D&c 325 Test #2 [Merry 'SMITHMAS!' BYU class says Joseph Smith is both 'Rod' and 'Root' of Jesse]

Cram.com ^ | February 2012 | ucancallmeralph311

[Colofornian]

SNIP

According to the student manual, who is the Rod and Root of Jesse?" "Joseph Smith"

SNIP

[Colofornian]

EmmanSMITHuel?

BYU Doctrine & Covenants 325 course:

One of the verses in the great Christmas hymn, Oh come, oh come Emmanuel reads: "Oh come, Thou rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny From depths of hell Thy people save And give them victory o'ver the grave"

For both lyrics & song, see this YouTube clip: Oh come, Oh come Emmanuel

Who is the "rod of Jesse"? The Messiah, Jesus! But who does BYU teach is "the rod of Jesse as well as "The Root of Jesse"? That's right, Joseph Smith!!!

These digital flashcards are created for test prep. And on this 2012 BYU-student generated flashcard Q&A: "According to the student manual, who is the Rod and Root of Jesse?" Indoctrinated Answer? "Joseph Smith"

I confirmed this information in several sources, including the hard copy version of the Lds Doctrine and Covenants Study Manual published in 2000, pp. 283-284, where the Mormon Church cites one of its BYU past "scholar professors" -- Sidney B. Sperry, who is commenting upon Isaiah, chapter 11:

"I suggest that the 'rod' of verse 1 and the 'root of Jesse' of v. 10 refer to the same man, Joseph Smith." (D&C Study Manual, p. 284)

The Mormon Church claims on that same page that "The explanation of Isaiah 11:10 given in Doctrine and Covenants 113 strongly implies that while Christ is the root of David, he is not the root of Jesse mentioned by Isaiah." (Ibid)

But this isn't some new 21st century Mormon spin -- a sort of "O Come, O Come EmmanSMITHuel" freshly crafted. No, the Mormon Church has been uttering and sputtering this for at least 70 years!

BYU professor Sidney B. Sperry elaborated upon his Messianic-like Joseph Smith replacement of the Messiah Jesus Christ going back to the 1940s!

Here then is a summary of Sperry's linkable "Smithmas" contributions over the past 70 years:

* The Instructor, in 1944...The Instructor

* The Improvement Era, in 1966...Improvement Era: 'The Problem of the 'Rod' and the 'Root of Jesse' in Isaiah 11, pp. 868-869; pp. 914-917 [Note: If you click on this link, click on right arrow bottom right twice to get to the article; you will have to continue clicking to see the "jump pages" -- pages 914-917...see also how Sperry's article is referenced in the Lds Church's Doctrines & Covenants study manual, re: Stem of Jesse, pp. 283-284 of 2000 version]

In order to further show this isn't deemed "outer limits" theology by Mormons...

* The Mormon apologetics organization, SHIELDS, reposted in PDF form Sperry's 1966 article here: Sperry's infringement of Christ

* In fact, the Mormon Church holds an annual Sidney B. Sperry symposium on the BYU campus (it began in the early 1970s). Deseret Book Company, owned by the Mormon Church. In 1989, published in 1989 its symposium presentations from that year: A Witness of Jesus Christ: The 1989 Sperry Symposium on the Old Testament.

Although claiming to be "A Witness for Jesus Christ"

-- and although BYU's L. Lamar Adams mentions (p. 13) that Jesus is the "Stem of Jesse" (Isaiah 11:1)...

...BYU professor Rodney Turner in his presentation in the book says:

"A fourth individual is described in verse 10 as 'the root of Jesse.' The Lord explained that this 'root of Jesse' will be 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.' Like the 'rod,' he, too, will descend from both Judah and Joseph...the 'root of Jesse' is almost surely the Prophet Joseph Smith. He holds the keys of this kingdom in both time and eternity and is the president of the last and GREATEST of all dispensations, the dispensation of the fulness of times. He is the living ensign to which the present generation must gather. We cannot, in reality, come to Christ if we do not accept his servant, Joseph Smith. The Lord's works are first spiritual and then temporal, or physical. All of the spiritual keys, powers, doctrines, and ordinances revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith must be honored and implemented before Zion, the second ensign, can be literally established in fullness and glory. That day is not far off." (pp. 248-249)

Turner is also referencing Lds Doctrine & Covenants 113, which has influenced Mormons on how they interpret Isaiah 11. Yet even D&C 113:3-4 says the rod of Jesse was Jesus. [Smith then tried to subtly imply that he himself is the "root of Jesus" (vv. 5-6)]

The 175th Anniversary of 'Smitmas'!

D&C 113 goes all the way back to March 1838...which shows you how far the roots of Mormon "Smithmas" actually goes!

This also occasionally breaks thru Church-owned press, like this 2010 Dec. 18 "Smithmas" article by R. Scott Lloyd: Joseph Smith: a witness of Christ [O Come, O Come EmmanSMITHuel, anyone?]

So, a "recap" of the above:

A Mormon scholar usurps "Oh, come, Oh, come Emmanuel" reference to Jesus as the "stem" and "rod" of Jesse -- and instead inserts Joseph Smith in place of Christ. He does this more openly in 1944 -- the 100th anniversary of Smith's death...a year which saw perhaps THE biggest "Smithmas" resurgence of any. He also did this thru the publishing of a Mormon Church "Gospel Manual" and an ensuing article in The Improvement Era in 1966.

Yet, if we're tracking the ultimate "roots" of this blasphemy, it's done -- in part -- due to...

(a) Joseph Smith's own self-insertion into the Isaiah text in D&C 113...

(b) in addition to Smith citing Isaiah 11 as the "text" the angel Moroni supposedly referenced when he "appeared" to Smith. So, for all we know, if we're actually going back to 1820 in Mormon history, we might even be approaching the 200th anniversary of 'Smithmas!' (2020)

And then, to top it all off, Mormon Church published books & curricula have ensured that this Christmas infringement continue from at least when it first published a "Gospel Manual" that inserted Sperry's interpretation of Isaiah 11...all the way up until the present.

[Gamecock]

How dare you bash Mormons by posting the truth about them!</sarc>

Merry Smithmas!

[svcw]

Sorry, I have nothing to say but p@ke.
It is just another example of the bastardization of the Word of God Almighty.

[Colofornian]

If you follow one of the links I gave in post #1 -- the October 1966 Improvement Era article by Sperry -- you'll find this excerpt:

"The Prophet [in D&C 113] gives a clear, unequivocal answer when he identifies Christ as as the 'Stem of Jesse,' but he leaves to our discernment our task of determining the identity of the 'rod.' All he says 'it is a servant in the hands of Christ,' and then he adds some interesting genealogical data. The writer has always assumed that the 'rod' was Joseph Smith, believing that the Prophet, out of modesty, hesitated to name himself directly. None of us would question that Joseph was destined to become a 'great servant in the hands of Christ.' Moreover, if we assume he was the 'rod' or 'servant,' observe how very well such an identification fits in with Moroni's mission of explaining to the latter-day Prophet his part in Isaiah's great vision of the (cont'd on Page 914-917)...

(Page 915:) I suggest that the 'rod' of verse 1 and the 'root of Jesse' of verse 10 refer to the same man, Joseph Smith...Who better fits the description ...[re: D&C 113:4,6] than Joseph Smith?

An Ohio Mormon who was working thru the Lds Church's "Gospel Manual" as part of their Sunday School curricula read Sperry's assertion, and wrote him an in-depth letter on the subject that Sperry then references:

"...In your...Sunday School gospel doctrine manual, 'The Old Testament Prophets,' Page 41... you give your opinion that the rod to come forth from the stem of Jesse, mentioned in Isaiah 11:1, and the root of Jesse, mentioned in Isaiah 11:10, are the same person, whom you believe to be Joseph Smith. You give as evidence that he holds the.."

Sperry responds on page 916: "Unfortunately, President Brigham Young did not give an explanation what he meant by a 'pure' Ephraimite; nor is there any Scriptural evidence, ancient or modern, to support the view that Joseph would have descended from blood lines that were strictly of Ephraim. Not only that, but modern genealogical reseach shows the Smith ancestry traced back through English and other European stock...Isn't it more reasonable to believe that when Moroni appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith, he would explain that he (Joseph) was 'the rod' (Isaiah 11:1) whom Isaiah saw 'on whom there is laid much power' (D&C113:4)--indeed that he was the 'root of Jesse' (Isaiah 11:10) 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'? (D&C 113:6)"

Sperry then further acknowledges that "There is still another problem in connection with the 'root of Jesse' in Isaiah 11:10. In Romans 15:12 the Apostle Paul expressly quotes this passage from Isaiah and seems to imply – as many theologians believe – that Christ is the 'root of Jesse' (See Rev. 5:5; 22:16). If so, it would appear that Paul contradicts the revelation in Doctrine and Covenants that, as we have already seen, explains that the 'root of Jesse' is a 'descendent of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs... (Page 917:) ... the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days.' ... The Lord, speaking through the Prophet, does not really identify the 'root of Jesse' as Christ; otherwise, he would have said so, as he did regarding the 'stem of Jesse' of Isaiah 11:1. (See D&C 113:3,4) So we are confronted with the dilemma: Does Paul really identify the 'root of Jesse' as Christ, thus contradicting the Doctrine and Covenants, or is there some other explanation? It is well known to New Testament scholars that Paul often quotes texts with little regard for the original context...It appears that the Great Apostle of the Gentiles equates the 'root of Jesse' (Isaiah 11:10) with the Christ in Romans 15:12. This means that his interpretation of the 'root of Jesse' is at odds with that in D&C 113:6."

BUT, What Does God's Word say?

Romans 15:8,9, 12:
8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing the praises of your name.”[see 2 Samuel 22:50; Ps. 18:49]
10 Again, it says,
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”[See Dt. 32:43]
11 And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples extol him.”[See Ps. 117:1]
12 And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
in him the Gentiles will hope.” [see Isaiah 11:10 septuagint version]

'Twas foreordained by God for us Gentiles to be in constant high-energy praise mode over the appearance of this "root of Jesse" -- the Messiah, Jesus!

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

You know what breaks my heart?.....
Every Mormon that I have ever met has been so sincerely nice and caring and seeming to so devoted to “God”. It makes me think that there must be billions of these good people who are deceived and think they are saved and going to spend eternity in heaven. Look at Glen Beck, for example.

I just want to shake them and shout, “Open your eyes! You are trying so hard, but you are barking up the wrong tree. It is Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, ‘God the Son’ referred to in the Trinity that you must worship!” They are so close.... yet so far from the truth that it breaks my heart.

[Colofornian]

Keep in mind that "EmmanSMITHuel" is just one single dimension of "Smithmas!"

The "celebration" of "Smithmas" isn't "proved" by a presentation of Mormonism's interpretation of Isaiah 11 alone.

So...as the "Smithmas" series will continue...
Did you know that...
...in 1894...
...the 50th anniversary of Joseph Smith's death...
...Smith's nephew -- who was deemed a "Prophet" of the Mormon Church, suggested that...
...“I should like to see introduced among the Latter-day Saints…the practice of celebrating or commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Joseph Smith..." 
...and that by the centennial celebration of Smith's death, this late December birthday party was an ingrained reality?

You see, Smith's birthday is Dec. 23. And, call it what you may...
...Christmas infringement...
...a usurpation of Christ's birthday celebration...
...or an eclipse of Christmas...
...Mormon Church publications and curricula...
-- as well as BYU professors & their publications
-- and one of the largest Mormon "Institutes of Religion" (the one at Logan, Utah -- Utah State)
-- along with occasional BYU grassroots sources
-- have managed to celebrate Smith's Dec. 23 birthday in multiple manners.

SmithEmphasisMas

In fact, it easily transcends "celebration" in becoming downright SmithEmphasisMas! (I define "SmithEmphasisMas as Over-the-top renditions of Christmas themes applied to Joseph Smith!)

But, again, if you think that SmithEmphasisMas comprises the entirety of "Smithmas," you'd be wrong.

The Mormon Church has conceded it sings a praise song to a man other than Joseph Smith (which I suppose, shouldn't be suprising given that Mormon theology is that Heavenly Father is a mere man who got the God job!). But, since we're referencing "Smithmas!" we'll stick with that for now!

In 1975, J. Spencer Cornwall published a summary of Lds hymns under Lds Church-owned Deseret Book Co. And on page 164, we find this little interesting concessional/confessional "nugget":

"''Praise to the Man' is one of the few hymns written in praise of a man. Most hymns of praise are to our Father in heaven. This hymn, however, is one of the more popular hymns of the Latter-day Saints."

Source: Stories of our Mormon Hymns, Deseret Book Co.

Interesting, eh? (Wonder what Richard Mouw, who's been promoting Mormonism among Evangelicals, might say to that?)

And the previous Lds "Prophet" -- Gordon B. Hinckley -- loved to sings that song's refrain so much that...
...In 1979, he gave a BYU devotion on "Praise the Man"...and then ensured that speech got wide circulation in November in time for "Smithmas"...
...In 1983, he once again revisited that same exact "Praise the Man" theme in the August Ensign Magazine published by the Mormon Church...
...The Dec. 13, 1997 Lds Church News came back for yet another run at promoting "Praise the Man"...
...as it did REPEATEDLY in numerous ways during the bi-centennial celebration of Joseph Smith's birthday in 2005...not the least of which was Hinckley's December 2005 Ensign article on yes, you guessed it, "Praise the Man!"

But...if you think...
...EmmanSMITHuel,
...Joseph's Dec. 23 birthday celebrations,
...SmithEmphasisMas (over-the-top Christmas themes applied to Joseph Smith)
...and a praise song directed TO Joseph Smith...
...constitutes "all" what's under the "Smithmas" Tree branches...well, surprise! There's more to come!

Stay tuned on this digital channel!!!!

[Colofornian]

Well said:

It makes me think of the first few verses of Romans 9 -- how the apostle Paul said he would be damned if only his fellow Jews could be saved.

Oh, if we would have that same level of tough love & urgency for the Mormons, who Heavenly Father so desires for them to live with Him for eternity!!!

[greyfoxx39]

Text of the sign at the Joseph Smith nativity scene:

We are the beneficiaries of the restored gospel of Jesus Chris a work which had its earthly commencement with the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith, in the hills of Vermont on a December day in 1805.

As we commemorate the birth of the baby in Bethlehem, the Savior of the world, may we also remember his messenger Joseph Smith, and rejoice in his life and sacrifice.

Mormonism does not honor the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas in the manner that Christianity does because to it, the birth of Smith is more important than that of Christ.

[Colofornian]

Mormonism does not honor the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas in the manner that Christianity does because to it, the birth of Smith is more important than that of Christ.

ALL: Greyfoxx is right.

Unless Christmas Eve or Christmas falls on the Sabbath, you won't find a service of worship to the Christ child. Mormonism features no Christmas Eve services. Sadly, many Christian churches have gone away from Christmas Day services; well, Mormonism never had one...unless it coincides on the calendar for Dec. 25 to fall on a Sunday!

I read a forum this December among Mormons where Lds poster Rameumptom (perhaps the same Rameumptom who used to frequent FR) mentioned how back in 1979 a group of non-Mormon educators had been invited to their church by a Mormon co-worker at Christmastime. The bishop then announced that since Christ's birth was likely in April, anyway, he was going to ignore Jesus & talk about Joseph Smith (& his Dec. 23 birthday!)

[freedomlover]

[Colofornian]

And it made sense what Rameumptom said about that 1979 experience...I looked at a digital calendar...and Dec. 23, 1979 was a Sunday. So about every 7 years or so, Mormons have even more reason for celebrating "Smithmas!"...

That's when it falls on Smith's birthday.

[Colofornian]

Re: the Dec. 12 2005 photo of the Joseph Smith nativity scene @ BYU.

That same Mormon digital forum discussion I read mentioned an entry by Lds poster "JKWilliams" who brought up this Joseph Smith crèche ("manger scene" was the words he used) and called it "unseemly."

Even Mormons have been uncomfortable with SmithEmphasisMas!

[SkyDancer]

[Colofornian]

I've also seen 2-3 articles (Deseret News, Lds Church News, and/or Ensign Magazine) where they deliberately use the "cradle" Christmas theme in describing Joseph Smith's baby scene.

(Again, that also falls under "SmithEmphasisMas")

[Elsie]

You know what breaks my heart?.....
Every Mormon that I have ever met has been so sincerely nice and caring and seeming to so devoted to “God”.

You know what breaks my heart?..... Every MUSLIMthat I have ever met has been so sincerely nice and caring and seeming to so devoted to “God”.

Who am I to point out the FACT that they worship the WRONG god?

[Elsie]

Yes, there are MILLIONS of folks on the BroadWay.

[Elsie]

You guys just might want to try to defend your chosen religion here...

[Elsie]

You guys just might want to try to defend your chosen religion here...

First - tell the lurkers how we folks who have posted so far are haters and distorters.

Second - tell them how, down thru the years, Christianity itself was DESTROYED by mean and deceptive men.