There is no question that Joseph Smith plays an important role in the economy of salvation in Latter-day Saint theology. While many misrepresent/misunderstand Joseph Smith's role and status in LDS theology (see Joseph Smith Worship? Responding to Criticisms of the Role and Status of the Prophet Joseph Smith in Latter-day Saint Theology for a full discussion), at the same time, Latter-day Saints cannot have "low" view of Joseph Smith. As D&C 135:3 states, "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it . . . "
Under the heading “The Prophet Joseph Smith Still Influences the Church Today,” LDS author Dennis Horne noted:
The Prophet Joseph Smith is the chief Apostle of this final dispensation, and the fact that he has passed to the other side of the veil has not altered his status. He is still very much interested in the progress of the Church he restored at the Lord’s behest, and despite how busy he is working for the salvation of the dead in the spirit world, he is still involved with its administration and oversight.
In a meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, at which Spencer W. Kimball was sustained as the new President of the Church, some conversation was had among the Twelve relating to how the President of the Church is chosen. At that time, some interesting comments were made regarding Joseph Smith’s continuing role in the process. The following brief quotation is from a description written by Elder Bruce R. McConkie. “[One] of the Twelve observed that in his view the Prophet Joseph Smith chooses the President of the Church . . . Elder McConkie said that he agreed with that had been said about Joseph Smith choosing the President of the Church” (Joseph Fielding McConkie, The Bruce R. McConkie Story: Reflections of a Son [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003], 368). So—Joseph’s involvement remains assured as he influences the Church, under the overall direction and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose witness he was, and is, on both sides of the veil. (Dennis B. Horne, I Know He Lives: How 13 Special Witnesses Came to Know Jesus Christ [Springville, Utah: CFI, 2017], 260)
