From the article:

Almost half of the 164-year existence of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has been led by three men who served as director-conductors of the choir for 73 of those years.

One of those men, the 3rd-ranked director-conductor (in terms of longevity), was J. Spencer Cornwall -- a veteran of leading the choir for 22 years (1935-1957). [The two who served longer were Evan Stephens, 26 years; and Jerold Don Ottley, 25 years...see List of Mormon Tabernacle Choir music directors).

Still in good standing with the church, the Mormon Church even brought Cornwall back for the 1979 tabernacle reunion event. There -- at age 91 -- Cornwall conducted one of the hymns sung for that event. Here is an 8-and-a-half minute YouTube clip of that event: J. Spencer Cornwall Conducts The Mormon Tabernacle Choir At 91 Years Old

Mormons, have you properly 'lauded' Joe Smith today?

Four years prior to Cornwall's "last hurrah" as conductor -- 1975 -- the Mormon Church-run publishing house, Deseret Book, published Cornwall's book, The Story of our Mormon Hymns. Opening this book up to page 164, we find this little interesting concessional/ confessional "nugget" written by the former MTC conductor: "''Praise to the Man' is one of the few hymns written in praise of a man. Most hymns of praise are to our Father in heaven. This hymn, however, is one of the more popular hymns of the Latter-day Saints."

Did you catch that? No, this isn't some "anti-Mormon" talking. Rather, a former Mormon Tabernacle Choir conductor -- in a book published, no less, by the Mormon Church -- sanctions open idolatry...hymns sung TO a being other than God, Himself! And they not only "concede" this but appear to be openly promoting this personality cult!

Merry Smithmas, indeed!

In case you've missed this week's "Smithmas" series:
* D&c 325 Test #2 [Merry 'SMITHMAS!' BYU class says Joseph Smith is both 'Rod' and 'Root' of Jesse]
* 'First vision visitation' of LdsIsm trumps Jesus' incarnational visitation via Bethlehem [Vanity]
* Joseph Smith Nativity [A Virtual 'Merry Smithmas' 'Greeting Card' circa 2005]

.

<.

Myth Romney's "Mormon Hollywood Smile" masks a Dark Side that many have tasted the bitterness of his Wrath and Revenge ...

Two United States political Conservative (TEA Party leaning) leaders, Sarah Palin (and her Husband and Children) and Newt Gingrich (accomplished U.S. House Speaker) ...

were clearly targeted by the Mitt Romney "political hit squads" ...

and both Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich paid a heavy price for threatening Mitt Romney's long-standing visions of great political power and personal wealth.

Is it possible that a victorious (or perhaps, even worse) a defeated Willard "Mitt" Romney would, as Shakespeare wrote, "Cry Havoc, and Unleash the Dogs of War" against his post-2012 election opponents ?

Can we look to the experiences of Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich, to foretell what dire fate that Free Republic might harvest, should Mitt Romney turn his evil malice against his "Conservative Opposition" ?

Western writers have long ago uncovered the Islamic philosophy that "Lying to the Infidels" is a blessed and worthy practice , directly encouraged by Allah.

Narrated Ka'b ibn Malik: When the Prophet (salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam) intended to go on an expedition, he always pretended to be going somewhere else, and he would say: War is deception.

Source: http://wikiislam.net/wiki/Lying_and_Deception_in_Islam

One of the Mormon's most embarrassing secrets is the tightly-covered-up Mormon-LDS scandal surrounding the CENSORSHIP and DESTRUCTION of the "Nauvoo Expositioner" newspaper in 1844.

Perhaps this frightening episode sheds some light on "why" some Mormon figures (such as Joseph Smith) will go to any length to protect their Earthly Wealth and Power.

Is Willard "Mitt" Romney ... cut from the same "moral cloth" (deceptive and violent) as Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Cult ?

"The Nauvoo Expositor Affair [Death of Mormon Joseph Smith]" has recently been discussed at Free Republic, for those who wish to learn more about this exceeding dark episode in Mormon history.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2893840/posts

An Executive Summary would show that a powerful and wealthy and terribly emotional insecure cult dictator (reminiscent of the murderous Jim Jones), Joseph Smith ...

violently attempted to exterminate even the mere public discussion of his policies, allegations of fraud, and abuse of power ...

even within the very "church" that he had (allegedly) miraculously founded.

Joseph Smith turned violently on fellow Mormons who had stood loyally and valiantly at Smith's side for over a decade, through the hardest of times ...

If that was how Joseph Smith treated his "best of friends" in the LDS faith ...

how then were Joseph Smith's "enemies" treated ?

Far worse, to be sure.

Which leads an inquiring mind to Willard "Myth" Romney ...

a self-proclaimed "Celestial God-Child from the Planet Kolob, located in the heavenly Constellation Cancer" ...

A man of great wealth ($ 150 million estimated personal fortune) and clear aspirations to power ... great power.

Was Mitt Romney following Joseph Smith's "politically violent" example when Mitt Romney attempted (behind-the-scenes) to politically destroy political opponents Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich ?

Many say that Romney followed Joseph Smith ... "perfectly".

So what fate then, does ANYONE who stands in opposition (at the smallest level) to Willard Romney ... share ?

What about independent Conservative Journalists such as Michelle Malikin, Shawn Hannity, Andrew Breibart (were he still alive) ?

What about independent Conservative Websites ?

Would Romney attempt their clandestine destruction ...

just as Joseph Smith violently DESTROYED "The Nauvoo Expositor" newspaper, published by Joseph Smith's most loyal and trusted friends ?

And what (indeed) happens when the (still powerful) assets of the FBI, CIA, NSA, NRO are handed over to the CONTROL of a "faithful mormon" ...

who believes that the VENGEFUL and MURDEROUS and EVIL Joseph Smith was a "saint" ... or worse still ... a self-proclaimed anti-christ "god" ...

These assets ( FBI, CIA, NSA, NRO) placed in the Greedy and Narcissistic fingers of "Myth" Romney ...

just as Joseph Smith was ...

a "Celestial God-Child from the Planet Kolob"?

.

Mormons, have you properly 'lauded' Joe Smith today?

Ping for later

merry smithmas to commemorate the birth of the human Joseph Smith Junior son of Joseph Smith Senior false savior and prophet of the Mormon cult..who died and was buried..

and Merry Christmas to commemorate the birth of the LORD Jesus Christ who is God come to Earth, the Son of God, Savior of the world. Who died for all men and women of the Earth that they might be saved through Faith in Him who died and rose again..

the One was and is and forever shall be God...

The other just a petty criminal, murderer and rapist and thief who got his just deserts...

I lived and worked in downtown Salt Lake in the late 90’s
200 block of east south Temple.

On thursday evenings during the summer I could hear them practicing in the old tabernacle.

Always enjoyed it.

Were anyone to go to the Mormon forum Web site: MormonDialogue.org: Smithmas..., you would find a discussion earlier this month on "Smithmas."

Many Lds posters weren't aware of digital postings about "Smithmas."

Some raised some concerns about over-the-top Joseph Smith themes at Christmases past; but a few of those persistent in posting essentially reduced the "Smithmas" observations made by some Mormons, ex-Mormons, and some non-Mormons alike as false conclusions.

I would say the charts in this article -- plus the one below -- but additional info I excluded from this particular thread begins to indicate how deep this "Smithmas" impulse runs at least in places like Salt Lake City, Provo, and during the Joseph Smith Memorial firesides -- at Logan, Utah as well.

Mormon observers like those at the above links tend to only look at local levels...and disregard, play down, or reduce the constant stream emerging out of places like Salt Lake City and Provo.

The charts produced in this thread -- along with others yet to be published -- indicate a certain "blind spot" amongst grassroots Mormons.

When will this blind spot open itself up to the light of truth?

Note: This chart is incomplete re: commentary I may yet provide on a number of these year-by-year examples.

'PRAISING THE MAN' (JOSEPH SMITH) IN A NUTSHELL

WHEN	WHO/WHAT	LINK/SOURCE	COMMENT
2012 (February)	BYU Doctrine & Covenants325 course: One of the verses in the great Christmas hymn, Oh come, oh come Emmanuel reads: "Oh come, Thou rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny From depths of hell Thy people save And give them victory o'ver the grave" Who is the "rod of Jesse"? The Messiah, Jesus! But who does BYU teach is "the rod of Jesse as well as "The Root of Jesse"? That's right, Joseph Smith!!! Flashcard Q&A: "According to the student manual, who is the Rod and Root of Jesse?" "Joseph Smith" (I confirmed this in the 2000 hard copy version, pp. 283-284	Cram.com: D&C 325, Test #2	Oh come, Oh come, EmmanSMITHuel? See 1982, 1966 and 1944 entries for additional info
2011 (Dec. 18)	(1) Headline by church-owned newspaper mentions "co-celebrants'" December birthdays: Joseph Smith gets same billing as Jesus Christ: Deseret News (owned by the Mormon Church): Two December Births to celebrate: Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith "Dec. 23 will mark the 207th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Smith Jr., the prophet of the Restoration. Joseph entered the world on a cold Monday morning in Sharon, Vt., shortly before the close of 1805...Interestingly, Joseph’s circumstances share many parallels with that of the Savior and remind us that Joseph was also a remarkable being." (3) Note that Jesus is reduced to "remarkable being" level – so that Joseph can be properly compared to Him: ..."Joseph was ALSO* a remarkable being."*	Deseret News (owned by the Mormon Church): Two December Births to celebrate: Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith; for previous response discussion, see also: Two December births to celebrate: Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith [Merry Smithmas Day!]	Joseph Smith was also a "remarkable beng" in the same "remarkable being" category as Jesus Christ? Why, that's downright remarkable!
2011 (Nov. 30)	MormonHeritage.com elects to kick off December with a reminder commemorate the month "in memory of the beloved prophet, Joseph Smith" – by citing his nephew's urging from 1894, "I should like to see introduced among the Latter-day Saints...the practice of celebrating or commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Joseph Smith..." Article quote: "Joseph Smith, Jr. was born on December 23, 1805. His nephew, Joseph F. Smith, said of this fact – “in my judgment the next birthday celebration to that of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ should be that of Joseph Smith.”The following is parts of a talk Joseph F. Smith gave at a Memorial honoring the Prophet Joseph Smith’s Birthday held on December 23, 1894. That year marked the 50 year anniversary of his martyrdom. “I should like to see introduced among the Latter-day Saints…the practice of CELEBRATING or commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Joseph Smith..." The 2011 article concludes: "Do something this Christmas season in memory of the beloved prophet, Joseph Smith!"	MormonHeritage.com urges 'celebrating' Smithmas	It took about 50 years – until the centennial of Smith's death (1944) – before Joseph F. Smith's push for "celebrating...the birthday of the Prophet Joseph Smith" took effect
2010 (Dec. 18)	The article kicks off with the obligatory Mormon Smithmas narrative: "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. The article then jumps to what tends of overshadow the focus of Jesus' visitation as a babe in Bethlehem: The alleged visitation of Jesus unto Joseph Smith, preceded by angel visitations: "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: ..."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." Jesse, in biblical history, is the father of David, making him the ancestor of the kings of Judah and of Christ (see Ruth 4:17,22; 1 Chronicles 2:5-12; Matthew 1:5-6; Bible Dictionary, "Jesse" entry). Thus the Prophet Joseph Smith fits the scriptural designation of being descended from Jesse and Joseph, of having been endowed with much power, and of having been given the priesthood and the keys of the kingdom preparatory to the gathering of Israel in the last days preceding the Second Coming of the Savior.	R. Scott Lloyd, LDS CHURCH NEWS: Joseph Smith: a witness of Christ; see also: Joseph Smith: a witness of Christ [LDS Open - Merry Smithmas!]
2009 (Dec. 20)	So, it’s five days to Christmas 2009. And the Mormon Times, published under the umbrella of the Mormon Church-owned Deseret News, wants all of its readers to “remember and reflect on all that” Jesus Christ “did for each of us,” right? WRONG!: ”Christmas is a busy time of year.However, Dec. 23 is a good time to remember and reflect on all that Joseph Smith did for each of us.”	Remember the Prophet Joseph Smith’s birthday	This prompted a sarcastic response from Mormon blogger in The Mormon Chapbook: ”Is there anything that goes by the name ‘Christian’ that has not been usurped, abominated, surpassed and eclipsed by that damnable heresy Mormonism! Let us not allow Christmas to draw our attention away from the great event of the ages – the birth of Joseph Smith. Let us not permit the events recounted in the gospels to distract us from the great events of the ‘Restoration’. God forbid that the annunciation of angels, the trembling wonder of shepherds and the reverence of wise men at the advent of God become flesh should eclipse the news of the ‘First Vision.’ God forbid that the prophet of prophets should be eclipsed by the King of kings. God knows I try to be patient, to build bridges and show respect but this is an assault on all that is called Christian and I condemn and abhor it.” Source: Mormon Times Remembers Prophet Joseph
2008 (Dec. 22)	It’s three days to Christmas. And the Mormon Church-owned Deseret News is at it yet once again: ”In 1844, there were approximately 26,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Yet, when W.W. Phelps penned a song of tribute to his beloved, fallen Prophet, he promised that ‘millions shall know Brother Joseph again’” [My note: The ‘song of tribute’ is an actual praise song directed TO Joseph Smith, ‘Praise to the Man’] ” ...Now known not only to the millions of members of the LDS Church, but also by countless more around the world, Joseph Smith has taken a unique and respected place in American and religious history...An advance copy of the CD was presented to President Thomas S. Monson...He reminisced about serving as a mission president in Toronto, ‘the only area outside his own, where Joseph Smith taught.’ He also noted that 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.’"	Praise to the Man honors Joseph Smith; for previous FR discussion on this, please see: 'Praise to the Man' honors Joseph Smith [Mormon Merry Smithmas!]
2007	Lds Church publishes Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith And this quote of adoration comes from an Lds Member of its “Seventy” hierarchy – Howard W. Hunter: "We praise him [Joseph Smith] for his capacity to commune not only with Jehovah but also with other personages of heaven. So many visited, gave keys, and tutored that ‘choice seer’ raised up in the latter days..We praise Joseph Smith, too, for his diligence and capacity to translate and to receive hundreds of pages of revealed scripture. He was the revealing conduit. Through him, it has been estimated, more marvelous pages of scripture passed than through any other human in history." (p. 550)	Lds Church Ensign Magazine (September, 1994)
2006 (July 1)	This time, it’s “Smithmas in July.” Lds “prophet” Gordon B. Hinckley focuses on "Testimony of the First Vision"...and, in doing so, openly disses and dismisses the members of the Godhead: "I hope with all my heart that each member of this Church will read the story of the Prophet Joseph Smith, read the story of the First Vision...There's no other event in all recorded history that compares with it, not even at the baptism of the Savior."	Lds Church News, p. 2	Note, Heavenly Father spoke @ Jesus’ baptism. This ”there’s no other event in all recorded history that compares with it” also not only openly disses and dismisses the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, but its absolute nature also "outdoes" even Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection! This is truly a nasty, derogatory statement aimed directly @ the Godhead!
2005 (Dec. 31)	Lds Church News pronounces: ”Thousands across world offer 'praise to the man'. While the Conference Center stage was still dominated by the Christmas setting of The First Presidency Christmas Devotional and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert, the village church, cottage and flocked evergreens hinted of Joseph Smith's Vermont. A prominent statue of the Prophet on the stage was a constant reminder of the purpose of the evening.”	Lds Church News: Thousands across the world offer ‘praise to the man’
2005 (December)	SmithEmphasisMas: Lds Church magazine Ensign returns to the “cradle” theme – one normally reserved for Jesus Christ in December: ”Sharon, Vermont, could rightly be called the cradle of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it was here that Joseph Smith Jr. was born on December 23, 1805. The fifth child of Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith, Joseph Jr. was nurtured and loved as he developed gradually into his role as the Prophet of “the dispensation of the fulness of times” (Eph. 1:10).”	A Prophet’s Life: The Cradle—Sharon, Vermont [Mormon Merry Smithmas Day!]
2005 (December)	Lds "Prophet" Gordon B. Hinckley: "It is a constantly recurring mystery to me how some people speak with admiration for the Church and its work while at the same time disdaining him through whom, as a servant of the Lord, came the framework of all that the Church is, of all that it teaches, and of all that it stands for...Proclaiming a Prophet ...we acknowledge the Prophet; we proclaim him; we respect him; we reverence him...The story of Joseph’s life is the story of a miracle...Praise to the Man When I was a boy 12 years of age, my father took me to a meeting of the priesthood of the stake in which we lived. I sat on the back row while he, as president of the stake, sat on the stand. At the opening of that meeting, the first of its kind I had ever attended, 300 or 400 men stood. They were from varied backgrounds and many vocations, but each had in his heart. Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!... Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.(“Praise to the Man,” Hymns, no. 27) ... Great is his glory and endless his priesthood...(Hymns, no. 27)...Ideas for Home Teachers 1. Show a picture of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and invite family members to tell what they know about him. Make a list of their responses...Discuss ways family members can better know the Prophet and his teachings. You may want to encourage family members to plan a special family activity on December 23rd to celebrate Joseph’s 200th birthday...Read or sing “Praise to the Man” (Hymns, no. 27), and study President Hinckley’s testimony..."	; see also: Joseph Smith Jr.—Prophet of God, Mighty Servant
2005	One of the most significant ongoing tributes to the Prophet Joseph Smith is the annual Joseph Smith Memorial Firesides...These...began in 1944 and have been held each year since, as close as possible to December 23, Joseph Smith’s birthday...This being the case, appropriately we sing, “Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!...Praise to his memory...Honored and blest be his ever great name!” For the time is not far distant when “millions shall know Brother Joseph again...”	Read more at "Praise To The Man": A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons; see also “Praise To The Man”: A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons [Mormon Merry Smithmas]	So, instead of focusing on Jesus Christ's birthday the third week of December. In Mormonism, Smith's "birthday is heralded around the world..." and "People of every land and of every race are coming to honor the birthday of the Prophet Joseph Smith...” Well, that's interesting. The average non-Mormon might think that the Mormon hymnal, "Praise to the Man" is about Jesus Christ. But you would be wrong. It's praising Joseph Smith! Praising the memory of Joseph Smith. Honoring and blessing Joseph Smith. And in the hymn, is the "key" to know Jesus Christ? No.Wrong again: ..."the time is not far distant when 'millions shall know Brother Joseph again..."
2000 (Dec. 2)	Lds Church News, p. 16 [Smithmas candidate] "As we again commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas season, let us also remember the birth of Joseph Smith on the 23rd of December.	Preserved for our day
1998	BYU Prof Joseph Fielding McConkie published Answers: Straightforward Answers to Tough Gospel Questions thru the church-owned Deseret Book Publisher: "No man in earth's history has been responsible for restoring more truth than the Prophet Joseph Smith, and thus we can suppose that no man in earth's history will have more evil spoken of him."	p. 53	So, Joseph Smith outdoes Jesus Christ as the restorer of truth? This is worship of Smith as neo-omniscient!
1997 (December)	Lds "prophet" Gordon B. Hinckley in the Lds publication Ensign: "This is a season for giving and a time for gratitude. We remember with appreciation the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith, which is celebrated this same month of December, two days before Christmas. How great indeed is our debt to him. His life began in Vermont and ended in Illinois, and marvelous were the things that happened between that simple beginning and tragic ending. It was he who brought us a true knowledge of God, the Eternal Father, and His Risen Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. During the short time of his great vision he learned more concerning the nature of Deity than all of those who through centuries had argued the matter in learned councils and scholarly forums. He brought us the marvelous Book of Mormon...To him, from those who held it anciently, came the priesthood, the power, the gift, the authority, the keys to speak and act in the name of God. He gave us the organization of the Church and its great and sacred mission. Through him were restored the keys of the holy temples, that men and women might enter into eternal covenants with God and that the great work for the dead might be accomplished to open the way for eternal blessings. Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.Ever and ever the keys he will hold. Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom...(“Praise to the Man,” Hymns, no. 27) ... We stand in reverence before him. He is the great prophet of this dispensation. He stands at the head of this great and mighty work which is spreading across the earth. He is our prophet, our revelator, our seer, our friend. Let us not forget him. Let not his memory be forgotten in the celebration of Christmas..."	Lds publication Ensign; see also: A Season for Gratitude (Mormon – OPEN)
1997 (Dec. 13)	Quoting Lds "Prophet" Gordon B. Hinckley: "His birthday will grow in recognition and in importance as the years pass and the Church continues to grow...At this season of his birth, it is well that we pause to remember him as we determine within ourselves to follow his teachings..."	`A gift that is greater than all gifts'
1995	Lds church-owned Deseret Book Co. publishes this pronoucement: "Who, then, is the 'root of Jesse'? It appears that the Prophet Joseph Smith is both the 'rod' and the 'root' that will come from Jesse…However, Victor Ludlow suggested that 'Joseph Smith might not be the only ‘root of Jesse’ in these last days. Many presidents of the Church have been related to him by blood, and all have held the priesthood and the keys of the kingdom that he held…The ‘root of Jesse’ could also be that particular prophet who will hold the keys when Christ returns to preside personally over his kingdom. The term could even represent the office of the president of the Church. In any case, the ‘root of Jesse” could also be that particular prophet who will hold the keys when Christ returns to preside personally over his kingdom. The term could even represent the office of the president of the Church. In any case, the ‘root of Jesse’ designates a great leader in the Church of Jesus Christ in this dispensation.”	Hoyt W. Brewster Jr., Isaiah Plain & Simple: The Message of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1995], 112-13. See: Lds.net/forums: 2 Nephi 21
1994 (September)	Lds "seventy" Howard W. Hunter speaking in the Lds publication Ensign: "When we sing of Joseph Smith, “Praise to the Man” (Hymns, 1985, no. 27), we remember so many praiseworthy things about him. We praise him for his capacity to commune not only with Jehovah but also with other personages of heaven. So many visited, gave keys, and tutored that “choice seer” raised up in the latter days (2 Ne. 3:6–7). When Father Smith blessed young Joseph in 1834, he declared that ancient Joseph in Egypt saw this latter-day seer. Ancient Joseph wept when he realized how the work of the Prophet Joseph would bless the earlier Joseph’s numerous posterity. We praise Joseph Smith, too, for his diligence and capacity to translate and to receive hundreds of pages of revealed scripture. He was the revealing conduit. Through him, it has been estimated, more marvelous pages of scripture passed than through any other human in history. We praise Joseph not only for his capacity to endure but to “endure it well” (D&C 121:8). Early on, as a boy, there was the painful operation on his leg—without which surgery he could not have made the later arduous Zion’s Camp march from Ohio to Missouri. During the march Joseph “walked most of the time and had a full share of blistered, bloody, and sore feet” (They Knew the Prophet, comp. Hyrum L. Andrus and Helen Mae Andrus, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1974, p. 48). Likewise, we praise him and Emma for enduring the sorrowful loss of six of their natural and adopted children to early death. Parents who have lost even one child are filled with empathy. We praise Joseph for the capacity to endure persecution, including the long and severe deprivations in Liberty Jail. To so many everything then seemed hopeless. Yet the Lord of heaven reassured imprisoned Joseph that 'the ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name' (D&C 122:1). We live in a day where there is increased inquiry about Joseph Smith and the restored gospel. Joseph has long since fulfilled his wish that he might hold “an even weight in the balances with” the ancients (The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith,comp. Dean C. Jessee, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1984, p. 395). We can now sing of how Joseph has been “crowned in the midst of the prophets of old” (Hymns, 1985, no. 27)."	Lds publication Ensign, p. 63
1990 (December)	Ah, Smithmas time again! December 1990, and the official Lds Church publication Liahona ensures a "get-out-the-worship" for Joseph Smith in its piece "Praise the Prophet": "The early members of the Church remembered his birthday with festive celebrations. We can remember the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith and show our PRAISE and admiration for him by living the principles that he taught."	Praise the Prophet
1989	BYU professor Rodney Turner – in the publishing arm of the Mormon Church (Deseret Book Co.) says: "A fourth individual is described in verse 10 as 'the root of Jesse.' The Lord explained that this 'root of Jesse' will be a 'descendant of Jesse, as ell 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.' Like the 'rod,' he, too, will descend from both Judah and Joseph...the 'root of Jesse' is almost surely the Prophet Joseph Smith. He holds the keys of this kingdom in both time and eternity and is the president of the last and GREATEST of all dispensations, the dispensation of the fulness of times. He is the living ensign to which the present generation must gather. We cannot, in reality, come to Christ if we do not accept his servant, Joseph Smith. The Lord's works are first spiritual and then temporal, or physical. All of the spiritual keys, powers, doctrines, and ordinances revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith must be honored and implemented before Zion, the second ensign, can be literally established in fullness and glory. That day is not far off."	Rodney Turner's chapter in Witness of Jesus Christ: The 1989 Sperry Symposium on the Old Testament, Richard D. Draper, pp. 248-249. Can see quote in	Joseph Smith's dispensation is the "greatest" of all...Joseph Smith holds "the keys of this kingdom in both time and eternity"...We cannot come to Christ if we don't accept Joseph Smith as the way to Christ.
1989 (January)	Lds Church publication Ensign: Doctrine and Covenants 113 identifies the “Stem of Jesse” as the LordJesus Christ (D&C 113:1–2) and the “rod” as “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” (D&C 113:3–4). The “root of Jesse,” verses 5 and 6 tell us, 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.” [D&C 113:5–6] ... Identifying Joseph Smith as the great prophet of the Restoration makes other biblical prophecies relating to his divine calling become clearer. One of these is found in Isaiah 40:3–5, where we read of “the voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Isa. 40:3–5] Here, “the voice of him that crieth” does not refer to John the Baptist in the meridian of time; the context of the chapter deals with happenings that will occur just prior to the Second Coming and the Millennium. Therefore, it is likely that Joseph Smith is “the voice of him that crieth.” Once this is recognized, it becomes easier to understand similar biblical passages, such as Jeremiah 30:21: “Their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the Lord.” [Jer. 30:21] Who is this “governor” that will “draw near” the Lord and “approach unto” him? Jeremiah 30:17 tells us that he will come as Israel is returning from her long captivity: “I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.” [Jer. 30:17] It is likely that health refers here to spiritual vigor. Healing probably refers to the healing powers of repentance and baptism. The verse also suggests a return to the covenant promises of Abraham. The “outcasts” are the scattered tribes of Israel (see Isa. 11:12), who have languished for centuries in spiritual bondage but who are now beginning to heed the call of Israel’s missionaries to return to the covenant. Like many other biblical prophecies, this could have multiple fulfillments. As “governors,” both Ezra and Joseph Smith initiated that return to the promised covenant of old. (See D&C 84:33–34; D&C 110:12; D&C 132:31–32.) Another biblical prophecy may refer to the Prophet Joseph Smith—John 1:19–25, where we read of the priests’ and Levites’ asking John the Baptist, “Who art thou? “And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. “And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. “Then said they unto him, Who art thou? … What sayest thou of thyself? “He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias...“And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?” In the Joseph Smith Translation (John 1:22), John the Baptist’s response is somewhat different: “They asked him, saying; How then art thou Elias? And he said, I am notthat Elias who was to restore all things. And they asked him, saying, Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.” (Italics added.) The popular interpretation of this verse among Bible scholars is that the “prophet” referred to is Christ—the same “prophet” Moses prophesied of inDeuteronomy 18:15. (See The Bethany Parallel Commentary on the New Testament, Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House Publishers, 1983, p. 502.) However, in his answer, John makes it clear that neither he nor Christ is “that prophet.” We can understand these verses better if we keep in mind that Elias is a title that could refer to any number of “restorers” and that Christ, John the Baptist, and Joseph Smith all qualify. (See the Bible Dictionary, s.v., Elias.) On 12 May 1844, just a few weeks before the death of Joseph Smith, the Prophet taught that he “was chosen [to be] … the last and greatest prophet to lay the foundation of God’s work of the seventh dispensation.” Then he pointed out that the Jews in the meridian of time, apparently aware of prophecies of a forerunner preparing the way of the Lord, “asked John the Baptist if he was Elias or Jesus or that great prophet that was to come.” (The Words of Joseph Smith, comp. and ed. Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook, Provo: Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center, 1980, p. 370.) This statement, taken from the journal of George Laub, implies that Joseph taught that he himself was “that prophet” referred to in John 1:21 and 25. It is reasonable, then, for us to conclude that Joseph Smith is most likely the prophet referred to in these verses. It was he who would “restore all things.” (John 1:22.)	Prophecies in the Bible about Joseph Smith
1985	Lds Mormon Church revises/republishes Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And Hymn #27? "Praise to the Man" (Joseph Smith, not Jesus Christ)
1984	Acknowledge the Triumphant ruler of the Spirit World! Jesus Christ? God? (Nope, Joseph Smith!) The Lds Church publishes a curricula Melchizedek Priesthood Study Manuel" each year. The one for 1984 includes this citation of Brigham Young: "Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation, and is now engaged behind the vail [sic] in the great work of the last days...No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith...He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation—the keys to rule in the spirit-world; and he rules there triumphantly...He was foreordained in eternity to preside over this last dispensation."	Melchizedek Priesthood Study Manual, Search These Commandments, p. 133, citing Brigham Young, Journal of Discourse, pp. 289-290)	So, per the Mormon Church priesthood curricula, Joseph Smith "holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation—the keys to rule in the spirit-world; and he rules there triumphantly..."??? Smith is the sovereign ruler of the Spirit world? Really?
1983 (August)	Lds "to-be-Prophet" Hinckley resurrects his 1979 “Praise to the Man” hymn to Joseph Smith – at that time, hymn number 147 in their hymnbook: "Many years ago when at the age of twelve I was ordained a deacon, my father, who was president of our stake, took me to my first stake priesthood meeting. In those days these meetings were held on a week night. I recall that we went to the Tenth Ward building in Salt Lake City, Utah. He walked up to the stand, and I sat on the back row, feeling a little alone and uncomfortable in that hall filled with strong men who had been ordained to the priesthood of God. The meeting was called to order, the opening song was announced, and—as was then the custom—we all stood to sing. There were perhaps as many as four hundred there. Together these men lifted their strong voices, some with the accents of the European lands from which they had come as converts, all singing these words with a great spirit of conviction and testimony: Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!...Kings shall extol him, and nations revere. (Hymns, No. 147.)"	Hinckley: Praise to the Man
1982	"...........it 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." 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? And is he not also the "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"? (D&C 113:4-6.) Those whose ears are attuned to the whisperings of the Infinite will know the meaning of these things."	Lds "apostle" Bruce R. McConkie publishes through the Lds Church-owned publisher, Deseret Book Co., The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man, p. 339	"Are we amiss in saying that the prophet here mentioned is Joseph Smith," asks the Lds "apostle"? (Yup!)
1981 (June)	Lds "Prophet" Ezra Taft Benson, speaking forth in the Official Lds magazine, Liahona Magazine, cites an October 1960 quote from First President Marion G. Romney's Conference Report, whereby Romney told of this incident which happened to him: “I remember years ago when I was a bishop I had President Heber J. Grant talk to our ward. After the meeting I drove him home … Standing by me, he put his arm over my shoulder and said: ‘My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it."	Fourteen fundamentals in following the Prophet	Hebrews 12:2: "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God"; 2 Corinthians 4:18: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen..." Lds tend to be contradictory on this: In the November 1999 Ensign: "It means placing Christ and Christ only at the center of our lives so that the vanities and philosophies of men lose their addictive appeal." (p. 98)
1979 (Nov. 4)	Lds "to-be Prophet" Gordon B. Hinckley gives a "Praise to the Man" BYU fireside: "I am responsible for the singing of that first song by the congregation: “Praise to the Man.” I would like to say a word or two about that great hymn from the pen of W. W. Phelps. Many years ago when at the age of twelve I was ordained a deacon, my father, who was president of our stake, took me to my first stake priesthood meeting. In those days these meetings were held on a week night. I recall that we went to the Tenth Ward building in Salt Lake City. He walked up to the stand, and I sat on the back row, feeling a little alone and uncomfortable in that hall filled with strong men who had been ordained to the priesthood of God. The meeting was called to order, the opening song was announced, and—as was then the custom—we all stood to sing. There were perhaps as many as four hundred there, for it was a very large stake. Together these men lifted their strong voices, some with the accents of the European lands from which they had come as converts and all singing with a great spirit of conviction and testimony: Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah! ... Kings shall extol him, and nations revere. [“Praise to the Man,” Hymns, no. 147]	"Praise to the Man"
1978	Joy to the World II: BYU Professor Larry C. Porter: "A special, virtually tangible spirit envelops the Christian world at Christmas with an intensity unknown the rest of the year. To Latter-day Saints the Christmas story, from Bethlehem to Calvary, takes precedence over the tinsel and the toys, for the Savior is the center of Christmas. Within the Church there is also a second story associated with Christmas—from Sharon, Vermont, to Carthage, Illinois—which draws our attention during this season. ...As we commemorate the birth of the babe in Bethlehem, the Savior of the world, may we also remember his emissary, Joseph Smith, and consciously rejoice in his life and sacrifice, as well.	Christmas with the Prophet Joseph
1978	The Mormon Church's official Web site recirculates a Brigham Young quote published in 1978: (republished quote Jan. 1996): "I honor and revere the name of Joseph Smith"	1978 republished under Discourses of Brigham Young, compiled by Lds "apostle" John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City, Lds church-owned Deseret Book Co., pp. 458-459.
1976 (December)	Lds Church Official publication New Era: The observance and 'keeping' of Smithmas: "This special season has greater importance for the Latter-day Saints than for others because we not only observe the birthday of the Savior but also the birthday of our Prophet, Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith...was born on December 23, 1805...December 23 should be a day of great importance in EVERY Latter-day Saint home..."	“What should be different about a Mormon Christmas?”
1975	J. Spencer Cornwall publishes a summary of Lds hymns under Lds Church-owned Deseret Book Co.: "''Praise to the Man' is one of the few hymns written in praise of a man. Most hymns of praise are to our Father in heaven. This hymn, however, is one of the more popular hymns of the Latter-day Saints."	Stories of our Mormon Hymns, Deseret Book Co., p. 164
1971 (June)	President A. Theodore Tuttle (Of the First Council of the Seventy): "Every man who has lived since the days of Joseph Smith is subject to accepting him as a prophet of God in order to enter into our Heavenly Father’s presence."	Lds Ensign: The Message of the Restoration
1970 (October)	Lds "Prophet" Harold B. Lee, in his Conference Report, warns all Mormons: "Let’s keep our eye on the President of the Church.”	(In Conference Report, Oct. 1970, pp. 152–53.) Lds 'Prophet' Harold B. Lee in conference report/D&C study manual (In hard copy of 2000 manual, p. 45)
1966 (October)	BYU professor Sidney B. Sperry, one of the leading "Bible scholars" at the university, reinforces what he began exporting in 1944: "When the Angel Moroni appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith on the evening of Sept. 21, 1823, he quoted the eleventh chapter of Isaiah and doubtless fully explained its meaning. The Prophet himself said: '...he (Moroni) quoted the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, saying it was about to be fulfilled." (Documentary History of the Church, vol. 1, p. 12). It can be presumed that Moroni would not have quoted the chapter from Isaiah unless in some way it directly involved Joseph Smith and the Church he was destined to organize. ...certain expressions in two verses have occasioned some difficulties in interpretation. Indeed, there are differences of opinion on the meaning of these verses. The problems in question are the meaning of 'rod' in verse 1 and the 'root of Jesse' in verse 10. Verse 1 reads: 'And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow up out of his roots." In March 1838 the Prophet gave certain answers to questions on scripture in which he explained the 'rod' and the 'stem of Jesse' of this verse. His explanation is found in Doctrine and Covenants 113:1-4. 'Who is the stem of Jesse spoken of in the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5 verses of the 11th chapter of Isaiah? Verily, thus saith the Lord: It is Christ. What is the rod spoken of in the 1 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 descendent of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power." The Prophet gives a clear, unequivocal answer when he identifies Christ as as the 'Stem of Jesse,' but he leaves to our discernment our task of determining the identity of the 'rod.' All he says 'it is a servant in the hands of Christ,' and then he adds some interesting genealogical data. The writer has always assumed that the 'rod' was Joseph Smith, believing that the Prophet, out of modesty, hesitated to name himself directly. None of us would question that Joseph was destined to become a 'great servant in the hands of Christ.' Moreover, if we assume he was the 'rod' or 'servant,' observe how very well such an identification fits in with Moroni's mission of explaining to the latter-day Prophet his part in Isaiah's great vision of the (cont'd on Page 914-917)...(Page 915:) I suggest that the 'rod' of verse 1 and the 'root of Jesse' of verse 10 refer to the same man, Joseph Smith. ...Who better fits the description ...[re: D&C 113:4,6] than Joseph Smith? ...In your...Sunday School gospel doctrine manual, 'The Old Testament Prophets,' Page 41... you give your opinion that the rod to come forth from the stem of Jesse, mentioned in Isaiah 11:1, and the root of Jesse, mentioned in Isaiah 11:10, are the same person, whom you believe to be Joseph Smith. You give as evidence that he holds the..(Page 916:) Unfortunately, President Brigham Young did not give an explanation what he meant by a 'pure' Ephraimite; nor is there any Scriptural evidence, ancient or modern, to support the view that Joseph would have descended from blood lines that were strictly of Ephraim. Not only that, but modern genealogical reseach shows the Smith ancestry traced back through English and other European stock...Isn't it more reasonable to believe that when Moroni appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith, he would explain that he (Joseph) was 'the rod' (Isaiah 11:1) whom Isaiah saw 'on whom there is laid much power' (D&C113:4)--indeed that he was the 'root of Jesse' (Isaiah 11:10) 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'? (D&C 113:6) ... (Page 916:) There is still another problem in connection with the 'root of Jesse' in Isaiah 11:10. In Romans 15:12 the Apostle Paul expressly quotes this passage from Isaiah and seems to imply – as many theologians believe – that Christ is the 'root of Jesse' (See Rev. 5:5; 22:16). If so, it would appear that Paul contradicts the revelation in Doctrine and Covenants that, as we have already seen, explains that the 'root of Jesse' is a 'descendent of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs... (Page 917:) ... the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days.' ... The Lord, speaking through the Prophet, does not really identify the 'root of Jesse' as Christ; otherwise, he would have said so, as he did regarding the 'stem of Jesse' of Isaiah 11:1. (See D&C 113:3,4) So we are confronted with the dilemma: Does Paul really identify the 'root of Jesse' as Christ, thus contradicting the Doctrine and Covenants, or is there some other explanation? It is well known to New Testament scholars that Paul often quotes texts with little regard for the original context...It appears that the Great Apostle of the Gentiles equates the 'root of Jesse' (Isaiah 11:10) with the Christ in Romans 15:12....	Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet	Hebrews 12:2: "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God"; 2 Corinthians 4:18: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen..."
1953 (Dec 6)	Joseph Smith Memorial Fireside, Logan Institute, gearing up for the 150th anniversary within a few years' coming: “It is an appropriate thing to remember the birthday of the Prophet Joseph. . . . This is the birthday of our greatest countryman. Joseph Smith is the only American whose birthday is heralded around the world. . . . People of every land and of every race are coming to honor the birthday of the Prophet Joseph Smith.”	Message by William E. Berrett. Read more at "Praise To The Man": A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons; see also “Praise To The Man”: A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons [Mormon Merry Smithmas]
1944 (Dec. 10)	"To be 'Prophet'" David O. McKay, Joseph Smith Memorial Fireside: "An eloquent summary to the testimonies of all the memorial speakers came in the words of President David O. McKay, who asked, 'Whence hath this man wisdom?' Then he answered as follows: 'Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!...”	Read more at "Praise To The Man": A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons; see also “Praise To The Man”: A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons [Mormon Merry Smithmas]
1944 (Feb. 6)	Acting Lds Church Patriarch Joseph Fielding Smith gave the first Joseph Smith Memorial Fireside Thomas E. Thunell (Salt Lake University Institute): "These firesides, sponsored by the Logan Institute of Religion, began in 1944 and have been held each year since, as close as possible to December 23, Joseph Smith’s birthday. Speakers during the past six decades have included all the presidents of the Church (David O. McKay through Gordon B. Hinckley, prior to their calls as president), counselors in the First Presidency, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, other General Authorities, Church leaders, and scholars."	Read more at "Praise To The Man": A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons; see also “Praise To The Man”: A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons [Mormon Merry Smithmas]
1944 (July)	BYU Professor Sidney B. Sperry: "A supplement to Lesson 29, 3 0, 31 in the Gospel Doctrine Manual J. here are many parts of Isaiah of special interest to Latter-day Saints...One of the most interesting chapters to us is the eleventh, which was quoted in its entirety to the prophet Joseph Smith by Moroni on the evening of September 21, 1823. Speaking of this event, the prophet said, "He quoted the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, saying that it was about to be fulfilled." (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith 2:40) What is of such importance in this chapter that Moroni felt constrained to quote it and explain the contents thereof? (It seems to us a reasonable assumption that he did explain it.) On analysis Isaiah 11 seems to fall Page 333: logically into three sections...Section 1 (vss. 1-5) has been, unfortunately, the least understood part of the Chapter. That is especially true of verse 1, which reads as follows: And there shall come forth a rod out of the Stem of Jesse, And a branch shall grow out of His roots. What does this verse mean? What is meant by the rod, the Stem of Jesse, the branch, and the roots? The writer has arranged the verse in poetic form so that its synonymous parallelism can be an aid to interpretation. The "rod" Page 334: will then be equivalent to "branch" and the "Stem of Jesse" will correspond to "His roots." According to Doc. & Gov. 113:1-2, the "Stem of Jesse" is the Christ, who is further spoken of in verses 2-5 of the Isaianic text. The "rod" is explained as "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." (Doc. & Gov. 113:4) This explanation is interesting, but it still is not clear-cut as to who is meant. Verses 5 and 6 of the same section of the Doctrine and Covenants seem to give us an answer. The "root of Jesse" in the eleventh verse of this chapter of Isaiah is explained as "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." The wording of verse 6 in the Doctrine & Covenants is strongly reminiscent of verse 4 and the "descendant of Jesse" in both verses must be one and the same individual. Who is the one "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"? Who better fits this description than Joseph Smith?...He is the one whom Isaiah probably had in mind when he refers in a figurative sense to the "rod" or the "branch" that should grow out of "His roots." Who will deny that the prophet was a real spiritual Page 335: descendant (branch) of the Christ?”	The Instructor	So this BYU prof claims that Joseph Smith is both the "rod of Jesse" as well as the "root of Jesse," effectively replacing the Messiah as the "rod of Jesse" as sung in the Christmas hymn, "Oh, come, Oh come, Emmanuel: "Who is the one "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"? Who better fits this description than Joseph Smith?...He is the one whom Isaiah probably had in mind when he refers in a figurative sense to the "rod" or the "branch" that should grow out of "His roots." Who will deny that the prophet was a real spiritual"
1938	"To be 'Prophet'" Joseph Fielding Smith compiled the words of Joseph Smith under Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and published it under Deseret News Press: "God made Aaron to be the mouthpiece for the children of Israel, and He will make me be god to you in His stead, and the Elders to be mouth for me; and if you don't like it, you must lump it."	p. 363
1919	Lds "apostle" Hyrum M. Smith and James Sjodahl co-wrote a church-approved A Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants, published in Liverpool, England: "Attention is called to the name [Joseph], because the Scriptures predict the coming of a great deliverer in the latter days, so named. Nephi says that Joseph, the patriarch, predicted the coming forth of the House of Israel on the American continents, of a 'righteous branch' and a Seer, whose name, he said, 'shall be called after me' (Joseph)..."	This quote in cited in the Lds Church Doctrines & Covenant Study Manual, 2000 pp. 34-35
1919	Relief Society publishes song book that includes worship hymn of Joseph Smith, "Praise to the Man"	Relief Society Song Book
1894	Lds "Prophet" Joseph F. Smith, nephew of Joseph Smith: "Joseph Smith, Jr. was born on December 23, 1805. His nephew, Joseph F. Smith, said of this fact – “in my judgment the next birthday celebration to that of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ should be that of Joseph Smith.” The following is parts of a talk Joseph F. Smith gave at a Memorial honoring the Prophet Joseph Smith’s Birthday held on December 23, 1894. That year marked the 50-year anniversary of his martyrdom. “I should like to see introduced among the Latter-day Saints…the practice of celebrating or commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Joseph Smith..." The 2011 article from MormonHeritage.com concludes: "Do something this Christmas season in memory of the beloved prophet, Joseph Smith!"	Joseph Smith's nephew calls for 'celebrating' Smithmas
1861 (Feb. 10)	Brigham Young: "He is the man through whom God has spoken and revealed some of the most glorious principles that ever were revealed to the children of men; yet I would not like to call him a savior, though in a certain capacity he was a God to us, and is to the nations of the earth, and will continue to be."		Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses
1860 (Sept. 2)	Do we praise God in thanksgiving for who He has made us to be? (Not Brigham Young) " I feel happy. 'Mormonism' has made me all I am..."	Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses
1859 (Oct. 9)	Brigham Young : "Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation, and is now engaged behind the veil in the great work of the last days. I can tell our beloved brother Christians who have slain the Prophets and butchered and otherwise caused the death of thousands of Latter-day Saints, the priests who have thanked God in their prayers and thanksgiving from the pulpit that we have been plundered, driven, and slain, and the deacons under the pulpit, and their brethren and sisters in their closets, who have thanked God, thinking that the Latter-day Saints were wasted away, something that no doubt will mortify them—something that, to say the least, is a matter of deep regret to them—namely, that no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are—I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent. He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation—the keys to rule in the spirit world; and he rules there triumphantly, for he gained full power and a glorious victory over the power of Satan while he was yet in the flesh, and was a martyr to his religion and to the name of Christ, which gives him a most perfect victory in the spirit world. He reigns there as supreme a being in his sphere, capacity, and calling, as God does in heaven. Many will ex claim—"Oh, that is very disagreeable! It is preposterous! We cannot bear the thought!" But it is true."	Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses: 7:289-290; see also	The Second Coming of Joseph Smith?
1858 (Jan 3)	All hail Judge Joseph, Lds "apostle" Orson Hyde: "I tell you, Joseph holds the keys, and none of us can get into the celestial kingdom without passing by him. We have not got rid of him, but he stands there as the sentinel, holding the keys of the kingdom of God; and there are many of them beside him. I tell you, if we get past those who have mingled with us, and know us best, and have a right to know us best, probably we can pass all other sen tinels as far as it is necessary, or as far as we may desire. But I tell you, the pinch will be with those that have mingled with us, stood next to us, weighed our spirits, tried us, and proven us: there will be a pinch, in my view, to get past them. The others, perhaps, will say, If brother Joseph is satisfied with you, you may pass. If it is all right with him, it is all right with me. Then if Joseph shall say to a man, or if brother Brigham say to a man, I forgive you your sins, 'Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them;' if you who have suffered and felt the weight of transgression—if you have generosity enough to forgive the sinner, I will forgive him: you cannot have more generosity than I have. I have given you power to forgive sins, and when the Lord gives a gift, he does not take it back again."	Journal of Discourse, Vol. 6
1857 (July 26)	The "GOD" Joseph Smith? First President Heber C. Kimball – one of the top three Mormon hierarchists of his time: "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, and also upon Brigham Young, our Governor in the Territory of Deseret."	Kimball, Journal of Discourses 5:88
1844 (August)	W.W. Phelps wrote & published poem which became lyrical basis for song Praise to the Man		See lyric chart comparison to "True Gospel" at Mormon Tabernacle Choir conductor: 'Praise to the Man'...hymn praises Joseph Smith [Smithmas vanity]
1838 (March 3)	Visions and Revelations—Joseph Smith received Doctrine and Covenants 113, a revelation identifying the “stem of Jesse” and the “rod” and “root of Jesse” in Isaiah 11. ◆ History of the Church, 3:9–11; D&C 113	Joseph Smith as "rod" and "root" of Jesse?

You can listen to it here:

Praise to the Man--The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

I remember seeing this old song in a Mormon hymnal years ago.

O give me back my Prophet dear,

And Patriarch, O give them back;

The Saints of latter days to cheer,

And lead them in the gospel track.

But ah! they’re gone from my embrace,

From earthly scenes their spirits fled;

Those two, the best of Adam’s race,

Now lie entombed among the dead.

Ye men of wisdom tell me why,

When guilt nor crime in them were found,

Why now their blood doth loudly cry,

From prison walls, and Carthage ground

Your tongues are mute, but pray attend,

The secret I will now relate,

Why those whom God to earth did lend,

Have met the suffering martyr’s fate.

It is because they strove to gain,

Beyond the grave a heaven of bliss;

Because they made the gospel plain,

And led the Saints in righteousness.

It is because God called them forth,

And led them by his own right hand

Christ’s coming to proclaim on earth,

And gather Israel to their land.

It is because the priests of Baal

Were desperate their craft to save;

And when they saw it doomed to fail,

They sent the Prophets to the grave.

Like scenes the ancient Prophets saw,

Like these, the ancient Prophets fell;

And till the resurrection dawn,

Prophet and Patriarch—Fare thee well.

Smith was a man like any other and is now dead buried and knows nothing and is awaiting the day of judgement, just like all the popes, nuns, priests and saints.

Yes Joseph Smith was a man just like any other. We all will await and receive judgment at the had of God Almighty.

However, if we have received of The Son of God and accepted His sacrifice, repented of our sins and done all we could to follow Him then, the Lord will say on that judgment day “he is mine, I purchased him with My blood”.

Now, do you think Popes, nuns and priests have some other faith than you and me? They don’t.

Like it or not, the Popes are what is left of the church Peter administered. the Popes have been handed down the priesthood that Christ Himself held on the earth. Peter received the keys of the kingdom that allowed him to bind in Heaven whatever he sealed on earth.

Until some other person comes along that has that power I think you shouldn’t be making such fun of Popes, priests and nuns, unless of course you have become a special judge to judge them before they stand before God. Unless of course God’s judgment is not needed since you have already judged them.

From before the time of Abraham there has been a priesthood of God on the earth. At Christ’s first coming in the flesh that priesthood was still on the earth, John The Baptist’s father held it and likely so did John. Christ held it and gave it to the Apostles. Where is it now? If one of the Catholic churches don’t have it then is it not on the earth? So it has been needed for thousands of years, including after the Law had been fulfilled but now we don’t need it?

Most nuns like most priests live a very lowly existence. There are plenty of bad apples in any barrel but most priests and nuns are people it would be good to emulate. They are unselfish, kind, generous and loyal to their Lord.

I find it very rude and unkind to vilify them or belittle them.

I always say “Live and let live”. If you are a believer in Christ, then preach Christ, don’t preach hate of those that try their best to serve Him. Mormons can Worship & serve Christ as well as anyone, Catholics can Worship & serve Christ as well as anyone, Methodists can Worship & serve Christ as well as anyone, stc., etc.

I have a feeling that many of us will have a very rude awakening on judgment day. Wise council is that you judge not that you be not judged.

Merry Christmas!

You are hatefully obsessed with EXPOSING the false doctrines of MORMON ism.

(In before the haters...)

I’m glad you posted this.

Like any thread that mentioned Helen Thomas; it HAD to have the requisite picture of Mrs. Douglas.

Now that we have a link to the actual song; there is harmony in the Force.

I always say “Live and let live”. If you are a believer in Christ, then preach Christ, don’t preach hate of those that try their best to serve Him. Mormons can Worship & serve Christ as well as anyone, Catholics can Worship & serve Christ as well as anyone, Methodists can Worship & serve Christ as well as anyone, stc., etc.

Goody for you; it appears you are quite tolerant; but the BIBLE says something a bit different:

Acts 17:18-19
18. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
19. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?

Acts 18:11
So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 16:17
   I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

1 Corinthians 4:17
For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

1 Corinthians 11:2
2. I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.

Ephesians 4:14-15
14. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
15. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:15
   So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

2 Thessalonians 3:6
  In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

1 Timothy 1:3-4
3. As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer
4. nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith.

1 Timothy 1:7
  They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

1 Timothy 2:7
   And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle--I am telling the truth, I am not lying--and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.

1 Timothy 4:1-2
1. The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
2. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

1 Timothy 4:6
   If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

1 Timothy 4:11
  Command and teach these things.

1 Timothy 6:3-5
3. If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,
4. he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions
5. and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

2 Timothy 1:13
  What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:15-17
15. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
16. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
17. Their teaching will spread like gangrene.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
17. so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
  3. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
  4. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Titus 1:11
They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach--and that for the sake of dishonest gain.

Titus 2:1
  You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.

Titus 2:15
  These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Hebrews 13:9
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.

2 Peter 2:1-3
1. But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves.
2. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
3. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

2 John 1:10
  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him.

...it appears you are quite tolerant...

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen quotes:

"A Plea For Intolerance" (1931)

Tolerance is an attitude of reasoned patience toward evil ... a forbearance that restrains us from showing anger or inflicting punishment.

Tolerance applies only to persons ... never to truth.

America, it is said, is suffering from intolerance — it is not.

It is suffering from tolerance.

Tolerance of right and wrong, truth and error, virtue and evil, Christ and chaos.

Our country is not nearly so overrun with the bigoted as it is overrun with the broadminded.

I have a feeling that many of us will have a very rude awakening on judgment day. Wise council is that you judge not that you be not judged.

Good luck!!

Ezekiel 33:6
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.

The melody of "Praise to the Man" sounds a lot like this tune:

Tunes of Glory--Mitch Miller & His Orchestra (1961)

And to think that quote was made in 1931, wonder what Fulton would think today?

Tolerance is an attitude of reasoned patience toward evil ... a forbearance that restrains us from showing anger or inflicting punishment. Tolerance applies only to persons ... never to truth. America, it is said, is suffering from intolerance — it is not. It is suffering from tolerance. Tolerance of right and wrong, truth and error, virtue and evil, Christ and chaos.Our country is not nearly so overrun with the bigoted as it is overrun with the broadminded.

Excellent summation! (A real "keeper")

The true Gospel	The false bad news 'gospel' of Joseph Smith-Centricism as found in 'Praise to the Man'
Jesus atoning for the sins of mankind by shedding his blood	All mankind will need to atone for the sin of shedding Joseph's blood -- as if all the earth was guilty of such an act!
Jesus HIMSELF is the "Faithful and True One" (Revelation 3:14) who is Lord and crowned King of His Kingdom	Joseph Smith is the "Faithful and true" one who "will enter HIS kingdom, crowned"
Kings -- like David -- extol the Lord (see Psalm 34:1 and many other Psalms)	"Kings shall extol" Joseph Smith, "and nations revere" (him)
Jesus' ascent is to be hailed	"Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!"
Our 3-in-1 God sovereignly implements His Plan for His people	"Mingling with Gods" Joseph Smith "can plan for his brethren"
Millions shall know the true God and Jesus Christ Whom He has sent (John 17:3)	"Millions shall know 'brother Joseph' again"
Sung to Jesus Christ in Christmas carol "What Child is This?": "Haste, haste to bring Him LAUD* / The babe, the son of Mary"*	"...the earth lauds his" (Joseph Smith's) "fame"
"But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone." (Heb. 2:9); "He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (2 Peter 1:17) [please also see Rev. 4:9, 11; 5:12-13; 7:12]	"...Honored and blest be" Joseph Smith's "ever great name!..."

WHEN	WHO/WHAT	LINK/SOURCE	COMMENT
1981-2010	Mormon leader proclamations where the 'testimony'/'witness' is about Joseph Smith
2010 (September)	Christian missionaries seek to testify to Jesus Christ. What was this Lds to-be-missionary preparing for his mission seek to prepare to do, per the official Lds magazine, New Era? Well, the headline kind of gives it away: "My Testimony of Joseph Smith" Lead graph: "I wanted to prepare for my mission and was pondering some things that would strengthen my testimony. I knew that building up my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith would greatly strengthen me and prepare me for my mission in the future."	Lds magazine, New Era: 'My Testimony of Joseph Smith'
2009 (January)	Lds Church official magazine Ensign don’t advocate “seeking a personal witness of Jesus Christ.” Not at all! Instead, it’s ...”members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles bear testimony of the prophet and share what they have gained—and what we can gain—from seeking a personal witness of him.	Witnesses of the Prophet Joseph Smith
2005	BYU publishes a piece reviewing the Smithfest (annual Joseph Smith Memorial firesides held close to his birthday starting in 1944): "Brother Chase...published a ...volume titled Joseph the Prophet, As He Lives in the Hearts of His People...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..." Elder Benson noted, “The greatest activity in this world or in the world to come is directly related to the work and mission of Joseph Smith..."	Read more at "Praise To The Man": A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons; see also “Praise To The Man”: A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons [Mormon Merry Smithmas]	Why, that's "funny!" I would have thought from reading my Bible that Jesus Christ is the one who "lives in the hearts" of God's people...And that Jesus Christ "lies at the heart of it all"...And that Jesus Christ is the ONE for whom we are to "obtain" a "personal witness" to...And that Jesus Christ's "work and mission" -- along with the Holy Spirit's power, direction, and guidance is to be the True Source of "the greatest activity in this world or the world to come..." I guess I was wrong. The Mormons say it's to be Joseph Smith!
2005	"The doctrine my father taught me was that the measure of a man’s spirituality was to be found in his loyalty to Joseph Smith* and the revelations given through him."*	D Jensen, The Religious Educator, Vol. 6, No. 1	"Loyalty to Joseph Smith" vs. primary loyalty to Jesus Christ = disciples for Joseph Smith operating as a personality cult!
1996	Lds "Prophet" Harold B. Lee: “We must know for certainty in our hearts and minds that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world. We must know that this is indeed the Church of Jesus Christ, the kingdom of God on earth in these last days; and finally we MUST have a testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.”	The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, ed. Clyde J. Williams, p. 371
1994 (June)	Official Lds Church Magazine places Joseph Smith on par with Jesus Christ re: "shed[ding] his blood in order that the final testament, the reestablishment of the new covenant, might be in full effect.": "As suggested earlier, the life of Joseph Smith was in some degree patterned after that of his Master, Jesus Christ. That pattern holds true even when extended to its tragic conclusion. Like his Master, Joseph Smith also shed his blood in order that the final testament, the reestablishment of the new covenant, might be in full effect...Thus, to bear witness of Joseph Smith is to bear witness of Jesus Christ, who sent him, in the same way that a testimony of Christ also implies clearly a testimony of the Eternal Father, who sent Him. On the other hand, to deny Joseph Smith outright—to deny the spiritual impressions which attest to his prophetic assignment—is to deny the Lord, who sent him."	Lds Church Magazine Ensign	Hence, in the Mormon Church's eyes, Joseph Smith's the covenant establisher for the ENTIRE Church! (Not Jesus Christ) Therefore, this is why Mormons seek "to bear witness of Joseph Smith"
1990 (July 29)	During a Capstone conference – a conference in which Christians are trained in witnessing to Mormons – one Sunday morning finds Hank Hanegraaff and Ed Decker walking "through Temple Square while we had some time before Hank caught a flight back to Los Angeles. As we walked through the North Visitor Center, we were amazed. That building housed the many displays dealing with the 'restoration of the gospel.' Yet, every single thing that dealt with the restoration story and Joseph Smith had been removed from public view...The South Visitor Center displayed...a picture of Jesus, under which was a statement from LDS scripture with a heading something like 'Jesus Testifies of Joseph Smith.'"	Ed Decker, Decker's Complete Handbook on Mormonism, Harvest House, 1995, pp. 340-341	MORE role reversal!
1984	Lds "Prophet" Ezra Taft Benson supercedes Jesus' Incarnation, the Cross, the Resurrection and His Ascension as what/Who we are to "bear testimony" about in place of Joseph Smith's 'First Vision': "The First Vision of the Prophet Joseph Smith is bedrock theology to the Church...You should ALWAYS* bear witness to the truth of the First Vision."*	Benson's address given in Salt Lake City, May 20, 1984, p. 2, as recorded in Ezra Taft Benson, Addresses 1943-89, Church Archives – and cited in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p. 547
1981 (Jan. 25)	Lds leader James E. Faust, speaking at the annual Joseph Smith Memorial Fireside, says: " Many of the Joseph Smith memorial speakers emphasized the need for all those present to obtain this personal witness of Joseph Smith. Elder James E. Faust put into perspective the vital role of a personal testimony, pointing out that “the beginning point of the restoration is the story of Joseph Smith. . . . Joseph Smith lies at the heart of it all. . . . Every person who claims membership in the Church must have his own personal witness concerning the truthfulness of the story of Joseph Smith. . . . That which makes [the Church] live is the individual testimony of the members of the Church.”	Read more at "Praise To The Man": A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons; see also “Praise To The Man”: A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons [Mormon Merry Smithmas]	So everybody in the Mormon church has to have a "personal witness" of Joseph Smith, eh? (Yeah, we kind of figured that by now)

WHEN	WHO/WHAT	LINK/SOURCE	COMMENT
1857-2013	Mormon leader proclamations where the 'confession' is about Joseph Smith – and usually mentions/implies Smith as the 'Way'		This goes against Romans 10:9-10 and John 14:6 in the Bible
2013 (Feb. 10)	Faith in God? Faith in Jesus? How about Faith in Joseph Smith! "Come and bring your friends to this annual event that is sure to uplift spirits, strengthen testimonies, and renew FAITH IN OUR BELOVED PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH. See you there! Doors open at 6 pm."	Joseph Smith Memorial Fireside	Prior to this event – the annual Joseph Smith Memorial Fireside – which, for the first 30 years of its annual existence (1944-1973) was held as a competitive eclipse of Christmas in December -- celebrating Joseph Smith and his birthday...the YSA 30th (Lds) Ward promotes in the event by encouraging attenders to renew their faith in Jesus Christ? (Nope!)
1982 (originally published 1954)	Making a Decision for Joseph Smith? Eventual "to be 'Prophet'" Joseph Fielding Smith: [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"	Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190	Joseph Smith as "the way, the truth, and the life" eh? Joseph Smith 14:6?
1974	Deseret Book Co. publishes a book of discourses and writings of one of its top three hierarchists from the 19th century, George Q. Cannon, who announces: "If we get our salvation, we shall have to pass by him [Joseph Smith]; if we enter our glory, it will be through the authority he has received. We cannot get around him [Joseph Smith]" (Lds "apostle" George Q. Cannon)	Editor Jerreld L. Newquist, Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, Vol. 1, p. 255 Deseret Book Co.
1967 (Dec. 3)	Is God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit the source of the “greatest activity in the world?” (Think again!) Smithmas time again, 1967: Lds "Prophet" Ezra Taft Benson, speaking at the annual commemoration of Joseph Smith's birthday (Joseph Smith Memorial Firesides), proclaims: “The greatest activity in this world or in the world to come is directly related to the work and mission of Joseph Smith.”	Read more at "Praise To The Man": A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons; see also “Praise To The Man”: A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons [Mormon Merry Smithmas]	No credit to Jesus; no credit to the Holy Spirit. 'Tis Joseph Smith who apparently spurs "the greatest activity in this world", eh?
1966	After Lds "prophet" David O. McKay told one First President to review lds "apostle" Bruce McConkie's Mormon Doctrine book (1958), and another – Spencer W. Kimball – to be his mentor in implementing changes, McConkie comes out in his 1966 revision of the book: Therefore, this quote passed the muster of two Lds "prophets" (McKay and Kimball) and a Fir">Improvement Era, st President (Marion G. Romney): "If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation."	Mormon Doctrine, Bruce McConkie, p. 670, republished later by Deseret Book Co., owned by the Mormon Church. Last republishing date was 1978.	Well, there ya go! Joseph Smith as the savior of the world!
1954 (Republished 1972)	Eventual "to be 'Prophet'" Joseph Fielding Smith: [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"	Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190	Yup. A response to (or decision for) Christ becomes "accepting Joseph Smith"!
1944	"Brother Chase’s intense interest in this topic was obvious, since in the same year, 1944, he published a small volume titled Joseph the Prophet, As He Lives in the Hearts of His People.* "*	Read more at "Praise To The Man": A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons; see also “Praise To The Man”: A Review Of The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons [Mormon Merry Smithmas]
1925	Confess Joseph Smith – or you're of the antiChrist: Lds "apostle" John A Widtsoe compiled Discourses of Brigham Young and these were published by the Lds Church under its book company, Deseret. On page 435: "Whosoever CONFESSETH THAT JOSEPH SMITH WAS SENT OF GOD to reveal the holy Gospel to the children of men, and lay the foundation for gathering Israel, and building up the kingdom of God on the earth, that spirit is of God;" and every spirit that does not confess that God has sent Joseph Smith, and revealed the everlasting Gospel to and through him, is of Antichrist, no matter whether it is found in a pulpit or on a throne...	Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 435 (Original Brigham Young, 1860)	All you billions of "antichrists" out there that don't confess Joseph Smith as God's sent one...go ahead, raise your hand. (I see those hands!) Note: see note on 1860 entry
1862 (July 13)	Brigham Young: "I have taught for thirty years, and still teach, that he that believeth in his heart and confesseth with his mouth that Jesus is the Christ and that Joseph Smith is his Prophet to this generation, is of God; and he that confesseth not that Jesus has come in the flesh and sent Joseph Smith with the fulness of the Gospel to this generation, is not of God, but is antichrist. All who confess that Joseph Smith is sent of God in the latter days, to lay the foundation of his everlasting kingdom no more to be thrown down, and will continue to keep his commandments, are born of God"	Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Volume 9	This Joseph Smith as the consenter/passport/way to Heavenly Father was a common Brigham Young theme 1857-1862
1860 (Sept. 9)	Brigham Young: "For unbelievers we will quote from the Scriptures—"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." Again—"Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God." I will now give my scripture—"Whosoever confesseth that Joseph Smith was sent of God to reveal the holy Gospel to the children of men, and lay the foundation for gathering Israel, and building up the kingdom of God on the earth, that spirit is of God;" and every spirit that does not confess that God has sent Joseph Smith, and revealed the everlasting Gospel to and through him, is of Antichrist, no matter whether it is found in a pulpit or on a throne, nor how much divinity it may profess, nor what it professes with regard to revealed religion and the account that is given of the Savior and his Father in the Bible. They may say that they acknowledge Him until doomsday, and he will never own them, nor bestow the Holy Spirit upon them, and they will never have visions of eternity opened to them, unless they acknowledge that Joseph Smith is sent of God. Such people I call unbelievers. They tell about believing in Jesus Christ, but they might as well talk about birds understanding the Hebrew language. This statement is no more positive than true. The spirit that confesses that this is the kingdom of God and his Church has the Spirit that fills the heavenly worlds, and every other spirit is of Antichrist. All whom I call unbelievers, if they will repent of their sins, obey the requirements in the New Testament, be baptized for the remission of sins by a man who holds the key and authority to lead them into the waters of baptism, and receive the laying on of hands for the Holy Ghost, shall receive a witness that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and that he was sent of God to build up his kingdom in this last dispensation."	Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses: 8:176-177	See "Notice how Brigham Young quotes 1 John 4:2 then says he will give his scripture which was worded like 1 John 4:2 except for a change in names. Brigham Young changed the name of Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith and added that any spirit who teaches that Joseph Smith was not a prophet is of the anti-christ." (4:03 mark of YouTube clip above)
1859 (Oct. 9)	Brigham Young: "Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation, and is now engaged behind the veil in the great work of the last days. I can tell our beloved brother Christians who have slain the Prophets and butchered and otherwise caused the death of thousands of Latter-day Saints, the priests who have thanked God in their prayers and thanksgiving from the pulpit that we have been plundered, driven, and slain, and the deacons under the pulpit, and their brethren and sisters in their closets, who have thanked God, thinking that the Latter-day Saints were wasted away, something that no doubt will mortify them—something that, to say the least, is a matter of deep regret to them—namely, that no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are—I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent. He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation—the keys to rule in the spirit world; and he rules there triumphantly, for he gained full power and a glorious victory over the power of Satan while he was yet in the flesh, and was a martyr to his religion and to the name of Christ, which gives him a most perfect victory in the spirit world. He reigns there as supreme a being in his sphere, capacity, and calling, as God does in heaven. Many will ex claim—"Oh, that is very disagreeable! It is preposterous! We cannot bear the thought!" But it is true."	Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses: 7:289-290; see also Joseph Smith Saves - Mormonism Exposed	The Second Coming of Joseph Smith?
1857 (July 26)	Joseph Young (not Brigham Young) on not simply "believing" Joseph Smith, but "believing IN" Joseph Smith: "Why, it is popular by the Christian world to acknowledge Jesus to be the Savior. The Catholics all acknowledge Jesus to be the Savior. The doctrine has become popular in the world, so much so that nearly the whole world now acknowledge that Christ truly was the Savior, the Redeemer, the Son of God; and they believe on him. Will people be persecuted for this? No. You may go into all ranks of society in the world, and they will receive you, if you are a Christian; but you must mind one thing—you must not name "Mormonism" —you must not say that Joseph was a man that you believed in; for the moment you do this you are in jeopardy...Now, brethren, this is a consolation to us all. Believe in God, believe in Jesus, and believe in Joseph his Prophet, and in Brigham his successor. And I add, "If you will believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph was a Prophet, and that Brigham was his successor, you shall be saved in the kingdom of God," which I pray, in the name of Jesus, may be the case. Amen."	Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6	See Joseph Smith Saves - Mormonism Exposed "Notice how joseph young [not brigham young] said that we must believe that Joseph Smith was prophet of God in our hearts and confess it with our mouths. This is a perversion of Romans 10:9-10 that teaches that salvation comes through belief and confession in the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (2:53 mark of Youtube clip linked)
1857 (March 8)	Worshiping Joseph Smith as "Justifier": "If we can pass the sentinel Joseph the Prophet, we shall go into the celestial kingdom, and not a man can injure us. If he says, 'God bless you, come along here;' if we will live so that Joseph will justify us, and say, 'Here am I, brethren,' we shall pass every sentinel; there will be no danger but that we will pass into the celestial kingdom."	Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses 4:271)	God/Jesus alone justifies us!

Mormons, have you properly 'lauded' Joe Smith today?

Lyrics to this worship-of-Joseph Smith hymn PRAISE TO THE MAN: (Please note the bold-faced phrasing):

Comparison of 'The True Gospel' vs. 'Praise to the Man' (Joseph Smith) lyrics

The true Gospel

The false bad news 'gospel' of Joseph Smith-Centricism as found in 'Praise to the Man'

A season of angels: Where in the Bible do we find this special angelic admonition, 'Don't do that!'?

Oh, Mormon: If an ex-Mormon spirit--a Jacob Marley-like figure appeared to you and asked, 'Man, will you or will you not stop worshiping your fellow servants?' How would you respond?

Testimony of Joseph Smith; witnessing of Smith in a Nutshell

1981-2010

Mormon leader proclamations where the 'testimony'/'witness' is about Joseph Smith

Mormon leader proclamations where the 'confession' is about Joseph Smith – and usually mentions/implies Smith as the 'Way' -- the 'consent'[er] or passport

1857-2013

Mormon leader proclamations where the 'confession' is about Joseph Smith – and usually mentions/implies Smith as the 'Way'

This goes against Romans 10:9-10 and John 14:6 in the Bible

Mormonism's basic math problem: How many beings do we Lds adherents worship?

Mormons, have you properly 'lauded' Joe Smith today?

'PRAISING THE MAN' (JOSEPH SMITH) IN A NUTSHELL