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Joseph Smith's witness of Jesus Christ: Difference between revisions

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==Question: Is temple work being performed for victims of the Jewish Holocaust and other prominent people?==
It has been pointed out that baptisms for the dead have been performed in behalf of victims of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocaust ''Shoah''], the Jewish Holocaust, and that these baptisms continue to be performed despite repeated requests from the Jewish community to end the practice and remove all Jewish Holocaust names from the Church's genealogical records used for posthumous baptisms.


It has also been pointed out that baptisms for the dead have been performed for other prominent individuals, including Princess Diana, Albert Einstein, and Adolf Hitler.<ref>Jordan Teicher and Richa Naik, [https://www.businessinsider.com/here-are-10-people-posthumously-baptized-by-mormons-2012-3 "Here Are 10 Famous People Posthumously Baptized By Mormons,"] ''Business Insider'', 2 Mar 2012 (accessed 7 Nov 2023).</ref>


These ordinances are performed contrary to Church policy. "Generally, Church members should not submit names to FamilySearch.org from the following groups:
{{Header}}
* Famous people
* Names gathered from unapproved extraction projects
* Jewish Holocaust victims"<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/28?lang=eng#title_number17 "28.1.1.2 Submitting the Names of Celebrities and Unauthorized Groups,"] ''General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'' (accessed 7 Nov 2023).</ref>


Exceptions are allowed if:
Joseph Smith has been the greatest witness of Jesus Christ in these days. His greatest desire was to bring people to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. "As the Prophet of the Restoration, one of Joseph Smith’s most important roles was to testify of Jesus Christ."<ref>Introduction to [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-3?lang=eng "Chapter 3: Jesus Christ, the Divine Redeemer of the World,"] ''Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith'' (2011).</ref> President Joseph Fielding Smith explained:
* "You are an immediate family member of the deceased (parent, spouse, child, or sibling).
<blockquote>
* You have permission from all living immediate family members.
We link the names of Jesus Christ and of Joseph Smith. Christ is the Lord; he worked out the atoning sacrifice; he is the resurrection and the life; through him all men are raised in immortality, while those who believe and obey his laws shall also gain eternal life. Joseph Smith was a prophet, called in these last days to receive by revelation the saving truths of the gospel and to stand as a legal administrator, having power from on high, to administer the ordinances of the gospel. . . .  
* If no immediate family members are alive, you have permission from the closest living relative."<ref>[https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/can-i-do-temple-work-for-victims-of-the-jewish-holocaust "Can I do temple work for victims of the Jewish Holocaust?"] ''FamilySearch.org'', 25 Sep 2023 (accessed 7 Nov 2023; requires a FamilySearch account to view).</ref>
 
Some Church members choose to ignore this policy and perform vicarious ordinances for these individuals. "When the church is made aware of documented concerns, action is taken" to remove those ordinances from Church records.<ref>D. Todd Christofferson, in Ian Urbina, [https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/21/nyregion/again-jews-fault-mormons-over-posthumous-baptisms.html "Again, Jews Fault Mormons Over Posthumous Baptisms,"] ''The New York Times'', 21 Dec 2003 (accessed 7 Nov 2023).</ref>
 
While work toward the complete removal of all Holocaust victims' names from the Church's database continues, controversy and frustration may well continue to surface. It is important to remember that progress has been made, and that as temple approval safeguards become more sophisticated, one can hope that misguided individuals will be much less able to violate the agreement.


Those of the Jewish faith are to be commended for the spirit of dialogue and cooperation in which they have approached this matter, and their willingness to work with the Church to solve it.
Since the beginning of this dispensation, the testimony of Jesus, as revealed to Joseph Smith, has been preached . . . Joseph Smith is the revealer of the knowledge of Christ and of salvation to the world for this day and generation.<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-joseph-fielding-smith/chapter-7-joseph-and-hyrum-smith-witnesses-for-christ?lang=eng "Chapter 7: Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Witnesses for Christ,"] ''Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith'' (2013).</ref>
 
There have also been some moving expressions of friendship between Mormons and Jews; some Jewish authors have pointed out that belief and theology matter much less than behavior and brotherhood, and on this score Mormon-Jewish relations have always been excellent.<ref>Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, "[http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,575040245,00.html The Mormons are Jews' brothers]," ''Deseret Morning News'' (30 December 2003). </ref>
 
===History of the practice===
In 1995&mdash;after it was learned that a substantial number of Holocaust victims were listed in the Church's temple records as having been baptized&mdash;an agreement was signed between the Church and leading Jewish authorities which officially ended baptizing Jewish Holocaust victims posthumously.
 
Controversy over the matter flared again in 2002 when it was found that there was still thousands of Holocaust victims’ names in the Church's records.  The Church responded by re-enforcing its policy for temple work, which requires that members only perform proxy baptisms for ancestors to whom they can demonstrate a familial link.  Furthermore, the Church established a committee with Jewish leaders to investigate why the names of Holocaust victims remained in the database.
 
More concern was expressed in 2006, when it was discovered that there were still many Holocaust victims' names in the database.
 
===Mistakes in the database===
Despite critics' claims, fingers should not be pointed at the institutional Church in this instance.  Instead, the fault lies with a few misguided members, who took active steps to circumvent the Church’s policies:
 
<blockquote>
Gary Mokotoff [...] who will head the Jewish side of the joint commission, said that individual church members had managed to circumvent the current monitoring process by misspelling names.  "There's guaranteed to be a trickle going through the screen," he said, "but it's been very embarrassing for the Mormons."  Mike Otterson, director of media relations for the church, told the Post that the church was working on creating a mechanism to prevent "overzealous members" from violating the agreement.<ref>Jerusalem Post, "[https://secure.pqarchiver.com/jpost/access/823852711.html?dids=823852711:823852711&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Apr+15%2C+2005&author=SAM+SER&pub=Jerusalem+Post&desc=Jews+and+Mormons+tackle+%27proxy+baptism%27+controversy.+Huge+numbers+of+Holocaust+victims+are+in+church%27s+baptism+database Jews and Mormons tackle 'proxy baptism' controversy]," ''jpost.com'' (accessed 2 June 2006).</ref>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


===Counsel of LDS leaders===
==Seeing Jesus Christ==
Church general authorities have asked members to concentrate on completing the work for their own ancestors. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve taught:
Joseph Smith saw Christ on at least 10 occasions:<ref>See Alexander L. Baugh, [https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-chapters/seventy-six-accounts-of-joseph-smiths-visionary-experiences/ "Seventy-six Accounts of Joseph Smith’s Visionary Experiences,"] in ''Opening the Heavens: Accounts of Divine Manifestations, 1820–1844 (Second Edition)'' (BYU Studies).</ref>
*'''Spring 1820:''' [[Joseph Smith's First Vision]]
*'''4 June 1831:''' During a meeting in a schoolhouse, Joseph "stepped out on the floor and said, 'I now see God, and Jesus Christ at his right hand.'"<ref>Baugh, "Seventy-six Accounts."</ref>
*'''Sometime in 1831:''' During a meeting at the Isaac Morley farm, Joseph paused for several minutes while speaking then said, "the Savior has been here this night and I want to tell you to remember it. There is a vail over your eyes for you could not endure to look upon Him."<ref>Baugh, "Seventy-six Accounts."</ref>
*'''16 February 1832:''' Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon "beheld the glory of the son on the right of the Father . . . and now after the many testamonies which have been given of him this is the testamony last of all which we give of him that he lives for we saw him, even on the right hand of God."<ref>[https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/vision-16-february-1832-dc-76/2 "Vision, 16 February 1832 (D&C 76),"] josephsmithpapers.org.</ref>
*'''18 March 1833:''' During a meeting of the School of the Prophets, "a personage walked through the room from East to west, and Joseph asked if we saw him. I saw him and suppose the others did, and Joseph answered that is Jesus, the Son of God, our elder brother. Afterward Joseph told us to resume our former position in prayer, which we did. Another person came through; He was surrounded as with a flame of fire," who Joseph identified as "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."<ref>Baugh, "Seventy-six Accounts."</ref>
*'''21 January 1836:''' During a meeting in the Kirtland Temple, Joseph "beheld the celestial kingdom of God . . . also the blasing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son." He also saw "the 12, apostles of the Lamb, who are now upon the earth who hold the keys of this last ministry, in foreign lands, standing together in a circle much fatiegued, with their clothes tattered and feet swolen, with their eyes cast downward, and Jesus <​standing​> in their midst<ref>Entry for 21 January 1836, in [https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/journal-1835-1836/137 Journal, 1835–1836], josephsmithpapers.org.</ref>
*'''Likely 18 December 1833:''' Joseph "saw Adam in the valley of Ah-dam ondi-ahman— he called together his children & blessed them with a Patriarchal blessing. The Lord appeared in their midst."<ref>[https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/discourse-between-circa-26-june-and-circa-4-august-1839-a-as-reported-by-willard-richards/3 "Discourse, between circa 26 June and circa 4 August 1839–A, as Reported by Willard Richards,"] josephsmithpapers.org. This vision likely occurred on 18 December 1833 during a blessing meeting. See Baugh, "Seventy-six Accounts."</ref>
*'''27 March 1836:''' Joseph saw Christ attend the dedication of the Kirtland Temple.<ref>See Baugh, "Seventy-six Accounts."</ref>
*'''30 March 1836:''' "The Prophet Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Roger Orton enveloped in the light: Joseph exclaimed aloud, 'I behold the Savior, the Son of God.'<ref>See Baugh, "Seventy-six Accounts."</ref>
*'''3 April 1836:''' During worship services in the Kirtland Temple, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery went to a private location to pray. "The vail was taken from their minds and the eyes of their understandings were opened. They saw the Lord standing upon the breast work of the pulpit before them . . . and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the Voice of Jehovah, saying, I am the first and the last. I am he who liveth. I am he who was slain. I am your Advocate with the Father."<ref>[https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/visions-3-april-1836-dc-110/1 "Visions, 3 April 1836 (D&C 110),"] josephsmithpapers.org.</ref>


<blockquote>
==Testifying of Jesus Christ==
Here, on this side of the veil, there are limitations of available time and temples. This means that choosing to identify and perform ordinances for our own kindred should receive our highest priority. The Spirit of Elijah will inspire individual members of the Church to link their generations, rather than submit lists of people or popular personalities to whom they are unrelated. Now, we are mindful of those not of our faith who are concerned about or even offended by the practice of temple ordinances for the dead. To them we say, our Heavenly Father directed the restoration of keys of priesthood authority and surely intended no offense to any of His children. Quite to the contrary. He intended to bless them. This doctrine and its ordinances are laden with love and are intended to perpetuate the sweetest of all relationships &mdash; in families forever.
Joseph Smith frequently testified of Jesus Christ and of His role as our Savior and Redeemer. Here are just a few of Joseph Smith's teachings on this subject:<ref>[https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-3?lang=eng "Chapter 3: Jesus Christ, the Divine Redeemer of the World,"] ''Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith'' (2011).
*"Salvation could not come to the world without the mediation of Jesus Christ."
*"The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven."
*"Christ Himself has assuredly risen from the dead; and if He has risen from the dead, He will, by His power, bring all men to stand before Him."
*"I believe in the Divinity of Jesus Christ, and that He died for the sins of all men, who in Adam had fallen."


Nevertheless, the Church is sensitive to these concerns. The First Presidency has asked that, as far as possible, individual rights of privacy be protected. In 1972, they wrote, "Persons submitting names for other than direct ancestors [should] have obtained approval from the closest living relative of the deceased before submitting records of persons born within the last ninety-five years." In addition, reminders of rights of precedence and privacy appear each time our computer programs are used.<ref>{{Ensign1|author=Russell M. Nelson|article=[https://www.lds.org/ensign/1994/11/the-spirit-of-elijah The Spirit Of Elijah]|date=November 1994|start=84}}</ref>
</blockquote>
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{{endnotes sources}}
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[[es:Pregunta: ¿Se está realizando el trabajo del templo para las víctimas del Holocausto judío?]]
[[Category:One Nation Under Gods]]

Latest revision as of 02:58, 13 April 2024
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Joseph Smith's witness of Jesus Christ

Joseph Smith has been the greatest witness of Jesus Christ in these days. His greatest desire was to bring people to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. "As the Prophet of the Restoration, one of Joseph Smith’s most important roles was to testify of Jesus Christ."[1] President Joseph Fielding Smith explained:

We link the names of Jesus Christ and of Joseph Smith. Christ is the Lord; he worked out the atoning sacrifice; he is the resurrection and the life; through him all men are raised in immortality, while those who believe and obey his laws shall also gain eternal life. Joseph Smith was a prophet, called in these last days to receive by revelation the saving truths of the gospel and to stand as a legal administrator, having power from on high, to administer the ordinances of the gospel. . . .

Since the beginning of this dispensation, the testimony of Jesus, as revealed to Joseph Smith, has been preached . . . Joseph Smith is the revealer of the knowledge of Christ and of salvation to the world for this day and generation.[2]

Seeing Jesus Christ

Joseph Smith saw Christ on at least 10 occasions:[3]

  • Spring 1820: Joseph Smith's First Vision
  • 4 June 1831: During a meeting in a schoolhouse, Joseph "stepped out on the floor and said, 'I now see God, and Jesus Christ at his right hand.'"[4]
  • Sometime in 1831: During a meeting at the Isaac Morley farm, Joseph paused for several minutes while speaking then said, "the Savior has been here this night and I want to tell you to remember it. There is a vail over your eyes for you could not endure to look upon Him."[5]
  • 16 February 1832: Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon "beheld the glory of the son on the right of the Father . . . and now after the many testamonies which have been given of him this is the testamony last of all which we give of him that he lives for we saw him, even on the right hand of God."[6]
  • 18 March 1833: During a meeting of the School of the Prophets, "a personage walked through the room from East to west, and Joseph asked if we saw him. I saw him and suppose the others did, and Joseph answered that is Jesus, the Son of God, our elder brother. Afterward Joseph told us to resume our former position in prayer, which we did. Another person came through; He was surrounded as with a flame of fire," who Joseph identified as "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."[7]
  • 21 January 1836: During a meeting in the Kirtland Temple, Joseph "beheld the celestial kingdom of God . . . also the blasing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son." He also saw "the 12, apostles of the Lamb, who are now upon the earth who hold the keys of this last ministry, in foreign lands, standing together in a circle much fatiegued, with their clothes tattered and feet swolen, with their eyes cast downward, and Jesus <​standing​> in their midst[8]
  • Likely 18 December 1833: Joseph "saw Adam in the valley of Ah-dam ondi-ahman— he called together his children & blessed them with a Patriarchal blessing. The Lord appeared in their midst."[9]
  • 27 March 1836: Joseph saw Christ attend the dedication of the Kirtland Temple.[10]
  • 30 March 1836: "The Prophet Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Roger Orton enveloped in the light: Joseph exclaimed aloud, 'I behold the Savior, the Son of God.'[11]
  • 3 April 1836: During worship services in the Kirtland Temple, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery went to a private location to pray. "The vail was taken from their minds and the eyes of their understandings were opened. They saw the Lord standing upon the breast work of the pulpit before them . . . and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the Voice of Jehovah, saying, I am the first and the last. I am he who liveth. I am he who was slain. I am your Advocate with the Father."[12]

Testifying of Jesus Christ

Joseph Smith frequently testified of Jesus Christ and of His role as our Savior and Redeemer. Here are just a few of Joseph Smith's teachings on this subject:<ref>"Chapter 3: Jesus Christ, the Divine Redeemer of the World," Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011).

  • "Salvation could not come to the world without the mediation of Jesus Christ."
  • "The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven."
  • "Christ Himself has assuredly risen from the dead; and if He has risen from the dead, He will, by His power, bring all men to stand before Him."
  • "I believe in the Divinity of Jesus Christ, and that He died for the sins of all men, who in Adam had fallen."


Notes

  1. ↑ Introduction to "Chapter 3: Jesus Christ, the Divine Redeemer of the World," Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011).
  2. ↑ "Chapter 7: Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Witnesses for Christ," Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith (2013).
  3. ↑ See Alexander L. Baugh, "Seventy-six Accounts of Joseph Smith’s Visionary Experiences," in Opening the Heavens: Accounts of Divine Manifestations, 1820–1844 (Second Edition) (BYU Studies).
  4. ↑ Baugh, "Seventy-six Accounts."
  5. ↑ Baugh, "Seventy-six Accounts."
  6. ↑ "Vision, 16 February 1832 (D&C 76)," josephsmithpapers.org.
  7. ↑ Baugh, "Seventy-six Accounts."
  8. ↑ Entry for 21 January 1836, in Journal, 1835–1836, josephsmithpapers.org.
  9. ↑ "Discourse, between circa 26 June and circa 4 August 1839–A, as Reported by Willard Richards," josephsmithpapers.org. This vision likely occurred on 18 December 1833 during a blessing meeting. See Baugh, "Seventy-six Accounts."
  10. ↑ See Baugh, "Seventy-six Accounts."
  11. ↑ See Baugh, "Seventy-six Accounts."
  12. ↑ "Visions, 3 April 1836 (D&C 110)," josephsmithpapers.org.
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