Posted on 12/20/2010 8:46:50 AM PST by 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."
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's one-wife tyranny
From depths of temporary spirit prison Thy people save
And give them polygamy be-yond the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Thee man Joe-el
Smith shall come, ye see, to tell ye tall tales
[JST "translation" of traditional Christmas carol]
The Catholics are really not going to like this...
The Catholics simply dismiss the LDS religion as weird polytheism, and give no credence to its claims.
Book of Mormon prophet Moroni in angelic form...Moroni Ping
Your non-issues are found at the links.
My response is in response to the anti-Mormon replies. It’s not that hard to understand. Nice new classless graphic btw.
An Open Letter to Mormons who are
sincere and serious about their faith...(but slightly troubled and embarrassed by the postsof "defender-mormons")If you peruse the Free Republic religion forums
you will notice a pattern. Theres 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 withother 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 supportAnything 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 ofhuman DNA, His Book, the Bible is rooted and groundedin real places on real maps and is verified througharcheology, 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 heardthese "defenders" say God hid all evidence to make ourfaith greater. Has the God of the universe now becomethe Cosmic Easter Bunny? Or is He unchangeable, like theBible 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 faiththat is based entirely on subjective claims, yetwants to claim the same God who has commanded youto love Him with "all your mind."You are not alone in this journey.Many have approached us who are Christians asking whereto find out more and some, even, to ask how to come toknow the Biblical Christ and some even how to gracefullyleave 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:In the end though, links may raise more questions and concernsand sometimes it helps to have someone who has already wrestledwith 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 togain.If something is true, it can withstand any question, no matterhow tough. If it is false, it is better to know while your lifeis in front of you.There is peace and rest waiting for you today. Take a step tofind it now.All the Best,
ampu
Why should we go look there when I posted the article from an official source? I think this gives a prety good point of view from the Mormons. Now the Christians are weighing in. Don't like it? Tough. Christians will not be silenced.
Rats. Tinypic is blocked by my server.
The article is from the Official Mormon Times. Is it BS?
I am addressing the multitude of anti-Mormon propaganda comments following the article. Cmon now. I know you are smarter than that. Well... I don’t want to read minds. I think you are smart enough to know. It’s my opinion. I could be wrong. You might not be smart enough. /shrug
What anti-mormon replies? I only see anti-mormonISM replies.
Same thing bud. Same thing.
So you agree with the article?
Nah, the response is classic lame rhetoric - even lurkers are mocking it now.
the response is classic truth - lurkers are finding and learning from it now.
Fixed that for ya.
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!)
C’mon PD, don’t dodge a direct question as you always do.
Do you believe that Joseph Smith the root of Jesse? Enlighten all the seekers of truth. If you’re not willing to stand behind your church’s teachings, why should they bother investigating?
No fix necessary, mormonisn has no truth in it to begin with
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