FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Joseph Smith's status in Latter-day Saint belief
Criticism
Critics charge that since Joseph claimed (or it was claimed in his behalf) the right to 'approve' whether or not someone gets 'into heaven,' this arrogates to a mortal a right properly reserved for God/Christ.
Source(s) of the Criticism
Response
It is not a novel idea to have mortal prophets involved in the post-mortal judgment. At the Last Supper, Jesus himself taught that:
28 Ye [the apostles] are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22:28-30; see also Matthew 19:28
A similar promise to participate in the judgment of those among whom they were called to serve was given to the twelve Nephite Disciples, see 1 Nephi 12:9-10. This principle is also reiterated in modern revelation, see D&C 29:12.
Since the Latter-day Saints accept the witness that Joseph was called as an apostle and prophet (see [D&C 21:1) with the same authority as that given to Peter, James, John, and others, they do not think it strange that he will likewise play a role in judgment. The witness of a prophet will always be brought against those who did not accept his witness of Christ. See: Matthew 10:40, John 5:45-47
Conclusion
Joseph's participation in the judgment (at the command and suffrance of Jesus) is no more or less than the role assigned to the Lord's apostles at the Last Supper.
No mortal's role in the judgment supercedes the role given to Jesus, as the Book of Mormon bears witness:
...the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name. 2 Nephi 9:41
Those who condemn Joseph on these grounds must also condemn Peter and the rest of the Twelve.
Further reading
FAIR wiki articles
- Links to related articles in the wiki
FAIR web site
- FAIR Topical Guide:Consent for others to enter heaven?
- FAIR Topical Guide:Status of Joseph Smith
External links
- Stephen R. Gibson, "Can People Go To Heaven Without Joseph Smith's Consent?," One-Minute Answers to Anti-Mormon Questions (Bountiful, Utah: Horizon Publishers).
Printed material
- Printed resources whose text is not available online