the Son to that boy Joseph Smith, to prepare the way for the laying of the foundation of [God's] kingdom..." -- Joseph F.Smith, Deseret Evening News, July 14, 1917, p. 9 – as cited by 2007 Lds Church in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p. 545
"No man in earth's history has been responsible for restoring more truth than the Prophet Joseph Smith..." BYU Professor Joseph Fielding McConkie, Answers: Straightforward Answers to Tough Gospel Questions, Deseret, 1998, p. 53
"We cannot, in reality, come to Christ if we do not accept his servant, Joseph Smith." --Rodney Turner's chapter in Witness of Jesus Christ: The 1989 Sperry Symposium on the Old Testament, Deseret, p. 249
SONG OF PRAISE

Line 1: “The greatest activity in this world or in the world to come is directly related to the work and mission of Joseph Smith..." --Lds Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, 1967, “Praise To The Man”: A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons
Line 2: "We acknowledge the Prophet; we proclaim him; we respect him; we reverence him" --Lds Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, December 2005
Line 3: "We stand in reverence before him" --Lds Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, December 1997
Line 4: "Kings shall extol him, and nations revere." --Gordon B. Hinckley citing 'Praise to the Man', 1983
Line 5: [Again] "Kings shall extol him, and nations revere." --Gordon B. Hinckley citing 'Praise to the Man', Nov. 4, 1979
Line 6: "I honor and revere the name of Joseph Smith" see --Lds.org; see also Brigham Young, 1978 republished under Discourses of Brigham Young, compiled by Lds "apostle" John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City, Lds church-owned Deseret Book Co., pp. 458-459.
Line 7: "President David O. McKay, who asked, 'Whence hath this man wisdom?' Then he answered as follows: 'Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!...” --Lds Prophet David O. McKay, 1944, “Praise To The Man”: A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons
Line 8"The early members of the Church remembered his birthday with festive celebrations. We can remember the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith and show our PRAISE and admiration for him by living the principles that he taught." --Praise the Prophet, December, 1990
Line 9: "I would not like to call him a savior, though in a certain capacity he was a God to us, and is to the nations of the earth, and will continue to be." --Brigham Young, 1861

Line 10: "As we commemorate the birth of the babe in Bethlehem, the Savior of the world, may we also remember his emissary, Joseph Smith, and consciously rejoice* in his life and sacrifice, as well."* --Christmas with the Prophet Joseph, December, 1978
Line 11: "God made Aaron to be the mouthpiece for the children of Israel, and He will make me be god to you in His stead, and the Elders to be mouth for me; and if you don't like it, you must lump it." --Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Deseret News, 1938, p. 363
Line 12: "No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith...He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation—the keys to rule in the spirit-world; and he rules there triumphantly... --Melchizedek Priesthood Study Manual, Search These Commandments, 1984, p. 133, citing Brigham Young, Journal of Discourse, pp. 289-290
Line 13: "No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are—I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent. He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation—the keys to rule in the spirit world; and he rules there triumphantly..." --Brigham Young, 1859
Line 14: "You call us fools, but the day will be, gentlemen and ladies, whether you belong to this Church or not, when you will prize brother Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the Living God, and look upon him as a GOD, and also upon Brigham Young, our Governor in the Territory of Deseret." -- President Heber C. Kimball, 1857

Part B of Double Posting: 'Answers' to the 26-Question Quiz from Part A

Answers to 26-Question Quiz

...JOSEPH SMITH

Back to: A Liturgical Order of Smithmas Sacrament Meeting devoted to Joseph Smith

Here's Your 'Bulletin' for the Order of Smithmas Sacrament Meeting unto Joseph Smith

An 'All-star lineup' of Mormon Church/Mormon leader citations re: Joseph Smith

Order of Smithmas Sacrament Meeting unto Joseph Smith

CONFESSION

HYMN #27

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

TESTIMONY-BEARING

THE PROPHET'S CREED [Said together in unison]

TEXT OF THE DAY

SONG OF PRAISE

Part B of Double Posting: 'Answers' to the 26-Question Quiz from Part A

Answers to 26-Question Quiz

Back to: A Liturgical Order of Smithmas Sacrament Meeting devoted to Joseph Smith

The First Book of Nephi

Chapter 8