Joseph Smith: a witness of Christ [LDS Open

On Dec. 23, 1805, as much of the world was preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, another baby boy was born. Like Jesus, this 19th century baby came forth in humble circumstances and in an obscure village.

Though the world didn't know it at the time, the birth of Joseph Smith Jr. would initiate what is arguably the greatest and most far-reaching chain of events in the history of Christianity since the Savior's mortal ministry itself.

That infant would grow up to hold the apostolic office and thus be a special witness of Jesus Christ, the first mortal man on earth with such authority since the deaths of Peter, Paul and other New Testament figures. But Joseph's role would have further significance, he being the man who, under the direction of Jesus Christ, received the keys of the gospel's restoration in latter days and of the prophesied Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. It was a role with transcendent magnitude, fulfilling scriptural prophecy.

Joseph himself would only begin to become aware of its significance himself at age 14, when, in response to a fervent plea for religious guidance, he saw in their glory the Father and the Son.

In subsequent theophanies and other heavenly visitations, the young prophet would receive further divine tutoring.

Visiting Joseph on Sept. 21, 1823, the Book of Mormon prophet Moroni in angelic form quoted a number of biblical passages, among them this verse from Isaiah:

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots" (Isaiah 11:1).

Some 15 years later, the Prophet would provide a divinely revealed explanation of this verse in the form of questions and responses recorded today as Doctrine and Covenants 113:1-4: "Who is the Stem of Jesse spoken of in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th verses of the 11th chapter of Isaiah?

"What is the rod spoken of in the first verse of the 11th chapter of Isaiah, that should come of the Stem of Jesse?

"Behold, thus saith the Lord: It is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power."

Commented Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve, "Are we amiss in saying that the prophet here mentioned is Joseph Smith, to whom the priesthood came, who received the keys of the kingdom, and who raised the ensign for the gathering of the Lord's people in our dispensation?"

Alexander W. Baugh, professor of Church history and doctrine at BYU commented, "On Dec. 9, 1834, Joseph Smith Sr. pronounced a patriarchal blessing on Joseph Smith Jr. wherein he declared that the Prophet was a lineal descendant and birthright heir to the patriarchal fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but more particularly Joseph of Egypt. Furthermore, Brigham Young declared that Joseph Smith was a descendant of Joseph through Ephraim (Journal of Discourses 2:269).

"Additionally, Doctrine and Covenants 113:6 states that the 'root of Jesse' as spoken of in Isaiah 11:10 is 'a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days.' Such wording suggests the individual to be none other than Joseph Smith."

From the article: Visiting Joseph on Sept. 21, 1823, the Book of Mormon prophet Moroni in angelic form...

Stop the tape. A "prophet...in angelic form" is Mormonese for the ghost of a dead man...or an ex-angelic demonic being masquerading as a "ghost."

From the article: ...quoted a number of biblical passages, among them this verse from Isaiah: "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots" (Isaiah 11:1). Some 15 years later, the Prophet would provide a divinely revealed explanation of this verse in the form of questions and responses recorded today as Doctrine and Covenants 113:1-4: ..."What is the rod spoken of in the first verse of the 11th chapter of Isaiah, that should come of the Stem of Jesse? "Behold, thus saith the Lord: It is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power." Commented Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve, "Are we amiss in saying that the prophet here mentioned is Joseph Smith, to whom the priesthood came, who received the keys of the kingdom, and who raised the ensign for the gathering of the Lord's people in our dispensation?"

(Thanks for askin' Brother Bruce. The answer to your question is, "Yes, Mormons are deeply --and widely -- amiss!)

An Open Letter to Mormons who are
sincere about their faith...

(and slightly embarrassed by the posts of self-styled
"defender-mormons")

If you peruse the Free Republic religion forums
you will notice a pattern. There’s a group of
Christians who spend a great deal of time posting
from Official Mormon Sources - both the Book of
Mormon as well as Mormon Prophets and Church
materials - real quotes from real mormon materials.

You will also notice that many of these Christians
are former Mormons who left Mormonism and come to
know the Biblical Jesus Christ and His Gospel of Grace.

They have a passion to reach Mormons to share what
they learned about Salvation by grace and apart
from the never ending treadmill of human works...

Of course, they are attacked regularly by a very,
small group of Mormons who have zeal, but no real
knowledge beyond what the Mormon Church has told
them. You've seen this with your own eyes on this
thread and others, so I'm not telling you anything

you don't already know.

Why can't these so-called "defenders" provide any:

… Objective Facts
… Objective Evidence
… Or Logical support

Anything OBJECTIVE that any reasonable person would
see and agree that it lends support the claims of
Mormonism.

Why can't they do this?

If Mormonism is true, why is it based only on

subjective feelings and why doesn't it have the

same kind of objective support the Bible does?

Has God changed?

Is He no longer able to weave His story into history,

into the fabric of human DNA, into the findings of

archeology, and into geography? Do you believe He has

become powerless?

I bet you do not believe that.

So why would God provide every kind of objective support
for the Bible's rich history and none for the Book of
Mormon? Why?

These "defenders" post links over and over again that
“address” things yet never provide an answer that is
buttressed by the ring of truth, echoed by history,
archeology, genetics, geography, etc.

If they could support the claims of Mormonism with facts,
you know they would. But it never happens here. You may

be new to these threads, but I've read almost every one

for the past 6 years. I can tell you that it is always

the same as this thread. No facts, no evidence, no logical

argument.

People deserve more than subjective feelings and useless
links to non-answers.

You deserve more than feelings and hollow links.

After reading both sides on this thread and others,
you may very well be wondering about what you were
taught when you joined the LDS church. You also may
be wondering how to resolve the lack of facts, evidence
and logical suport for Mormonism's claims.

You are not alone in wondering this.

Many have approached those of us who are Christians
asking where to find out more and some, even, to ask
how to come to know the Biblical Christ and some even how
to gracefully leave Mormonism and start a new life with
Christ.

Many here have already set out to finally and joyfully know
the true God and Savior. They understand the terrible choice
of being totally sincere about your faith, but increasingly
concerned that it isn't everything you once believed and hoped

for.

After coming to know the truth, they are on a path that gives

them the rest God promised to His children and the certainty

of His ultimate plan for them. Nothing brings them greater joy

than helping a friend who has the same questions.

There are places online that you can visit to learn more about

Mormonism.

If something is true, it can withstand any question, no matter

how tough. If it is false, it is better to know while your life

is in front of you. You can read these resources without fear.

http://www.irr.org/mit/default.html
http://www.exmormonsforjesus.org/
http://4mormon.org/ex-mormon.php
http://www.exmormon.org/
http://www.mormoncurtain.com/

Links may raise more questions and concerns and sometimes it
helps to have someone who has already wrestled through these
issues.

I invite you to private FReep-mail any of the Christians
on this thread to ask questions about the concerns you have.

We always do our best to directly answer your questions with
facts, evidence and logical support.

Take a step.

Roll the dice.

What do you have to lose at this point? And you have much to

gain.

There is peace and rest waiting for you.

All the Best,
ampu

From the article: "What is the rod spoken of in the first verse of the 11th chapter of Isaiah, that should come of the Stem of Jesse? "Behold, thus saith the Lord: It is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power." Commented Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve, "Are we amiss in saying that the prophet here mentioned is Joseph Smith, to whom the priesthood came, who received the keys of the kingdom, and who raised the ensign for the gathering of the Lord's people in our dispensation?"

Does everybody realize the import of what the Mormons are doing here?

It's not enough that Lds often focus on Joseph Smith's Dec. 23 birthday as much if not more than Jesus Christ's celebrated birthday set-aside date. They now want to wrestle away some of the verses of Christmas carols/hymns so they will apply to Joseph Smith!

Merry Smithmas, indeed!

Example: The text for the much-beloved Christmas carol/hymn, O Come, O Come Emmanuel was written in the 12th century. Now Mormon apologists are wanting to wrestle the second verse from that carol as belonging to Christ!!!:

<>b>O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come EmmanSmithuel???

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