Question: Is it unchristian to have hymns honoring Joseph Smith?

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Criticism

Critics claim that it is un-Christian to have hymns honoring Joseph Smith

Response

Hymns and other memorials to fallen leaders or faithful Christians was not an unheard of practice in the early Christian church. In fact it was quite common.

The Apostolic Constitutions reads: “Sing for the martyrs that have fallen asleep, and for all the saints from the beginning of the world–as well as for your brothers who are asleep in the Lord.” ^[1]

Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage wrote: “Take note of their days on which [the martyrs] depart, so that we may celebrate their commemoration among the memorials of the martyrs...There are celebrated here by us oblations and sacrifices for their commemorations.” ^[2]

“Let [the slaves] rest on the day of the first martyr Stephen and of the other holy martyrs who preferred Christ to their own life.” ^[3]

The Bible also says that praise may be given to others and to God's word (as long as it is not more than that offered to the LORD). Here are some examples:

• Gen 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand

shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee.

• Deut 26:19 And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in

praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.

• Ps 49:18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise

thee, when thou doest well to thyself.

• Ps 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will

not fear what flesh can do unto me.

• Ps 56:10 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
• Prov 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger,

and not thine own lips.

• Prov 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also,

and he praiseth her.

• Prov 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that

feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

• Prov 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise

her in the gates.

• Eccl 4:2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the

living which are yet alive.

• Song 6:9 My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her

mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.

• Isa 62:7 And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make

Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

• Jer 13:11 For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I

caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

• Jer 33:9 And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before

all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

• Zeph 3:19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I

will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.

• Zeph 3:20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I

gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.

• 1 Cor. 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you
• Romans 13: 3 Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same
• Romans 13:6-7 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are Gods ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour
• Hebrews 2:10-11 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren
• 1 Peter 2: 13-14 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well
• 1 Peter 2: 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king
• 1 Peter 2: 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully

Conclusion

We can see that hymns, and other commemorations were given to righteous Christians who passed on.

Endnotes

[note] Ante-Nicene Fathers 7:464, Apostolic Constitutions, 390 AD, E

[note] Ante-Nicene Fathers 5:315, Cyprian, 250 AD, W

[note] Ante-Nicene Fathers 7:495, Apostolic Constitutions 390 AD, E

Further reading

FAIR web site

• FAIR Topical Guide: