They don't, as far as I've ever noticed, worship Joseph Smith. They do, however, give an insane amount of credit to the words of a convicted conman. At least Jesus didn't have a rap sheet longer than his arm. ;D
"Whosoever... does not confess that God has sent Joseph Smith, and revealed the everlasting Gospel to and through him, is of Antichrist...," Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 8, p. 176
AND
"It is because the Lord called Joseph Smith that salvation is again available to mortal men.... If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation," Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 396, 670
See this picture...its the nativity of baby Joseph Smith...
http://mormontruth.blogspot.com/2005/12/mormon-church-worships-joseph-smith.html
and..
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/jsbicentennial/051223winterlight.html
Heres how I see it..
1. Heavenly Father (Elohim)
2. Joseph Smith
3. Past and present Mormon prophets
4. The life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Let the thumb downs fly, but I bet you are taught as a Mormon more about the life and teachings of Joseph Smith than Jesus??
I promise you that.
Oceanwoman really has it there. I have also heard that Mormons believe that they will meet JS in heaven and he will judge them and be the decider of their placement in heaven or wherever. Ick.
Let's see...we perform ordinances in the name of Jesus, perform the sacrament with the name of Jesus, pray in the name of Jesus........did I miss something.
That confirms it. this is a Trolling question. Oceanlady and Andrew fell for it.
Also,
Andy R.
What about the 12 apostles who stand as judges over Israel? This is a principal taught by Jesus. Those who he called stand as witnesses for the teachings they taught. Nice try on that aspect.
Responses from fellow Mormons (IE those who would really know the answer) seem fairly unanimous.
We do not worship Joseph Smith. We worship Jesus Christ who is what are Church is named after (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Jesus Christ is at the head of the Mormon church and is its chief cornerstone, as the Bible states.
We hold Joseph Smith in the same regard as Noah, Moses, Abraham, Elijah, etc. In other words, as a prophet of God.