2007-11-09 00:27:36 · 9 answers · asked by Digital Age 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Joseph Smith is the prophet that Christ restored His church through, so that the fulness of the everlasting gospel is once again upon the earth. He translated the book of Mormon through the power of God. All the keys and authority of God's kingdom have also been restored through Joseph Smith. Now there is a living prophet on the earth again. It is now Gordon B. Hinckley. And Christ's church will never again be taken from the earth. That's just for starters.
2007-11-09 00:37:27 · answer #1 · answered by plastik punk -Bottom Contributor 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes, why would you go to an "anti-Mormon" site to find out about "Mormons?" Why not go to the site that all LDS people go to to study and read the latest news and messages from the church if you want to know more?
Oh, I guess you DON'T want to know more! You want to try to reiterate what you have already made up in your mind, is that right?
As for what Joseph Smith's role is. Well, as much as I enjoy reading the Book of Mormon, and have a testimony as to it's truth, and more or less knew about the difficulties it took to translate, I didn't really stop to really think about Joseph Smith all that much--he was "just" a prophet to me, like any prophet in the Bible, as one person has already said. I knew his life was difficult b/c of what he testified to, but I guess you don't really put yourself in another person's shoes.
While traveling across the country, I stopped in Nauvoo Illinois to see the restored temple and to look at Joseph Smith's home. I also went to see Carthage Jail, where he was killed by people who thought the were doing the world a favor by murdering a man who had never commited any crime.
It was then that I truly began to appreciate Joseph Smith. I knew that because he had the faith to search the Bible for answers, and the faith to pray to Heavenly Father for answers, that a miracle of unimaginable magnitude occurred. Would I have had that same kind of faith to ask of God and expect a real and verbal answer? Probably not--I have to admit. Would I have had the kind of strength it would have taken to stand by what I had seen and heard in the face of being mocked and harassed by people? No, not at all. I struggle with that a lot, in fact. When people challenge me about my beliefs, I hate to admit that I try to end the conversation--b/c I hate to hear what is so important to me being mocked, but mostly because I don't have the self-esteem it takes to be confronted.
Joseph Smith gave his life for what he believed. How many people would do that? Not many. That's why I am grateful to him.
2007-11-09 14:03:06 · answer #2 · answered by colebolegooglygooglyhammerhead 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm curious as to why the first two responders would answer a question like this, other than to spread their ill-will towards LDS people?
Joseph Smith is the the prophet of the restoration of the true church of Jesus Christ in these latter days. His "fruits" are The Book of Mormon and the LDS people. Those who know these things (really know them, not just what people have said about them) know that these "fruits" are good. He was a true prophet of God.
2007-11-09 08:37:14 · answer #3 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Joseph Smith the Prophet was called personly by God the Father, and His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ 6 Apr 1820 at the tender age of 14.
To bring back all that had been lost during the black ages.
So to that we have all the ordinances, and the authority to operate as His Church on this earth.
He the Lord Jesus Christ said: All Other faith is not accepted by me, because they are the creations of men with special interest groups.
2007-11-09 08:50:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
First of all, is it really fair to count latterdaysaints.com, an anti mormon site, in a question about Mormon Doctrine? Try www.lds.org, the church's offical site, instead.
Joseph Smith was a prophet who translated the Book of Mormon, which we consider to be holy scripture.
2007-11-09 08:34:21 · answer #5 · answered by Madama Butterfly 4 · 9⤊ 0⤋
He restored the Church and the Priesthood. He brought us a deeper understanding of the nature of God. Each year we study the teachings of a different prophet. Next year it will be Joseph Smith. I look forward to a better knowledge of him.
2007-11-09 10:47:22 · answer #6 · answered by Isolde 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He was the Prophet of the restoration; which was a unique calling in earth's history. It's really his calling that has an important role for me. I don't really care much about his personality or other individual traits, just like I don't care that Moses had some speech difficulties, I just care that Moses was Prophet and did what he was called to do.
2007-11-09 11:54:50 · answer #7 · answered by daisyk 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not much, I'm afraid. I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon, and I know that He was the prophet who established the church, but apart from that I don't think much about him.
2007-11-09 09:18:54 · answer #8 · answered by sunnyannie 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
go to latterdaysaints.com
you can read the writings of the founders
you will be shocked
2007-11-09 08:30:47 · answer #9 · answered by jesussaves 7 · 1⤊ 8⤋