Joseph Smith: a witness of Christ [LDS Open - Merry Smithmas!]

Mormontimes.com ^ | Dec 18, 2010 | R. Scott Lloyd

[T Minus Four]

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?

"Verily thus saith the Lord: It is the Christ.

"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."

[T Minus Four]

I gotcher trump card right here!

[T Minus Four]

It's really all the gang has. Non-Issues

I think that Jesus being a created being and God being a former human are very concrete issues.

[T Minus Four]

God has never felt compelled send an angry frustrated letter ...

Maybe the mormons should “pester” God instead...

Amen Nana - it worked for me :-)

[Colofornian]

[LDS] Church HQ can’t handle the demand...[re: doctrinal clarifications] [Me]

God can...God has never complained about the volume of requests for “clarification of church doctrine” and “the finer points of doctrine” God has never felt compelled send an angry frustrated letter ... Maybe the mormons should “pester” God instead... [TN]

Maybe if Mormons would ask God with a sincere heart and with real intent, having faith as they ask the true God [vs. the false god of the Mormon hierarchy] for wisdom, God would fulfill His promise to answer them (James 1:5).

[T Minus Four]

I have given you links to answer all of the non-issues brought up

I have searched the links and I have yet to find an answer to the one question I asked: do you agree with the article at the beginning of this thread? I know you're not going to answer, and I can guess why. Prove me wrong - don't be ashamed to make a stand.

[Vendome]

I do believe shortly after the shooting it was “lights out” for Joseph Smith...

[svcw]

1500

[Not gonna take it anymore]

The Appeal of Mormonism

http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2003/0304fea3.asp

The Wacky World of Joseph Smith
And the un-Christianity of Mormon Theology

http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2003/0305fea4.asp

[Normandy]

I don’t know about the identity of the rod coming from the Stem of Jesse — but certainly I believe that Joseph Smith was a witness of Jesus Christ.

[T Minus Four]

I don’t know about the identity of the rod coming from the Stem of Jesse — but certainly I believe that Joseph Smith was a witness of Jesus Christ.

We know you beleive that JS saw Jesus (because he said he did). I'm not asking that.

Interesting. Why don't you know about the root of Jesse being JS? It seems clear that it's taught in your religion. It's certainly on one of PD's links.

If I do the legwork and find it, will you be accept it as truth?

[T Minus Four]

OK, that was easy. You're right PD, it's all right there at our fingertips.

“Quite obviously the ‘root of Jesse’ is a man, a descendant of Jesse and Joseph (as the Lord explains), who seems to have a great mission to perform in connection with gathering the remnant of Israel, as explained in Isaiah 11:11–16 . [Most likely] the ‘rod’ of verse 1 and the ‘root of Jesse’ of verse 10 refer to the same man, Joseph Smith"

Here's the link

Any doubts now?

[Colofornian]

Joey Smith fired a six-shooter and “two or three were wounded by these discharges, two of whom, I am informed, died” (John Taylor,) Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm and the mormons believe that murderers are never forgiven and murder is the unforgivable sin...So Joey Smith went to outer darkness...

C'mon, TN. Imagine yourself in that position. Imagine ...
...That you're in a jail on charges that arose out of earlier charges that you sent 200 mobocrats to destroy...Oh, some online source that pointed out that a certain religious leader was secretly living a polygamous lifestyle.
...A visitor to you smuggled in two loaded six-shooters.
...Your correction officers found out about the smuggled weapons, were cowards and didn't want to confront the weapons' holders' directly...so when some mobocrats who didn't like what you did earlier re: destroying that online source voluntered to take you on directly...they took them up on it.

Conclusion: Obviously, TN, your "followers" are going to say that you -- the jailbird in possession with two smuggled, loaded weapons -- had every "right" to "defend" yourself!

(And then they'd go on & tell you how conservative they are, law & order-wise!)

[Paragon Defender]

I have searched the links and I have yet to find an answer to the one question I asked: do you agree with the article at the beginning of this thread? I know you’re not going to answer, and I can guess why. Prove me wrong - don’t be ashamed to make a stand.

---

You have proven to me 2 things.

1. You didn’t sincerely seek the answers
2. You are playing a game

I am not playing. Sorry if that annoys you.

[T Minus Four]

Oh, you are playing my FRiend. You are one of the best players on these threads.

[Elsie]

1500

AhhHhh...

[Elsie]

I don’t know about the identity of the rod coming from the Stem of Jesse...

Norm; you are on your way to being a Prophet on par with the stature of HINCKLEY!

[Elsie]

If I do the legwork and find it, will you be accept it as truth?

if YOU?

No.

--MormonDude(Not just no; but HELL no!)

[Elsie]

You didn’t sincerely seek the answers

---

---

HI!

 

 My screen name is Paragon Defender; but you can call me PD (if you are SINCERE, that is.)

 

I provide TRUTH to ALL who would care to seek it (if they are REALLY sincere) and I do it OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER  again.

I am pleased to offer my services for the Betterment of Mankind.

Please feel free to ask me ANYTHING and I'll sincerely post my link list again.

Remember...

I am normal too; and I am a MORMON!

 

Sincerely,

PD

 

 

[Elsie]

1. You didn’t sincerely seek the answers
2. You are playing a game

It appears that we have a MINDREADER on our hands...

[jda]

Isn’t it just amazing that much of the “tutoring” that Joseph Smith received was directly quoted from the King James Bible. I guess that it is the accepted version in heaven.