Free Republic

Today is Joseph Smith's birthday. Contrary to the claims of our more extreme critics, Latter-day Saints don't put up "Smithmas" lights, sing "Smithmas" carols or recite the story of Joseph's advent. In fact, we generally don't mark his birthday at all, let alone celebrate it — and not only because it's swallowed up in the mega-holiday that follows 48 hours later. However, perhaps a word or two about Joseph wouldn't be out of place today. But first, a word about his associate, Oliver Cowdery. In April 1838, charged with serious offenses, Oliver was excommunicated from the church. He was not...

"Every Church member is expected to understand the doctrine of the Church intelligently. There is no place in the Church for blind adherence." -- John Widtsoe, LDS Apostle It was long ago, two thousand years, when sweet baby Jesus was born. Although every baby is cherished by his parents and grandparents and siblings and cousins, this little boy was precious to all the world. The story began in Nazareth…The Old Testament patriarch Noah, who had died long ago and been resurrected as an angel named Gabriel,1 was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth. There he appeared...