I have attended two LDS services - one of my friends is a Mormon. I always read about how they talk about JS more than Christ. Both times combined I have heard Smith's name twice. Christ's name was heard repeatedly. There was one small unframed pic of Smith in the church while pictures of Jesus were everywhere. I did not sense more of a reference for Smith than Christ.
Having said that, I agree the Mormons rely heavily on emotion. I don't see how anybody can buy into the church, especially with all of the archaeological evidence stacked against the Book of Mormon. However, I know for a fact they do not worship Smith. He is seen as the greatest prophet, but nothing more.
I do not doubt that there has been more emphasis on Christ since I left in the last century. The LDS church has received a lot of criticism for their lack of emphasis on Christ; therefore, changes have been made. But one fact remains: LDS insist that believing in Joseph Smith and their modern day church leaders is a requirement for eternal life.
Interview Questions for Recommends to Enter a Temple
3. Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?
4. Do you sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and as the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys? Do you sustain members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators? Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local authorities of the Church?
In addition to being married in the temple, what must we do to ensure that we will be together in the celestial kingdom? (Live worthy lives, keep the commandments of Heavenly Father, and endure to the end.)...
Read John 14:2. Explain that each family is a unit and can inherit a place or mansion in Heavenly Father’s kingdom.
“Youth should begin today to so order their lives that they will be found worthy at the proper time to go to the House of the Lord and be uplifted and sanctified by the temple ceremony” (Harold B. Lee, “Enter a Holy Temple,” Improvement Era, June 1967, p. 144).
Young Women Manual 2 Lesson 15: Temple Marriage
Our greatest safety is, and always has been, to strictly follow the word of the Lord through his prophets—most importantly, the Lord’s living prophet. The Lord has said,
“Wherefore…thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory.” 7
If we will listen to and follow the counsel of living prophets and apostles, we will not go astray, 8 and we will be protected from the judgments that will be unleashed upon the wicked before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
The Living Prophet--We must follow God's Prophet on Earth
"Almost invariably, we find that the greatest criticism of Church leaders and doctrine comes from those who are not doing their full duty, following the leaders, or living according to the teachings of the gospel”
N. Eldon Tanner, "Judge Not, That Ye Be Not Judged," Ensign, July 1972, p. 35
“We have been promised that the President of the Church will receive guidance for all of us as the revelator for the Church. Our safety lies in paying heed to that which he says and following his counsel”
James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “Continuous Revelation,” Ensign, Nov. 1989, p. 10
LDS Hymn #27: Praise to the Man
1) Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah! Jesus annointed 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 memory, he died as a martyr; Honored and blest be his ever great name!
Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins, Plead unto heaven 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.
"NO SALVATION WITHOUT ACCEPTING JOSEPH SMITH. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God"
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190
if you haven't heard of him before, you might wanna check this guy out. Shawn McCraney at hotm.tv. pretty good guy and was LDS most of his life and was born again 4 years before he left the church. his show comes on at 8pm MST tuesdays and broadcasts in SLC and Boise ID, or you can watch it streaming on the website. and its a call in show so if you wanted to ask questions the last 30min he takes phone calls.
