If this doesnt mean that Joseph Smith is the way to be with God, what does it say?
President Brigham Young uttered this bold statement: “Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation, and is now engaged behind the vail in the great work of the last days. I can tell our beloved brother Christians … that no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are—I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent. He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation—the keys to rule in the spirit world; and he rules there triumphantly, for he gained full power and a
2006-09-27
04:54:54
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16 answers
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asked by
Miss Vicki
4
in
Society & Culture
➔ Religion & Spirituality
Ihttp://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1994.htm/ensign%20june%201994.htm/joseph%20smith%20among%20the%20prophets.htm?fn=document-frame.htm$f=templates$3.0
2006-09-27
04:55:04 ·
update #1
I am not a Morman, nor am I converting... I was challanged on this and so wanted to post it.
2006-09-27
05:01:02 ·
update #2
I repeat - I am NOT Mormon.
I am awaiting the Mormons who challanged me to answer....
2006-09-27
05:15:07 ·
update #3
This is what I believe it means:
A person must have a testimony of what Jospeh Smith did for the church, the gospel and for us. Because if you look at it this way, we believe you must have certain ordinances performed and steps you must take...all of which are only practiced in the Mormon church. You could not be a member of the church if you did not believe in the Book of Mormon or have a testimony of it and how it was translated. I guess you could, technically, be a member but never faithful, the person would eventually stop going.
That does not mean we do not believe Christ is the only way to eternal life, we know he is, but esentially without a testimony of Jospeh Smith (thus enabling you to be a faithful latter-day saint, make the convenants and ordinances necessary for eternal exhaltation) you will not make it to the Celestial Kingdom, where God the Father and Christ will dwell for all eternity.
That is the best way I can describe it, hopefully it makes sense to you...
2006-09-27 07:45:25
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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It's purported that Jesus of Nazareth said, "I am the way, the truth and the light, and no man comes to the father but by me." Based on the quote you've presented, it certainly appears that Brigham Young wanted to elevate Joseph Smith to the same status as Jesus.
One must wonder if Brigham Young was motivated by the desire for power. The statement made above would have empowered Joseph Smith in the minds of the listeners, which might have been a clever way for Brigham Young to indirectly empower himself. And history has taught us that most religions are very much about power, so this is not at all a far-fetched idea.
The two most logical ways to evaluate a religion, in my opinion, are: (1) by reading the texts and evaluating them for logical consistency, validity, and truthfulness, and (2) looking at the results of the religion (e.g. "What does history teach us about the Mormons?" or if you know quite a few Mormons, "What characteristics do I notice to be more prominent in Mormons than in the general public?).
I have noticed, for example, that the few Mormons I've known do seem to have very strong family units. I find that refreshing in a world where family is not valued, and I personally believe it should be one of the most important focuses of any healthy religion.
Of course, there is a more indirect way to evaluate a religion, which is, as you are doing here, to evaluate the beliefs of its religious leaders. If Brigham Young believed that people must go through Joseph Smith to get to heaven, the only way for that to be logically consistent with the idea that they must also go through Jesus to get to heaven would be for Joseph Smith to sit below Jesus so that people must somehow go through both. That wouldn't make much sense to me. Why have two consecutive doors to one room? What if someone got stuck between the two, hehe. And if they couldn't get stuck between the two, what would be the point of having two?
I am neither Mormon nor Christian. I am an open-minded person who can therefore have no emotional bias concerning what I will believe. Whatever makes sense is what I will believe, and that changes as I gain knowledge by reading and reflecting. I do know that Jesus claimed religion should be progressive (as I just mentioned) rather than, as most think, conservative. This is the only possible reason for his statement that he did not come to bring peace ... and to turn son against father and daughter against mother.... The idea he was trying to further, I believe, is that religion, like science, must improve from generation to generation even though the former generations usually want us to believe exactly as have they (a form of self-preservation). In light of new information and inquiries, religion must become more enlightened. Jesus made clear that he did not want for people to believe exactly the same things from generation to generation -- there is no progress in that, and there will obviously never be a generation that knows everything, so what would be the point of it?
I commend your open-mindedness. It's refreshing to see in such a closed-minded, emotionally biased world. And good luck with your inquiries. I hope this has helped.
2006-09-27 12:36:48
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answer #2
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answered by Jim_Bob_Waye 2
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Well, I would interpret that to mean that Brigham Young thought Joseph Smith was the way to be with God.
I don't share that belief, however.
2006-09-27 11:57:09
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answer #3
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answered by GreenEyedLilo 7
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I think you know what it means. Brigham Young believed the only way to God and eternal salvation was through Joesph Smith. He is obviously wrong, the only way to God and eternal salvation is through Jesus Christ who died for our sins. Joseph Smith was but a mere man who brainwashed a few people it seems.
2006-09-27 12:04:24
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answer #4
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answered by Annie Red Head 3
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It is amazing how many people a locked in asylums yet so many mad people are running the streets.
First they tell me Jesus is the only way to God. Now they say Joseph. What next?
2006-09-27 12:50:51
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answer #5
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answered by Osunwole Adeoyin 5
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Look there are so many different kinds of religion out there each one says there the main one. We have the one that kills people in the name of religion, another one has so much money and gold but yet there are starving kids all over the world. I do believe but I don't have to join a church to do it.
2006-09-27 12:20:44
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answer #6
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answered by robert d 4
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"President Brigham Young uttered this bold statement" means that a man said this thing. Men are fallible.
2006-09-27 12:17:08
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answer #7
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answered by MishMash [I am not one of your fans] 7
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Was President Brigham Young a successor to Peter? If he was, then this must be a True statement of faith. If not, it is just his opinion.
God Bless,
MoP
2006-09-27 12:09:18
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answer #8
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answered by ManOfPhysics 3
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seems as though from reading this Joseph Smith was placed on the same level as JESUS and would also be the person considered to be the same as JESUS CHRIST come Judgment Day.
2006-09-27 12:08:02
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answer #9
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answered by Marvin R 7
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Oh sweetpea, please get out of that religion. You know the only way is through Jesus Christ, not a regular man. Please read the verses below for proof!
Mt 4:10
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Mt 24:4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.
Mt 24:24
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect
Joh 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
AND PLEASE READ THIS ONE!!!!!
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2006-09-27 12:09:18
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answer #10
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answered by Donnalah 2
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