Some Christians might claim that Mormons worship Joseph Smith. While Mormons respect and acknowledge the important role Joseph Smith played in the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he is not worshiped by members of the Church. Mormons believe in and worship Jesus Christ as the Son of God and our Redeemer. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is centered around Christ and His great sacrifice for all mankind.
Through his atonement, Christ saved us from both physical and spiritual death. Because of the Fall of Adam and Eve, each of us is mortal (physical death) and each of us is separated from God (spiritual death). Everyone, regardless of who they are or what they’ve done, will be resurrected and brought back before God for judgment, thus overcoming both physical and spiritual death. Whether we are worthy to remain in God’s presence and return to live with Him will depend upon the choices we made while in this life and how effectively we used the power of the atonement in our lives.
Church leaders bore testimony of Christ’s mission in a document called the Living Christ. In this testimony, many facets of Christ’s divine mission are discussed, a few of which follow:
Christ has had more influence on the earth than any other person. No one will ever match him. His perfect life was the example of how we ought to live, and the sacrifice He made touches us all. No matter where we live, no matter who we are.
According to Mormon doctrine, Christ was the Old Testament’s Jehovah as well as the New Testament’s Savior. Mormons believe that it was Christ who created the earth, under the direction of Heavenly Father. John 1:3 tells us, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Christ was baptized, although He didn’t need to be cleansed from the sin; he had never committed sin. He asked to be baptized, despite John the Baptist’s protests, to “fulfill all righteousness.” Although He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), He was despised for the good He did. He lived a message of peace and goodwill. He healed the sick. He raised the dead. The truths He taught were eternal.
He left us the sacrament as a reminder of His sacrifice and that it was meant for us. Although His death was unjust and painful, He gave His life willingly to complete His atonement.
The sacrifice of His life was not the end, but a new beginning through His resurrection. His time will never end. He lives today, the Only Begotten and the Firstborn of God. He is our Savior and Redeemer; our Prince of Peace; our Lord of Lords.
He was resurrected on the third day after His death and visited those He loved: His apostles, His disciples. He also visited His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in the Americas, and this account is given in the Book of Mormon. Nearly two hundred years ago, Christ and God the Father appeared to Joseph Smith to bring about the “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10). This dispensation is now, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Sainst is His restored Church.