Joseph ordained with hands,
but Jesus authorized by his words.
Joseph tampered with God’s word,
but Jesus preserved God’s word.
Joseph boasted over his church,
but Jesus died for his church.
Joseph re-introduced the Aaronic priesthood,
but Jesus rendered it obsolete by his own blood.
Joseph said that a man became our God,
but Jesus, already equal with God, became a man.
Joseph devastated his wife with secretive polygamy,
but Jesus cherishes and nourishes his Bride as his own body.
Joseph sent his apostles on missions so he could proposition their wives,
but Jesus sent his apostles to be glorified in the gospel.
Joseph upgraded his First Vision to have both the Father and the Son,
but Jesus said that if you’ve seen the Son, you’ve already seen the Father.
Joseph offered godhood to his followers,
but Jesus promised the joy of knowing God.
Joseph was the founding prophet of the LDS Church,
but Jesus was the head of the last dispensation.
Joseph betrayed his friends,
but Jesus is the Good Shepherd who protects his flock.
I’m more than a little uncomfortable comparing Joseph Smith to Jesus. Jesus is God. Who was Joseph Smith? I think we can find a person better with which to compare Joseph Smith. Maybe we should compare him to Jim Jones or David Koresh or any of the other numbers of people running about today saying they have special revelation or visions. In fact, with very little trouble we could find people of Joseph Smith’s era which would make an accurate comparison.
Who was Joseph Smith?
I’m not really concerned about offending Mormons who have given themselves over to belief in a man who is responsible for leading people away from the Living God. Mormons need to face the truth about Joseph Smith and the damage he caused to the lives of people in the time he lived and today.
I can list Smith’s sins and offenses here but knowledge of this is available to Mormons on their official websites and written records.
It’s interesting to note how false prophets in these latter days try and convince people to submit
to them and embrace their teachings. With these new prophets come new doctrines about God,
Jesus, and requirements for salvation —new gospels . Declaring the Bible to be a record of dead
prophets teachings opens up a way for anyone who claims to be the “living prophet” of God,
His modern day spokesman , to gain an audience .So after claiming to have the same gospel
of salvation that Paul preached it then explained that Paul’s teachings needed upgrading a
supplementing with new doctrines through God’s “living” prophet because man’s salvation
was at stake . One such false prophet tries to convince people to accept this rational:
” The time was when the test of a Christian was his confession of Christ . ” He then quotes
1John 4:1-4 and adds , ” this is no test today …This generation, however is not left without
a test . I have taught for thirty years , and still teach that he that believeth in his heart and
confesseth with his mouth that Jesus is the Christ AND that Joseph Smith is his Prophet to this
generation is of God, and he that confesseth not that Jesus has come in the flesh AND sent
Joseph Smith with the fullness of the Gospel to this generation , is not of God, but is anti-christ…
All those who believe in their hearts and confess with their mouths that Joseph Smith is a true
prophet…” [ Brigham Young JofD v9 p312 ] .
So there’s a choice: follow these latter days prophets or stick with Jesus’ apostles in the N.T.
Rev 2:2
” Jesus not Joseph ” , how profound is that ? That says it all . Joseph Smith is one prophet
among a long line of “latter days” prophets , each claiming exclusive appointment from God
to teach some new doctrine required for salvation that is now necessary in these last days.
Interesting how they all seem to reference the Bible in any way that might help them to gain
an audience to win converts to their new gospels . But such prophets are to late.
Joseph Smith , Brigham Young , Thomas Monson, Wallace B. Smith, Warren Jeffs, James Strang,
James Harmston, Christopher Nemelka, are such latter day messengers with one thing in
common—-they’re not needed . Jesus has come , the gospel of salvation was preached by His
apostles , people were forgiven and saved , and that very gospel is still sufficient to reconcile
sinful man to God with a complete forgiveness and receiving of the highest blessings of eternal
life in God’s presence — all because of JESUS. Heb 1:1-2 ; Rom. 1:16 ; Heb 7:25 .
Jesus not Joseph . Amen .