2 Corinthians 4:1-4; “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
Today we’re looking at one missionary’s life and comparing this with the attitude and work of Joseph Smith.
It’s easy for us [me] to read our bibles and forget to put a visual alongside the words we read each day. However, it’s important for us to remember what was going on at the time a passage was written to gain a richer understanding of what God is telling us, otherwise they’re just words on a page. Remember, context is always king!
As I’m sure you’re aware, the majority of the New Testament consists of the apostle Paul’s letters (epistles) to the newly formed body of Christ. Now as I was thinking of his purpose, I saw that Mr. Paul had at least three agendas in his ministry.
1.Preaching the empirical evidence of God’s Son Jesus fulfilling the role of the long awaited Messiah. (Remember, Paul was a Pharisee so minute details mattered to this guy!)
2.The early church’s ministry, cohesive work. love for each other and their growth.
3.The cross of Christ. (Don’t forget, Paul had it on his mind all the time that the end of the world was near and wanted to see Gentiles saved)
In his second epistle to believers in Corinth we find his exhortation to the young flock’s misguided ways. Paul
Imagine walking 10,000 miles… No fresh coffee or clean sheets. No BenGay for the sore muscles or heating pads for the overworked back breaking work of climbing monster hills that he most certainly faced – every day of the year. There were no holiday breaks and cell service was nonexistent.
Rome had pummeled Old Corinth two centuries prior (BC 146) and piles of rocks and rubble were still visible on the horizon as trash filled its once grand streets.
Upon Paul’s arrival the missionary witnessed Corinth’s religious atmosphere which was an eclectic mix of 
Paul was always in communication with the Lord so he didn’t just end up at Corinth by happenstance. Each city he traveled to was a strategic move where he’d be getting more bang for his buck as they say. The cities he targeted were pivotal in the growth of God’s kingdom. They had large populations with the economic means to establish new communities of believers and their cobblestoned and paved roads served as a GPS throughout all of Asia Minor that helped to grow the church faster.
Their problem was allowing their culture to seep too far into biblical principles and it soon resembled the piles of rocks Paul came upon as he entered the city. Paul’s first job was to correct their beliefs before he moved east to Ephesus.
Paul argued that everything in Christianity awaits scrutiny and presents herself in full disclosure with no ladder or pyramid system waiting to be uncovered as there is in Mormonism today or the early Corinthian cults.
It’s clear that Paul’s life was lived in its fullest for the Lord, now let’s look at the claims about Joe Smith…
God Calls Each of Us Individually to Work Together Collectively
As Christians we look to, hope in, speak of and will glorify nothing but our God; Christ Jesus and Him crucified. If our thoughts and behavior don’t exemplify these things we are lying to the world and thereby maligning His good name.
In Christianity every member has a ministry whether it’s an organization like LAM, a professional in the work place to the very important job of the stay at home mom. Every single one of us has ministry shoes to fill and how we go about doing that is of utmost importance.
Oswald Chambers once asked; ‘Are you on your way to Jerusalem?’ Our ministry will portray whether or not we’re on our way to Jerusalem to be crucified with Him or if we’re just part of the crowd haply catching a free ride on the coattails of Christ.
If we’re not face down with arms stretched out in eager anticipation we’re guilty of sin. Moreover, to intimate that Smith’s blood was necessary or even equal to the Lord’s is blasphemous beyond description.
Let’s take a look at some of the things Mr. Millet claimed –
‘in some degree patterned after that of his Master, Jesus Christ’
What degree would that be Mr. Millet? Please, be specific.
‘That pattern holds true even when extended to its tragic conclusion. Like his Master…’
Well, I will say that Smith’s end was tragic enough, albeit not unexpected. As for Jesus being Smith’s master? Hmmm, I don’t see it. I see that Smith took every single thing God revealed to us about His Son and denounced Him.
Clearly, the Jesus of Joseph Smith’s mind is not the Jesus of the Bible.
‘Joseph Smith also shed his blood in order that the final testament, the reestablishment of the new covenant, might be in full effect’
Smith didn’t die for the Mormon gospel. Smith died while trying to defend himself in a gunfight at the Carthage jail.
Furthermore, God already provided a covenant that’s still everlasting just as it was when He declared His work. God’s covenant isn’t predicated upon whether or not you perform ‘duties’ to become a god. That’s what the apostle Paul fought against in Corinth!
And last but certainly not least…proof that Smith rejected God’s Son is seen in Millet’s statement about the need for a new covenant.
On the summit of Acrocorinthus (pictured above on left) the ancient temple of Aphrodite attracted visitors from around the world. It was in operation during Paul’s visit.
The shops at Corinth (above right) were in full operation during Paul’s day. It’s a good probability he along with Aquila and Priscilla had their tent making shop along this row of shops during his stay in Corinth – Acts 18, Romans 16:3-4, 1 Cor 16:19.