Consider this about the author of that praise hymn to Joseph Smith. W.W. Phelps penned that song of glorifying Smith, promising in it at one point that: "millions shall know Brother Joseph again."
INSTEAD of focusing on MILLIONS coming to know Jesus Christ -- Mormons sing this hymn with these words toward and about Joseph Smith!!!
But the key isn't to know Joseph Smith! Rather it's to know Jesus Christ!
A BYU published article highlighting the annual third week of December Utah State sermons focusing on Joseph Smith mentioned how: "Many...Smith memorial speakers emphasized the need for all those present to obtain this personal witness of Joseph Smith....Joseph Smith lies at the heart of it all..."
Source: “Praise To The Man”: A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons [Mormon Merry Smithmas]
Aren't we to have a personal testimony of Jesus Christ and not Joseph Smith?
Didn't Jesus say even the Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus (NOT Joseph):
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify ABOUT ME." (Jesus, speaking of the Holy Spirit, John 15:26)
And yet one of those Mormon Memorial speakers at Utah State claimed "Joseph lies at the heart of it all."
Wow! Here we thought Jesus was the One who lied at the heart of it all!
On Dec. 22, 2008, the Mormon church owned Deseret News had this Joseph Smith glorifying article...Note this brief excerpt when it discussed Lds "prophet" Thomas Monson: ...he's always appreciated the fact that Joseph Smith was born in the season in which we celebrate the birth of Christ... And at this season, he's happy that our thoughts can be drawn to JOSEPH SMITH. "He gave us everything."
Source: 'Praise to the Man' honors Joseph Smith
So...Joseph Smith 'gave us EVERYTHING'??? Really? Isn't Jesus Christ the ONE who "gave us everything?" Shouldn't our thoughts be focused on Him this Christmas season?
Ah, bad grammar on my part: Should be: Here we thought Jesus was the One who lays at the heart of it all!