Comments on: Joseph and Jesus

By: test

test — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:14:46 +0000

Hello, this is a test message.

By: Antonio Parr

Antonio Parr — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:30:27 +0000

Christ is the light and life of the world. He alone is our examplar. He alone is our Saviour. We have not even scratched the surface when it comes to talking about him and rejoicing about Him in our Sacrament meetings. The fact that our meetings have the least Christ-centered focus of all of the Christian denominations that I have encountered might explain why our missionary efforts are so dramatically unsuccessful.

Elder Oaks once gave a rather dramatic talk on this subject, and quoted President Benson in stating that our neglect of Christ and His atonment have placed the entire Church under condemnation. Elder Oaks even pointed to deficiencies in General Conference addresses on Christ and His atonement.

I am happy to discuss Joseph Smith and his progeny in Priesthood and Sunday School. But when it comes to Sacrament meeting, I want to rejoice in Christ, and can never get enough talks about Him and His matchless life.

By: Rameumptom

Rameumptom — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:14:15 +0000

I remember that Sunday in December 1979 in Bolivia, when our Gospel Doctrine teacher and principal of a high school, brought his colleagues to Church to show them that we worshiped Christ, not Joseph Smith.
A counselor in the stake presidency was speaking in Sacrament, and said that since Christ’s birthday was really in April, he was going to speak on Joseph Smith’s birthday.

Sadly, he misquoted D&C 135 in stating that “Joseph Smith has done more for the world than anyone.” By the end of the meeting, the 8 full time missionaries were cringing in our seats, wondering how we were going to fix this among the 2 dozen investigators we had present, including Brother Rossi’s school compatriots. They left convinced that we do worship Joseph Smith.

So, I particularly prefer not mentioning anything about Joseph Smith at this time of year, except perhaps to sing happy birthday to him….

By: John Mansfield

John Mansfield — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:30:43 +0000

The K Chronicles on the plight of Christmas babies:

"Happy Birthday & Merry Christmas Jimmy!!" "I only get one?" "It's Christmas time, Jimmy—money is very tight!" "It's MY birthday. MY DAY!! Yet all I hear about is that Jesus fella!"

By: ESO

ESO — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:11:57 +0000

The school district I work for, in an effort to be religiously sensitive, sent out a list of important religious holidays celebrated by world religions practiced in our area (NY); they included Joseph Smith’s Birthday as celebrated by the Mormon Church.

I guess I could get the day off, then.

By: Stephen M (Ethesis)

Stephen M (Ethesis) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:59:17 +0000

There I was thinking you were about to write about Joseph, Jesus’s foster father …

I would be raised up to the highest heaven, and who should I have to accompany me. I love that man better who swears a stream as long as my arm, and administering to the poor & dividing his substance, than the long smoothed faced hypocrites

I dont want you to think I am very righteous, for I am not very righteous. God judgeth men according to the light he gives them. (Words of Joseph Smith, 204)

Another good J. Golden Kimball fan ;)

BTW, my real introduction to Joseph Smith was quotes of this sort where he was disclaiming being any more righteous than anyone else and talking of his imperfections. Part of the materials for teaching study groups at the Hill Cumorah Pageant.

I still think the approach is a wonderful one.

By: Ray

Ray — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:24:50 +0000

Btw, #13 referred to the post linked in #12. Should have been explicit.

By: Ray

Ray — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:23:53 +0000

Excellent post, J. It was a very entertaining and enlightening read.

By: J. Stapley

J. Stapley — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:44:50 +0000

For the April Sixthers.

By: Ogan

Ogan — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:16:22 +0000

I think we should celebrate the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ on April 6th.