Smith’s stuff is garbage and that’s just one little piece of it.
However it is the direct Christ that saves. We often get mud slinging wars between one church denomination and another about how pure your doctrine has to get before Christ will stoop to save you. And that puts the whole spiritual cart before the horse.
First of all, let's finish that sentence of yours: ...it is the direct Christ that saves..."
Well, "saved" from what?
In this way, Mormonism isn't simply "another" Christian denomination...they don't say there are (one denomination among others)...
...and neither do Christians...
...so who would you be to come along and disagree both with Mormons and worldwide Christianity on that matter?
If you say to a Mormon: "You are saved from 'alienation' with Jesus..."
The response might be: "Well, hey...What? We were 'spirit bros' in the pre-existence! What do you mean 'alienated?'"
If you say to a Mormon: "You were saved from being in bondage to sin passed down from Adam to you."
The response might be: "What do you mean? All children are born perfect and stay that way until at least age 8."
If you say to a Mormon: "You were saved from the fear of death."
The response might be: "What's there to fear? Hey, everybody is resurrected and just about all of us go to one of three degrees of glory."
You see, it's kind of ludicrous to start with the "Good News" -- the "Gospel" -- with all Mormons. Because they don't exactly have a very good context of where to apply it other than a few areas...and in these areas, it's not always easy to convince them of their need.
The areas I am referencing include:
* ... freedom from religious ritualism;
* ...freedom from legalism;
* ...freedom from attempting to change God about who you are thru good works & perfectionism.
So, lots of "law" needs to go with the Gospel in approaching most Mormons. They need convincing that We humans need to be saved from...
...our own sin nature,
...sins emitting from our sin nature,
...death,
...the second death -- eternal death,
...the fear of death,
...bondage to Satan,
...darkness,
...this world,
...our own lostness, etc.