The March 2008 edition of the Ensign magazine (the official magazine of the Mormon Church), is devoted entirely to discussing the life, mission, teachings, and atonement of Jesus Christ.

The main reason for doing this is to reinforce to Mormons the importance of Jesus Christ in their religion. Joseph Smith, the first prophet of the Mormon Church, made this sweeping declaration about the centrality of Christ in Mormonism:

“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; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it." (“Chapter 3: Jesus Christ, the Divine Redeemer of the World,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007), 45–56)

Another reason is to communicate this fact to people who are not Mormons. For various reasons, people are not aware that Mormons are Christians. Part of it may have to do with the name “Mormon,” which is not really a name, but a nickname. The correct name of the church is “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” This name was a revelation from God.

The confusion may also arise form a statement from Brigham Young, the second president of the Mormon Church. He once said something that some people—not members of the Mormon Church, to be sure—have understood to mean that Mormons worship Joseph Smith.

Here is the quote:

"I want to talk a little more about the witnesses. I am a witness—of what? I have told it here and in Nauvoo. I know what I am a witness of, and I know my Apostleship. I am a witness that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. What an uproar it would make in the Christian world to say, I am an Apostle of Joseph. Write it down, and write it back to your friends in the east, that I am an Apostle of Joseph Smith. He was a man of God and had the revelations of Jesus Christ, and the words of Jesus Christ to the people. He did build and establish the kingdom of God on earth, and through him the Lord Almighty again restored the Priesthood to the children of men." (February 17, 1856, Journal of Discourses 3:212)

It’s that part about being an apostle of Joseph Smith that causes this misunderstanding. Yes, he did make the statement, but no, it is not being understood properly.

There is a joke about a philosopher who once wrote a book called What Plato Said. Then he had to write a longer follow-up book called What Plato Meant. What a person says and what a person means can sometimes be very different things.

This is what Brigham Young meant.

First, keep in mind that the quote is taken out of context. Brigham Young lived seventy-six years, and spent thirty of those years as president of the church. Plus he was also territorial governor for Utah. So over time he said a lot of things on a lot of subjects, to varied audiences, with specific intents in mind.

In this instance he was talking to Mormons about the importance of Joseph Smith laying the groundwork that he, Brigham Young, built upon. Mormons view Joseph Smith as a dispensation head, or a leader for an era of time. For example, Moses got the Ten Commandments and the Pentateuch, and from Moses to John the Baptist, all prophets—Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, etc.—worked within the framework that Moses laid.

Similarly, Brigham Young believed (as all Mormons do) that he was working within the context of Joseph Smith’s mission. As the later prophets in the Old Testament followed Moses’ pattern, so too would Brigham Young and the later Mormon prophets work within Joseph Smith’s pattern.

One of the revelations to Joseph Smith sums up this idea:

“Behold, verily I say unto you, I have reserved those things which I have entrusted unto you, my servant Joseph, for a wise purpose in me, and it shall be made known unto future generations; But this generation shall have my word through you.” (D&C 5:9-10)

The emphasis is on “this generation shall have my word through you.” He was to be a witness of Christ, leader, and foundation-layer for all that would follow.

This is a bit of a technical matter. For a longer treatment of this subject, read this talk by Mormon Apostle Bruce R. McConkie called “Joseph Smith: A Revealer of Christ.” (Click Here)

The second point is that Brigham Young, in affirming that he was an apostle of Joseph Smith, was in no way denying that he was also an apostle of Jesus Christ. Reread these sentences:

“I am a witness that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. What an uproar it would make in the Christian world to say, I am an Apostle of Joseph. Write it down, and write it back to your friends in the east, that I am an Apostle of Joseph Smith. He was a man of God and had the revelations of Jesus Christ, and the words of Jesus Christ to the people.” (emphasis added.)

This statement is further clarified by another statement Brigham Young said where he rephrases the idea:

"I am Brigham Young, an Apostle of Joseph Smith, and also of Jesus Christ. If I have been profitable to this people, I am glad of it. The brethren call me so; and if it be so, I am glad." (October 6, 1857, Journal of Discourses 5:296)

So it is not accurate to use these quotes to “prove” that Mormons worship Joseph Smith. And it is not an “either-or,” but a “both-and” affair because Joseph Smith is a revealer of Christ. To be an apostle of Joseph Smith is also to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. To be one is to be the other.

But in no way did Brigham Young—nor any president of the Mormon Church up to and including the current leader Thomas S. Monson—ever teach that Mormons worship Joseph Smith.

The Book of Mormon, which is another testament of Jesus Christ, reaffirms the place of Christ in Mormonism. To order a free copy, click here.

The Mormon Church’s official position on Jesus Christ is found in this statement released January 2000:

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; 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” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son. (The Living Christ)

(To see a multimedia clip that explains the role of Jesus Christ is Mormonism, click here.)

The Mormon Church’s official position on Joseph Smith is found in this eulogy written by John Taylor, the third president of the Mormon Church:

To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o'clock p.m., by an armed mob—painted black—of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: I am a dead man! Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming: O Lord my God! They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls.

John Taylor and Willard Richards, two of the Twelve, were the only persons in the room at the time; the former was wounded in a savage manner with four balls, but has since recovered; the latter, through the providence of God, escaped, without even a hole in his robe.

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. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!

When Joseph went to Carthage to deliver himself up to the pretended requirements of the law, two or three days previous to his assassination, he said: "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer's morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I SHALL DIE INNOCENT, AND IT SHALL YET BE SAID OF ME—HE WAS MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD."—The same morning, after Hyrum had made ready to go—shall it be said to the slaughter? yes, for so it was—he read the following paragraph, near the close of the twelfth chapter of Ether, in the Book of Mormon, and turned down the leaf upon it:

And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. And now I . . . bid farewell unto the Gentiles; yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment–seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood. The testators are now dead, and their testament is in force.

Hyrum Smith was forty–four years old in February, 1844, and Joseph Smith was thirty–eight in December, 1843; and henceforward their names will be classed among the martyrs of religion; and the reader in every nation will be reminded that the Book of Mormon, and this book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world; and that if the fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God, how easy it will burn up the dry trees to purify the vineyard of corruption. They lived for glory; they died for glory; and glory is their eternal reward. From age to age shall their names go down to posterity as gems for the sanctified.

They were innocent of any crime, as they had often been proved before, and were only confined in jail by the conspiracy of traitors and wicked men; and their innocent blood on the floor of Carthage jail is a broad seal affixed to "Mormonism" that cannot be rejected by any court on earth, and their innocent blood on the escutcheon of the State of Illinois, with the broken faith of the State as pledged by the governor, is a witness to the truth of the everlasting gospel that all the world cannot impeach; and their innocent blood on the banner of liberty, and on the magna charta of the United States, is an ambassador for the religion of Jesus Christ, that will touch the hearts of honest men among all nations; and their innocent blood, with the innocent blood of all the martyrs under the altar that John saw, will cry unto the Lord of Hosts till he avenges that blood on the earth. Amen. (D&C 135:1-7)

(For a multimedia clip about the life of Joseph Smith, click here)

Mormons revere Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith. But we worship one, and honor the other. One was God, one was man, and I love them both.

Do you remember the story of the fiery serpents and the children of Israel as they wandered in the desert with Moses? Among the trials that the Lord’s people faced during this time was a plague of fiery serpents when their faith began to wane. This new test did humble the people and they pled with Moses to beg the Lord for forgiveness.

Numbers 21:6-9— And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

The miracles of God that these people witnessed were many, both great and small. Where did the Lord’s commandment to look and live fall in the spectrum of perceived greatness? It was a very quiet miracle, with a simple commandment. The Lord beckoned His people with a symbol of His love. We learn in the New Testament that the symbol Moses fashioned under the Lord’s direction was an evidence of a greater sacrifice: that of the Savior Jesus Christ.

John 3:14— And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Just as the Israelites, we are admonished to look to the Savior for our hope, salvation and eternal life. The sad thing is that even though many willingly looked upon the serpent, there were also many who did not.

1 Nephi 17:41— And he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod; for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them because of their iniquity. He sent fiery flying serpents among them; and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished.

The Israelites had seen many spectacular miracles from the Lord’s hand, their way had been opened before them, their needs were provided for. But when it came down to it— His ways seemed too easy. It wasn’t a matter of whether or not they believed the Lord could heal them, but rather a lack of faith in His commandments through which healing was promised. The answer was too easy. Often we face the same disbelief that cost a number of Israelites their lives. Sometimes we don’t accept what we should do, because in times of trial it seems too easy. Looking, or focusing on the Lord’s commandments, does not seem powerful enough to heal our lives and hearts. Yet, it is. The Lord’s answers are always the way to life.

Developing the faith of a disciple means we must learn to “look to God and live”. It means learning to trust the Lord, no matter what answer He gives to direct our faltering footsteps. Our restricted vision may even worry that He is leading us away from what we need. The answer may be a simple course correction. It may mean a greater challenge that seems too difficult and beyond our reach. No matter the commandment, if we focus on Christ without giving in to doubt and fear the blessings will follow.

The basic standard that the Lord has set up for us is to gain a firm foundation in His gospel through scripture study, prayer, church attendance, and service to others. These principles do not change, no matter the trial. This is where we must first look and make sure our lives are in order, then the Lord directs us, leading our lives back to Him. Everything else in the gospel of Jesus Christ is built on your personal relationship with the Savior. If we are to look to Him for our salvation, we need to understand who He is.

When is the last time you had a “spiritual eye exam”? Take a moment to reflect on how clear your view of the Savior is. Have you forgotten the basic steps of coming unto Christ because they seem too simple? They seem so small and insignificant. It is very easy to let them slip from view and be forgotten in the busyness of life. But if we are not looking, if we are not reading and praying, our souls are dying. Do not let yourself come to the same fate as many of the Israelites. Look and live.

The truth is I don’t know a whole lot about how tithes and offerings work in other churches. I only really know how it works in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, nicknamed the Mormon Church. I also know it’s important. In fact it’s so important the leaders of the Latter-day Saint Church placed it in a booklet titled For the Strength of Youth. In this booklet are included many areas these leaders feel needed to be particularly addressed for teens of today. These areas are to act as a guideline and warning to help teens navigate through an increasingly difficult world.

So what exactly is tithing? I really like the way it’s described in Deuteronomy 12:6 –

“And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks.”

As we can see from this list a tithing is attributed to things like sacrifice, a vow, a freewill offering. Everything we are blessed with in this life has been a gift of the Lord. In return for this, He asks us to make a freewill offering, or a tithe. How much should we give? To answer this, let’s look in Numbers 18:26.

“When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.” (Italics added.)

A tenth of what we earn is all we are asked to give. So if we earn $10, all the Lord wants back is $1. If we earn $350, all He asks for in return is $35. At times it may feel like paying out a tenth of what you’ve earned feels like so much money. This is when we need to change out attitude in regards to how we pay it, and why.

“Your attitude is important in paying tithing. Pay it because you love the Lord and have faith in Him. Pay it willingly with a thankful heart. Pay it first, even when you think you don’t have enough money to meet your other needs” (For the Strength of Youth, p.34).

I can’t tell you how many times I knew without a shadow of a doubt that if we paid our tithing we wouldn’t have enough money to finish paying the bills. Every single time I made sure that tithing was paid, our bills were covered. Over the years I’ve come to make certain tithing is the first thing that comes out of a paycheck. I have never regretted doing so.

Even teens and children are encouraged to pay their tithing in the Mormon Church. When 'payday' comes for my children, I make sure the first thing they do with that money is pay tithing. As a teen I recall many times that my father did the same thing with me. It is easier to do the younger you start.

In our Church tithing money goes into a general fund where it is used for many wonderful things.

“It is a way to help build up God’s kingdom on earth. Tithing is used to build temples and meetinghouses, translate and publish the scriptures, prove Church materials to members, do missionary work, perform temple and family history work, and support seminaries and institutes” (For the Strength of Youth, p.34).

Paired with tithing is fast offerings. Once a month, typically the first Sunday, Mormons are asked to fast for the day. This includes everyone eight and over who are baptized members of the Church.

“A proper fast day observance includes not eating or drinking for two consecutive meals and giving a generous fast offering to help care for those in need. Begin and end your fast with prayer, asking for special help with a specific need” (For the Strength of Youth, p.35).

Of course anyone with health problems who cannot go without two meals should not do this, but in all others it is encouraged. Fasting is a personal choice. There are those who choose to do it and others who do not. Is it important? If we look to the example of the Lord we are shown it is. In Matthew 4:2 we are told He fasted for forty days. Though we are not asked to fast for that long, we are taught that through fasting our physical bodies are made weak so that our spiritual selves might have a chance to commune with God the Father. It is a way to feed our spirits more fully. When our bodies are weak we are, perhaps, made to see what our spirits go through when they are not fed.

Fasting should be done with a purpose. Is there a problem you need help with? Do you have a friend or family member who is struggling or sick, and needs extra help? Try fasting for them, beginning and ending it with prayer. Answers, guidance, and healing can take place.

Those in the Mormon Church are asked to pay something called a ‘fast offering.’ This is normally described as the money we would have spent on the two meals, though many who can afford to do so will often pay more. Parents will pay for their children until they are old enough to pay it for themselves. The money donated for fast offerings go right back into the ward (congregation) to help those who are in need.

Paying tithing and fast offerings are a vital part in showing our gratitude for all that God has given us. It helps us overcome selfishness. We become more receptive to the Spirit. I can also testify that as we strive to pay our tithing and fast offerings, God only blesses us more.

I was raised in the very feminist 1960s and 1970s. Joining the church as a teenager caused me to spend a great deal of time rethinking the meaning of womanhood. My mother was a very traditional woman, but had raised me to be a “feminist,” thinking it would better help me fit into the world she saw emerging. Now, I found myself encouraged to model my life after my mother’s instead. This was quite a leap for me, but over time, I came to value what the church taught me about womanhood and what my own mother had shown me by the way she lived her life.

I realized that thinking of the traditional woman’s role as less important than that of the man’s meant I was demeaning the importance of family, and of the children I would someday have. Over time, as I came to value taking care of my children, I came to see it as more important than any other task I could have. It gave me a way to make a difference in the world greater than any I could have had from a more traditional career, even greater than the difference I try to make now as a professional writer. It’s more personal and intense.

I soon learned that the church gave me the opportunities to develop the kinds of skills I might have developed in the outside world. I was always shy and quiet, but I was regularly given leadership opportunities, and while I had always considered myself a follower, I learned to lead. I learned to do this in a safer, more supportive environment than the world would have provided, if anyone had ever even thought to give a shy, quiet woman a position of authority. I received training as a teacher, which had been my chosen career from the start, and have taught almost consistently since I was seventeen years old and even trained others to be teachers.

I improved my public speaking skills as I taught and as I gave talks at church. When my children grew up and I returned to my writing career, I put this training to good use when I was invited to speak or give radio interviews. The skills I’ve learned at church have often been solid job skills I could put to use in a career should I have needed one.

But the most important training I received by learning to be a Latter-day Saint woman was to value my place in the home. Raising children was the most important thing I did. When I count what I loved most, it isn’t having a book published; it was teaching my children to read a book written by someone else. It wasn’t speaking at a conference; it was talking to my children about things that mattered to me. I remember best the picnics, the silly games, the hours of playing dolls, the thousands of stories read and told. I can’t think of anything else I could have done with my life that would have given me more satisfaction than this.

Long before I had children I understood the woman’s role to be important. My children are grown now, but I am still working to fulfill my role as a Latter-day Saint woman. The role might have changed, and includes some income-producing work now, but it is still as a woman that I do these things, still trying to put my home and family first. At church, I happily fill those assignments given to the women, some of which are open only to women. The calling (volunteer church job) I currently have is one I love, and a man can’t be called to do it. If I weren’t a woman, I would never have the opportunity to be the ward (congregation) literacy leader, because it’s a job done through the women’s organization, the Relief Society.

In a talk given at Brigham Young University, M. Russell Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said,

“Elder James E. Talmage (1862–1933) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated that “the world’s greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus the Christ” (Jesus the Christ, 3rd ed. [1916], 475). I believe that. The first time the Lord acknowledged Himself to be the Christ, it was to a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. He taught her about living water and proclaimed, simply, “I … am he” (John 4:26). And it was Martha to whom He proclaimed: “I am the resurrection, and the life. … And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die” (John 11:25–26).

Then, during His greatest agony as He hung on the cross, the Savior reached out to one person—His mother—when in that terrible but glorious moment He asked John the Beloved to care for her as though she were his own (see John 19:26–27).

Of this you may be certain: The Lord especially loves righteous women—women who are not only faithful but filled with faith, women who are optimistic and cheerful because they know who they are and where they are going, women who are striving to live and serve as women of God.

There are those who suggest that males are favored of the Lord because they are ordained to hold the priesthood. Anyone who believes this does not understand the great plan of happiness. The premortal and mortal natures of men and women were specified by God Himself, and it is simply not within His character to diminish the roles and responsibilities of any of His children.

As President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) explained, “The Lord offers to his daughters every spiritual gift and blessing that can be obtained by his sons” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1970, 59; or “Magnifying Our Callings in the Priesthood,” Improvement Era, June 1970, 66). All of us, men and women alike, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and are entitled to personal revelation. We may all take upon us the Lord’s name, become sons and daughters of Christ, partake of the ordinances of the temple from which we emerge endowed with power, receive the fulness of the gospel, and achieve exaltation in the celestial kingdom. These spiritual blessings are available to men and women alike, according to their faithfulness and their effort to receive them.”-- M. Russell Ballard, “Women of Righteousness,” Ensign, Apr 2002, 66–73