Posted on 12/08/2011 7:10:40 AM PST by Colofornian
First of all, let’s make this clear:
Joseph Smith deserves to be celebrated. He is the founder of a major religion, a bona fide historical heavyweight, and revered prophet of millions. Nobody would begrudge a commemoration in favour of John Wesley or Ellen White. My sense is that Latter-day Saints are happy to honour Joseph’s 200th birthday…
…But there’s one problem, an elephant that I think may be in the room for some Mormons. If only his birthday were not on December 23! The exmo boards are all a-flutter over “Smithmas” (a nasty and pejorative word) and the Joseph “nativity” at BYU. No surprise there. But in my own ward yesterday, I sensed a distinct lack of enthusiasm for the Friday broadcast. No “bring your friends” invitation. No top-billing in the announcements. Instead, the congregation seemed (rightly) to prefer to concentrate on Christmas. I have even heard a few grumblings, especially over the Joseph-centric Christmas Ensign.
This is a tough issue. How do you tip one’s hat to the Prophet without being accused of celebrating “Smithmas”? Will TV clips of the Friday event make Mormons look like they “worship” Joseph (as they sing “Praise to the Man” and not “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”)? How are you handling the double celebration? Do you wish Joseph had been born in February?
In December 2005, the Mormon church was outdoing itself to an even greater extent in proclaiming Joseph Smith...'cause it was the 200th year of Smith's Dec. 23 birthday.
This particular forum shows the Mormon angst over the Mormon church overkill of a Smithcentric Smithmas.
From the forum: …But there’s one problem, an elephant that I think may be in the room for some Mormons. If only his birthday were not on December 23! The exmo boards are all a-flutter over “Smithmas”... and the Joseph “nativity” at BYU. No surprise there. But in my own ward yesterday, I sensed a distinct lack of enthusiasm for the Friday broadcast. No “bring your friends” invitation. No top-billing in the announcements...I have even heard a few grumblings, especially over the Joseph-centric Christmas Ensign.
Explanation on "the broadcast" -- the Mormon church broadcasted a special 12/23/05 Joseph Smith worship event to all of its wards across the country.
This resulted in the Mormon angst: From the forum: This is a tough issue. How do you tip one’s hat to the Prophet without being accused of celebrating “Smithmas”? Will TV clips of the Friday event make Mormons look like they “worship” Joseph (as they sing “Praise to the Man” and not “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”)? How are you handling the double celebration? Do you wish Joseph had been born in February?
It's interesting reading over a number of the responses to this entry from Mormon posters.
I'll cover those in forthcoming posts.
To see how a Smithcentric Smithmas overwhelms celebrating Christ's birth...see:
* Joseph Smith: a witness of Christ [O Come, O Come EmmanSMITHuel, anyone?]
* 'Praise to the Man' honors Joseph Smith [Mormon Merry Smithmas!]
* Joseph Smith: Blessed Be His Name [Mormon Merry Smithmas]
* “Praise To The Man”: A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons [Mormon Merry Smithmas]
* Joseph Smith Jr.—Prophet of God, Mighty Servant
* Tis the season for Smithmas; Whom do you worship? [Mormon Merry Smithmas]
Some Mormon forum posters were concerned about the “deification” and worship of Joseph Smith:
Source: 67 Responses to “Dealing with “Smithmas””
* I have no problem with celebrating what Joseph accomplished, however, I was dismayed at the cover of the Ensign this month. We understand that Joseph did great things, but sometimes (as a convert) it bothers me that we seem to almost deify and whitewash his history. It really threw me for a loop when I encountered things about Joseph that appear to be true, but are not talked about. [Post #20 by “Tracy M” posted Dec. 19, 2005]
* Did anyone notice the quote on the back of the 12/05 ensign? Talk about Merry Smithmas. I think the comparision leads to confusion and deification, anyone else? [Post #32 by “Matt”, posted Dec. 20, 2005]
Okay, this is obviously an old discussion, but I want to explain why I’m here. The Joseph Smith December Ensign was so disturbing to me that I am still annoyed by it, 9 months later. I finally searched the bloggernacle for comments about it. (I wasn’t aware of the bloggernacle back in December.) I was happy to read all of your comments and virtually get my frustrations out. I am glad to read that I wasn’t the only one bothered by the whole “Smithmas” thing. Personally, I think the church comes too close to worshiping Joseph Smith… [Post #67 by “Zud”, posted Sept. 3, 2006)
The concern over the Mormon mag Ensign (Dec 2005) can be found in articles like this one: Joseph Smith Jr.—Prophet of God, Mighty Servant
Source: 67 Responses to “Dealing with “Smithmas””
* I believe he was a prophet and restored Christ’s church, I also believe we spend far too much time discussing and honoring him at the expense of time that should be directed to worshipping Christ. Most of the ‘worship’ of Christ that I hear at church, my ward or others, is at best implied. We don’t really worship Him at our meetings, apart from the weekly Sacrament, and even then it seems to me that half the congregation is asleep. [Post #29 by Artemis, posted Dec. 20, 2005]
* …I have been a fan of this site for years, quietly reading, taking it all in, but this post has gotten me to finally respond. Sunday, my Ward had 3 Smith tributes, nothing about the Savior, and I came away sad. 1) Primarily sad that it was not about Christ but 2) Sad that no one has the guts to say Joseph also helped restore Polygamy… [Post #38 by “Leahhona” posted Dec. 20, 2005]
* Ronan said “I think I will not be the only Mormon who prefers to keep this celebration private.” I am in complete sympathy with your point of view. I had exactly the same thoughts last Sunday when we were treated to three talks about Joseph Smith, none of which mentioned the Savior in any substantive format. I was actually releived that I didn’t have to explain to any non-members just why it was that Christ was playing second, actually third or forth fiddle, to Joseph Smith. This is particlalry true at Christmas time. It seems to me that it would be relatively simple to fold the celebration of Smith’s life and mission into the Christmas season by emphasizing that Joseph Smith was God’s chosen instrument in restoring to the world complete access to the gifts of forgiveness and exaltation offered by Jesus Christ. Somehow, at least in my neck of the woods, this connection has not been made. [Post #35 by “Constanza” posted Dec. 20, 2005]
* …it really is weird that we have chosen to celebrate Joseph’s birthday, no matter how round the number…and to do it with such pomp and circumstance…all at a time when people would rightly be conflicted about it. Face it folks, this is weird no matter how you slice and dice it. [Post #22 by “Watt Mahoun” Dec. 20, 2005
…I love Joseph Smith, and the trend of de-emphasizing him (e.g., the Joseph display at Temple Square was changed to a display on Jesus Christ some time between 1996 and 2003) is unfortunate. I, for one, think that we should do more to celebrate his life and achievements… [Post #55 by “DKL” posted Dec. 24, 2005]
I DO begrudge Joseph Smith, Jr., for his leading millions of people right to Hell. To continue to believe in the insanity that this man started is incredible. Everything about this guy has been proven false, and yet he still has millions of worshipers.
Again, I DO begrudge this charlatan for his leading millions of people right to Hell.
I heard about someone defending “Praise to the Man” as a ballad like those about John Henry and Casey Jones; I disagree. “Praise to the Man” is hymn praising Smith, not telling a story.
Furthermore, people don’t sing “Casey Jones” or “Paul Bunyan” or “Davy Crockett” in church.
The founder of Christianity is Christ, but we consider Him God, and that is why we celebrate the Incarnation. But as far as founding a religon culturally, Paul is the person that did it for us. We don’t celebrate his birthday.
Some protestants have Martin Luther day, but that’s not the day he was born, it’s the day he nailed the ninety five thesis to the door, but I’ve always felt that was to counteract Halloween.
In fact, most religious holidays IMHO were to replace ones the creator didn’t want celebrated. For instance, the creator of Kwanzaa put it smack over Christmas, with “collective work”. Christianity has a strong hold on many African Americans, and the libs are constantly trying to destroy that.
Any Mormon that strongly pushes Smithmas - I’d suspect him of the same.
“O Come, O Come, EmmaSmithnuel”
Except Emma escaped from Mormonism and didnt as far as I know evewr worship Joey Smith...
In factr she told him if his didnt get that bar out of her living room she would leave his sorry sodden butt...
He submitted to his wife in all things domestic...
and bought his little playmates home instead of going out to the local Playboy Club...
Of course there was that abusive letter to her now known as d&c 132..
What ‘religious’ group besides lds holds their founder in such high regard that they sing praises songs to him.
________________________________________________
Christians do...
We sing praise songs to the LORD Jesus Christ, founder of Christianity who loved His church, His Bride so much that He died for her in her place to pay the death penalty for her on the Cross, shedding his blood there to cleanse her from all unrighteousness and sin...
and so yes we sing His praises and Worship Him..
For He alone is Worthy...
The LORD Jesus said to Peter, “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell and Joey Smith will not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
and neither Hell nor any charlatan false prophet like Joey Smith have ever stopped the church or God from going on and forth non-stop...
Not in 2,000 years...
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THE
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS SECTION 132
51–57, Emma Smith is counseled (commanded) to be faithful and true; 58–66, Laws governing the plurality of wives are set forth.
51 Verily, I say unto you: A commandment I give unto mine handmaid, Emma Smith, your wife, whom I have given unto you, that she stay herself and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer unto her; for I did it, saith the Lord, to aprove you all, as I did Abraham, and that I might require an offering at your hand, by covenant and sacrifice.
52 And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, areceive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me; and those who are not pure, and have said they were pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God.
53 For I am the Lord thy God, and ye shall obey my voice; and I give unto my servant Joseph that he shall be made ruler over many things; for he hath been afaithful over a few things, and from henceforth I will strengthen him.
55 But if she will not abide this commandment, then shall my servant Joseph do all things for her, even as he hath said; and I will bless him and multiply him and give unto him an ahundredfold in this world, of fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, wives and children, and crowns of beternal lives in the eternal worlds.
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Point well taken.
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