How is Joseph Smith Viewed?

[LeKook]

Ok. Hot button topic I get it. It’s the player against the stadium here. We can all make good points and convince ourselves our theories are true all day long. This only causes contention and an argumentative environment which as I mentioned before I do not wish to be a part of. The reality is that just because someone believes something does not make it true. I guess I ether choose to believe in and praise Joseph Smith or not. It seems like If Joseph did not see God and Jesus then a large majority of the LDS belief system would be false. If he did then it is all true. 50/50 question. What should I believe would be my next question. This question I will have to answer for myself.

Now, now, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Try looking at it by focusing on answering a few questions.

1. How is it possible for someone with a limited education to write (much less translate) an entire archive of scripture from another language?

2. Why would someone devote their entire life, and die for, something that was "made up"?

3. Why, up to the end of their lives, would the men who also saw the actual gold plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated continue to assert that they in fact had seen them?

Those are just a few questions you can ask and research the answers for yourself. I'm just suggesting you formulate your own questions and don't let incidentals like people worshiping Joseph Smith (which is something that isn't done) weaken your resolve to investigate.

Dig in, give your investigation time, in other words. There are a lot of weird anti-Mormon claims out there. Listen to those who have a real testimony of the change in their lives because they believe first. That's where you'll get the honest truth. All that anti-stuff is just people's way of trying to get revenge. Chances are, if they've left the church, they never were wholehearted in their convictions in the first place.

Just sayin'.

[Blackmarch]

Question:

Please explain to me how Joseph Smith is viewed in the church.

The feeling driving my question:

Please note that I understand he is one of the founders of the church and he is believed to be a prophet and revelator. I have also read allot of literature regarding him and the church history. Here is my area of concern: I refuse to hold any man in reverence or praise before God. Everyone LDS I have talked to about this said “We do not hold him in reverence or pray to him but that we are thankful”. My eyes can not help but see this differently. For example there are 2 pictures on the way in the church of Joseph. There are also pictures of Christ hung in the same manner right along with Joseph. Maybe I am wrong but technically the second commandment speaks against both. In addition when we attended sacrament one day I could not help but notice that Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon were mentioned much more than Jesus and the Bible. To me that seems like offering reverence or even praise (especially in Sunday services to our lord who seemed to not be the main focus of discussion) I find that Joseph Smith is referred to quite often in the church which to me seems reverent and praiseful. Why are other revelators of the Bible not mentioned and given thanks if it is the scriptures we are thankful for? Does God not want our full focus on him and his son? Any ideas? Is my logic flawed here?

Hes viewed as a great servant of god.. Somewhat similar to what peter or abraham, or moses would be.

Yes we focus on god and his son but its just a tad difficult to teach about them, and what they have given man without referencing their servants, orvthe role the servants play.