“‘Millions Shall Know “Brother Joseph” Again’: Witnesses of the Prophet’s Divine Role and Mission,” Selections from the Religious Education Student Symposium 2005 (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2005), 199–211; “…The man who taught, expounded, organized, preached, clarified, established, restored—basically did “more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it” (D&C 135:3)—certainly deserves the vast collection of tomes and our attention. The two-hundredth anniversary celebration should not only dwell on his life or who he was, but also focus on what he was…
…the Savior Himself contributes to the dialogue, establishing the final word on the matter that Joseph is His prophet. Combined, these three witnesses—the Prophet, those who knew him, and the Lord—serve to fulfill the law Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 13:1: “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” – Philip R. Webb
There’s one in every crowd –
When my husband Kirk was in the Air Force, there was a well-known saying amongst the wives that I heard about not long after being immersed in the life of being a military dependent: ‘she wears her husband’s bars on her shoulders’. In all the years of traveling, I’d have to say, conservatively, I probably met and worked alongside of more than a thousand people. The vast majority were awesome, but along the way, there was always the 1% in the crowd that never got along with anyone.
Our well known phrase amongst the wives carried a dual meaning depending on the situation; 1. the wife was a bossy little thing – 2. she thought she deserved the same status in civilian life her husband had earned in his military career.
Either way, everyone knew to give her a wide berth because crossing her path could bring a fair amount of trouble into your own.
The situation above reminds me of the Mormons. They believe because of Smith’s self-crowned status of prophet, every Christian should acknowledge him as such, and that went for Jesus too.
No matter the setting, it seems everyone in the world has encountered the same type of scenario, but, our focus as Christians is to stay fixed on truth, and not become sidetracked by peripheral issues.
Sadly, far too many have fallen for the whims of Joseph Smith and once in, it’s desperately hard to extract yourself from it.
Matthew 14:28-31; “And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”
The main thing to keep in mind with this series is the average Mormon. Most, if not all Mormons, truly believe the things we’ve listed here. It’s quite startling when you think of it. The only explanation we have for this phenomenon is found in Ephesians 6:12; “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” In other words, we don’t fixate on each person’s flaws, or why they worship Joseph Smith, rather, we acknowledge the problem, and see them through Jesus’ eyes.
They truly love and adore this man, and regrettably, they’ve forgotten who the real Savior is; Christ Jesus and Him crucified.
As you’ll read in our list below, there were a number of people who’d fallen for the lies of Joe Smith, and in the end they’re as culpable as he was for the lies they passed on. Our job as Christians is to love them anyway, and patiently share the truth with them as misguided as they are…
As usual, there’s at least another ten quotes out there for every quote listed here, so we’ve limited our list today to a manageable number. Regardless, the fact remains the quotes here portray a startling analysis – they’re worshiping the creature instead of the Creator as Paul warned us about in Romans 1:20-25.
BC 588 – God Promised Joseph Smith would Come with Salvation
2 Nephi 3:6, 15; “For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins. 15 And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.”
Greatest Prophet Save Jesus Only
D&C 135:3; “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.”
Joseph has Spirit and Power of All Prophets
History of the Church 6:346; “Sunday, 28.—At home. A beautiful clear day. My brother Hyrum preached at the Stand in the morning, and among other things…There were prophets before, but Joseph has the spirit and power of all the prophets.”
Smith Reigns as Supreme Being Just Like God Does
Deseret News, Oct. 26, 1859, 266; “…he [Smith] rules there triumphantly for he gained full power and a glorious victory over the power of Satan a while he was yet in the flesh and was a martyr to his religion and to the name on 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 exclaim ‘Oh that is very disagreeable it is preposterous, we can not bear the thought’, but it is true.” – Brigham Young
Other Prophets Okay Until Joseph Came Along
Deseret News, Feb. 13, 1861, 393; “The secret feeling of my heart was that I would be willing to crawl around the earth on my hands and knees, to see such a man as was Peter, Jeremiah, Moses, or any man that could tell me anything about God and heaven . . . until I saw Joseph Smith.” – Brigham Young
Joseph Smith Heads Greatest of all Dispensations
Deseret News Weekly, Dec. 29, 1880, p. 754; “It has been my faith and belief from the time that I was made acquainted with the gospel that no greater prophet than Joseph Smith ever lived on the face of the earth save Jesus Christ. He was raised up to stand at the head of this great dispensation—the greatest of all dispensations God has ever given to man. He remarked on several occasions when conversing with his brethren: “Brethren, you do not know me, you do not know who I am.”” – Wilford Woodruff
Joe’s Vision is Foundation of the Church
Improvement Era, Jan. 1942, “Joseph Smith—Prophet, Seer, and Revelator,” p. 54; “The appearing of the Father and the Son to Joseph Smith is the foundation of this Church. Therein lies the secret of its strength and vitality. This is true, and I bear witness to it. That one revelation answers all the queries of science regarding God and His divine personality. Don’t you see what that means? What God is, is answered. His relation to His children is clear. His interest in humanity through authority delegated to man is apparent. The future of the work is assured. These and other glorious truths are clarified by that glorious First Vision.”” – David O. McKay
No Other Mortal Wrote More Scripture
But for a Small Moment (1986), 17; “So far as we know, much more scripture flowed through the Prophet Joseph than through any other mortal in history.” – Neal A. Maxwell
Joseph Smith an Enigma
Ensign, ‘Joseph Smith among the Prophets,’ June 1994; “He is the preeminent witness of Christ in this, the final dispensation. Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet, was little understood by the people of the nineteenth century and may be even more of an enigma to those who live at the end of the twentieth.” – Robert L. Millet
Gave His Life for Kingdom of God
Presidents of the Church Student Manual (Church Educational System Manual, 2003), 17–19; “He Was a Prophet, Seer, Revelator, Restorer, Witness, and Martyr … With authority from God, the Prophet Joseph Smith laid the foundation for a mighty restoration in the last days preparatory to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Yet, like many prophets before him, he faced great opposition and gave his life for the kingdom of God. He was ridiculed, mobbed, and beaten—carrying scars of persecution to his grave…”
The Great Prophet Stands at the Head of this Work
Presidents of the Church Student Manual (Church Educational System Manual, 2003), 19; ““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…”
Joseph Smith Greatest Prophet Ever
“Truth Restored,” Ensign, Nov 2005, 78; “The scriptures record that throughout history, on occasions of exceptional importance, God the Father’s voice has been heard. On repeated occasions Jesus Christ has personally appeared to select individuals. Yet there is only one supernal, singular instance of which we have knowledge that God the Father Himself appeared in person. This was done with His precious Holy Son, Jesus Christ, to an audience of one. That one was young Joseph Smith Jr., an extraordinary spirit prepared before the foundation of the earth. He would become the greatest prophet sent to earth.” – Richard G. Scott
Preeminent Revelator, Jesus’ Most Devoted Friend
Ensign, ‘Born Again,’ May 2008; “I love and bear witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Through his personal association with the Lord, his translation and publication of the Book of Mormon, and the sealing of his testimony with his martyr’s blood, Joseph has become the preeminent revelator of Jesus Christ in His true character as divine Redeemer. Jesus has had no greater witness nor more devoted friend than Joseph Smith.” – D. Todd Christofferson
Joseph Bereft of Pride, Led with Love
JosephSmith.net; “…What set Joseph Smith apart from other dynamic leaders was the source of his teachings: the God of Heaven. “The best way to obtain truth 1 and wisdom,” he taught, “is not to ask it from books, but to go to God in prayer, and obtain divine teaching.”
Joseph led with love. He recognized the worth of every soul as a child of God. When asked why so many followed him, he replied: “It is because I possess the principle of love. All I can offer the world is a good heart and a good hand.”
The Prophet refused to place himself above others. Rather, as he humbly said, “I love to wait upon the Saints, and be a servant to all, hoping that I may be exalted in the due time of the Lord.” Bereft of pride, Joseph personified the Lord’s counsel: “Whosoever will be great among you, . . . shall be servant of all.””
After reading all your quotes I feel sick to my stomach. Do the church leaders truly believe TODAY what they are saying? With all the proof that J. Smith was a scoundrel, chased after other men’s wives, wasn’t close on his ‘translation’ of the Abraham papyri, was wrong about the Lamanites (sp) being of Israelite blood, cannot point to one place on any map that is found in the Book of Mormon….how can they stand in front of a congregation and continue the lie? I am appalled.
Well, Sandra, it’s a catch-22.
If the leaders believe what they’re saying, this still means they’re lying to members because, as you pointed out, Smith is still a scoundrel!
I personally believe they know the truth and decided there’s too much to lose in the here and now to turn their backs on the charade.
We can’t imagine what it’d be like to stand in front of the congregation & lie because for us, Jesus is worth more than what we have here.
I’ve always wondered how they stand in front of a mirror, let alone an entire congregation.
Michelle