False Teachings of the Mormon Church

Joseph Smith Venerated

Selected Writing of Daniel H. Ludlow: Gospel Scholars Series, pg. 488; “Elder Neal A. Maxwell suggested that the word venerate might be appropriate for Joseph Smith: “The Prophet Joseph Smith, of course, was not a perfect man. There has been only one such—Jesus Christ. But Joseph Smith was a special witness for Jesus Christ. . . . We do not, as some occasionally charge, worship Joseph Smith, nor place him on a par with Jesus. But we do venerate him, remembering, hopefully that the highest and best form of veneration is emulation.””

1 Corinthians 2:2; “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

www.dictionary.com;

Venerate:  “to regard or treat with reverence; revere”.

Emulation:  “imitation of another”.

Would you venerate a murderer or thief? 

Would you try to emulate a liar or sinner? 

Where is the Lord Jesus in any of this? 

We can admire someone for who they are or what they’ve done in life, but admiring someone is far different from emulating them!  As the Apostle Paul said we as Christians, should only be trying to know more of Jesus!

I pray you share this with a Mormon this week.  Explain the difference in admiring someone and venerating them.  Only Jesus is worthy of our adoration!

With Love in Christ; Michelle