On a Catholic Web page, we read the following:
Smith Was to Be a God
Joseph Smith, in the "Discourse," said, "My Father worked out his kingdom with fear and trembling, and I must do the same. And when I get to my kingdom [godhood], I shall present it to my Father, so that he may obtain kingdom upon kingdom, and it will exalt him in glory. He will then take a higher exaltation, and I will take his place, and thereby become exalted myself." In any discussion with a Mormon about Mormonism's conflicting teachings on the nature of God, you have to cut away the camouflage. You have to get to the central facts. It's simple, really. Just show them how the Book of Mormon conflicts with Smith's later teachings. If he was right about God, when was he right? Take your pick, but you can't pick both, and neither can a Mormon — except if he uses doublethink. If a Mormon chooses either teaching as correct and admits the other must be wrong, Smith's credibility as a prophet collapses. Be forewarned that your first discussion about the nature of God won't produce any visible change in your Mormon acquaintance. He's unlikely to admit the cogency and simplicity of your argument. He's working in good faith, and he's sincere in his beliefs, but psychologically you're at a disadvantage, since he wants to maintain his faith as he's known it. Be patient as you help him see these theological "black holes." (The 'Doublethinking' of The Mormons)
This is nothing but quote-mining. We already exposed the author’s ignorance in this post, and this “argument” is almost as pathetic. Joseph Smith was not speaking of himself in this passage, but of Jesus Christ. Here is the entire section (emphasis added):
Eternal Life to Know God and Jesus Christ
I wish I was in a suitable place to tell it, and that I had the trump of an archangel, so that I could tell the story in such a manner that persecution would cease forever. What did Jesus say? (Mark it, Elder Rigdon!) The scriptures inform us that Jesus said, as the Father hath power in himself, even so hath the Son power—to do what? Why, what the Father did. The answer is obvious—in a manner to lay down his body and take it up again. Jesus, what are you going to do? To lay down my life as my Father did, and take it up again. Do you believe it? If you do not believe it you do not believe the Bible. The scriptures say it, and I defy all the learning and wisdom and all the combined powers of earth and hell together to refute it. Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power. And I want you to know that God, in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming His name, is not trifling with you or me. (source)
In an attempt to portray Joseph Smith in negative light, the author reveals his lack of intellectual integrity and honesty.
