The idea that the church is deemphasizing Joseph Smith

[MikeWaters]

I've actually been saying this for a long time.

In my youth, I heard "Joseph Smith" very often, esp. in F&T meeting.

Now it's not nearly as common.

Whether this a maturing Christ-centered church or something else, I'll let others decide.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/danpete...of-joseph.html

[ChinoCoug]

Good if true. Why the heck do we talk about him so much?

[MikeWaters]

Perhaps somewhat competing visions of the future of the church:

1) A Christian church largely only different based on claims of priesthood authority and lineage. This group will deemphasize Joseph Smith. And will focus on priesthood restoration.

2) A gnostic church out of the mainstream with claims of deification, God the Mother, etc. This is the "Keep Mormonism Weird" contingent. For this group the prophetic role of Joseph is absolutely crucial to emphasize.

[ChinoCoug]

The vessel for priesthood is no less critical than the vessel for the "gnostic" truths.