MormonTimes - Remember the Prophet Joseph Smith's birthday [Merry 'Smithmas' Morning!]

MormonChapbook.blogspot.com ^ | Dec. 20, 2009 | Ex-Mormon Mike Tea

[Colofornian]

Is there anything that goes by the name “Christian” that has not been usurped, abominated, surpassed and eclipsed by that damnable heresy Mormonism! Let us not allow Christmas to draw our attention away from the great event of the ages – the birth of Joseph Smith. Let us not permit the events recounted in the gospels to distract us from the great events of the “Restoration”. God forbid that the annunciation of angels, the trembling wonder of shepherds and the reverence of wise men at the advent of God become flesh should eclipse the news of the “First Vision.” God forbid that the prophet of prophets should be eclipsed by the King of kings. God knows I try to be patient, to build bridges and show respect but this is an assault on all that is called Christian and I condemn and abhor it.

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. He was and is a Prophet of God.

MormonTimes - Remember the Prophet Joseph Smith's birthday

[Colofornian]

Merry 208th Smithmas!

(It's Joseph Smith's 208th birthday!)

For a while the Mormon Church owned Deseret News published some of its articles under a distinct brand: The Mormon Times.

Back in 2009, the DesNews published such a piece. The DesNews still archives the piece, entitled: "LDS World: Remember the Prophet Joseph Smith's birthday" by Kristine Frederickson.

Frederickson Smithmasfully provokes ex-Mormon Mike Tea by finishing her article this way:

"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."

Absolutely great sarcasm shown here by ex-Mormon, now-Christian Mike Tea:

"Let us not allow Christmas to draw our attention away from the great event of the ages – the birth of Joseph Smith."
"Let us not permit the events recounted in the gospels to distract us from the great events of the 'Restoration'."
"God forbid that the annunciation of angels, the trembling wonder of shepherds and the reverence of wise men at the advent of God become flesh should eclipse the news of the 'First Vision.'"
"God forbid that the prophet of prophets should be eclipsed by the King of kings."
"God knows I try to be patient, to build bridges and show respect but this is an assault on all that is called Christian and I condemn and abhor it."

This indeed shows how provocative Mormonism's 'Smithmas' is!

I have to join Mike in saying, "Yeah, we wouldn't want to get all awash in the Christmas season so that we might forget "ALL that Joseph Smith did for each of us!"

(I shake my head in wonderment on how it looks so Smithmasy in Mormonville)

[Colofornian]

In case you've missed the FR "Smithmas" series this past week:
* D&c 325 Test #2 [Merry 'SMITHMAS!' BYU class says Joseph Smith is both 'Rod' and 'Root' of Jesse]
* 'First vision visitation' of LdsIsm trumps Jesus' incarnational visitation via Bethlehem [Vanity]
* Joseph Smith Nativity [A Virtual 'Merry Smithmas' 'Greeting Card' circa 2005]
* Mormon Tabernacle Choir conductor: 'Praise to the Man'...hymn praises Joseph Smith [Smithmas vanity]
* How would YOU score on this 26-question quiz about 'Smithmas?' [Vanity, Part A]
* What a Liturgical Order of Smithmas Sacrament Meeting Might look like! [Vanity, Part B]
* 'Twas the Night Before Smithmas! [WalterMartin.com]
* Joseph Smith 'gave us everything' & XMAS vs. LMOS (Local Manifestations of 'Smithmas') [Vanity]
* 'SmithEmphasisMas': Over-the-top renditions of Christmas themes applied to Joseph Smith [Vanity]

[Colofornian]

Phrase from the Dec. 20, 2009 Deseret News/Mormon Times article, as noted in the blog: "ALL that Joseph Smith did for each of us!"

Hmmm...sounds eerily familiar to what the Mormon "prophet" Thomas S. Monson had announced on Dec. 22, 2008 thru the Deseret News:

"And at this season, he's happy that our thoughts can be drawn to Joseph Smith. ‘He gave us everything.’"
See: Joseph Smith 'gave us everything' & XMAS vs. LMOS (Local Manifestations of 'Smithmas') [Vanity]

So this Mormon Times journalist wasn't really uttering anything than what the "Mormon prophet" had been expressing the previous year!

[Mr. K]

One of the freakiest things I found out about Mormonism is that it was first founded in a little ton in Upstate NY. I believe it was either Pittsford or Palmyra and they are less than 50 miles from my house

Then they moved to Utah.

I would like to go find those woods and see what kind of weeds are growing there

[tflabo]

Saved by the birth, death and resurrection of Joseph Smith.
Who knew? At least his name does start with the letter ‘J’.

[Colofornian]

One of the freakiest things I found out about Mormonism is that it was first founded in a little ton in Upstate NY. I believe it was either Pittsford or Palmyra and they are less than 50 miles from my house Then they moved to Utah. I would like to go find those woods and see what kind of weeds are growing there

It's Palmyra; and I'd be spiritually careful and awareful if I were you...in the 19th century, upstate NY spawned some 'nasty' spiritual viruses that have carried worldwide implications:

Not just Mormonism...but
Spiritualism -- or spiritism (Rochester, NY, 1848): Spiritualism and Mormonism: Some Thoughts on Similarities and Differences
Oneida Community (Oneida, NY, 1848): Oneida Community and The Perfectionists or Oneida Community

The Oneida Community actually didn't spread...and became extinct in about 33 years.

[Colofornian]

Saved by the birth, death and resurrection of Joseph Smith. Who knew? At least his name does start with the letter ‘J’.

Yeah...here's the "resurrection" part:

1992

BYU professor Eugene E. Campbell publishes his compiled The Essential Brigham Young. And what does he deem that Young said that was "essential?" "How are you going to get your resurrection? You will get it by the President of the Resurrection pertaining to this generation, and that is Joseph Smith Junior. Hear it all ye ends of the Earth; if ever you enter into the Kingdom of God it is because Joseph Smith let you go there. This will apply to Jews and Gentiles, to the bond, and free; to friends and foes; no man or woman in this generation will get a resurrection and be crowned without Joseph Smith says so. The man who was martyred in Carthage Jail [in the] State of Illinois holds the Keys of Life and Death to this generation. He is the President of the Resurrection in this Dispensation and he will be the first to rise from the dead. When he has passed through it, then I reckon the Keys of Resurrection will be committed to him. Then he will call up his Apostles. You know I told you last conference I was an Apostle of Joseph Smith; and if faithful enough I expect Joseph will resurrect the Apostles; and when they have passed through the change, and received their blessings, I expect he will commit to them the Keys of the Resurrection, and they will go on resurrecting the Saints, every man in his own order."

The Essential Brigham Young, p. 82 of digital version – p. 99 of hardcopy version

[Colofornian]

Saved by the birth, death and resurrection of Joseph Smith. Who knew? At least his name does start with the letter ‘J’.

And then here's the "'Joseph-Smith-as-savior-of-the-world' Mormon narrative":

1982 (originally published 1954)	Making a Decision for Joseph Smith? Eventual "to be 'Prophet'" Joseph Fielding Smith: [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"	Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190	Joseph Smith as "the way, the truth, and the life" eh? Joseph Smith 14:6?
1966	After Lds "prophet" David O. McKay told one First President to review lds "apostle" Bruce McConkie's Mormon Doctrine book (1958), and another – Spencer W. Kimball – to be his mentor in implementing changes, McConkie comes out in his 1966 revision of the book: Therefore, this quote passed the muster of two Lds "prophets" (McKay and Kimball) and First President (Marion G. Romney): "If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation."	Mormon Doctrine, Bruce McConkie, p. 670, republished later by Deseret Book Co., owned by the Mormon Church. Last republishing date was 1978.	Well, there ya go! Joseph Smith as the savior of the world!

[laotzu]

WARNING!!! WARNING!!!
Christian bashing thread at Christmas time

[Anton.Rutter]

So you’re s supporter/apologist for mind control cults. Noted.

[Colofornian]

New thread up:
What makes 'Smithmas' 'Smithmas'? [Vanity]

[greyfoxx39]

WARNING!!! WARNING!!! Christian bashing thread at Christmas time

Sounds like you are admitting that the 85,000 mormon missionaries are not taking a vacation from bashing and lying to Christians and claiming the only way to salvation is through arcane rituals in mormon temples.

Sure would like to believe this!

[Colofornian]

Chronological Historical Recap: What makes 'Smithmas' 'Smithmas'?

Every river has its banks. What is the channel forged -- the definition of the river -- that we've come to know as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' "Smithmas"?

Every river has its tributaries; and when it comes to "Smithmas" it's the same.

As the Mormons annually celebrate Joseph Smith, his birthday, his advent, the Mormon Church adoration and over-attentiveness to Joseph Smith has openly competed with the focus Jesus Christ receives. The result? This continual cresting onto the banks of "Smithmas" has flooded our nation.

Its headwaters are multi-faceted:

19th century

• The 'Oh come, oh come EmmanSMITHuel' long-time saga: Joseph Smith inserted himself into the Isaiah 11 Messianic prophecy in March 1838. For more on this, see recent thread: D&c 325 Test #2 [Merry 'SMITHMAS!' BYU class says Joseph Smith is both 'Rod' and 'Root' of Jesse]
• Glory thievery via 'Praise to the Man' lyrics, 1844 onward: W.W. Phelps penned the lyrics to "Praise the Man" in August 1844. For more on this, see recent thread: Mormon Tabernacle Choir conductor: 'Praise to the Man'...hymn praises Joseph Smith [Smithmas vanity]
• The 'let's substitute Joseph Smith for Jesus Christ as the way' era: 1854-1867: Brigham Young and his two First President Counselors (Heber C. Kimball and George Q. Cannon) made statements about Smith between Oct. 8, 1854 and and Nov. 17, 1867 that rightly apply only to Jesus Christ! For more on this, see last chart of Smith as a "substitute" 'way' in Mormon Tabernacle Choir conductor: 'Praise to the Man'...hymn praises Joseph Smith [Smithmas vanity] And: How would YOU score on this 26-question quiz about 'Smithmas?' [Vanity, Part A] And: What a Liturgical Order of Smithmas Sacrament Meeting Might look like! [Vanity, Part B] Please note that these kinds of quotes weren't discontinued in being published by the Mormon church, as evidenced by quotes that have surfaced from 1925, 1944, 1954, 1966-67, and 1982
• The age of 'let's celebrate Joseph Smith's birthday' arrives: 1894: During the 50th anniversary year of Joseph Smith's death – on Smith's Dec. 23 birthday, a Sabbath day two days before Christmas which is the closest service for Mormons to adore the Christ child – Smith's nephew, Joseph F. Smith advocated that Mormons take up the annual celebration of Smith's birthday. For more on this, see ANSWER to FIRST DAY of Christmas Past [Origins of Mormonism's 'Smithmas': Dec. 23, 1894]

20th and 21st centuries

• The Compete-with-Christ-during-December Joseph Smith Memorial start-up years: 1944-1973: During the centennial recognition of Smith's death, the Lds Religion Institute in Logan, Utah begins what is to be its annual "Joseph Smith Memorial Fireside." In fact, in that year – 1944 – it holds such a "fireside" twice – Feb. 6 and Dec. 10, with eventual Lds "Prophet" David O. McKay citing "Praise to the Man" at the Dec. 10 event. The firesides wind up competing with a Christmas focus on Christmas for the next 30 Decembers – all the way through 1973...before the annual event is shifted to January and February. See “Praise To The Man”: A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons [Mormon Merry Smithmas]
• The 'Praise to the Man' stressed years: 1975-2005: During the mid-to-late 1970s, the next two "Smithmas" movements afoot emerge: (a) After former Mormon Tabernacle Choir director/conductor J. Spencer Cornwall concedes that the hymn "Praise to the Man" is sung directly in worship of Joseph Smith (1975) [see Mormon Tabernacle Choir conductor: 'Praise to the Man'...hymn praises Joseph Smith [Smithmas vanity], eventual Lds "prophet" Gordon B. Hinckley began a periodical kick to stress the hymn in BYU Devotionals, other messages, and the Ensign Magazine (1979, August 1983, December 1997, December 2005); and (b) Mormon publications begin over-the-top SmithEmphasisMas themes beginning with the 1976 December issue of New Era, giving yet another "should" to Mormons: December 23 SHOULD be a day of great importance in every Latter-day Saint home...". Two years later, in the December 1978 Ensign, after mentioning Jesus Christ, the author says: "Within the Church there is also a second story associated with Christmas—from Sharon, Vermont, to Carthage, Illinois—which draws our attention during this season. ...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." Hence, a dual theme emerges of "Joy to the World" for both Jesus and Joseph.
• The SmithEmphasisMas years: 1990-2011: In addition to a long-time continuation for the Mormon Church through its publications to emphasize Joseph Smith's praise in December, the articles began a certain "SmithEmphasisMas" flare (over-the-top renditions of Christmas themes applied to Smith). For example, the December 1990 Liahona Magazine noted, with great SmithEmphasisMas, that: "The early members of the Church remembered his birthday with festive celebrations." Joseph Smith cradle themes emerged with the published articles in Ensign (December 2005) and church-owned Deseret News (Dec. 18, 2011) – along with a BYU Joseph Smith Nativity Scene in December 2005. Smith dawned the cover of Ensign Magazine three times in 2005 and four times within 12 months. And the Lds Church News on the last day of 2005 capped it all with a report of the Joseph Smith praise-athon over his 200th birthday: ”Thousands across world offer 'praise to the man'. While the Conference Center stage was still dominated by the Christmas setting of The First Presidency Christmas Devotional and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert, the village church, cottage and flocked evergreens hinted of Joseph Smith's Vermont. A prominent statue of the Prophet on the stage was a constant reminder of the purpose of the evening.” For more on this see: 'SmithEmphasisMas': Over-the-top renditions of Christmas themes applied to Joseph Smith [Vanity] and Joseph Smith Nativity [A Virtual 'Merry Smithmas' 'Greeting Card' circa 2005]
• The Mormon digital forum years: 2001-2013: And, with the advent of Mormon Forums, tales emerged 2001-2013 indicating that LMOS had eclipsed XMAS in some local Mormon wards. (LMOS = Local Manifestations of Smithmas). For more on this see Joseph Smith 'gave us everything' & XMAS vs. LMOS (Local Manifestations of 'Smithmas') [Vanity]

And then, finally a KEY primary theological theme running rampant throughout the Mormon Church no matter what decade is discussed is this one discussed here: 'First vision visitation' of LdsIsm trumps Jesus' incarnational visitation via Bethlehem [Vanity]

Defining Smithmas'

1. The worship or adoration or over-the-top reverence accorded Joseph Smith by both Mormon leaders and many (but not all) grassroots Mormons, leading to the more-than-occasional infringement, usurpation and eclipse of Christmas. This is, in part, due to Joseph Smith's birthday coming on Dec. 23 of each year.
2. An extended manifestation of claiming for Joseph Smith or his "priesthood" roles, titles, or rights reserved for the Godhead alone.

In other words, 'Smithmas' is but a seasonal outcropping – a mere symptom of a broader Mormon spiritual ailment whereby Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit have been usurped – substituted with Joseph Smith. And this isn't always "worship" and adoration; for example, many Lds leaders talk about...

• ...witnessing to Joseph Smith vs. witnessing to Jesus Christ; {see chart at Mormon Tabernacle Choir conductor: 'Praise to the Man'...hymn praises Joseph Smith [Smithmas vanity]}
• ...about Joseph Smith being the way or final judge – the consenter (or passport) back to Heavenly Father [see link in above bullet point]
• ...about Joseph Smith being THE "ruler" in the "Spirit World" – after some references in both the 19th and 20th centuries to his divine status [see link above]
• ...about "confessing" Joseph Smith or "believing in" Joseph Smith. [See link above]

Other times, Lds leaders frame Smith's "restored priesthood" carries these same qualities. The third Lds "prophet," John Taylor was even quoted by the Mormon Church in 2001 book Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor (p. 119) -- republished from 1943: "What is priesthood?...I shall briefly answer that it is the government of God...It governs all things –it directs all things—it sustains all things..." This type of quote isn't a one-time Mormon Church emphasis: Its publications of impersonalizing God's sustaining/directing power as an "it" has come out in...
...2004, 2001, and 1957 (citing Lds "prophet" Harold B. Lee);
...2002 (citing Lds "apostle" L. Tom Perry)
...2000 (its basic manual for priesthood holders)
...1946 (citing Lds "prophet" Joseph Fielding Smith)
...1941 (citing Lds "prophet' Brigham Young) It's precisely because of these manifestations that Mormons are more accurately described as disciples of Joseph Smith vs. disciples of the Biblical Jesus Christ. Per Lds "apostle" Bruce R. McConkie: "Anyone who believes the doctrine, teachings, or philosophy of another and who follows that teacher is his disciple. He stands as a learner, a devotee of the one whose concept he accepts." (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 198, also cited by the Mormon Church in its curriculum study guide – "When Thou Art Converted, Strengthren Thy Brethren: 1974-75" published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church in 1974, p. 134) Hence, Mormons believe Smith's doctrine, teachings, concepts and philosophy; they are learners – devotees of Smith more properly than Jesus Christ.

[Normandy]

I’m happy to be a Mormon by choice, here. I freely joined, and freely stay.

[Anton.Rutter]

I was bought as a baby from a mormon doctor who falsified bcs to show the adoptive mormon couple as my birth parents, they also bought my “brother” and “sister” as we were to fulfill their temple recommends, the permit that lets them get the ceremony to make you a god. After years of physical abuse for which I still bear the scars, I repudiated mormonism and left home, promptly rewarded by being shunned by my “mormon” family for the next fifteen years, until my “mother” decided to communicate to me and admitted after more than thirty years of lies that we were all adopted and why we were adopted. The rest of my “family” ostracizes me to this day because my rebellion may threaten my “parents” godhood.

So I wouldn’t say that I willingly joined. I would say I willingly left.

Before anyone uses the old saw “they don’t do that in my ward” (they taught me that one too) we were members in wards from one coast to the other, as one of our real mothers tried to seek one of us out, and our “father” moved us state to state to keep one step ahead of her. Apparently she’s now passed on. Which one she was mother to, apparently our “parents” don’t think we should know.

I don’t care what you do, i don’t care if you go to hell. I don’t want other people to be infected by your disease out of ignorance. Straight up.

I have never heard of any religion other than mormonism where lying is a religious duty, plus the man-worship and rehabilitated occult ceremonies and delusions of godhood. Of course they always smile and act nice and have obedient children, you ignorant fools.

[Tennessee Nana]

Joey Smith and the Smith family were members of the Palmyra Presbyterian Church and were excommunicated in March 1830

2 weeks later Joey invented his own religion ..

[greyfoxx39]

Great post! Sorry your family was put through such religious abuse!

[jimt]

Wow, you must get up early to prepare this hate spew. Excessive bile keeping you awake ? Heartburn from all the hate you vomit regularly ? A little depressed from “bearing false witness against your neighbor” ?