Christianity had existed for about 1800 years when Joseph Smith was born. History shows that Christian beliefs and doctrines transformed in many ways during those years. Philosophers, scholars and theologians have formulated their study and opinions into a multitude of religious concepts and doctrines. Before and after the Bible was canonized, councils and think tanks of religious leaders have been held to formulate official doctrines and creeds in the early centuries and continue to do so today.
The evidence of the falling away from the doctrines taught by the Savior in the New Testament is evidenced by the current slate of thousands of different bible based churches. They all have a professed teaching based on the Bible and a message of salvation in Jesus Christ. How could they all be right if each is a law unto itself? From any reasonable standpoint God would need to be a an obscurantist and subscribe to a theme of dissension and division.
Many if not most of these religious teachers claim the word they have from the Bible is inerrant and yet fail to agree on its content, what it says and what it means. To try and give some semblance of unity in the modern Christian society, some evangelists and apologists have declared that a person can only be a Christian if certain fundamental beliefs are adhered to. Yet in spite of all the divisions that exist in modern churches they declare that the church is an invisible body and it is not really necessary to agree on every account.
Many if not most of these religious teachers claim the word they have from the Bible is inerrant and yet fail to agree on its content, what it says and what it means. To try and give some semblance of unity in the modern Christian society, some evangelists and apologists have declared that a person can only be a Christian if certain fundamental beliefs are adhered to. Yet in spite of all the divisions that exist in modern churches they declare that the church is an invisible body and it is not really necessary to agree on every account.
The evolution of these teachings has grown to include widespread declarations that certain churches that include the Bible as a teaching source and believe in Christ are not to be included in the family of current Christian faiths. An interesting observation is that most of the current protestant and evangelical movements are the result of divisions or splitting off from the Catholic church during the period of what has been called the reformation and subsequent splitting from each other. It always seemed strange to me that there were so many churches. If there is only one true God, then there should only be one true church.
Some Christian apologists even teach that the Catholic church is not really a Christian organization. Some other groups teach that Jesus was a real person but not the savior. Distinct from all other Christian churches is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Its teaching includes the Bible as a primary scripture and source of teaching. The church proclaims that Jesus is the Son of God and that eternal salvation comes only in and through him.
When Joseph Smith sought to know which church was the correct one in his day in 1820, he declared that he had seen God in answer to prayer. Subsequent developments from that event set on edge the professors and teachers of the traditional theologies.
He taught of salvation through Jesus Christ and spoke of an infinite atonement instead of the limited atonement that traditional theology held. He taught that man's spirit was a literal child of heavenly parentage sent to earth for an eternal purpose of spiritual development. He dispelled the notion that man is merely an inferior creation spoken into existence simply to provide fellowship and worship of his superior creator.
He taught of salvation through Jesus Christ and spoke of an infinite atonement instead of the limited atonement that traditional theology held. He taught that man's spirit was a literal child of heavenly parentage sent to earth for an eternal purpose of spiritual development. He dispelled the notion that man is merely an inferior creation spoken into existence simply to provide fellowship and worship of his superior creator.
He introduced additional scripture, even a confirming testimony of the Bible and new revelations that answer age old questions about man's destiny. All other religious leaders and groups have denied that any scripture could exist outside of the Bible. He was persecuted and defamed. Yet he persisted in his declaration that God had called him to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth with the authority to establish doctrine and ordinances.
The Book of Mormon was a direct translation of an ancient record that clearly demonstrates the nature of the saving grace and the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. He taught of the divine role of family relationships and that they could endure beyond the grave while his counterparts taught that all family relationships formed on earth are end at death.
The Book of Mormon was a direct translation of an ancient record that clearly demonstrates the nature of the saving grace and the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. He taught of the divine role of family relationships and that they could endure beyond the grave while his counterparts taught that all family relationships formed on earth are end at death.
From his declaration that God had spoken to him in a direct revelation he learned that the religious institutions of the earth were founded on the creeds and philosophies of men and not the revelations of God. It was true. History does confirm how councils of men were convened to create doctrines and teachings. The scriptures were then "wrested" to fit those teachings.
The doctrines of LDS theology have been accepted throughout the world in almost every country and clime. Some 15 millions of people at this time have at accepted them with differing levels of commitment as members. Like most religious groups we are all learning line upon line and precept on precept as we study, live and teach. At present some 28,000 congregations exist throughout the world, all with a volunteer lay clergy meet on a weekly basis.
Joseph Smith was killed at the age of 38 along with his brother Hyrum when a mob of his critics and enemies stormed the jail where he was being held on questionable charges. From the age of 15 when he first declared to have seen God till the time of his death he was steadfast in his testimony and calling as a prophet.
My personal pondering of the fact that a 15 year old boy could make such a profound declaration, to say he had seen God and then remain faithful to it. Subsequently building on his testimony and then establishing something so unique in organization that it parallels the church described in the New Testament so perfectly. That is why it has endured. It is not his work. His was the call to reestablish that which had been lost.
My personal pondering of the fact that a 15 year old boy could make such a profound declaration, to say he had seen God and then remain faithful to it. Subsequently building on his testimony and then establishing something so unique in organization that it parallels the church described in the New Testament so perfectly. That is why it has endured. It is not his work. His was the call to reestablish that which had been lost.
His life was filled with opposition and trials. To this day some 166 years after his death his critics still abound. Why? Because even though histories have been slanted by some and used to slander and accuse him of every conceivable wrong doing his work stands and attests to its divine foundation. No matter how the critics twist his story and try to condemn him the work he started it continues undaunted by adversarial forces human or otherwise. Why? Because it was not his work. He was and is an instrument in the hands of the Almighty.
Those that accused him on false charges and character defamation can't account for the goodness and growth of what he was a part of. It is not only a unique theology but it is the practical application of everything Jesus and the prophets of old have taught in order that we might live joyful and full lives. There are many typical fallacies that are used to mislead uninformed individuals and groups about the church and its doctrines.
He was called of God was to restore the doctrines and truth that had been lost or corrupted through the centuries. His was to declare the living Christ which he did. His teachings are explained in modern canon and scores of writings in journals. They cover many of the topics that I have mentioned and detail a profound understanding of God's eternal nature, the supernal sacrifice of the Savior and man's eternal destiny.
He truly was and is a prophet of the Living God, called in the latter days to restore the organization and priesthood authority that had been lost and to reveal truths both old and new to prepare the world for the second coming of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=9649d7630a27b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=041579179acbff00VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD
Comments, observations and articles are the author's opinions from his perspective as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The opinions expressed are my own and do not officially represent the church's position. In most cases links are included to official church materials or other articles of interest.
