Did Joseph Smith claim he was descended from Jesus?

[_Racer]

I vaguely remember being taught this as a youth. Joseph Smith's genealogy could be traced back to Jesus. Was this a claim Joseph Smith made, or is this a faith promoting rumor?

I guess it wouldn't be too surprising if Joseph Smith actually claimed this. I have noticed a pattern in all cults which usually culminate in the leader needing to have sex with more than one woman and also claiming to be reincarnated Jesus or somehow being connected to Jesus in a unique way.

[_sock puppet]

I vaguely remember being taught this as a youth. Joseph Smith's genealogy could be traced back to Jesus. Was this a claim Joseph Smith made, or is this a faith promoting rumor?

I guess it wouldn't be too surprising if Joseph Smith actually claimed this. I have noticed a pattern in all cults which usually culminate in the leader needing to have sex with more than one woman and also claiming to be reincarnated Jesus or somehow being connected to Jesus in a unique way.

I have a very similar vague recollection from my Mormon upbringing. But then, I read the DaVinci Code and there was no suggestion that JSJr was a descendant of Jesus. And I know the DaVinci Code is true and factual because I enjoyed reading it, I in fact felt good when I read it.

[_bcspace]

I vaguely remember being taught this as a youth.

The memories of anti Mormons are usually vague enough to imagine all sorts of things.

[Guest]

I was taught this in my gospel doctrines institute class. I can drag out some quotes If bc wants them.

[_Tobin]

I don't think Joseph Smith made this claim. However, Church leaders have said some rather nutty things along these lines -

For example,

"Pres. Geo. Q. Cannon also spoke upon the law of tithing. Among other things [he] said, 'there are those in this audience who are descendants of the old 12 Apostles and, shall I say it, yes, descendants of the Savior himself. His seed is represented in this body of men.' " (A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic Diaries of Rudger Clawson, edited by Stan Larson, Signature Books, 1993, p.71-72)

http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/ldsleadersdescendedfromchristandapostles.htm

[_Morley]

Salt Lake Tribune (2007): "Book says Smith came from Jesus' family tree."

[_Equality]

Some Mormons believe that Joseph Smith was the Holy Ghost, the second-born spirit child of Elohim (after Jehovah). And yes, some Mormons believe that Joseph Smith was a descendant of Jesus. bcspace knows this, of course, but has to obfuscate as always.

[_Tobin]

Some Mormons believe that Joseph Smith was the Holy Ghost, the second-born spirit child of Elohim (after Jehovah). And yes, some Mormons believe that Joseph Smith was a descendant of Jesus. bcspace knows this, of course, but has to obfuscate as always.

Some Mormons believe they are going to be God one day (bc among them). I don't think that is a good barometer of what is true or not however.

[_Darth J]

I vaguely remember being taught this as a youth.

The memories of anti Mormons are usually vague enough to imagine all sorts of things.

LDS Church News, Dec. 18, 2010

Visiting Joseph on Sept. 21, 1823, the Book of Mormon prophet Moroni in angelic form quoted a number of biblical passages, among them this verse from Isaiah:

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots" (Isaiah 11:1).

Some 15 years later, the Prophet would provide a divinely revealed explanation of this verse in the form of questions and responses recorded today as Doctrine and Covenants 113:1-4: "Who is the Stem of Jesse spoken of in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th verses of the 11th chapter of Isaiah?

"Verily thus saith the Lord: It is the Christ.

"What is the rod spoken of in the first verse of the 11th chapter of Isaiah, that should come of the Stem of Jesse?

"Behold, thus saith the Lord: It is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power."

Commented Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve, "Are we amiss in saying that the prophet here mentioned is Joseph Smith, to whom the priesthood came, who received the keys of the kingdom, and who raised the ensign for the gathering of the Lord's people in our dispensation?"

Alexander W. Baugh, professor of Church history and doctrine at BYU commented, "On Dec. 9, 1834, Joseph Smith Sr. pronounced a patriarchal blessing on Joseph Smith Jr. wherein he declared that the Prophet was a lineal descendant and birthright heir to the patriarchal fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but more particularly Joseph of Egypt. Furthermore, Brigham Young declared that Joseph Smith was a descendant of Joseph through Ephraim (Journal of Discourses 2:269).

"Additionally, Doctrine and Covenants 113:6 states that the 'root of Jesse' as spoken of in Isaiah 11:10 is 'a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days.' Such wording suggests the individual to be none other than Joseph Smith."

Jesse, in biblical history, is the father of David, making him the ancestor of the kings of Judah and of Christ (see Ruth 4:17,22; 1 Chronicles 2:5-12; Matthew 1:5-6; Bible Dictionary, "Jesse" entry).

[_Fence Sitter]

2 Nephi 3