Joseph Smith was nothing but a farm boy who learned lots of skills (mostly farming) from being poor and having to support himself. I've never heard anything about him having anything to do with masonry. And Brigham Young was a carpenter. I will look into that, but even if he was skilled in that it doesn't mean he was affiliated with the free mason stuff... That's news to me and doubtful - but irregardless, twisted. Even the Lord told Joseph Smith his name would be had for both good and evil. Lots of inaccuracies have been spread about him. Actually he was spoken of in the Bible....the apostasy was, too, as well as a need for a restoration. I know even you realize that things changed and have not been the same since not too long after Christ's church was established.

As far as our concept of Jesus Christ, it is no different other than that we believe He also existed in the pre-existence or pre-mortal realm with all of us as a spirit child of Heavenly Father. We see Him and our Heavenly Father as being two distinct beings and the holy ghost as a separate being as well (only without a body). Concerning satan - he was our brother in spirit. He fell because he was jealous of Jesus - who was from the beginning Heavenly Father's firstborn even in spirit. Jesus was chosen from the beginning to be our Savior. lucifer didn't want us to carry out the plan as it was presented where we would all have a choice. his idea was to make sure every one of us made it back to Heaven in God's presence through force but he wanted to get all the glory and pretty much be our God. He rebelled and turned evil because of his huge ego and pride. He was cast out of heaven and onto this earth as a spirit along with the 3rd of the hosts of heaven who followed him. They will never get bodies - that is why they want to possess us. They are very bitter, angry, jealous, and want to destroy us. But are allowed to be here until the Millenial Reign in order for us to be tested. They will eventually be sent to outer darkness. We kept our first estate and are now here with bodies separate from God physically at least to prove ourselves and learn to live by faith - but we do have our spirits to guide us - our spirits which once lived with Heavenly Father and Jesus...(our spirits know the truth....) and of course we have the Holy Ghost to guide us. Some other faiths think we don't revere Christ the same due to our belief that He existed with us in the pre-mortal life but we were still not on the same level as Him even there. He is our Lord and Savior and always will be. He even created this earth under Heavenly Father's direction.

We use the KJV...(but that is not what you are quoting from...)and I know about testing spirits. : )

Let me look into what you are talking about. I appreciate your concern...

I will explain, too, how we look at the afterlife as far as our potential. I didn't even know about that until I was baptized. What drew me to the church was wanting to know and understand what happens when we die, the afterlife and as I searched for the truth I could not understand why there were so many churches interpreting the Bible so many different ways. I was told by one preacher that we were all dirty rags.... We are children of God. Anyway - it isn't quite that simple as far as your question... I will be back.