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."

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

(but slightly troubled and embarrassed by the posts

of "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 came to
know the Biblical Jesus Christ and His Gospel of Grace

- apart from the treadmill of human works.

They have a passion to share what they learned with

other Mormons.

Of course, they are attacked regularly by a very,
small group of Mormons on FR who have zeal, but no real
knowledge beyond what the Mormon Church has told
them.

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.

God is a God of real history. He wove the strands of

human DNA, His Book, the Bible is rooted and grounded

in real places on real maps and is verified through

archeology, geography, history and genetics.

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 in control of the world?

If they could support the claims of Mormonism with facts,
you know they would. But it never happens. I've even heard

these "defenders" say God hid all evidence to make our

faith greater. Has the God of the universe now become

the Cosmic Easter Bunny? Or is He unchangeable, like the

Bible teaches?

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

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.

You deserve more than feelings and non-answers.

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 tension of a faith

that is based entirely on subjective claims, yet

wants to claim the same God who has commanded you

to love Him with "all your mind."

You are not alone in this journey.

Many have approached 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.

Here are some links to get you started in your quest to know
the Biblical Christ:

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/

In the end though, links may raise more questions and concerns

and sometimes it helps to have someone who has already wrestled

with all these issues already.

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.

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

gain.

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.

There is peace and rest waiting for you today. Take a step to

find it now.

All the Best,
ampu

the response is classic lame rhetoric - even lurkers are mocking it now.

Some people leave themselves open to mockery.

Even the headline there in your graphic, 'Zilla, from the "Weekly Mormon News" on the right: HINCKLEY SAYS " DO KNOW THAT WE TEACH THAT!" shows that -- not to mention having a bit of "inside" humor that lurkers may not understand.

So, always mindful of lurkers -- the ones PD tries to appeal to -- just to to this link for more info on this Time Magazine interview the head of the Mormon church gave back in the 90s:

I don't know that we teach that (Hinckley)

(It's when you read Hinckley saying, "I don't know that we teach that" about a major Mormon doctrine that you realize that PD represents the shiftiest of used-car hucksters in religious form that exists!)

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Official mormon publication unlike your links which say they are NOT official and have no affiliation with lds (except two).