Praise to the Man?

Praise to the man, Joseph Smith? Why do Mormons worship a man when they should be worshiping Jesus?

In a closed discussion between myself and a "Jen Johnson" I get this final bid for my repentance. Before she said adieu, I get this final thought from her.

Jen Johnson Praise to the Man is what the song is about. The whole song is a hymn to Smith praising him. I have seen 'Christmas bulletins' with Smith on the cover and all about Smith. I have SEEN them, from a ward in CA I'm not narrow minded, I know the truth. I was where you are and God opened my eyes. It was hard to leave Mormonism, I loved it, but I couldn't live a lie. And LDS place their faith in 'the church' rather than Christ. You must choose between Mormonism and Christ of the Bible. They are not the same. I pray God will open your eyes to the lies of Mormonism. Life is SO much better outside of it and with a personal relationship with Christ - and Mormonism will not give you taht, or salvation> I know you think I am harsh, but I am harsh because I care enough to want you saved and out of Mormonism. I love Mormons enough to tell them the truth, but they are so brainwashed that they only want warm fuzzy feelings and run and hide every time someone challenges their faith in the Mormon church. Been there, done that, read the book, saw the (endowment) movie, wore the garments...and Christ broke those chains. I will pray for you.

First of all, I appreciate the thoughts and prayers that all have made on my behalf and I too, shall pray for you as well. Unfortunately, at the heart of this matter, we need to address this very important consideration. I think that people like Jen have been lied to by folks who will lie because to them, the end justifies the means.

Let's examine the hymn, right now.

Then also we will examine a few quotes that were taken out of context. “27: Praise to the Man,” Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, no. 27

Vigorously

1. Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah! Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer. Blessed to open the last dispensation, Kings shall extol him, and nations revere. [Chorus] Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven! Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain. Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren; Death cannot conquer the hero again.

2. Praise to his mem’ry, he died as a martyr; Honored and blest be his ever great name! Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins, Plead unto heav’n while the earth lauds his fame.

3. Great is his glory and endless his priesthood. Ever and ever the keys he will hold. Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom, Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.

4. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven; Earth must atone for the blood of that man. Wake up the world for the conflict of justice. Millions shall know “Brother Joseph” again. Text: William W. Phelps, 1792–1872

Music: Scottish folk song

Doctrine and Covenants 135, 2 Nephi 3:14–15

So according to some Christians and probably 99% of all ex-mo's (Ex-mormons) they have their grievances with this hymn. They will swear that it is in this hymn, and that Mormons value Joseph Smith over Jesus but please read the words of the hymn? Does anyone derive that he is anything more than the law giver himself?

A servant of the Lord forever... crowned with glory. These are all things that WE MAY do and participate in as we also overcome the world to sit down by our heavenly father's side; clothed with honor to sit on thrones and to inherit all that our heavenly father has!(See Revelations 3:21, 21:7, Romans 8:13-19)

Setting all of this aside, what is the definition of the word, praise?

Praise: 1)the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.

2) the state of being approved or admired: The king lived in praise for many years.

3) to express approval or admiration of; commend; extol.

...Kings shall extol him, and nations revere. It's all about reverence towards and respect to the man, who despite all odds, was able to help God restore the truths regarding this plan of happiness which was prepared from the foundation of the world. Is he NOT worthy of someone's praise or respect seeing that this should all pan out?

Men on earth, certainly get praise. Such political figures, as of late, are being praised for the things that they have done or the things that they may be capable of doing in advance, or before the fact.

I have heard songs of praise directed towards Barrack Obama.

Now, I do not share those same thoughts and I don't sing any praises to that man but about 51% of Americans do. Would some say or have some considered Obama to have been more important than God? I'll let history decide this one but let's return to the matter at hand.

WHO IS PRAISEWORTHY?

I suggest it is someone that is worthy of our praise. See this video representation about earthly praise. Some have called the LDS church, a cult... but in the next sentence, seem to praise and honor other things which have less worth or ought to be worth less of our time and devotion. Enjoy this video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqr_09-Z5fU , ...thank u for taking a moment to watch this video.

Can you see where the world praises the accomplishments of men? Who is deserving of our praise?

If one must praise God only and nothing of men, then do not praise your child that comes home with an A+ on his work.

If a child graduates? No more clapping. This constitutes as "praise" and we ought not to praise men above God.

If a husband gets a promotion at work? (A husband is just a husband, and is not God.

Should we praise a mother for giving birth? Maybe. She is a co-creator with God but it is to give God glory and honor and should not be given to women? Really?

Summary Conclusion

President Gordon B. Hinckley, prior president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made the following statement in 2005 about Joseph Smith:

“We do not worship [Joseph Smith] the Prophet. We worship God our Eternal Father and the risen Lord Jesus Christ. But we acknowledge the Prophet; we proclaim him; we respect him; we reverence him as an instrument in the hands of the Almighty in restoring to the earth the ancient truths of the divine gospel, together with the priesthood through which the authority of God is exercised in the affairs of His Church and for the blessing of His people” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Joseph Smith Jr.—Prophet of God, Mighty Servant,” Ensign, Dec 2005, 2–6).

Joseph Smith is reported as saying: “I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam... Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet.” (History of The Church, 6:408–409. BYU Studies This attitude strikes some as boastful, and unbecoming a prophet.

Summary Conclusion

The quote in which Joseph Smith seems to boast is an interesting one. To understand the issues, we must remember: Public and private statements by Joseph Smith indicate that he was in fact a humble servant of God, and this particular statement should be interpreted in light of that fact. Joseph was using a scriptural passage by Paul, and applying it to his own situation--the idea of "boasting" was Paul's, not Joseph's.

It is not based on Joseph's own writing; it is an account written after his death. It may not be accurate.

Boasting?

The critics' second error is to take Joseph's quote out of context. What was Joseph's intent, and why did he use this approach? As it turns out, he was drawing from the Bible and applying its lessons to his own situation. In the original context, Joseph was facing intense persecution by many people, including some he had previously considered to be his friends. The statement about "boasting" was supposedly made about a month before he was killed. He made it after reading 2 Corinthians 11: to the congregation. Note the following statement by Paul, in this scripture: Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, that I also may boast a little. That which I am speaking, I am not speaking it as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also. For you, being so wise, bear the foolish gladly.

I report, you decide! Bibliography: http://mormon.org/faq/worship-joseph-smith http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/praise?s=t http://en.fairmormon.org/Joseph_Smith/Narcissism/Did_Joseph_Smith_'boast'_of_keeping_the_Church_intact http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=7d0a723ffec20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=198bf4b13819d110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD