In the December 2015 issue of the New Era, there is an article entitled, “Why Do I need to Know Joseph Smith is a Prophet?" by Joshua J. Perkey. The article presents 20 teachings which "were taught by Joseph Smith, revealed through him, or made clear by" the prophet, further arguing that "most of them are things people in his day did not know before he taught them." While I am sure that the author believes such to be the case, in reality, many of these 20 teachings are not unique to Latter-day Saints and in fact, in the official theologies of non-LDS groups that were active during the prophet’s lifetime, are part-and-parcel of their theology. Let us examine some of them:
1. God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings.
Yes and no. I fear that the author (as with most Latter-day Saints) think that our Trinitarian friends hold that the Father, Son, and Spirit are the same person (as “person” and “being” are used interchangeable by LDS), which is not Trinitarian theology, but a heresy called Modalism. In reality, Trinitarian theology holds that the Father, Son, and Spirit are distinct “persons” (however one defines that term [such is still debated within Trinitarian circles]). Of course, many within Trinitarian groups hold to Modalism, at least functionally, so I am sure the author has come across many poorly informed Trinitarians (as I have had).
Of course, I would agree, ultimately, that Joseph Smith’s teachings on God are, unlike Trinitarian theologies (there are more than one), biblically and logically consistent, but that is another (lengthier) issue.
2. Heavenly Father answers prayers and takes an active role in our lives.
Unless a Christian is also a Deist of some sort, the importance of prayer is part of defined Christian theologies, including Roman Catholic and Protestant. This is not a novel teaching to Joseph Smith. Perhaps if the author expanded further on this point on the prophet’s more unique teachings on prayer, perhaps he would have a point, but as it is, this is not a teaching that lacked perspicuity before Joseph Smith.
3. God calls prophets and apostles today to lead and guide us in His work.
This would indeed be a teaching unique to that of Joseph Smith though some groups would hold to the continuation of the office of prophet and apostle in some very limited sense (e.g., some Pentecostal groups), though they would reject the concept of continuing special revelation.
4. The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price are true scripture.
Yes, it is true that Joseph Smith being a prophet of God results in acceptance of the Scriptures he provided; however, as these were unknown until they were revealed to/through Joseph Smith himself, it can hardly be said that these texts and the teachings therein were not clearly known to other denominations and peoples prior to Joseph Smith.
5. Priesthood authority and power reside in the Church.
All groups within the broad Christian spectrum hold that the priesthood authority and power resides within “the Church” (however defined); it is really more of an issue of the exact nature of the priesthood and its function that is the issue between LDS and non-LDS. The author, as sincere as I am sure he is, obviously is ignorant of non-LDS faith traditions.
6. Mormon, Moroni, Alma, Nephi, Lehi, and many other individuals in the Book of Mormon were real people.
True, but this is similar to point no. 4, discussed above though I do appreciate that the author believes that, to truly accept the Book of Mormon, one must accept its historicity, as opposed to the nonsense that it is “inspired fiction.”
7. Jesus Christ visited the Americas and taught His gospel to the people there.
Again, this is similar to points 4 and 6; furthermore, there were some discussions, pre- and post-1830 outside a Latter-day Saint context, that theorised that Jesus may have visited the New World.
8. Priesthood blessings can provide comfort and heal the sick.
This is part-and-parcel of defined Catholic dogma, as seen in the sacrament of extreme unction. Furthermore, albeit within the framework of the priesthood of all believers and not within an ordained, ministerial priesthood, many Protestants, again pre- and post-1830, believe that one’s prayers can benefit others (cf. 1 Tim 2:1-4).
9. There are three degrees of heaven, and the highest is the celestial kingdom.
This is true, but one can hardly say that this teaching was not clearly known in the Christian world of Joseph Smith as this is a unique teaching revealed to Joseph Smith (cf. D&C 128:18). Again, this is similar to points 4, 6, and 7.
I will note, however, that in spite of the claims of some (e.g., D. Michael Quinn, Early Mormonism and the Magic World View [rev. ed.: 1998]), Emmanuel Swedenborg did not teach anything like what is canonised in D&C 76 (see here).
There is some antiquity behind the concept of plural heavens in ancient Jewish and Christian literature, such as 1 Enoch. Furthermore, most groups believe that, while there is only one heaven, there will be different degrees of reward and punishment in the hereafter contingent upon one’s works.
10. We lived with God before we were born.
The idea that all people, not just Jesus, pre-existed, is a unique teaching of Joseph Smith (though some form of it was taught by Origen [185-254] and a few others though it was a minority view]). Furthermore, a good argument can be made that this allows for belief in the true humanity of Jesus, something Trinitarian Christology struggles with (see here).
11. God’s grace can bless me now and in the future.
This is hardly a novel teaching from Joseph Smith or a teaching poorly known and understood before the establishment of the Church in 1830.
12. There really is a purpose to life: to become like Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father through our choices and with Their help.
Same as above.
13. God is more powerful than the adversary.
This has to be the silliest “point” raised by the author; there is no group that teaches that Satan is more powerful than God.
14. Youth can receive callings and receive priesthood authority to serve.
This is true within the modern LDS Church; the concept of ordaining young men to the priesthood, however, is something that post-dates Joseph Smith.
15. The Word of Wisdom is a true principle.
Yes, but one should note that the Word of Wisdom was not interpreted and practised by Joseph Smith and the early members of the Church in the same way as it is now (see this paper by Mike Ash; also, the chapter on the WOW in Mormonism in Transition by Thomas Alexander).
17. Fasting with a purpose draws us closer to God.
Fasting played an important role in the piety of Christians and Jews both before and after Joseph Smith; yet again, this is not a strong point to make, especially when the author rather boldly claims that this point, and the others, were, at best, not clearly taught by people until the prophet Joseph Smith came on the religious scene.
18. All people will be resurrected with spirit and body reunited forever in an immortal frame.
With few exceptions, all groups within the broad Christian spectrum hold that the resurrection will be physical. Again, this is not a unique teaching Joseph Smith taught and Latter-day Saints hold to. Again, the author’s obvious ignorance of non-LDS theologies is evident.
In short, while the author is teaching a principle that is true, that is, the importance of accepting Joseph Smith as a Prophet of God, a lot of these arguments are poorly worded, and the claim that many of these teachings lacked perspicuity by most until Joseph Smith is a stretch. As Latter-day Saints, we have been graced with the Restored Gospel; we should strive for greater intellectual integrity in articles defending precious truths than poorly argued articles like this.