Reasons It Looks Like Mormons Worship Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith is indeed an extremely iconic figure in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Firstly, he has prestige as the founder of the Church.  Everyone from missionaries to young children refer to him when speaking about Mormon beliefs.  There are novels, statues and movies that tell his story.

At first glance, and maybe even a second, it would be easy to think that the Mormons could worship such a figure.  They read and study his teachings.  They preach his sermons and use examples of his life to encourage and inspire.  Mormons talk about Joseph Smith like many Christians talk about the Apostle Paul, quoting him often.

Considering the reverence and attention surrounding a single man, it is easy to think that the Mormons worship Joseph Smith.  But it might surprise some to know that in accordance to their own doctrine they simply can’t.  The act of worship is strictly reserved for God and his Son Jesus Christ.

Why Joseph Smith is Such an Important Figure to Mormons

So why all the fanfare and focus on the Prophet Joseph Smith?  The answer to that question is both spiritual and logical. Without Joseph Smith, and a belief in his accounts, there can be no legitimate claim that he restored the church that lost its authority after Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and his apostles were killed. While The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worships Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith is seen as His instrument in restoring the gospel to the world. Without him and his witness of God the Father and His only begotten son Jesus Christ (The First Vision), the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the Priesthood, modern day revelation, and other prophetic claims, would have remained lost or would become invalid.

While all of these doctrines are vital to the faith and beliefs of Mormons, the focus of their worship is and must be the Lord Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is important as a work of scripture mainly due to its being another testament of Jesus Christ, as is proclaimed on the cover. They pray in the name of Christ, teach of, love and reverence His divine life, and believe that people can only be saved and return to the Lord’s presence in and through the Savior’s suffering and death. The ultimate purpose of everything they do, from prayers, to studying the scriptures, to everything taught in their meeting houses and temples is to help them turn to Christ, and become more like Him.

The Lord has always called prophets (Amos 3:7), however, in every dispensation of the world to facilitate His works and teach people of Christ, and Joseph Smith is revered among Mormons as having a special place among those. Because Mormons believe that all of us are now living in “the last dispensation of time” before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, who is the first prophet of this dispensation, is especially revered among the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Name Of The Church Tells You Who We Worship

Ultimately, the most straightforward answer to the question of who Latter-day Saints worship is found in the very name of the Church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

If you look closely, the name itself serves as a declaration of devotion. It is not the church of Joseph Smith; it is the church of Jesus Christ. Just as the ancient Church was established by the Savior and bore His name, members believe this restored Church is His kingdom on the earth today. Every ordinance performed, every prayer offered, and every hymn sung is centered on the person and mission of Jesus Christ.

While members hold Joseph Smith in deep, enduring gratitude as a humble instrument in the hands of the Lord—much like we honor Moses, Peter, or the prophets of old—he is viewed as a messenger, not the Messiah. He pointed the way, but it is Jesus Christ who is the Way.

For members of the Church, the study of Joseph Smith’s life is not an end in itself; it is a gateway. It is a study of a man who gave everything to help a lost world find its way back to the foot of the Cross. When a Latter-day Saint speaks of Joseph Smith, they are ultimately speaking of the restoration of Christ’s gospel. When they speak of Jesus Christ, they are speaking of their Redeemer, their Advocate, and their God.

As you learn more about the faith, you will find that beneath the statues, the books, and the historical accounts, there is a singular, heartbeat-thumping truth: the members of this Church are a people who strive, with all their hearts, to come unto Christ, to take His name upon them, and to follow Him home.

How We Keep Christ at the Center

It is natural to wonder how a faith that honors a prophet can remain focused on the Savior. Within the daily life and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there are clear, intentional safeguards that ensure the focus of worship remains solely on Jesus Christ:

• Our Prayers are Directed to the Father, in the Name of Christ: Every prayer offered in public meetings or private devotions begins with a direct address to God the Father and concludes with the phrase, “In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.” This is a constant, vocal reminder of who we are addressing and by whose authority we come before Him.

• Sacrament Meetings are Focused on the Atonement: Every Sunday, members partake of the sacrament (communion). The prayers spoken over the bread and water are focused entirely on remembering the body and blood of the Savior. It is a time for members to reflect on the Atonement and renew their commitment to take His name upon them.

• The Content of Our Teachings: Whether in Sunday School, youth groups, or general conferences, the curriculum is rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus. We study the prophets, yes—but we study them specifically to learn how they testified of the coming or the mission of the Messiah.

• The Mission of the Church is Christ-Led: The Church is not governed by the whims of its founder, but by the ongoing, revelatory direction of the living Lord, Jesus Christ. Through a living prophet, the Church moves forward, responding to the needs of the world while remaining tethered to the foundational truth that He is the head of this Church.

• Our Temples are Houses of Christ: While temples are sacred places of learning and covenant-making, they are built to bring individuals into a closer relationship with the Savior. Every ordinance performed within those walls is designed to bind families together through the power of Christ’s Atonement.

So, Who Do Mormons Worship?

Like the ancient Prophets Abraham and Moses, Mormons celebrate Joseph Smith as a man that accomplished God’s will.  He is an important icon, because to believe in what he did is to understand how the Mormons even exist.  Do Mormons worship him?  No.  But it can often be perceived as such because he is essential to how and why Mormons worship Jesus Christ.

If you have questions about Joseph Smith and want to talk about them with a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please click this link and go to “chat” or simply send an email at philippines@moregoodfoundation.org.

The post Who Do Mormons Worship, Joseph Smith or Jesus Christ? appeared first on morefaith.ph.

The Lord has shown a pattern of choosing humble men to be His Prophets, seers and revelators in the world. These men, though limited in their skills and capacity but stalwart in their faith and testimony, had brought about many miracles for the salvation of God’s children here on earth. In this last dispensation, a period when God calls for a prophet to direct His Church, the Lord called for the boy Joseph to open this special time – humble, meek, and simple servant to His children but strong to the Lord.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mnig_E6KtM

Who helped the boy Joseph to be the revered prophet from the time he searched for the truth until today? Who is Joseph Smith to his family and his associates?What sacrifices did he make for the establishment of the Kingdom of God? Among other questions, some faithful truth seekers always love to know the truth behind the man who was instrument to the restoration of the fullness of the gospel, even to the bringing forth of the Book of Mormon.

The boy Joseph was born from humble circumstances from Joseph  and Lucy Mack Smith. Joseph’s family was composed of 11 souls and all of them understood hard work at such a young age. They all were trying to live righteous lives and Joseph’s parents has always been educating their children the gospel of Jesus Christ through Bible readings and attendance to Church meetings. When he was 11 years old, the Smith family moved to Palmyra, New York where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was re-organized. 

A seeker of truth

Palmyra, a western village in New York, was famous for the religious excitement that was ever present in those years. In the 1800s, the subject of religion was an intense discussion and caused every minister to proactively invite and convert people into their beliefs. Ministers seemed to be the judges of a person’s eternal destination depending on which religion he/she joined. The religious excitement was so great that conversion was thinning because most of the people already were part of their choice religion. The Smith family was torn from differing beliefs among their family members. But, one thing was a sure realization, which of churches was true. The boy Joseph, young as he was, also desired to belong to the true church.

At the age of 14 and at the time that he firmly decided that he had to choose a church, Joseph could not help but think deeply about the matters of religion. If he had to join a church, he had to know the criteria of a true church. The Prophet wrote:

In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?” To more fully learn the truth, Joseph attended the meetings of the different religions and immersed himself deeply in the scriptures. One particular scripture stood out to him; it was like a passage telling him what he should do. It was a powerful scripture passage for someone seeking for the truth. The passage is found in James 1:5 “If any of you lacked wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

A prophet of God

Joseph Smith’s question seemed to only have one solution and that is to ask of God. In Joseph Smith History 1:13, the Prophet wrote:

At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture.

Although unsure of the method of asking what he would need to do, the young Joseph exercised faith in those early years by retiring to the woods and asking Heavenly Father which among the churches that time was true.

Indeed, the adversary was strong in making sure that the curious boy Joseph won’t be able to communicate with Heavenly Father. As he was began his prayer, he felt a power that seemed to pull him into despair and destruction. However, with great faith and determination, the boy Joseph eventually received his answer in what we now all know as the First Vision. The eager boy was told not to join any church and he also received instructions during that time. That moment has indeed opened the latter-day dispensation, even the last before the second coming of Jesus Christ. Joseph knew from then on that he has a divine mission.

A leader of the latter-day Church

The Prophet Joseph Smith has never denied His vision and his prophetic calling to God’s children no matter he was persecuted. He diligently followed the plan of the Lord in delivering His children to establish the foundation of the Church today. He called able men to help him in his ministry and organized God’s Church.

With just one prayer of a boy, the last dispensation was opened; and the faith and testimony of this stalwart boy brought about many blessings for the children of men. And although the First Vision opened Joseph to ridicule, accusations, and threats to his life, the Prophet held on to its truthfulness and the answers he received. It was the start of a life filled with challenges and blessings. In an article introducing Joseph Smith in mormon.org, it states:

Early Mormons endured serious persecution because of a perceived commercial, political and religious threat to their neighbors, so Joseph and the people he called to assist him had to lead multiple Mormon migrations to friendlier areas of the country. Despite all of the suffering they endured, early members of the Church built temples, did missionary work, [and] built thriving cities… Years before Joseph died, the Lord directed him to organize the Quorum of Twelve Apostles and eventually he bestowed upon them all the keys, rights, and authority necessary to lead the Church.

With just one prayer of a boy, the final period before Jesus Christ’s second visitation to us has been set. The faith and testimony of this stalwart boy brought about many blessings for the children of men. And although the First Vision opened Joseph to ridicule, accusations, and threats to his life, the Prophet held on to its truthfulness and the answers he received.

For more reference to Joseph Smith’s life: Mormon.org

The post The Boy Joseph: Background of the Prophet of God appeared first on morefaith.ph.