You're really stretching my imagination here. Just a couple points I want to make, then I think I will let you have last word on this as I'm not sure I can wax apologetic much longer.
canpakes wrote:I agree that delegation is fundamental to the Church; it would not exist in its current form without it. But I note that the nature of these tasks in Matthew's quote centers more on service to others than dispensing an eternal judgement. I think the distinction is important.
Ah, but you and I both know that many members are also called as Judges in Israel! If we allow Bishops and Stake Presidents to sit in judgement of those they are charged with, is it honestly that big of a stretch to say that Joseph could sit in judgement, with HF's direction(made even easier in the afterlife as it is no long through the HG), over all the Earth?
Enrichment I Judges in Israel: Watching over the Church
lds.org wrote:The Lord chooses stewards from among the members of His Church and charges them to provide for others opportunities that will assist them in their eternal progression. The Lord also gives these stewards the responsibility of judging so that the Church can be cleansed from iniquity and erring souls brought back into paths of righteousness.
lds.org wrote:With reference to Church disciplinary councils, Elder Kimball wrote: “The bishop in his ordination to that office is made a ‘judge in Israel’ to those of his own ward, but to none who are not so placed under his jurisdiction. The stake president, by his setting apart, is made a judge over the people of the stake over which he is to preside. Likewise, a branch president and mission president have somewhat similar responsibilities. The General Authorities, of course, have general jurisdiction, and have the duty to make judgments in certain instances.” (Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 267–68.)
canpakes wrote:But, on a more serious note, it would seem that there would be limitless and myriad tasks that could be assigned to fill an eternity's time, other than the one task that should arguably be reserved for the fellow at the very top of the management hierarchy.
I would say that your line of thinking here starts with a lot of assumptions about how HF should operate. It would be difficult to say he wouldn't delegate this one task, especially when we have examples in this dispensation of him doing just that. Also, if we are thinking about eternal progression, perhaps the only task that could legitimately prepare Joseph Smith for the next go around is to sit at the Judgement Seat.
canpakes wrote:Granted, it is my own interpretation, but it would seem that being assigned the task of judging souls to an eternity of damnation, or whatever, would be seen as either a joy by a sadist - for which no place in the afterlife should be allowed - or as the worst possible burden by the most deserving, honest and decent individual.
Well, I doubt you will get many members to imagine Joseph Smith as a sadist. So looking at option 2, I'm sure it would be a tremendous burden, but with the guiding hand of HF and the atonement of Christ, I see no reason to imagine it impossible.
I guess all I am trying to get at with my shoddy defense here is this: There are a TON of theological problems with Mormonism; some legitimately very difficult questions (just look at some of the back and forth discussions at the top of this forum right now). Imagining how Joseph could be allowed to "sit in judgement" just never really was for me as a member.