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."
Stupid cannot be fixed. BUT ignorance can be fixed by first reading the posting at the start of the thread post, so you of all the posters to this thread would see that the issues are raised from an official Moronism site and are thus the opposite of your assertion. Trying to twist your initial display of ignorance into soemthing else is ... typical.
What are the RLDS church members calling themselves now ?
Did they reject Joseph Smith ?
I’m not a Momron. Perhaps pD would answer that for you?
Some information at this link:
http://mrm.org/rlds
“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 event has nothing to do with Christianity. Mormonism is a different religion and mormons are as much Christians as Muslims are Christians.
Very, very interesting and informative link.
Well, it did say “arguably” :-)
I don’t know who the rod of Jesse spoken of is, but I have no problem in believing that Joseph Smith was a servant of God chosen and foreordained by God to do a an important work in our day.
Yes, Joseph Smith is a witness of Jesus Christ, and through him God has given many important revelations.
Here are a few direct quotes FROM THE FOUNDER OF MORMONISM and subsequent leadership of the Mormon religion, as found in the LDS official documents of Mormonism. See if these appear to be the Jesus of the Bible, as Normandy is trying to deceive readers into believing he is referring to:
“It is readily apparent from these scriptures that there was a war in heaven in which Christ and Satan (Lucifer) fought against each other, and that there were followers of each. Satan was defeated and cast out along with his “angels” or followers. Where were all these followers, and who were they? The answer is that they were us. Christ and Satan and their followers warred in a heaven that pre-existed this earth and mortal existence. All of us lived in this heavenly spiritual realm before we were born with physical bodies on the earth. Christ was begotten of the Father, as were all of us, including Lucifer, who was a Son of the Morning. The title “Son of the Morning” could either signify that Lucifer was one of the earliest born of the spirits, or was illustrious, or both. The name Lucifer means “lightbearer” or “shining one.” Since both Christ and Lucifer were born of the Father, they are brothers in a spiritual sense, as all of us are brothers and sisters in that sense. (LDS teaching regarding Joseph Smith‘s, Pearl of Great Price: Book of Moses 4:1-4)"The grand reason of the burst of public sentiment in anathemas upon Christ and his disciples, causing his crucifixion, was evidently based upon polygamy, according to the testimony of the philosophers who rose in that age. A belief in doctrine of a plurality of wives caused the persecution of Jesus and his followers. We might almost think they were Mormons (Jedediah Grant, Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 346).
"In the Church councils, it was spoken of: "Joseph F. Smith_ He spoke upon the marriage in Cana of Galilee. He thought Jesus was the bridegroom and Mary and Martha the brides."(Journal of Wilford Woodruff, July 22, 1883).
"Jesus was the bridegroom at the marriage of Cana of Galilee...We say it was Jesus Christ who was married, to be brought into relation whereby he could see his seed [children] before he was crucified (Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p. 82).
"There was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and on a careful reading of that transaction, it will be discovered that non less a person that Jesus Christ was married on that occasion. If he was never married, his intimacy with Mary and Martha an the other Mary also whom Jesus loved, must have been highly unbecoming and improper to say the best of it." (Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, p. 259).
Norm, just saying Joseph Smith was witnessing of the Jesus of the Bible but continuing to teach the blasphemous rot quoted above, when you assert Smith is witnessing of Jesus you are being deceptive, and I know you don't want to be deceptive, Norm.
No deception, MHG. Joseph Smith was a witness of Christ — was visited by him on occasion and testified of Jesus’ reality and divinity.
Your quotes are not from Joseph Smith, MHG.
Joseph Smith taught and testified of the very same Jesus Christ we read about in the Bible.
You wrote: How dare you get on this thread and bash Mormons!
How in the World does that question bash Mormons? It is a simple request for information.
I'm sure I would respond with information if I were asked a question and not take offense like this.
In the beginning, the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods; and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people it. (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 5, 1844)“I will go back to the beginning, before the world was, to show what kind of a being God is. What sort of a being was God in the beginning? Open your ears and hear, all ye ends of the earth; for I am going to prove it to you by the Bible, and to tell you the designs of God in relation to the human race, and why he interferes with the affairs of man. God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted Man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens. That is the great secret. (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 3, 1844)
“I learned a testimony concerning Abraham, and he reasoned concerning the Gods of heaven. '...Intelligences exist one above another, so that there is no end to them.' If Abraham reasoned thus--If Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and John discovered that God the Father of Jesus Christ had a Father, you may suppose that He had a Father also. Where was there ever a son without a father? And where was there ever a father without first being a son? Whenever did a tree or anything spring into existence without a progenitor? And everything comes in this way. Paul says that which is earthly is in the likeness of that which is heavenly. Hence if Jesus had a Father, can we not believe that He had a Father also? I despise the idea of being scared to death at such a doctrine, for the Bible is full of it. I want you to pay particular attention to what I am saying. Jesus said that the Father wrought precisely in the same way as His Father had done before Him. As the Father had done before? He laid down His life, and took it up the same as His Father had done before. (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 373)
Norm, I understand why you must deny the obvious truth about your blasphemous peepstone prophet and the subsequent blasphemies your leaders have atught. This must scare the bejeebers out of you!
"It is because the Lord called Joseph Smith that salvation is again available to mortal men.... If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation," (Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 396, 670)You Mormons must fear Joe Smith and the subsequent leadership more than the Lord God! Why else would you endorse their blasphemies? ... And you wonder why we won't give up and remain silent in the face of such blasphemies!
Oh looky! Another anti-Mormon gang thread!
It was meant as sarcasm.
You see, anyone who questions the doctrine, theology, origins, etc. of mormonism, is automatically considered a “basher” or worse...
Merry Christmas!
-- Mark Twain
I'm sure I would respond with information if I were asked a question and not take offense like this.
LOL! Perhaps some of our actual MORMON Freepers could answer that very reasonable and constantly asked question :-)
Joseph Smith was a liar. He was visited but not by Jesus.
I beleive Mormonism is a cult that has entrapped millions of well-meaning, sincere, but deceived people.
I believe it is run as a money- and power-hungry corporation by thousands of conniving, duplicit, complicit deceivers.
The frustrating responses you got from me were mocking the sort of responses we Christians get from the Mormons here on FR every single day.
They are so deeply indoctrinated that to question is to "bash".
You will never get an answer to your very good question, not will you get an admission that there IS NO LINEAGE.
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