2017 LDS Youth Program Focuses on Joseph and Leaves Out Jesus

08 January

joseph-smith-jesus-christ-grove-of-trees If you’re  follower of Jesus Christ, you’ll be sure to pick up on why the LDS Newsroom Message is disturbing. As you might imagine, our hearts were saddened upon the reading of this Newsroom announcement. We’re wondering why they aren’t helping the youth gain a testimony of Christ Jesus and Him crucified?

Be sure to check out the date of this news release – it was December 22nd, the day before the anniversary of Smith’s birth,  yet there’s no mention of Jesus…hmmm… We’ll be looking at a few of Ms. Oscarson’s comments and ask a few questions. To read the article in full click on the link provided above. Here we go!

‘Our youth theme for 2017 comes from James 1:5–6: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

This scripture is often associated with the Prophet Joseph Smith and played a large role in motivating him to approach the Lord in prayer in the Sacred Grove. His desire to know which church to join—simply asking a question in faith—opened the door for the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth in this dispensation. The month of December is the Prophet Joseph Smith’s birth month and a good time to think about how we can encourage our youth to seek for their own testimonies of Joseph Smith and his divinely inspired call as the Prophet of the Restoration.’

1.Typically, the only people who deliberately go to a grove of trees to pray are people practicing witchcraft. Why is this something they point out each time they speak of Smith’s 1st vision experience?

2.Our dear sweet Father in heaven would never tell His children not to join other Christians to worship Him. It defeats everything He’s ever said in the Bible.

3.Her comment ‘it opened the door’ is very, very important my friend! Smith’s ‘inquiring’ mind opened the door to Satan. His questions weren’t asked in earnest honesty. They were riddled with doubt about God’s sovereignty, and the promises He’s given to us in His word.

‘A testimony of basic truths

Elder M. Russell Ballard has taught us: “Although we can have testimonies of many things as members of the Church, there are basic truths we need to constantly teach one another and share with those not of our faith. Testify God is our Father and Jesus is the Christ. The plan of salvation is centered on the Savior’s Atonement. Joseph Smith restored the fullness [sic] of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Book of Mormon is evidence that our testimony is true” (“Pure Testimony,” Oct. 2004 general conference).’

4.Why would God declare His church was nonexistent when He’d already stated the gates of hell wouldn’t prevail against it? Matthew 16:18

‘We learn from this statement and many other similar instructions that having a conviction of Joseph Smith’s role as the Prophet of the Restoration should be a part of the testimonies we bear to one another. A testimony of the divine nature of Joseph Smith’s role in the Restoration is foundationalto our belief that this is the Lord’s true Church on the earth.’

Compare this with the Lord’s example of a Christian testimony in 1 John 1:1-4. John’s key words and phrases points to historical facts, and the fellowshipping of other Christians. Sadly, the Mormon side deters believers away from one another, and focuses on Joseph Smith, not Jesus Christ.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”

As you read over this last comment ask yourself: Why is Smith’s work divine, and not the Bible?

‘Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained the reason that our testimonies should include a testimony of the role Joseph Smith played in the Restoration. He said, “The prophet Joseph Smith … is a revealer … of salvation. … Just as the young Joseph learned that you can ask the Lord when you have a question, so our youth will understand that they can also ask the Lord to confirm the divinity of Joseph Smith’s call to restore the gospel and priesthood keys to the earth.’

Oh beloved! Salvation in Mormonism, is NOT the true salvation in Christianity! Beware my friends, beware!!!

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One Response to “2017 LDS Youth Program Focuses on Joseph and Leaves Out Jesus”

  1. Cristy January 8, 2017 at 2:53 pm #

    Hello. I did not read this particular newsroom post last month but I have read this month’s New Era article explaining how the theme for 2017 “ASK James 1:5-6” came about and they (the general YW and YM pres.) said there would be two ways that this theme will be great for the youth: 1) it has a connection to church history in that it was the scripture that prompted JS to go into the grove and pray 2) it bears testimony of “the divine mission of Joseph Smith, something we need in a time when his reputation and church history are continually being questioned by the world.” So very similar to the newsroom article.

    Like you I was very concerned that they seem to be focusing on JS and not the Savior. As a mom of teenages I want my kids armed with a love, knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ as they prepare to enter adulthood, not JS. In the article in the New Era, the article that goes all over the world to our youth, teaching them how to be good Christians and follow Jesus, supposedly, I noticed that the name of JS was said 8 times, Heavenly Father/God 2 times, and Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior was mentioned 0 times. That seems really really wrong for a mutual theme in the Lord’s one and inky true church.

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