You suggest "Mormons are better people than your average person". What data do you have for that? How have you defined your terms?
If I accept you basic premises, one has to ask how it was so many of the early followers of Mormonism fell away. Why has there been so much contradiction, so many "corrective" changes to Mormon writings? Why have Mormon writings in libraries had to be clandestinely replaced many times? That doesn't bespeak great things arising from Mormonisms inception or frankly, throughout its history.
I would quickly understand, however, that whatever led you to believe your assertion that arose from your "experience" was related to things that happened roughly within your lifetime, or slightly backwards into the previous generation.
I went as a young man to Salt Lake City to see the temple grounds there and the displays, and the Tabernacle. It was supremely impressive. I was very much uplifted, as I'm sure many Mormons are on a regular basis upon re-experiencing such positive messages about Mormonism. I was very tantalized to join the LDS and become a Mormon, as the atmosphere was rather overwhelmingly positive. Since that time and visit, I've seen some of the internal supports within stakes and the international accomplishments. That was sufficiently positive for me to understand that there are many good things at work within the Mormon community.
I've done genealogical research and appreciated the dedication of what must have been tens of thousands of researchers doing things in that area that, had they not been done, the world would've been a lot poorer historically. As a result, many millions of people have been able to appreciate their families more completely, which strengthened those bonds with other family members and their histories.
I do see that many if not most Mormons have a verve and joy for their work.
All those are likeable traits, and I'm confident God does not hate Mormons' sins any more than He hates the sins of all that love Him and His revelation commit.
To have Jesus as our Savior is to have the correct object of our veneration and worship. Such is not possible without the New Testament revealed mysteries, which claim about themselves that nothing should be added or taken away. Notwithstanding, there have been others, not of the apostles' flock, that would be influenced by Jesus' teachings (and the New Testament).
The Mormon messages about God and Jesus have theologically and doctrinally been so perverted that few Mormons can see the forest for the motes in placed in their eyes by Mormon teachings.
If you would try to say that God has blessed Mormons, I will say He's blessed all believers and works all things to their good.
About Joseph Smith, he made demonstrably false claims that still have their workings in Mormonism. As Deuteronomy 18:20 was written thousands of years ago, " But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. Some 40 years before he prophesied "In the Name of the Lord God" Jesus would return only when Smith was 85, Smith's life was violently taken after he was jailed for having his followers destroy the local newspaper production facility, whose only offense was factual yet a personally embarrassing one for Smith: to report that Smith practiced and preached polygamy.
HF
As I wrote, 'in my experience'. Nothing scientific about it.
I like to look at the end results, what kind of people do following beliefs create.
Mormonism seems to produce better than average people in my (obviously limited experience). Believing and practicing Christian Protestants and Catholics also fall in that category.
For me, the theological battles are not interesting.
mormonS have a joy for their work? You do realize it’s required to be that to the out side world, they work for their salvation.
God rains on the sinner and the saved.