Originally Posted by
Apologette
I posted this elsewhere and wanted to share it here as well:
This I found interesting (or I should say, sickening):
Mormon Church Sunday meetings often emphasize Smith instead of Jesus even during Christmas
"During PEC [Mormon local leadership meeting] the next Sunday, the bishop brought up the Christmas program
and said he wanted to change to focus of it just a little. Based on the
look on the two counselors faces, I could tell they already knew the
outcome and I could tell which counselor was going to get his way. The
bishop said that he still wanted the choir to perform their normal
repertoire of Christmas hymns but that he wanted the main speaker to take a
different approach to Christmas. He wanted the usual presentation by the
ward choir-which is great because my ward has a talented choir director and
she always presents a great Christmas program. But then he stated that he
wanted the main speaker to talk about Joseph Smith and the wonderful
contribution he made to humanity."
Ron, the bishop and his counselor's desire to honor Smith rather than
Christ during the Christmas season at least has some precedent from a
high-ranking Mormon leader. Gordon B. Hinckley's December 1997 First
Presidency Message in the "Ensign" magazine followed along the same lines:
First Presidency Message
A Season for Gra***ude
By President Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Season for Gra***ude,” Ensign, Dec. 1997, 2
This is a season for giving and a time for gra***ude. We remember with
appreciation the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith, which is celebrated this
same month of December, two days before Christmas.
How great indeed is our debt to him. His life began in Vermont and ended in
Illinois, and marvelous were the things that happened between that simple
beginning and tragic ending. It was he who brought us a true knowledge of
God, the Eternal Father, and His Risen Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. During the
short time of his great vision he learned more concerning the nature of Deity
than all of those who through centuries had argued the matter in learned
councils and scholarly forums. He brought us the marvelous Book of Mormon as
another witness for the living reality of the Son of God. To him, from those
who held it anciently, came the priesthood, the power, the gift, the
authority, the keys to speak and act in the name of God. He gave us the
organization of the Church and its great and sacred mission. Through him were
restored the keys of the holy temples, that men and women might enter into
eternal covenants with God and that the great work for the dead might be
accomplished to open the way for eternal blessings.
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. (“Praise to the Man,” Hymns, no. 27)
He was the instrument in the hands of the Almighty. He was the servant acting
under the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ in bringing to p*** this great
latter-day work.
We stand in reverence before him. He is the great prophet of this
dispensation. He stands at the head of this great and mighty work which is
spreading across the earth. He is our prophet, our revelator, our seer, our
friend. Let us not forget him. Let not his memory be forgotten in the
celebration of Christmas. God be thanked for the Prophet Joseph."
So, at least we know that the at***ude of the bishop and his counselor is
shared by Gordon B. Hinckley.
Randy J." (source, ex-Mormon org)
Is Joseph Smith the Reason for the Season?????
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