The mortal linkage between the Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and the prophet of the restoration, Joseph Smith, invite comparisons between the two, said Elder Francis M. Gibbons of the Seventy.

Speaking Saturday afternoon, Elder Gibbons noted many parallels between Jesus and Joseph Smith, but emphasized that the Savior's preeminance as a member of the Godhead gives Him a spiritual status beyond compare."While we honor and revere Joseph Smith as the prophet of the restoration and seek to emulate his qualities of character, we adore and worship the Savior," said Elder Gibbons.

"The supernal status of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the preeminent place which He occupies in the eternal scheme of things, cause us to stand in awe. . . ."

However, some comparisons between the mortal life of Jesus and the life of Joseph Smith exist.

Both came from a working class environment, both came from homes of solid spirituality, both were precocious or gifted, and both were highly controversial. Neither, however, had much formal schooling, and neither traveled far from his home.

Both attracted strong disciples and powerful enemies - enemies that eventually took the life of each one. Both were kind and loving, but both were fearless in enforcing the right.

Both Jesus and Joseph were killed at an early age, and both were betrayed by erstwhile disciples.

Both were prayerful. Both had their births foreseen long in advance.

"While the Savior and Joseph Smith shared these and many other qualities, they were very different in basic ways," said Elder Gibbons. "The Savior functioned on a plane which was beyond the Prophet Joseph Smith's comprehension.

"Jesus is a member of the Godhead, chosen before the creation of the world, to become the Savior and Redeemer of mankind. . . . Through the Atonement, He has, in a sense, purchased us so that we are His children. And by becoming members of the Church, we have taken His name upon us."

The Savior filled many roles. "He is Jehovah of the Old Testament, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Creator. He is our Advocate with the Father. He is our Exemplar. . . .

"With the Father, He shares characteristics unknown to mortal man like the Prophet Joseph Smith. He knows all things and, therefore, is omnicient; He has all power and, therefore, is omnipotent; and through the Light of Christ, He is omnipresent.

"No wonder then that John the Baptist, who, up until his time was the greatest prophet of all, said of Jesus that he, John, was `not worthy to unloose his shoe's latchet.' " (John 1:27.)

Elder Gibbons concluded with his testimony "obtained through the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, the only Begotten of the Father in the flesh."