Do Mormons Worship Joseph Smith?

[SeattleGhostWriter]

One of the criticisms launched against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that concerning the hymn "Praise to the Man" and the argument that this hymn is sung in extolling Joseph Smith. Meaning, because we sing this hymn, it is a form of "worshiping" the Prophet of the Restoration.

How many of you had this question asked of you? I remember that when I had started receiving criticism from evangelical Christians, I could not find a viable response. Even after coming back to the LDS Faith from my apostasy, this stuck with me and it bothered me because it appeared that we truly were signing the hymn in a fashion that is praising Joseph Smith.

Now that I have taken an English class where we are analysis short fictions of classic author's, poets, and even some plays, what I have done was taken the analysis from Literature to dig into the deeper construct of this beloved hymn.

Because of this search, I have published the article at my blog where I examine the context of each stanza that is part of the hymn.

Of course, the article begins with the writer of the Hymn - William W. Phelps. An apostate who had left the Church and falsely accused the Prophet Joseph Smith and even wrote an affidavit as a witness against the Prophet. It was not until after Phelps made a return back to the Faith, and the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, did Phelps pen this beloved hymn to a scottish folk song.

Here is a link to the full article that discusses the importance and story that Phelps told through this hymn and how we do not sing this hymn praising Joseph Smith, but sing it to tell the story of the Prophet of the Restoration in these last days.

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

Share your thoughts here and over at the blog.

[Garden Girl]

Good morning SGW...

First, I will post here, not on your blog...

Second, while I like the hymn some of the phrasing makes me a tad uncomfortable when I view it through what I imagine would be a critic's eyes.

That said... I see nothing in the hymn that indicates that we worship Joseph Smith. I do see that we praise him, and there is nothing wrong with that. We praise individuals all the time... when a person retires after many years of service to a company for instance, people get up and tell all sorts of wonderful things about that person, i.e., how valuable their contributions were, how loyal, how indebted the company is to that person, etc etc. On Mother's Day we pay tributes of great love to our mothers with glowing terms, showering gifts etc... and many other various types of praise to individuals. That does not translate to "worship" any more than the praises contained in the hymn can be construed as worshipping Joseph.

I for one am so very thankful for his courage during a lifetime of being criticized, called a fraud, liar, and worse. Yes I praise him; I do not worship him, nor do I know of any LDS that do... He was/is the prophet of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in this last dispensation of time. Yes I praise him... respect him... a far cry from worship. If we can praise retirees, mothers, and various others, how wrong is it to praise the Lord's prophet? We LDS know the difference between praising and respecting a person vs worshipping that person...

from the beach on a clear, sunny morning... Praise be... GG

[Rob Bowman]

SGW,

You make two assertions about evangelical critics of Mormonism for which I am issuing a CFR.

1. The claim that evangelical critics make the accusation that "Mormons worship Joseph Smith"

2. The claim that "many" evangelical critics "extol and praise the mob for killing Joseph Smith"

Thank you.

[LeSellers]

You make two assertions about evangelical critics of Mormonism for which I am issuing a CFR.

1. The claim that evangelical critics make the accusation that "Mormons worship Joseph Smith"

I am just curious why mormons worship Joseph Smith, and not the Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. PLease e-mail me back on this.

alt.religion.mormon

I found this in about 30 seconds. One of hundreds I could have cited. This guy did not get this from us, so one is left wondering where it came from. Here's a possible source.

Latter-day Saints Do Not Worship Joseph Smith!

Or, so they say.

However, Mormonism does teach some amazing things about its founder and

first Prophet Joseph Smith.

According to late LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, Joseph aided Jesus Christ

in the creation of the earth. He is said in LDS scripture to have laid the

foundation of the Church and to be the head of the Church. The Bible teaches

that Jesus is the foundation and the head of the church.

Several LDS Authorities have taught that Joseph Smith is instrumental in the

salvation of men. Apostle McConkie said that there would be no salvation if

it had not been for Joseph Smith. Another Apostle, who later became Prophet

of the Mormon Church, taught that one must accept Joseph in order to enter

the kingdom of God. And Brigham Young claimed that no man or woman will ever

enter that kingdom without the consent and certificate of Joseph Smith as

their passport. The Bible teaches that salvation is in Christ alone.

Brigham Young also taught that Joseph will stand at the head of the

resurrection and will possess the power to resurrect his friends.

Incredibly, early LDS Apostle Heber C. Kimball even said that Joseph Smith

is coming again. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the resurrection and that

He will return with power and glory.

In 1922 an LDS Church lesson taught that there are at least 9 parallels

between the lives and work of Joseph Smith and Jesus Christ. After listing

them side-by-side the lesson concluded with these words: "Who shall doubt

the divine mission of these Saviours of mankind?"7 The Bible teaches that

the Lord is the only saviour.

Wilford Woodruff, the man who became the fourth Mormon Prophet, shockingly

disclosed that while he believed Brigham Young to be his God and Saviour,

Young's God was none other than Joseph Smith.

One of the most astounding contemporary statements revealing the true

feelings Saints hold for Joseph was made at the 1988 dedication of the

renovated Carthage Jail. Ted Cannon, then director of the LDS Visitor

Centers at Carthage and Nauvoo, stated that Carthage Jail holds the same

significance for Mormons as Calvary holds for Christians.

According to the dean of Religious Education at LDS owned Brigham Young

University, Joseph Smith shed his blood for the same purpose Jesus shed His.

Mormons do not worship Joseph Smith, however, Joseph told his followers that

God had made him to be a god to them and if they didn't like it they could

lump it. He also boasted that no man had ever accomplished such grand work

as he had--including Jesus Christ.

Mormons do not worship Joseph Smith, however, there are several hymns which

have been written to honor their first Prophet. One praises Joseph,

proclaiming that his glory is great, that his blood pleads to heaven, and

that he is now mingling with Gods as he plans eternity for his friends.

Another says that Joseph soared with the Gods then came to bless the earth,

spreading his golden light like the sun. The Saints sing that Joseph lived

and died for them and that now he pleads their cause in heaven. According to

this hymn, Joseph "reigns above."

Mormons say they do not worship Joseph Smith; they love him and honor him as

a prophet. However, the dictionary defines worship as love, honor and

reverence.

No man should receive this adoration but Jesus Christ!

When you stand before God the question you will be required to answer will

not be "What think ye of Joseph Smith?" but "What think ye of Jesus?"

PEACE

Sound familiar? It does to me.

Lehi

Edited August 9, 2011 by LeSellers

[Rob Bowman]

Lehi,

Perhaps you should have given your diligent search another thirty seconds. The author repeatedly acknowledges that Mormons deny that they worship Joseph Smith.

[thesometimesaint]

Rob:

Damning by faint praise.

[Ahab]

I think it depends on what you mean or how you define the word "worship".

Do we "honor" Joseph Smith as a man who did much good because of what God wanted to do through him?

Yes, or at least some of us "Mormons" do.

Do we "praise" Joseph Smith as a man who did much good because of what God wanted to do through him?

Yes, or at least some of us "Mormons" do.

Do we "emulate" Joseph Smith by trying to be a good person who God can and will work through to bring about much good in this world?

Yes, or at least some of us "Mormons" do.

Do we think Joseph was as good and glorious as God, our Father, or Jesus Christ, or the Holy Ghost, though?

Well, if any of us do or ever have, I haven't met anyone who thinks or thought that highly of our dear brother Joseph, at least not while he was still mortal like us.

[altersteve]

Lehi,

Perhaps you should have given your diligent search another thirty seconds. The author repeatedly acknowledges that Mormons deny that they worship Joseph Smith.

The author wrote, "Mormons say they do not worship Joseph Smith; they love him and honor him as a prophet. However, the dictionary defines worship as love, honor, and reverence." Essentially, he's saying, "Mormons deny that they worship Joseph Smith, but they're wrong."

Please, Rob, though you may be an exception, I'm sure you are fully aware that there are many evangelical Christians who claim that Mormons worship Joseph Smith.

[LeSellers]

Lehi,

Perhaps you should have given your diligent search another thirty seconds. The author repeatedly acknowledges that Mormons deny that they worship Joseph Smith.

He acknowledges that we "deny that [we] worship Joseph Smith", true, but his position is that we actually do. No one can pretend that he agress with our denial.

Lehi

P.S.: Nice touch turning my admitted 30-second search into a "dligent" one. LS

Edited August 9, 2011 by LeSellers

[Ahab]

He acknowledges that we "deny that [we] worship Joseh Smith", true, but his position is that we actually do. No one can pretend that he agress with our denial.

Lehi

As long as he repeatedly affirms that we deny his accusation, though, I really don't see the problem.

He says we do. We say we don't. He still says we do, and we still say we don't.

No problem. He simply doesn't agree with us.

[LeSellers]

As long as he repeatedly affirms that we deny his accusation, though, I really don't see the problem.

He's calling you a liar. That's not a problem?

He says we [worship Joseph Smith]. We say we don't. He still says we do, and we still say we don't.

And that is the answer to Rob's charge: He says we do.

Lehi

Edited August 9, 2011 by LeSellers

[Pahoran]

He's calling you a liar. That's not a problem?

And that is the answer to Rob's charge: He says we do.

Lehi

I don't know about you Lehi, but personally I would rather have the straight-out, in-your-face accusations of a T J Hall, with his arrogant assumptions that he knows better than we do who we worship, instead of the smarmy, pseudo-civil efforts of some false friends who pretend to accept our denials but who then throw up the same arguments Hall uses. By not explicitly drawing the conclusion they want their readers to reach, they expect us to believe that they wouldn't dream of contradicting us!

Yeah, right.

Regards,

Pahoran

[why me]

Since at that time the saints were in deep pain over the murder of Joseph Smith and since they were also in mourning, the song honors a man who was murdered for what he believed in and gave his life for this belief. I think that the song is a wonderful display of honor that the early saints had for their beloved prophet.

And that song is a part of lds history.

Traitors and tyrants will fight him in vain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIayBLXbLr8&feature=related

[why me]

This song is even better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-L6xv8VRHw&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_999865

I just think that the early lds needed to remember their prophet and for all that he did for them. So, they created songs to sing and do him honor.

[Rob Bowman]

So far, the best anyone has offered for the first part of my CFR was an example of someone acknowledging repeatedly that Mormons deny worshiping Jesus Christ but who thinks that, in his terminology, they do. Yawn.

As for the second part of my CFR, I have seen no response yet. Does anyone have documentation for the second part of my CFR? This ought to be easy, since the claim was that "many" evangelicals are guilty on this second point.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

So far, the best anyone has offered for the first part of my CFR was an example of someone acknowledging repeatedly that Mormons deny worshiping Jesus Christ but who thinks that, in his terminology, they do. Yawn.

As for the second part of my CFR, I have seen no response yet. Does anyone have documentation for the second part of my CFR? This ought to be easy, since the claim was that "many" evangelicals are guilty on this second point.

I have only seen a few critics do this. I am not sure EV's are guilty of this. Come to think of it I don't think the 2 critics I have seen do this were EV. IT is not wide spread.

[Ahab]

He's calling you a liar. That's not a problem?

Not to me.

I could tell him I'm not, but what would that really accomplish?

You don't suppose he would believe me just because I say so, do you???

And that is the answer to Rob's charge: He says we do.

No, the answer to Rob's charge is that we say we don't.

That's all he needs to get right when reporting what we tell him.

[Ahab]

So far, the best anyone has offered for the first part of my CFR was an example of someone acknowledging repeatedly that Mormons deny worshiping Jesus Christ but who thinks that, in his terminology, they do. Yawn.

As for the second part of my CFR, I have seen no response yet. Does anyone have documentation for the second part of my CFR? This ought to be easy, since the claim was that "many" evangelicals are guilty on this second point.

Your attempt to hijack the thread has been noticed, Rob.

This thread is about whether or not we "Mormons" worship Joseph Smith.

What say ye?

[Rob Bowman]

Ahab,

You wrote:

Your attempt to hijack the thread has been noticed, Rob.

No such thing. The opening post referred to an article in which the author of the OP made some specific allegations about evangelical criticisms of Mormonism. Asking him for references supporting those allegations is perfectly within the parameters of the thread.

Your attempt to distract attention from a legitimate CFR has been noticed, Ahab.

[Cobalt-70]

The answer is: no, modern Mormons do not worship Joseph Smith. However, as some of the above examples show, in the past, there have been some flirtations with Smith-worship by some Mormons. In fact, soon after Smith's death, a substantial number of Mormons actually believed that Smith was the Holy Spirit. The Wilford Woodruff statement above refers to the 19th century "Law of Adoption" doctrine--now abandoned--in which there was a big heavenly hierarchy with the God of this world Adam-Michael at the root of the tree, and father-son linkages branching off, in which those further up in the hierarchy were thought to be gods over those in the branches. Thus, Young would be god to Woodruff, and Smith would be god to Young under this doctrine.

But none of this ever permanently made it into standard Mormon theology. Since at least the early 20th century, Mormon theology has very clearly made a distinction between the three Gods that are the subject of worship and the prophets like Smith and Abraham, who might become gods to be worshiped by someone else, but will never be considered Mormon gods.

[Mark Beesley]

SGW,

You make two assertions about evangelical critics of Mormonism for which I am issuing a CFR.

1. The claim that evangelical critics make the accusation that "Mormons worship Joseph Smith"

2. The claim that "many" evangelical critics "extol and praise the mob for killing Joseph Smith"

Thank you.

Pop on over to Bob Betts' board and see what he and his friends have been saying for the past 8 years or so. The claim was regularly made that we worship the Prophet. Of course, maybe Bob and friends don't qualify as evangelicals since they do not spread the Gospel, they only attack Mormons.

I never saw anyone extol and praise the mob for killing him, but there were those who tried to justify the mob's actions.

[SeattleGhostWriter]

SGW,

You make two assertions about evangelical critics of Mormonism for which I am issuing a CFR.

1. The claim that evangelical critics make the accusation that "Mormons worship Joseph Smith"

2. The claim that "many" evangelical critics "extol and praise the mob for killing Joseph Smith"

Thank you.

Count how many evangelical Christians make the claim that Mormons (and support that assertion) worship Joseph Smith:

Here are some comments on a discussion over at the Facebook page “Mormon & LDS Facts” (which is an Anti-Mormon Page owned by Bob Betts, Lee Grenier, and others):

Mormon & LDS Facts

Should we sing praises to a man.. when we gather together to worship our Lord?

~ Suz

LDS HYMN #27 “PRAISE TO THE MAN”

…1) Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah! Jesus annointed that Prophet and Seer.

Blessed to open the last dispensation, Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.

chorus: Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven! Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.

Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren; Death cannot conquer the hero again.

2) Praise to his memory, he died as a martyr; Honored and blest be his ever great name!

Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins, Plead unto heaven while the earth lauds his fame.

3) Great is his glory and endless his priesthood: Ever and ever the keys he will hold.

Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom, Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.

4) Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven; Earth must atone for the blood of that man.

Wake up the world for the conflict of justice. Millions shall know “brother Joseph” again.

HOWEVER THE HOLY BIBLE SAYS:

Psalm 9:11 Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people.

Psalm 18:49 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name.

Psalm 27:6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

Psalm 47:6-7 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.

Psalm 59:17 To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; For God is my defense, My God of mercy.

Psalm 66:4 All the earth shall worship You And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.”

Psalm 68:32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; Oh, sing praises to the Lord.

Psalm 75:9 But I will declare forever, I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

Psalm 92:1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;

Psalm 101:1 I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O LORD, I will sing praises.

Psalm 108:3 I will praise You, O LORD, among the peoples, And I will sing praises to You among the nations.

Psalm 135:3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.

Psalm 138:1 I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the (false) gods I will sing praises to You.

Psalm 146:2 While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

Psalm 147:1 Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

Psalm 149:3 Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.

Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

Revelation 19:5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”

(truthandgrace.com) ~ SuzSee More

Wall Photos

Sunday at 10:54am · Share

*

*

11 people like this.

*

o

Justin Jones Have the DVD & love it!!!

Sunday at 11:05am · 2 peopleLoading…

o

David Fullmer Shaffer The mormon hymn #27 is blasphemy in my opinion.

Sunday at 11:39am · 7 peopleLoading…

o

Ray K. Grover In this case David, your opinion is fact…

Sunday at 12:06pm · 3 peopleLoading…

o

Linda DePeel Joseph Smith was deluded and demented, as were Jim Jones and David Koresh. I don’t know oo many people singing praise songs about them. I sing praises to the true and living God only.

Sunday at 12:50pm · 7 peopleLoading…

o

Linda DePeel I think if he were alive today, he may have been institutionalized. I truly believe he was mentally ill, as well as Jones and Koresh. I never realized it until much later in my life, but my step-dad was mentally ill, and should have been hospitalized or medicated. I don’t say this to be unkind, but he often claimed he had “visions and revelations from God” and that “God was leading” him down a certain path. But until about the last 25 years or so, mental illness wasn’t dealt with, and the person was either simply locked up and kept doped up, or allowed to “run loose” and cause problems–or jailed. And I am so glad that Warren Jeffs is behind bars. He can’t hurt another little girl, but no doubt he has men out there, who are more than willing to fill his shoes.

Sunday at 1:44pm · 5 peopleLoading…

o

Richard Tankersley Fairly blasphemous..

Sunday at 3:17pm · 1 personLoading…

o

Kevin Deegan Praise to the man claims Joe “Ascended to heaven”?

John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Yes that is blasphemous.

Christians sing praise to God – LDS sing praise to a Man

Christians testify of a risen savior – LDS testify of gold plates.

Sunday at 7:14pm · 4 peopleLoading…

o

Sarah-Jane Melnychuk wow I just got a little grieved in my spirit when I read that hymn. … oh the idolatry and it’s really beyond me that LDS members don’t see this as idolatry??

Yesterday at 12:40am

o

Dave Kachele Guess if you’re LDS and praise man, it’s like praising god, but not God

22 hours ago · 1 personLoading…

o

Donald E. Neighbors It was not unusual in older times to sing praises to various Apostles or even saints. It’s merely something Protestants don’t do. Since “Praise to the Man” is only one hymn in the LDS hymnbook, and the number of hymns which praise God and His Son vastly outnumber that one hymn, that you think this subject worthy of discussion suggests you are trying to find a mote in the eye of LDS Christianity.

22 hours ago · 1 personLoading…

o

Mormon & LDS Facts There is no such thing as LDS Christianty.

21 hours ago · 1 personLoading…

o

Linda DePeel There are other disturbing songs that lds sing. One of them was “The Iron Rod”. I always got this gloomy picture of God, waiting to beat me up with his “iron rod”. Another one was “Put your shoulder to the Wheel.” That’s like saying, “Get busy and start working for your salvation!” Maybe it’s just me, but I prefer the more traditional hymns, that praise the true and living God, and not a man who claimed to have done more than Jesus ever did.

20 hours ago

o

Kevin Deegan Christians Worship God – LDS worshipa exalted MAN!

20 hours ago

o

Richard Tankersley Donald in 50 years, I have never heard a song praising anyone but God/Jesus in church. There have been songs ABOUT other biblical characters, but none praising them. And, I have to disagree regarding the, “mote”. The fact that it was allowed into, and has been, in a hymnal this long, is a complete deal breaker regarding the Mormon doctrine.

16 hours ago

o

Paul Tunstall I praise Joseph Smith for the great work he did as a prophet of God. I worship Jesus Christ he is my saviour. Joseph was a prophet like Moses. Jesus is Yahweh in the flesh.

15 hours ago

o

Mormon & LDS Facts Not everyday you get a so called prophet writing themselves into the Bible. I thank God for God, and that he incarnated and gave his life for our sins. We don’t need to praise anyone else. We have Jesus who gets ALL of our praise._johnny

15 hours ago

o

Paul Tunstall You don’t need to praise your kids and colleagues when they do a good job? Have you ever sung the song, “Oh he’s a joly good fellow..Oh he’s a jolly good fellow”?

14 hours ago

o

Justin Rasmussen If your praising Joesph Smith then you have made him an idol. Which the Bible says we are not to do. So only praise and worship BELONG TO GOD.

12 hours ago

o

Mormon & LDS Facts I haven’t gone to a place of worship, to a worship meeting (for God) where I worship God, and sang “he’s a jolly good fellow” to anyone. That also would not be considered a ‘hymn’. What is a ‘hymn’, exactly? A Christian hymn is a religious song, written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and addressed to God. It’s all about the setting. That is what is meant here. _johnny

5 hours ago · 1 personLoading…

o

Donald E. Neighbors Richard said:

“Donald in 50 years, I have never heard a song praising anyone but God/Jesus in church.”

Okay. Given that you are probably Protestant and the custom of singing praises to someone other that God or the Messiah dates from well before the Protestant Reformation, this should not surprise you.

You continue:

“There have been songs ABOUT other biblical characters, but none praising them.”

I know that. we have a few of them in our tradition as well.

You continue:

“And, I have to disagree regarding the, “mote”. The fact that it was allowed into, and has been, in a hymnal this long, is a complete deal breaker regarding the Mormon doctrine.”

Why should it be?

51 minutes ago

o

Donald E. Neighbors Justin said:

“If your praising Joesph Smith then you have made him an idol. Which the Bible says we are not to do. So only praise and worship BELONG TO GOD.”

By your logic, singing praises to the Saviour is making Him an idol.

49 minutes ago

o

Kevin Deegan ‎@Paul actually according to Joseph Smith Mormons WORSHIP THREE godS

42 minutes ago

o

Kevin Deegan The fact that LDS have Three godS they worship is not a different “TRADITION”! It is a different God and BLASPHEMY!

40 minutes ago

o

Paul Tunstall The work of Joseph Smith was key to the restoration of the truth in these latter-days. This was key to the justification and sanctification of all of the children of God. Without the restoration and revelations of Joseph Smith the priesthood of God would not be on the earth. This priesthood is keys to the saving ordinances of the gospel. We do not worship Joseph Smith. We are grateful that he stayed the course and restored the gospel. Well done Joseph!

32 minutes ago

o

Donald E. Neighbors That is not what early Christians would tell you. They knew that God is the Father, Jesus Christ is the Son, the Firstborn and Only-Begotten (the terms are not interchangeable), and that the Holy Ghost was the Comforter the Messiah promised.

The triune God first appeared in some forms of Gnosticism and was declared heresy. The “one substance” triune God of “mainstream” Christianity is the result of Constantine’s emendation of what would become the Creed of Nicaea, and it should be remembered that Constantine was a pagan. Not all Christians agreed with the Creed of Nicaea, and the Arians and the controversy surrounding Arius’ teachings would challenge Nicene Christianity for about 200 years.

I recommend, among other sources, the works of Justo Gonsalez, a Christian historian who happens to be a Methodist.

32 minutes ago

o

Donald E. Neighbors http://mormonapologeticstu​dies.org/2011/08/08/do-mor​mons-worship-joseph-smith/

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

mormonapologeticstudies.org

One of the criticisms launched against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day …Saints is that Mormons worship Joseph Smith. There are varying statements as to the charge and to the investigator, i…See More

31 minutes ago

o

Kevin Deegan LDS have THREE count them godS – SHAME!

26 minutes ago

o

Paul Tunstall Justin, Idols in the bible represented other false gods. Joseph Smith was a prophet of the true God.

25 minutes ago

o

Kevin Deegan Maybe you sunday school teachers should consider this for primary kids? “Teaching: Praise to the Man” http://arizonaforever.blog​spot.com/2011/05/teaching-​praise-to-man-hymn-27.html​m JN 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God

21 minutes ago

o

Kevin Deegan http://lds.org/friend/2011​/05/praise-to-the-man?lang​=eng This year in Primary, children will learn “Praise to the Man”

17 minutes ago

o

Kevin Deegan Wish we could get LDS to speak half as much about Jesus as they do Joe!

16 minutes ago

o

Kevin Deegan Now try Praise God!

15 minutes ago

o

Kevin Deegan http://deseretbook.com/sea​rch/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&​x=0&y=0&query=praise+god SURPRISE more Praise to Joe!

14 minutes ago

o

Kevin Deegan The second LDS president prophet & SEER said: “I am an APOSTLE OF Joseph Smith. Write it down and write it back to your friends in the east, that I am an Apostle of Joseph Smith” Journal of Discourses 3:212

How about Rocky Hulse of Mormon Missions Outreach Ministry where he published an online article exposing Praise to the Man as being a song sung in praise to Joseph Smith. Clearly Hulse is an evangelical Christian.

Here are a list of others. Lee Grenier of LDS/Awareness Facebook page and Apostate Mormon. Bob Betts of Mormon & LDS Awareness. Bill McKeever of Mormon Research Ministry, CARM, shall I continue with my list? Are these not satisfying enough for you? Or, do you wish to have more and more damning evidence and still deny that Christians would say such things?

[Pahoran]

The answer is: no, modern Mormons do not worship Joseph Smith.

Nor did ancient or medieval Mormons.

However, as some of the above examples show, in the past, there have been some flirtations with Smith-worship by some Mormons.

Really? Which ones?

In fact, soon after Smith's death, a substantial number of Mormons actually believed that Smith was the Holy Spirit.

CFR, please: which Mormons "actually believed" this, and just how "substantial" was the number?

Regards,

Pahoran

[Zakuska]

Lets check some of Israels hymns:

1 Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise?

3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.

4 Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;

5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.

6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.

7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.

8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.

9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.

10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

11 And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.

12 Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.

13 They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:

14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.

15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

16 They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the Lord.

17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.

18 And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.

19 They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.

20 Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.

21 They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;

22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.

23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.

24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:

25 But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord.

26 Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:

27 To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.

28 They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.

29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.

30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.

31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.

32 They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:

33 Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.

34 They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the Lord commanded them:

35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.

36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.

37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,

38 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.

39 Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.

40 Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.

41 And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.

42 Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.

43 Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.

44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:

45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

46 He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.

47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.

48 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord.

There's an awful lot of extolation of Prophets and Priest of God in that Hymn.

[LeSellers]

You make two assertions about evangelical critics of Mormonism for which I am issuing a CFR.

...

2. The claim that "many" evangelical critics "extol and praise the mob for killing Joseph Smith"

As for the second part of my CFR, I have seen no response yet. Does anyone have documentation for the second part of my CFR? This ought to be easy, since the claim was that "many" evangelicals are guilty on this second point.

How's this:

"It's amazing the Mormons still claim persecution of their prophet. Read and see if you don't think he was deserving of his fate."—Neighbor

I'm not going to spend a long time locating any more quotations, but this one fits pretty well.

I've heard it for decades. It's appalled me for just as long.

The Nauvoo Expositor was one long justification for killing Joseph Smith. Tom Sharp's Warsaw Signal ran weeks' worth of such justification, and put out extras telling the people of Hancock County to kill him, and Hyrum, too. Captain Smith of the Carthage Greys Yellows, was a Protestant minister—he was one of the leaders of the mob who killed them.

You might claim these last were not "Evangelicals", but their spirit lives on.

So far, the best anyone has offered for the first part of my CFR was an example of someone acknowledging repeatedly that Mormons deny worshiping Jesus Christ but who thinks that, in his terminology, they do. Yawn.

You asked for references that Evangelicals accuse us of worshiping Joseph Smith. I supplied them. Then you yawn. It was your call, yawn if you will, but you have been shown.

Lehi

Edited August 10, 2011 by LeSellers