Christmas Book Citations Joseph Smith Part 2

Viewpoint one Mormonism examines the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from a perspective viewpoint when Mormonism is sponsored by Mormonism research ministry since 1979 Mormonism research ministry has been dedicated to equipping the body of Christ with answers regarding the Christian faith in a manner that expresses gentleness and respect. And now, your host for today's viewpoint on Mormonism welcome to this edition of viewpoint on Mormonism on your host, Bill McKeever, founder and director Mormonism research ministry with me today is Eric Johnson.

My colleague at MRM we continue looking at some of the books that were given away as Christmas gifts. Between the years 1981 and 2017 by the first presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We been looking at various topics. So far in today were going to finish up the subject of Joseph Smith.

What did some of these books have to say about the founder of the Mormon movement Joseph Smith Junior six Pres. Joseph F. Smith and the book gospel doctrine, page 479. This is a book that was one of the Christmas gifts Joseph Smith's name will never perish. God lives and Jesus is the Christ the Savior of the world. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God living not dead for his name will never perish.

I know Mormons like to make a big deal about the statement that his name Joseph Smith's name will be had for good in Israel, and so forth and so on. And I know that gives a lot of comfort to Latter Day Saints. But let me give you my thoughts on this quotation here Joseph name will never perish. If he in fact was a true prophet of God as Mormons do believe I can understand where they can draw that conclusion, but I want to throw something out here. If he's not a true prophet, I would say that that statement is still true and this is why and I've said this before publicly, I don't mean to go out of my way to offend the latter-day St. listening to me right now, but I firmly believe this. If Joseph Smith is not a true prophet of God, and you have millions of people believing his heresies and trusting in him for truth and are thereby lost after they die they will be cursing Joseph Smith's name through out eternity. In other words, even if Joseph Smith was a false prophet. His name also will never perish.

So I really don't have a problem with this quote but I want Latter Day Saints to know that this sword has two edges if he is a true prophet in Latter Day Saints or right okay I get that, but hear me out. If he was a false prophet. The same holds true. You're going to have millions of Latter Day Saints cursing Joseph Smith's name, cursing themselves probably for being so foolish in trusting his teachings, which did not conform to the word of God, the Bible, one of the things that we see in these books is that Joseph Smith is glorified his name is lifted up and we see this from third Pres. John Taylor in the book the gospel kingdom. On page 386 is a poem at the end of the book it later became a him.

This is the senior and this is what the seer says the poem the seer the seer Joseph the seer all sing of the prophet ever near his equal.

Now, cannot be found by searching the wide world around with Godsey sword in the realms of day and men he taught in the heavenly way the earthly seer, the heavenly seer. I love to dwell on his memory. Dear the chosen of God and the friend of man. He brought the priesthood back again. He gazed on the past and the future to an open the heavenly world to view. That song also which is found in an LDS hymnbook. In fact, I happen to have one in my hand is not found in the 1985 hymnbook the green hymnbook, but this one was published back in 1912. I'm looking at a 1918 addition. That song also says unchanged in death with the Savior's love. He speaking of Joseph Smith pleads their cause in the courts above.

How does that square with first Timothy 25, which tells us that there's only one mediator between God and man and the man Christ Jesus. As Joseph Smith get in there when we are told in the writings of Paul that there's only one mediator get this song is implying that there must be at least two, one of whom is Joseph Smith and then we also have Romans 830 forward speaks of Jesus interceding on behalf of God's people. We have a contradiction here, but again you're going to have Latter Day Saints trust in what Joseph Smith is telling them even though the New Testament makes it very clear that this song cannot possibly be true. Now why is that telling this was one of Gordon B. Hinckley's favorite hymns back in general conference April 2005. This is what 15th Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley said in this celebration through our own performance. Let us honor the prophet, through whom God has revealed so much. The sun rose on Joseph's life on a cold day in Vermont in 1805, it set in Illinois on a sultry afternoon in 1844 during the brief 38 1/2 years of his life there came through him, and the incomparable outpouring of knowledge, gifts and doctrine looked at objectively. There is nothing to compare with it subjectively. It is the substance of the personal testimony of millions of Latter Day Saints across the earth. Then, after saying that Hinckley goes on to talk about how as a boy. He loved to listen to a man with a rich baritone voice who saying the words to John Taylor song the seer Joseph. The seer we can see this is one of Gordon B. Hinckley's favorite hymns, and yet it contains doctrine in that him that should make every New Testament Christian shutter. This is not found in any of the Christmas books. But what about praise of the man him that is often times song at Gen. conference to glorify Joseph Smith and yet at the same time. Mormons want to insist that they don't worship Joseph Smith and I would argue know they don't pray to him. That's certainly true, but it makes me very uncomfortable whenever they sing that song praise to the man and they sing it almost every general conference that I can remember that certainly should be troubling to all of us who respect the New Testament fourth president Wilford Woodruff in his book the discourses of Wilford Woodruff a book that was one of the Christmas books. Page 67, said this about the greatness of Joseph Smith. He wrote I look upon Joseph Smith as the greatest prophet that ever breathed the breath of life, accepting Jesus Christ father Adam as I have said stands at the head, but Joseph Smith was reserved to lay the foundation of this great kingdom and dispensation of salvation to the whole human family these last days to build up Zion to establish God's kingdom and prepare for the coming of the Son of Man. He held these keys another citation from George Albert Smith the eighth president of the church and the teachings of George Albert Smith, page 45. He said those who have a little Joseph Smith will be forgotten.

Much has been said in this conference about the prophet Jesse Smith. There isn't much that I could say, except that which is good. Many of the benefits and blessings that have come to me have come through that man who gave his life for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

There have been some who have belittled him, but I would like to say that those who have done so will be forgotten and the remains will go back to mother Earth if they have not already gone and the odor of their intimate will never die while the glory and honor and majesty, encourage, and fidelity manifested by the prophet Joseph Smith will attached to his name forever. I'm a little confused on this statement, though the first sentences. Those who have belittled Joseph Smith will be forgotten but yet at the same time. He says the odor of these people and their infamy will never die now are they going to never die, or is it going to be forgotten how Moorman might be sitting there listening to us. Erickson yet that's talking about you bill that's talking about you Eric.

Quite frankly, folks, I don't really care about how my name is going to be remembered. All I want is to have the satisfaction of my Savior.

When he looks at the things that I've said and done a testimony of Joseph Smith is vital is what 11 president Harold Bailey said in the teachings of Harold Bailey page 371.

He said no one can accept Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.

No man can accept this as his church. The church of Jesus Christ, unless he can accept Joseph Smith as God's mouthpiece and the restorer of his work in these latter days.

10th Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith in his book selections from doctrines of salvation, a unique book that was made for this series a Christmas gift that was given in 2001. This is what Smith says about the divine mission of Jesus Christ. The church stands or falls with Joseph Smith, Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith.

He was either a prophet of God divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds.

This world is ever seen.

There is no middle ground. If Joseph Smith was a deceiver who willfully attempted to mislead the people that he should be exposed. His claim should be refuted in his doctrine shown to be false, for all the doctrines of an imposter cannot be made to harmonize in all particulars with divine truth if his claims and declarations were built upon fraud and deceit.

There would appear many errors and contradictions which would be easy to detect the doctrines of false teachers will not stand the test when tried by the accepted standards of measurement, the Scriptures, but yet there been thousands of people who have left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints because they have seen these statements by an imposter would be Joseph Smith.

But Joseph Fielding Smith on page 255 says every attack has failed. Whether that attack has been waged against Joseph Smith in person or against the book of Mormon which, by the power of God he translated from ancient records.

He goes on to say no error in his doctrine has been shown I don't understand a statement like that because certainly that's not true. A number of errors in his doctrine have been shown. It's just that most Latter Day Saints reject those errors because they would much rather believe that Joseph Smith was in fact a true prophet of God and not a false prophet. The final quote from page 254 of that same book. Joseph Fielding Smith says there's no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith that Joseph Smith was barely a prophet and if he told the truth when he said that he stood in the presence of angel sent from the Lord and obtain keys of authority, and the commandment to organize the church of Jesus Christ once again on the earth than this knowledge is of the most vital importance to the entire world.

No man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences for he cannot enter the kingdom of God. It is therefore the duty of every man to investigate that he may way this matter carefully and know the truth and I would certainly agree, but when it says no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences will in Mormonism.

What are the most dreadful consequences. Terrestrial kingdom to US fuel kingdom. Even latter-day St. leaders said those places aren't so bad when you compare them to let's say outer darkness which really nobody qualifies for that.

So what are those dreadful consequences. The fact that you will become a God and have your offspring look up to you was a God will if you have no desire for that in the first place, why would that be something to dissuade you from believing in Joseph Smith, thank you for listening you would like more information regarding his research ministry. We encourage you to visit our website www.mrm.org you can request a free newsletter Mormonism research.

We hope you will join us again as we look at another viewpoint is, is there not much of a difference between him and his Christianity will actually despite what many may think areas and when it comes to this incident. Even highly charged issue that is eternal ramifications. The Christian may not know where to turn. Just trying to understand Norman's police to be both confusing and frustrating. Mormonism 101 was written a book resourced by Mormonism research ministries Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson contrasts vital documents such as who is God what is Scripture and how a person is able to go to heaven when the two religions are placed side-by-side differences are many one-on-one help you better understand the doctrines of humanity same friend, family member or coworker even has witnessing tips to help you in future conversations. Published by Baker books Mormonism 101 is available. MRM.org or aspirated your favorite Christian bookstore. Always be prepared