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Joseph Smith Vs. Lao Tzu, Guru Nanka And Others

"Elder John Taylor, who was then with him, summed up his work in these words: 'Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.... He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people' (D&C 135:3)." - Gordon B. Hinckley, "What Hath God Wrought through His Servant Joseph!" Ensign, Jan. 1997, p. 4

That is a strong statement... especially when we consider all the Prophets gone by and present day. This thread has been started with an unusual twist... we will compare Joseph Smith the Prophet with all the others to see if that statement is true... to do so, we need to include Prophets from other religions as well to be fair.

Here are some points to consider:

1. Joseph is relatively 'new on the scene' as far as prophets go, such men as Moses have been revered for a long time. We can even consider Adam

2. Unlike other Prophets (outside LDS Doctrine) Joseph came from a humble beginning and the family was poor.

3. Most ancient prophets have very little to prove (as far as text or physical evidence) whereas Joseph had witnesses, visitations and many scripts and documents still available today.

Others Nanka Guru Tzu Lao Vs Smith Joseph

Well, without offering any comparison to other prophets, I believe the statement is absolutely true. I believe this is true because he restored the Gospel to the Earth for all mankind to enjoy. Without this restored Gospel none of us could enjoy it's blessings. This is true of our ancestors and our future decendants. Without the restored Priesthood there are no saving ordinances. No Temple Ordinances, no Baptism by any authority, etc.

I believe this is why the statement is true. The others were great prophets, but this final restoration is crucial to the salvation of mankind. What Moses did for his people was great, but there was still going to be an apostasy. We know the Gospel will not be totally removed from the Earth again so Joseph, in my opinion, had a more far reaching "salvatory" (is that really a word?) work.

Joseph Smith Vs. Lao Tzu, Guru Nanka And Others Studies Doctrine Mormon

For the sake of thought... what about Adam, The First... were it not for Adam none of us would be here in the first place, including Joseph and even Christ?

Others Nanka Guru Tzu Lao Vs Smith Joseph

Joseph Smith - "I have more to boast about than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet. You know my daily walk and conversation." History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 408-409 (1844)

I remember reading this quote years ago from the copy of a brother in the Church, I hope the original version still without modifications (yes some modifications have been done to quotes on the History of the Church volumes) anyhow, if you deeply think and analyze Joseph Smith's quote it is true, look at us now 2004 almost 12 million members around the world, millions of missionaries around the globe and all started from the story of a young farm boy who was 14 and said he saw God and Jesus Christ!. Although I know the quote above may sound controversial, I just wanted to say that Joseph and Hyrum had great followers and friends at the time of their death, they didn't turn away from them, even in the worst of the scenarios.
Joseph Smith restored the Gospel to the Earth, can you all mention a greater work than this one, except for the Atonement of Jesus Christ?.

Others Nanka Guru Tzu Lao Vs Smith Joseph

Joseph Smith - "I have more to boast about than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet. You know my daily walk and conversation." History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 408-409 (1844)

I believe in the church, but sometimes I have trouble with JSmith - and the above quote, if true, is a good example of why... Does anyone else know the context of this quote?

Joseph Smith Vs. Lao Tzu, Guru Nanka And Others

Actually, I don't know the context of the quote, but will see if I can find it.

However, you need to remember the time and culture that such statements were made. Hyperbole was a very common way of making points, especially in public speaking.

It is also entirely possible that he suffered a little bit from pride.

However, his statement was certainly true. He presented more eternal truth to the world than any person in history, except for Jesus Christ. (That we have recorded. We don't really know what Enoch or Adam taught.)

I think he was wrong in one aspect though. Enoch took his whole city into a translated state. But it took him about 300 years to do it.

Judaism, as revealed through Moses still exists, but it has gone through some mighty corruptions, and the children of Israel rebelled a lot of times, while Moses was still alive. So, maybe Joseph was right.

And maybe he was simply boasting, which, again, is pride speaking.

Joseph Smith Vs. Lao Tzu Guru Nanka Others

Just taking that there for what it is worth we must understand that Joseph Smith has to be true in regards to all that he witnessed otherwise the Church is not true. The same goes for any founding religion, the top of the tree cannot be greater than the root.

In comparison Joseph Smith claimed that what made this Church different to the others is the Holy Ghost'.

Joseph Smith Vs. Lao Tzu Guru Nanka Others Mormon Doctrine Studies

"Great was the Prophet Joseph Smith's vision. It encompassed all the peoples of mankind, wherever they live, and all generations who have walked the earth and passed on. How can anyone, past or present, speak against him except out of ignorance? They have not tasted of his words, they have not pondered about him, nor prayed about him. As one who has done these things, I add my own words of testimony that he was and is a prophet of God, raised up as an instrument in the hands of the Almighty to usher in a new and final gospel dispensation."

(Gordon B. Hinckley, "Praise to the Man," Ensign, Aug. 1983, 6)