LDS/Mormon Images of Joseph Smith

[LaMar]

Some of that art work is way old. I don’t think there is much of a change there.

As far as respecting those in the past thats been a long standing tradition. There are some folk heroes now and than, but we are a long ways from praying to or asking dead people to pray for us.

For Mormons of our variety, Brigham Young is less a spiritual figure than an icon representing a national liberation movement. Statues of that fellow are certainly venerated, but it’s not like you guys with Mary or Jesus. A better analogy would be a bust of George Washington (Lenin, Ataturk, etc.).

Joseph Smith might be approaching mythical status in many ways. There has long been an underground movement which places him in the position of the third personage in the godhead (the third of the three gods of planet Earth, in other words, and roughly analogous to the Holy Ghost) though this is denounced officially whenever it has come up.

 

[xixxvmcm85]

True comparisons can be tricky, but the founding concepts behind doing work for the dead is so different than what catholics have told me their reasons are for asking the dead to pray for them that the only real connection I can see is the word “dead”

I think the similarity is a little more profound than how you see it. In a very general sense, the LDS and Catholics agree that “work” can be done on behalf of or vicariously through the dead, whereas the Protestants (or at least MOST Protestants) don’t.

The difference arises in exactly what this “work” is.

The LDS believe this “work” relates to ordinances, whereas Catholics do not believe sacraments can be performed for the deceased.

Conversely, Catholics believe this “work” is prayer (both on behalf of, and vicariously through the deceased) however the LDS believe that the dead cannot pray nor can they be prayed for.

 

[teancum79]

I see where you going with this its an idea though I still don’t think they are all that similar.

I don’t know if there is an official LDS statement on the issue, but I personally think the dead can and do pray. It it also my personal belief that they know what to pray for as well or better than I.

but we are getting way of original topic (funny that happens on almost every forum I’ve been to)

 

[PaulDupre]

I find the assumptions of deception and of my lack of history studying offensive.

I’ve read form several accounts and heard a lot of varying stories about how the translation was done. Having not been their myself and having seen first hand and often how people tend to distort information I am not one to run out and claim as truth every story that I come across.

Like that of BoM witness and LDS apostle David Whitmer?

I never said that Joseph did not have the seer stone. I believe I said that the reports of his use of it where circulated more often by those opposing the church.

Like BoM witness David Whitmer?

That he could have used the seer stone for some of it and not others (as one of the stories I ru into suggest) is passable. I was not there.

David Whitmer was.

As to the value of the Book of Mormon if people have an issue with it I suggest they take it up with the Almighty.

I did. He said it’s bogus.

Paul

 

[teancum79]

Like that of BoM witness and LDS apostle David Whitmer?

Like BoM witness David Whitmer?

David Whitmer was.

I did. He said it’s bogus.

Paul

David Whitmer also stood by his statement that the book was valid despite his significant dislike for the church down the road.