Joseph Smith: Mormon Prophet

Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often referred to as the Mormon Church, established the pattern for regular, general conferences of the whole church. The idea was not his, but it was a commandment from God. The revelation, in part, reads:

“The several elders composing this church of Christ are to meet in conference once in three months, or from time to time as said conferences shall direct or appoint; And said conferences are to do whatever church business is necessary to be done at the time.” (D&C 20:61-62)

That is an open-ended mandate, which is good. It allows for adaptability in transacting church business, and for meeting the needs of the varied membership. Mormonism shares some of the strengths of the US Constitution. They both provide a framework that is solid enough to endure through the ages, yet flexible enough to meet different circumstances in different times and places. After all, the needs of the church in the 1830s differ from the needs of the church in the 2000s. But more on that later.

The first general conference was held in Fayette, New York on June 9, 1830. The official church history records:

"On the ninth day of June, 1830, we held our first conference as an organized Church. Our numbers were about thirty, besides whom believers or anxious to learn. Having opened by singing and prayer, we partook together of the emblems of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ."

"We then proceeded to confirm several who had lately been baptized, after which we called out and ordained several to the various offices of the Priesthood. Much exhortation and instruction was given, and the Holy Ghost was poured out upon us in a miraculous manner—many of our number prophesied, whilst others had the heavens opened to their view, and were so overcome that we had to lay them on beds or other convenient places; among the rest was Brother Newel Knight, who had to be placed on a bed, being unable to help himself."

"By his own account of the transaction, he could not understand why we should lay him on the bed, as he felt no sense of weakness. He felt his heart filled with love, with glory, and pleasure unspeakable, and could discern all that was going on in the room; when all of a sudden a vision of the future burst upon him. He saw there represented the great work which through my instrumentality was yet to be accomplished. He saw heaven opened, and beheld the Lord Jesus Christ, seated at the right hand of the majesty on high, and had it made plain to his understanding that the time would come when he would be admitted into His presence to enjoy His society for ever and ever."

"When their bodily strength was restored to these brethren, they shouted hosannas to God and the Lamb, and rehearsed the glorious things which they had seen and felt, whilst they were yet in the spirit.

"Such scenes as these were calculated to inspire our hearts with joy unspeakable, and fill us with awe and reverence for that Almighty Being, by whose grace we had been called to be instrumental in bringing about, for the children of men, the enjoyment of such glorious blessings as were now at this time poured out upon us."

"To find ourselves engaged in the very same order of things as observed by the holy Apostles of old; to realize the importance and solemnity of such proceedings; and to witness and feel with our own natural senses, the like glorious manifestations of the powers of the priesthood, the gifts and blessings of the Holy Ghost, and the goodness and condescension of a merciful God unto such as obey the everlasting Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, combined to create within us sensations of rapturous gratitude, and inspire us with fresh zeal and energy in the cause of truth." (History of the Church 1:85. Cf. “Chapter 11: The Organization and Destiny of the True and Living Church,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, [2007], 135–47.)

These same conferences continue today, with some small shifts in practice. Now the conferences are semiannual, instead of quarterly. The location has changed—from Fayette to Salt Lake City. And the buildings have changed—from log cabins and open-air boweries to the famous Salt Lake Tabernacle and now to the current Conference Center. The membership has grown—from thirty in 1830 to thirteen million in 2008. And the number of languages has multiplied by the scores. But the spirit and the intent of these conferences has been the same. They are times of revival, celebration, communion, edification, and to transact necessary church business.

Of course, managing the explosive growth has been a challenge. In 1981, Gordon B. Hinckley, a leader in the Mormon Church, commented:

"With the growth of the Church, we likely could never build a hall large enough to accommodate all who would wish to assemble in one place. Nor would accelerating travel costs make possible their coming. The gifts of science have provided a more convenient way. We are confident that as the work of the Lord expands, he will inspire men to develop the means whereby the membership of the Church, wherever they may be, can be counseled in an intimate and personal way by his chosen prophet. Communication is the sinew that binds the Church as one great family. Between those facilities which are now available and those which are on the horizon, we shall be able to converse one with another according to the needs and circumstances of the time." (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Faith: The Essence of True Religion,” Ensign, Nov 1981, 5)

As a result of this cramping, the Mormon Church built a new Conference Center in 2000. It is a large facility, to say the least. It takes up a full city block, and a Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet could fit within the auditorium. The heart of the building, however, is the translation center. It has sixty booths to get the message out in people’s mother tongues. Not just the obvious tongues as Portuguese, Spanish, and German, but also obscure ones like Tagalog, Serbo-Croatian, and Icelandic.

Here are some of the building's statistics:

• Area covered by complex: 10 acres—one city block.

• Building size: 1.5 million sq. ft. (five times the area of the Salt Lake Temple and Tabernacle combined).

• Framing: reinforced concrete, steel roof frame (roof trusses weigh more than 1,170 tons).

• Concrete required: about 116,000 cubic yards.

• Electrical wiring: 50,000 miles, with 780 miles of conduit.

• Air-conditioning: 1,035,000 cubic feet of air moved through more than 14 miles of ducts every minute; 2,966 tons of air-conditioning equipment.

• Level-to-level transport: 11 passenger elevators, 3 service and stage elevators, 12 escalators, in addition to numerous stairways.

• Exterior covering: granite panels on south and west faces, Ashlar stone (random-length granite laid in brick pattern) on north and east faces. Granite for the building came from the same area where stone for the Salt Lake Temple was quarried.

• Landscaping: four acres on roof, with complete irrigation; trees and plants on terraced north and east sides of the building; additional planters in plaza areas.

• Water features: two fountains on the roof, one cascading down the front into pools below; 5,930 gallons of water per minute pumped through fountains and water courses; waters of City Creek flowing through rocky channel on southern edge of the block. (Don L. Searle, “The Conference Center: ‘This New and Wonderful Hall’,” Ensign, Oct 2000, 32.)

Additionally, the Mormon Church uses radio, television, satellite, and the Internet to broadcast sessions of general conference. This makes sense: the world-wide web is the best way to reach a world-wide audience. Joseph Smith would be impressed.

Next month, April 2008, in this large Conference Center, the successor to Joseph Smith will be presented to the church body for a sustaining vote. This is some of the "necessary church business" that needs to be handled. I look forward to seeing Thomas S. Monson sustained as the sixteenth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and am eager to see what direction he will take the church. I'm glad that this pattern of general, worldwide conferences continues. I feel renewed and edified at these conferences. It is comforting to know that a prophet is out there to guide us.

The March 2008 edition of the Ensign magazine (the official magazine of the Mormon Church), is devoted entirely to discussing the life, mission, teachings, and atonement of Jesus Christ.

The main reason for doing this is to reinforce to Mormons the importance of Jesus Christ in their religion. Joseph Smith, the first prophet of the Mormon Church, made this sweeping declaration about the centrality of Christ in Mormonism:

“The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it." (“Chapter 3: Jesus Christ, the Divine Redeemer of the World,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007), 45–56)

Another reason is to communicate this fact to people who are not Mormons. For various reasons, people are not aware that Mormons are Christians. Part of it may have to do with the name “Mormon,” which is not really a name, but a nickname. The correct name of the church is “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” This name was a revelation from God.

The confusion may also arise form a statement from Brigham Young, the second president of the Mormon Church. He once said something that some people—not members of the Mormon Church, to be sure—have understood to mean that Mormons worship Joseph Smith.

Here is the quote:

"I want to talk a little more about the witnesses. I am a witness—of what? I have told it here and in Nauvoo. I know what I am a witness of, and I know my Apostleship. I am a witness that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. What an uproar it would make in the Christian world to say, I am an Apostle of Joseph. Write it down, and write it back to your friends in the east, that I am an Apostle of Joseph Smith. He was a man of God and had the revelations of Jesus Christ, and the words of Jesus Christ to the people. He did build and establish the kingdom of God on earth, and through him the Lord Almighty again restored the Priesthood to the children of men." (February 17, 1856, Journal of Discourses 3:212)

It’s that part about being an apostle of Joseph Smith that causes this misunderstanding. Yes, he did make the statement, but no, it is not being understood properly.

There is a joke about a philosopher who once wrote a book called What Plato Said. Then he had to write a longer follow-up book called What Plato Meant. What a person says and what a person means can sometimes be very different things.

This is what Brigham Young meant.

First, keep in mind that the quote is taken out of context. Brigham Young lived seventy-six years, and spent thirty of those years as president of the church. Plus he was also territorial governor for Utah. So over time he said a lot of things on a lot of subjects, to varied audiences, with specific intents in mind.

In this instance he was talking to Mormons about the importance of Joseph Smith laying the groundwork that he, Brigham Young, built upon. Mormons view Joseph Smith as a dispensation head, or a leader for an era of time. For example, Moses got the Ten Commandments and the Pentateuch, and from Moses to John the Baptist, all prophets—Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, etc.—worked within the framework that Moses laid.

Similarly, Brigham Young believed (as all Mormons do) that he was working within the context of Joseph Smith’s mission. As the later prophets in the Old Testament followed Moses’ pattern, so too would Brigham Young and the later Mormon prophets work within Joseph Smith’s pattern.

One of the revelations to Joseph Smith sums up this idea:

“Behold, verily I say unto you, I have reserved those things which I have entrusted unto you, my servant Joseph, for a wise purpose in me, and it shall be made known unto future generations; But this generation shall have my word through you.” (D&C 5:9-10)

The emphasis is on “this generation shall have my word through you.” He was to be a witness of Christ, leader, and foundation-layer for all that would follow.

This is a bit of a technical matter. For a longer treatment of this subject, read this talk by Mormon Apostle Bruce R. McConkie called “Joseph Smith: A Revealer of Christ.” (Click Here)

The second point is that Brigham Young, in affirming that he was an apostle of Joseph Smith, was in no way denying that he was also an apostle of Jesus Christ. Reread these sentences:

“I am a witness that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. What an uproar it would make in the Christian world to say, I am an Apostle of Joseph. Write it down, and write it back to your friends in the east, that I am an Apostle of Joseph Smith. He was a man of God and had the revelations of Jesus Christ, and the words of Jesus Christ to the people.” (emphasis added.)

This statement is further clarified by another statement Brigham Young said where he rephrases the idea:

"I am Brigham Young, an Apostle of Joseph Smith, and also of Jesus Christ. If I have been profitable to this people, I am glad of it. The brethren call me so; and if it be so, I am glad." (October 6, 1857, Journal of Discourses 5:296)

So it is not accurate to use these quotes to “prove” that Mormons worship Joseph Smith. And it is not an “either-or,” but a “both-and” affair because Joseph Smith is a revealer of Christ. To be an apostle of Joseph Smith is also to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. To be one is to be the other.

But in no way did Brigham Young—nor any president of the Mormon Church up to and including the current leader Thomas S. Monson—ever teach that Mormons worship Joseph Smith.

The Book of Mormon, which is another testament of Jesus Christ, reaffirms the place of Christ in Mormonism. To order a free copy, click here.

The Mormon Church’s official position on Jesus Christ is found in this statement released January 2000:

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son. (The Living Christ)

(To see a multimedia clip that explains the role of Jesus Christ is Mormonism, click here.)

The Mormon Church’s official position on Joseph Smith is found in this eulogy written by John Taylor, the third president of the Mormon Church:

To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o'clock p.m., by an armed mob—painted black—of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: I am a dead man! Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming: O Lord my God! They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls.

John Taylor and Willard Richards, two of the Twelve, were the only persons in the room at the time; the former was wounded in a savage manner with four balls, but has since recovered; the latter, through the providence of God, escaped, without even a hole in his robe.

Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!

When Joseph went to Carthage to deliver himself up to the pretended requirements of the law, two or three days previous to his assassination, he said: "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer's morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I SHALL DIE INNOCENT, AND IT SHALL YET BE SAID OF ME—HE WAS MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD."—The same morning, after Hyrum had made ready to go—shall it be said to the slaughter? yes, for so it was—he read the following paragraph, near the close of the twelfth chapter of Ether, in the Book of Mormon, and turned down the leaf upon it:

And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. And now I . . . bid farewell unto the Gentiles; yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment–seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood. The testators are now dead, and their testament is in force.

Hyrum Smith was forty–four years old in February, 1844, and Joseph Smith was thirty–eight in December, 1843; and henceforward their names will be classed among the martyrs of religion; and the reader in every nation will be reminded that the Book of Mormon, and this book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world; and that if the fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God, how easy it will burn up the dry trees to purify the vineyard of corruption. They lived for glory; they died for glory; and glory is their eternal reward. From age to age shall their names go down to posterity as gems for the sanctified.

They were innocent of any crime, as they had often been proved before, and were only confined in jail by the conspiracy of traitors and wicked men; and their innocent blood on the floor of Carthage jail is a broad seal affixed to "Mormonism" that cannot be rejected by any court on earth, and their innocent blood on the escutcheon of the State of Illinois, with the broken faith of the State as pledged by the governor, is a witness to the truth of the everlasting gospel that all the world cannot impeach; and their innocent blood on the banner of liberty, and on the magna charta of the United States, is an ambassador for the religion of Jesus Christ, that will touch the hearts of honest men among all nations; and their innocent blood, with the innocent blood of all the martyrs under the altar that John saw, will cry unto the Lord of Hosts till he avenges that blood on the earth. Amen. (D&C 135:1-7)

(For a multimedia clip about the life of Joseph Smith, click here)

Mormons revere Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith. But we worship one, and honor the other. One was God, one was man, and I love them both.

Sometimes observations from philosophers just crack me up. Take, for instance, Thomas Aquinas. He was a medieval Roman Catholic philosopher and theologian, and was so adept at explaining Catholic theology that he was later called The Angelic Doctor.

Aquinas is perhaps most famous for his Five Ways, which is a discussion of the existence of God. In it he lists five different indicators that God exists. They are not proofs per se, but arguments or lines of thought that lead to the idea of God in general.

He begins his article by discussing two arguments against God. The first con argument is the argument from evil—if God is all good, then why is there evil? The second is an Ockham’s Razor argument—if we can sufficiently explain the universe in terms of space and time, plus matter and energy, plus chance, then why do we need to add God to the mix? He would be a redundant factor.

Aquinas’s response, his introductory rebuttal, is a mixture of wit and wisdom:

“On the contrary, it is said in the person of God: "I am Who I am." (Exodus 3:14) (Summa Theologica I.2.3)

In case you did not get the joke, philosopher Peter Kreeft explained:

“Note the irony and humor here: [for in Aquinas’s methodology] the "on the contrary" is usually an argument from authority; so what authority does St. Thomas appeal to on the question of whether God exists? God Himself! God cuts though our discussion about Him in the third person and announces, in the first person, "I am here!” (Kreeft, A Shorter Summa, 54-55 n.)

Aquinas understood that this title was also a testimony: God’s name is I AM because HE IS. He reminds us of the key fact of His existence every time He introduces Himself. After all, if God does not exist, then everything else in theology and religion does not matter. It would merely be intellectual daydreaming.

But as brilliant as Aquinas’s insight is, it does not go far enough. Aquinas was merely a philosopher. He lived in the 1200s, and worked within the context of a medieval setting and the Great Apostasy, and he had the Bible. But his was a second-hand understanding of the nature of God.

On the other hand, Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of the Mormon Church, had a first-hand testimony. Over his life he had many visions of and visitations from Jesus Christ:

The First Vision, 1820:

“I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (JS-History 1:17)

The Vision of the Degrees of Glory, 1832:

“And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.” (D&C 76:22-24)

The Kirtland Temple, 1836:

“The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened. We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber. His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:”

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father. Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice.” (D&C 110:1-5)

In the last two visitations, Joseph Smith had another person with him (Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery respectively). He thus complied with the ancient law of witnesses:

"At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established." (Deuteronomy 19:15)

Keep in mind that second-hand knowledge sometimes is helpful. I trust my doctor, my mechanic, and the Geek Squad computer repairer to know things that I do no not. This is all proper, because we can get into heaven without understanding quantum chromodynamics or knowing the average rainfall in the Amazon basin. Some things are ultimately not important.

What is important, however, is having a correct idea about God. We need to know that He exists, that He loves us, and that He sent His Son to atone for our sins. And this type of spiritual understanding can be kenned by anyone.

When we start out, we always rely on others to help us through. It is perfectly appropriate for children or gospel greenhorns to lean on other people’s testimonies. One of Joseph Smith’s revelations teaches that this type of temporary “dependent faith” is actually a gift from God:

“To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.” (D&C 46:13-14)

But as we grow up, we grow into our own testimonies and stand on our own two feet, spiritually speaking.

Take Joseph Smith for instance. He began by relying upon the testimony of the apostle James, as recorded in the Bible and the faith of his father. But Joseph Smith also understood that even though a second-hand testimony can be good for beginners, it was not enough. More is needed.

He expressed his belief this way:

“Could we read and comprehend all that has been written from the days of Adam, on the relation of man to God and angels in a future state, we should know very little about it. Reading the experience of others, or the revelation given to them, can never give us a comprehensive view of our condition and true relation to God. Knowledge of these things can only be obtained by experience through the ordinances of God set forth for that purpose. Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject.” (“Chapter 36: Receiving the Ordinances and Blessings of the Temple,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, [2007], 412–22.)

Mormonism is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is also the gospel of growth. Our testimonies of God grow as we comply with truth and conform to His character. Over time, we “may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15). And this whole process begins with knowing the Great I AM, the God who really exists.

By the way, here are Aquinas’s responses to those two arguments against God. Take them for what they are worth.

As to evil, he said it existed to produce a better over-all good. As to the Ockham’s Razor argument, he said that there was teleology in nature. This means that things work towards an intelligent direction. The only way you could have things work towards a purpose was by including God in the explanation.

Aquinas then goes on to explain his Five Ways, which are five variations of the Cosmological Argument, or the observed order in the universe. This organization in the universe implies an intelligent organizer, who is God.

These ideas, of course, are not sufficient for faith unto life and salvation. But they do help clear the field. C. S. Lewis said “Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.” (Weight of Glory, 58). We might add that even though good philosophy is not enough, it does have a proper place in revealed religion.

Why are Mormons so focused on Joseph Smith, this first prophet of their church? What makes him so different from other great figures in history?

One reason—and possibly the main reason—is that Joseph Smith is a revealer of Christ. He taught about the life, mission, and atonement of Jesus Christ, and restored facts, knowledge, and truths that allow us to be more like Jesus. His teachings are essential to fully receive the blessings of Christ’s atonement for ourselves and our families.

Having said that, I realize that many people have lauded Jesus Christ. The Pope, Billy Graham, and even the president of Iran have all said positive things about Jesus. Liking Jesus is par for the course. Again, the question is asked, what makes Joseph Smith so different?

One way to show how Joseph Smith is different (and therefore more interesting) is to contrast him with other people who, at first blush, seem similar. For this blog I will use Socrates.

In his defense before the Athenian assembly, Socrates explained that he saw himself as a gadfly that nipped the horse that was the Athenian state. His job was to goad, cajole, and nag the Athenians into action. (Apology, 30e)

The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard (who did his doctoral dissertation on Socrates’ uses of irony) explained that Socrates’ goal was merely ethical:

“He dug his teeth hard into the individual, constantly compelling and teasing him with the commonplace … causing irritation through the individual’s own feelings, not letting him go on leisurely and weakly admiring, but demanding of him his very self.” (Papers and Journals: A Selection, 211-212)

Gadflys are useful, but they are not enough. This is where Joseph Smith comes in. Of course he called people to repentance and to be their best selves. In fact, one of his revelations pointedly states:

“Say nothing but repentance unto this generation.” (D&C 6:9)

Both Socrates and Joseph Smith forced us to look at ourselves and become better than we are. But after repentance, then what? More is needed. And both men knew that.

First there is the need for community. Socrates outlined his ideals in The Republic. However he never actually organized any city-state along these lines. On the other hand, Joseph Smith organized a church. On top of this, he was a colonizer. He taught Brigham Young the ropes. Joseph Smith added to or organized from the bottom-up the cities of Kirtland, Zarahemla, Nashville, Yelrome, Haun’s Mill, settlements in Jackson County and the city of Nauvoo.

Thus Joseph Smith actually put his plans into motion, which is what you would expect from a prophet. A philosopher has the luxury of intellectual woolgathering, but prophets cannot be inert. They are always on the go.

That is one difference. On top of that, Joseph Smith revealed a system of ordinances (sacraments or ceremonies) for this community. Socrates had no such system. His was closer to the secular utopian systems devised by Thomas More, Karl Marx, Robert Owen, and Edward Bellamy. For Socrates, the cohesive principle would not be God, but wisdom and philosophy. His was bottom-up; Joseph Smith was top-down.

This religious core makes the difference. Now both Joseph Smith and Socrates had their religious experiences. Socrates got into the business of philosophizing because a friend of his went to the oracle of Delphi and asked if there was anyone wiser than Socrates. She said that there was no one wiser. Socrates did not believe it, so he went about trying to disprove the oracle, or at least understand what she meant (Apology, 21a).

Socrates also claimed to have a guiding voice or spirit that prompted him (Apology, 31d). But this seems to be the extent of his divine contact. He was a thinker with a gift for cross-examination, and he had a playful sense of humor—even biting humor. But he was not a prophet in the technical sense of the word.

(The book of Revelation teaches, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10) And in the Old Testament, the prophets were also the overseers of the body of believers, as Moses was.)

Joseph Smith, on the other hand, seemed to have one foot in heaven and the other in earth. He had visions of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ and over the years he had visitations from many angels. He also spoke of the “visions that roll[ed] like an overflowing surge before [his] mind.” (“Chapter 45: Joseph Smith’s Feelings about His Prophetic Mission,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, [2007], 517–27). But there are also the tangible aspects of his work: colonies, missionaries, temples, scriptures. He managed both. So in short, he was a prophet’s prophet.

Brigham Young expressed his feelings this way:

“When I first heard [Joseph Smith] preach, he brought heaven and earth together; and all the priests of the day could not tell me anything correct about heaven, hell, God, angels, or devils; they were as blind as Egyptian darkness. When I saw Joseph Smith, he took heaven, figuratively speaking, and brought it down to earth; and he took the earth, brought it up, and opened up, in plainness and simplicity, the things of God; and that is the beauty of his mission.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, 458-459)

This heavenly and earthy aspect draws us back to Christ’s atonement. Unlike Zeus or Apollo, the gods of paganism seemed to be comfortable living on Mount Olympus. Christ, on the other hand, left heaven, came to earth, and even descended into hell to save the people who died without having a chance to hear about Him.

That is why Joseph Smith is different from Socrates. Behind the superficial similarities there looms the cross and the empty tomb. As good as Socrates was for civilization and humanity, it was not enough. Being a gadfly was not enough. We need a prophet, a witness of Christ. We need a witness of Christ because Christ makes all the difference in the world.

Howard W. Hunter, the fourteenth president of the Mormon Church explained that Christ’s ethical teachings were not the totality of, but an aspect to His mission.

He said:

"The doctrine of the Resurrection is the single most fundamental and crucial doctrine in the Christian religion. It cannot be overemphasized, nor can it be disregarded."

"Without the Resurrection, the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes a litany of wise sayings and seemingly unexplainable miracles—but sayings and miracles with no ultimate triumph. No, the ultimate triumph is in the ultimate miracle: for the first time in the history of mankind, one who was dead raised himself into living immortality. He was the Son of God, the Son of our immortal Father in Heaven, and his triumph over physical and spiritual death is the good news every Christian tongue should speak." (Howard W. Hunter, “An Apostle’s Witness of the Resurrection,” Ensign, May 1986, 15.)

Ethics alone are not enough. So Socrates’ ethical teachings are not enough, as useful as they are. We need this power, this ultimate triumph over the tomb. This is why Joseph Smith must be a revealer of Christ. Anything less would deny us this heavenly power.

There is one final difference. Socrates suggested the use of a “noble lie” to maintain order in his Republic (Republic, 414b-415d). Joseph Smith on the other hand was all about truth. He taught:

“God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them, for the day must come when no man need say to his neighbor, Know ye the Lord; for all shall know Him … from the least to the greatest [see Jeremiah 31:34].” (“Chapter 22: Gaining Knowledge of Eternal Truths,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, [2007], 261–270.)

This is the ultimate in transparency: instead of surrounding his teachings with a bodyguard of lies, Joseph Smith invited everyone to experience what he experienced. That was his promise—all people were on equal footing with him.

I appreciate the work that both Socrates and Joseph Smith preformed. Civilization, society, and humanity are all the better for both of them. But we should not confuse or gloss over the differences. Socrates was merely a gadfly, but Jesus Christ was more than a carpenter, and Joseph Smith was more than a plowboy.

Joseph Smith is a revealer of Christ. As the founding prophet of the Mormon Church, one part of his mission was to teach about Jesus Christ. On many occasions Joseph Smith was asked if he were a prophet. His response was an unequivocal yes. He would also quote a passage from the Bible:

“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10)

Here is a typical example of what he said and how he said it:

“If any person should ask me if I were a prophet, I should not deny it, as that would give me the lie; for, according to John, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy; therefore, if I profess to be a witness or teacher, and have not the spirit of prophecy, which is the testimony of Jesus, I must be a false witness; but if I be a true teacher and witness, I must possess the spirit of prophecy, and that constitutes a prophet; and any man who says he is a teacher or a preacher of righteousness, and denies the spirit of prophecy, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; and by this key false teachers and impostors may be detected.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 269. Cf. p. 119, 264, 300, 312, 314 and Ch 33)

Specifically Joseph Smith taught about Christ’s role as a mediator between God and man. As with most things, before we can understand this principle, we need to know the preliminaries.

Here are the three key principles, sometimes called the Three Pillars of Eternity:

Creation: Jesus Christ, under the direction of His Father, created the world for us. It was a perfect creation, with Adam and Eve living in obedience to God’s law.

Fall: Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s Law, and were cast out of the Garden of Eden. Two curses were placed upon them. The first is physical death. The second is spiritual death. By death we mean separation. Physical death is the separation of the spirit from the body. Spiritual death is separation from God. This spiritual death is the reason why we feel homesick for places we have never been, or a nagging feeling that things are not quite right—or at least they are not as good as they can get. Behind it is this traumatic divorce from God.

Atonement: In addition to these curses, God promised them a mediator who would fix the problem. Christ’s resurrection overcomes physical death, and His atonement overcomes spiritual death. We need to repent to activate this power.

Mediation is somewhat a synonym for the Atonement. It emphasizes how we conquer spiritual death. Right now we are alienated or estranged from God. This is like when a married couple is separated. We are still God’s children, as the couple are still married, but in both cases the relationship is not what it should be.

The promise is that Christ stands between us and God, and pleads mercy for us. In this sense it is not so much as an estranged couple as it is a criminal standing before the judge. The lawbreaking estranges the criminal from society. But in this case we are the accused and Christ is the lawyer. That is why Christ is sometimes called “the advocate with the father,” and why the prophet Isaiah wrote:

“The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.” (Isaiah 3:13)

So salvation is like these courtroom dramas we love to watch.

Elder Cree-L Kofford, a leader in the Mormon Church explained it this way:

“In an allegorical sense, I am here today as a member of the trial team assembled by your chief advocate. We have now received the legal action in which each of you has been named as a party defendant. I and others of the trial team have reviewed the pleadings carefully and have confirmed that the real purpose of opposing counsel is to prove that you are not eligible to receive your ultimate inheritance. Our adversary’s trial team is even now working tirelessly to assemble the facts necessary to bring about your defeat.”

“By virtue of motions made, heard, and previously decided, we have been compelled to produce, on behalf of each of you, all records relating to your business and personal transactions. These include a schedule of your neighbors, friends, and business acquaintances. Additionally, full disclosure concerning your spouse, your children, your parents, and members of your extended family has been made.”

“You should know that our adversary is prepared to spend such time, effort, and money as is necessary to deprive you of your inheritance. They have already expended untold millions of dollars in preparing their case against each of you. They have hired gifted, talented, and experienced people to work for them. They intend to win!”

“Fortunately, you are represented by the most skilled, capable, and diligent counsel I have ever seen. It’s amazing to watch him as he argues on your behalf before the Supreme Judge.” (Cree-L Kofford, “The Ultimate Inheritance—An Allegory,” Ensign, Nov 1991, 27)

The good news is that Christ is our attorney, our advocate: He mediates between us and God. He loves us. He suffered for us. He died for us. He pleads for us.

One of Joseph Smith's revelations records this tender conversation:

“Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.” (D&C 45:3-5)

With this type of legal counsel, we cannot go wrong.

I have to laugh at times when I read about how some people characterize Joseph Smith. Sometimes he is a hick and buffoon, other times he is a power-mad profligate. The funny thing is that his critics can never quite agree on who he was: How can he be the laziest man in the world, while at the same time being sought out as a hired hand in mining?

I think the best way to make sense of him is to let the man speak for himself. This year members of the Mormon Church will be studying his life and teachings. The manual that the Church will be using is available as a free PDF download HERE. Read it yourself and make up your own mind.

I’m impressed with how generous Joseph Smith was with spiritual things. At no point did he ever tell anyone, “Don’t bother. Let me do your thinking for you.” And he certainly never said, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.” He was always inviting everyday Mormons to experience what he had experienced. There were no boundaries to spiritual things.

Once he taught:

"Reading the experience of others, or the revelation given to them, can never give us a comprehensive view of our condition and true relation to God. Knowledge of these things can only be obtained by experience through the ordinances of God set forth for that purpose. Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject." (Chapter 36: Receiving the Ordinances and Blessings of the Temple,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007),412–22.)

That is a powerful statement. Joseph Smith says in effect, “You cannot piggyback your way into heaven. You need to stand on your own two feet.”

That is exactly the religion I want. I do not want to be dependent upon some other person. We all know how that goes—sometimes it works out, but people are fallible and imperfect. I would much prefer dealing with God on His own terms, without a mortal mediator or human interference. In this sense, Joseph Smith outdoes Martin Luther.

The great Protestant reformer was on the right track. Yes, you do need to come to God on your own terms, without mortal interference. But Joseph Smith takes it one step further. He says that anything that he as a prophet has seen and experienced can be seen and experienced by even the least member of the church.

He said:

“God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them, for the day must come when no man need say to his neighbor, Know ye the Lord; for all shall know Him … from the least to the greatest [see Jeremiah 31:34].” (“Chapter 22: Gaining Knowledge of Eternal Truths,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007),261–270.)

Of course having an organized church with leadership is necessary. We are not all the way there. But Joseph Smith defies bifurcated pigeonholing. He sets up a church that now has over thirteen million members worldwide. But on the other hand, he teaches that any member can stand on the same ground as him, thus out-Protestanting the Protestants. He was able to balance the big and the small, and not have anyone fall through the cracks.

And the only condition is that spiritually we stand on our own two feet. For me, that is one of the Miracles of Mormonism.

When asked to explain Mormonism in a nutshell, the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote:

“The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.” (“Chapter 3: Jesus Christ, the Divine Redeemer of the World,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007),45–56)

There are two principles at work here. One is rather apparent, but the other is not so obvious.

On the surface, this is just a straightforward assertion of the place Jesus Christ has in Mormonism. Not only is Christ the center of all we do, but He is also the source of all other things. In short, if you are curious why Mormons do something, the answer is “Because of the Atonement.”

Then there is the not-so-obvious principle. This is Joseph Smith himself. Specifically, Joseph Smith’s relationship to Jesus Christ.

Mormons see Joseph Smith as a revealer of Christ. In the world, many people have differing notions about who Christ was. Some people believe that he was just merely a good man with good ideas. Some see him as a political or social revolutionary who was cut down in his prime. Others see him as history’s greatest charlatan.

However, Mormons see Jesus Christ as God’s only begotten Son, as our Savior. Joseph Smith’s mission, then, was to clarify who Christ was, and to reemphasize His role as our Savior. In this sense, Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith are both necessary to understand who Latter-day Saints are.

In fact, the First Presidency of the Mormon Church (the supreme governing council for the worldwide Mormon Church) wrote in 1936:

“Two great truths must be accepted by mankind if they shall save themselves: first, that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Only Begotten, the very Son of God, whose atoning blood and resurrection save us from the physical and spiritual death brought to us by the Fall; and next, that God has again restored to the earth, in these last days, through the Prophet Joseph, His holy Priesthood with the fullness of the everlasting Gospel, for the salvation of all men on the earth.” (Messages of the First Presidency 6:4-5.)

People may agree or disagree with this assessment. But at least we should be clear what the position of the Church of Jesus Christ is in relation to both Christ and to Joseph Smith.

For me, understanding this point—that Joseph Smith is a prophet or a witness of Christ—is the groundwork of all other things. Once I have this foundational understanding in place, then everything else makes sense. I get a sense of order and purpose in my life. I can finally see where I am going, and I can know who I am. And that makes all the difference in the world.