November 16 — Why Was Joseph Smith Crowned as King? Micah 5:2a “But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah…”
Matthew 2:1-2 “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
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…Born in Bethlehem… The transliteration of Bethlehem Ephratah is bêt leḥem ʾeprātâ. It means house of bread and fruitfulness. As Christians we all know and bow our knee to the true King of the Jews – Jesus! How comforting it is to know He’s our consummate provider. How cool is it His hometown references bread just as He referred to Himself at the Last Supper? Furthermore, think upon what Nathanael said to Philip ‘what good has come from Nazareth’ when everyone knew what the word actually meant. (John 1:46) Names of people, and places actually meant something in their culture, so it’s probable he was mocking the place Jesus was from.
That scene mimics the Mormon Church’s attitude about Him. If we already have a King then why did Joseph Smith ‘suffer himself’ to be crowned prophet, priest, and king?
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“Beloved Brethren,” Zion’s Harbinger and Baneemy’s Organ, v. 3, July 1853, p. 53; “Joseph suffered himself to be ordained a King, to reign over the house of Israel forever.” – William Marks
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