Posted on 12/22/2013 8:21:46 AM PST by Colofornian
Over-the-top renditions of Christmas themes applied to Joseph Smith!
The most obvious example was the BYU Joseph Smith Nativity scene in 2005 Joseph Smith Nativity [A Virtual 'Merry Smithmas' 'Greeting Card' circa 2005]
Here are three additional examples of SmithEmphasisMas:
| DATE | 'SMITHEMPHASISMAS' | WHO SAID/PUBLISHED IT/LINK |
| 2011 (Dec. 18) | (1) Headline by church-owned newspaper mentions "co-celebrants'" December birthdays: Joseph Smith gets same billing as Jesus Christ: Deseret News (owned by the Mormon Church): Two December Births to celebrate: Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith; (2) The article starts off so that you would think the writer is talking about Jesus Christ: "Years ago a child was born in an obscure village to poor parents residing in a dwelling they did not own but one that was made available to them through the kindness of others. The child grew to be an extraordinary individual and though he died before his 40th birthday, he transformed the society and world in which he lived." Yet the next graph unveils it's Joseph Smith: "Dec. 23 will mark the 207th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Smith Jr., the prophet of the Restoration. Joseph entered the world on a cold Monday morning in Sharon, Vt., shortly before the close of 1805...Interestingly, Joseph’s circumstances share many parallels with that of the Savior and remind us that Joseph was also a remarkable being." (3) Note that Jesus is reduced to "remarkable being" level – so that Joseph can be properly compared to Him: ..."Joseph was ALSO a remarkable being." (4) And, of course, merry Smithmas! The "cradle" theme is also implemented: "After several business ventures gone bad, Solomon Mack, Joseph’s grandfather, offered Joseph Smith Sr. and family the use of his cabin on Dairy Hill. They gratefully accepted his offer, settled in and there baby Joseph was born...Mother Lucy, most likely still confined to bed, certainly spent most of the day cuddling her sweet baby in her arms, blissfully unaware of the majestic being she lovingly cradled.. | Deseret News (owned by the Mormon Church): Two December Births to celebrate: Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith; for previous response discussion, see also: Two December births to celebrate: Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith [Merry Smithmas Day!] |
| 2005 (Dec. 31) | Lds Church News pronounces: ”Thousands across world offer 'praise to the man'. While the Conference Center stage was still dominated by the Christmas setting of The First Presidency Christmas Devotional and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert, the village church, cottage and flocked evergreens hinted of Joseph Smith's Vermont. A prominent statue of the Prophet on the stage was a constant reminder of the purpose of the evening.” | Lds Church News: Thousands across the world offer ‘praise to the man’ |
| 2005 (December) | Lds Church magazine Ensign returns to the “cradle” theme – one normally reserved for Jesus Christ in December: ”Sharon, Vermont, could rightly be called the cradle of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it was here that Joseph Smith Jr. was born on December 23, 1805. The fifth child of Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith, Joseph Jr. was nurtured and loved as he developed gradually into his role as the Prophet of 'the dispensation of the fulness of times'” | See and A Prophet’s Life: The Cradle—Sharon, Vermont [Mormon Merry Smithmas Day!] |
At its heart is excessive over-devoted discipleship to Joseph Smith himself:
Perhaps Lds "apostle" Bruce R. McConkie gave us the best possible definition of a Joseph Smith disciple:
"Anyone who believes the doctrine, teachings, or philosophy of another and who follows that teacher is his disciple. He stands as a learner, a devotee of the one whose concept he accepts." (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 198, also cited by the Mormon Church in its curriculum study guide – "When Thou Art Converted, Strengthren Thy Brethren: 1974-75" published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church in 1974, p. 134)
Hence, Mormons believe Smith's doctrine, teachings, concepts and philosophy; they are learners – devotees of Smith more properly than Jesus Christ.
For evidence direct from Mormon leaders on this last point, see:
* Last chart of Smith as a "substitute" 'way' in Mormon Tabernacle Choir conductor: 'Praise to the Man'...hymn praises Joseph Smith [Smithmas vanity]
And: * How would YOU score on this 26-question quiz about 'Smithmas?' [Vanity, Part A]
And: * What a Liturgical Order of Smithmas Sacrament Meeting Might look like! [Vanity, Part B]
Over-the-top renditions of Christmas themes applied to Joseph Smith!
The most obvious example was the BYU Joseph Smith Nativity scene in 2005 Joseph Smith Nativity [A Virtual 'Merry Smithmas' 'Greeting Card' circa 2005]
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"Cradle" narratives involving Joseph Smith are then charted.
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From the article:
At its heart is excessive over-devoted discipleship to Joseph Smith himself:
Perhaps Lds "apostle" Bruce R. McConkie gave us the best possible definition of a Joseph Smith disciple:
"Anyone who believes the doctrine, teachings, or philosophy of another and who follows that teacher is his disciple. He stands as a learner, a devotee of the one whose concept he accepts." (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 198, also cited by the Mormon Church in its curriculum study guide – "When Thou Art Converted, Strengthren Thy Brethren: 1974-75" published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church in 1974, p. 134)
Hence, Mormons believe Smith's doctrine, teachings, concepts and philosophy; they are learners – devotees of Smith more properly than Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas Colorfornian to to you and your family. I see you are really in the Christmas spirit today.
(You know the Mormon Church doesn't allow Lds missionaries "home for the holidays". I take days off from my "mission to Mormons"...they don't. So, if you're anti-zeal, then why don't you hit up the Mormon church that's rather famous for that. I actually commend the Mormon church & its missionaries for their zeal. If only Christians and FReepers could "incarnate" their convictions in the public square, hey, we might get somewhere)
At least they are fairly certain that Joseph Smith was actually born in December.
LOL :)
Your fear and hatred is amusing in its futility.
Ditto
Grandson is on mission to Eugene Oregon. Home is Sacramento about a six hour drive. No going home for two years
I find their deification of Joe Smith offensive, as a Christian. I know many others do, too.
It's a Counterfeit Christianity. That's why it draws such a passionate response.
The Bible warns us against False Prophets, does it not? Let's all be mindful of that warning.
“Merry Christmas Colorfornian to to you and your family. I see you are really in the Christmas spirit today”
You don’t have to take any of that Shiz!
;^)
“Your fear and hatred is amusing in its futility.”
Was that posted by a homo-activist? It sure sounds like one of there arguments.
Next: “Mormophobia”!
(Except that three FREEPERs have said they’ve been influenced by the FR threads of “the Flying Inmans” to leave the Mormon Church and join a Christian one...those are simply the ones we know about and God has certainly orchestrated it among many other factors/variables, I’m sure, for others to leave as well...Sorry, but your “futility” comment just shows you’re not as omniscient as you might claim to be)
THX 1138
give it a break
I wish you and your family a merry Christmas(though this is NOT when Jesus was born) and a very blessed new year
The Bible does indeed say there will be false prophets…. and the point is don’t follow them not that you have to shout from the roof top every time you get a hair up your keester
“Merry Christmas Colorfornian to to you and your family. I see you are really in the Christmas spirit today”
Can’t get more Christian than this!
2Co 11:12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
“The Bible does indeed say there will be false prophets…. and the point is don’t follow them not that you have to shout from the roof top every time you get a hair up your keester”
Could have sworn you were singing a different tune before, with your relativism and all. So which is it? Are there false prophets? Or is the Mormon religion equal to Christianity?
(Please note, too, that the Mormon church doesn't give their missionaries a "holiday break")
it is always interesting to me that others want to evaluate my faith based on nothing more than a post or two here at FR. My parents were divorced when I was growing up and my catholic so called friends assured me I was going to hell because of it. My baptist so called friends have assured me that I am going to hell for any of a dozen reasons because my faith isn’t exactly like theirs.
Your comment is of the same category.
“No going home for two years”
Why?
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