Journal of Discourses 14:203; “Well, now, examine the character of the Savior, and examine the characters of those who have written the Old and New Testaments; and then compare them with the character of Joseph Smith, the founder of this work—the man whom God called and to whom he gave the keys of Priesthood, and through whom he has established his Church and kingdom for the last time, and you will find that his character stands as fair as that of any man’s mentioned in the Bible. We can find no person who presents a better character to the world when the facts are known than Joseph Smith, jun., the prophet, and his brother, Hyrum Smith, who was murdered with him.” – Brigham Young, Salt Lake City, August 13, 1871
Today we’re taking a look at what Brigham said to see if his words are true. We’ve seen how he described the prophet of Mormonism, now let’s take a look at a few of the works of Jesus –
Raises the dead
John 5:21-22; “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. 22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.”
Created all things
John 1:3; “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
Sustains creation
Colossians 1:16-17; “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Forgives sin
Mark 2:10; “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,).”
Obtained salvation for us
Hebrews 9:12; “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
We’ve listed a mere five things describing the work and character of Jesus and those five things pretty much sum up everything there is in life!
Now how could Joe and friends equal in stature and character to that of Christ Jesus? How, or rather why, would anyone think to compare themselves to God?
Ol’ Joe was in and out of jail beginning in 1826 at the age of 20 to the last day he lived at age 38. He was there because of his unlawful behavior and outrageous lifestyle. If he were alive today the Church would shun him just as they do Warren Jeffs who is currently serving life in prison for doing the same thing Smith did 170 years ago.
There is absolutely nothing in Joseph’s or Hyrum’s character that is comparable to that of Jesus or any biblical prophet for that matter.
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