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."

[Elsie]

 

This in an article written in an OFFICIAL mormon publication written by a member of lds.

Are you publicly saying what this person has written is a lie?

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"Any Latter-day Saint who denounces or opposes, whether actively or otherwise, any plan or doctrine advocated by the 'prophets, seers, and revelators' of the Church is cultivating the spirit of apostacy..."

(Improvement Era, June 1945, p. 354)

 

 

 

Reinforced here......

 

MP3 File

This is the audio clip of Dallin H. Oaks, current Mormon Apostle leader, from the PBS documentary, "The Mormons", declaring unequivocally:

"IT'S WRONG TO CRITICIZE LEADERS OF THE (MORMON) CHURCH, EVEN IF THE CRITICISM IS TRUE."

 

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Don't criticize?

 

Dallin H. Oaks, Mormon Apostle 

 

 

 

And here:

 

Temple Recommend Questions:

 1 Do you have faith in and a testimony of God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?

 2 Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer?

 3 Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?

 4 Do you sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and as the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys? Do you sustain members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators? Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local authorities of the Church?

 5 Do you live the law of chastity?

 6 Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?

 7 Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

 8 Do you strive to keep the covenants you have made, to attend your sacrament and other meetings, and to keep your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?

 9 Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?

10 Are you a full-tithe payer?

11 Do your keep the Word of Wisdom?

12 Do you have financial or other oblgations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?

13 If you have previously received your temple endowment:

     Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple?

     Do you wear the garment both night and day as instructed in the endowment and in accordance with the covenant you made in the temple?

14 Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been?

15 Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord's house and participate in temple ordinances?

 

 

 

 

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Oh, they can say that their leaders were NOT speaking for GOD when they said    WHATEVER    but that's NOT the same as criticizing!

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( Remember fellow Christians:  the Mormon's criticize US because they've been taught that they CAN'T criticize ANY of their leaders; so they HAVE to vent somehow! )

[Elsie]

No deception, MHG. Joseph Smith was a witness of Christ — was visited by him on occasion and testified of Jesus’ reality and divinity.

No; JS was 'witness to' a PERSONAGE.

[T Minus Four]

No; JS was 'witness to' a PERSONAGE.

Or bad 'shrooms. Or just a bald-faced lie.

[Normandy]

Ok, now we have some direct quotes from Joseph Smith.

Why should I be scared of them?

I don’t believe the Bible contains all the information out there about God — I’m happy to find new revelations and learn new truths.

As far as Bruce McConkie’s quote goes, it is not that Joseph Smith is the one who provides salvation — vital truths and authority were missing from the earth which were restored by God through Joseph Smith.

Best regards,

Normandy

[Elsie]

I'm sure you realize by now I'm playing a part.

Yeah... you foul, Hateful, BIGOTED antis 'play the part' all right!

Pretending that YOU are 'christians' and have the truth.

Well; me and my buds are ONTO you and your tricks!

--MormonDupe(I have a testimony: you don't!)

[T Minus Four]

Oh really. Name one “vital truth” missing form the bible I need to have in order to be saved?

[T Minus Four]

LOL! Oh yeah, I forgot “bigotted” :-)

[T Minus Four]

Joseph Smith as the Only Way to Salvation

[svcw]

You state: As far as Bruce McConkie’s quote goes, it is not that Joseph Smith is the one who provides salvation

Yet lds teaches this:

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" - Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190

"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 call us fools; but the day will be, gentlemen and ladies, whether you belong to this Church or not, when you will prize brother Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the Living God, and look upon him as a god..." (Herber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses 5:88)

“The day will come – and it is not far distance, either – when the name of the Prophet Joseph Smith will be coupled with the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth….” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 134; quoted in “Joseph Smith: Restorer of Truth,” Ensign, Dec 2003, 17).

[Vendome]

No, NO, NOH!

You haven’t been paying attention to them lately.

They will admit, emphatically, “We are Christians” or “I am Christian”.

Note the lack of possessive in the last one but more importantly when they say it they are declaring they are Christians and you are .....? Who knows?

But will be given the opportunity to become Mormon in the next waiting period.

[T Minus Four]

What I meant to say was...

[Normandy]

Joseph Smith was a servant of God who received revelations and taught them. He was an apostle of Jesus Christ just as were Peter, John and Paul.

Salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone — and Joseph Smith taught that.

[T Minus Four]

Yes, when we die and go to spirit prison, those nice young men in the white shirts will come visit us and there will be no where to hide! They will preach the Mormon version of "the gospel" to us and we have a second chance.

Too late for godhood, but we can go to the low level of heaven. The one where we will never be in the presence of either Heavenly father or Jesus Christ, just the third-rate Holy Ghost god. He'll be too busy though to give us much attention, being neither omniscient not omnipresent, and bodiless to boot.

Any we'll never, never, never see our loved ones or family again. Oh wait, unless they are as stupid as we are and go there too. Hmmm...

[Vendome]

LOL

You missed this at the end of the post < /S >

[T Minus Four]

Joseph Smith was a servant of God who received revelations and taught them

He SAID he was. I don't believe him. I'm sorry you do.

[T Minus Four]

Salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone — and Joseph Smith taught that

How do you explain all those links?

[Vendome]

Why you gotta be uh Hate-uh?

/s LOL

[Vendome]

The Amway chart, again?

[greyfoxx39]

Are you willing to do for the truth what the cults do for a lie? If you REALLY want to know about mormonism..click here

Will you wear blinders too? Seek truth. Find out for yourself. When those clean-cut young men accost you on the street or knock on your door to try and tell you they alone have the "Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ", turn away and say a prayer of thanks that you have seen and heard the real truth right here on Free Republic.

[T Minus Four]

While we’re waiting, here are some choice quotes from JS:

“Take away the Book of Mormon and the revelations, and where is our religion? We have none.”
- Joseph Smith

“Noah came before the flood. I have come before the fire.”
- Joseph Smith

“No one can ever enter the celestial kingdom unless he is strictly honest.”
- Joseph Smith

“Truth is Mormonism. God is the author of it.”
- Joseph Smith

“In your hands or that of any other person, so much power would, no doubt, be dangerous. I am the only man in the world whom it would be safe to trust with it. Remember, I am a prophet!”
- Joseph Smith