Smith's claims are up front in D&C 1:29-30. The restoration hinges on real Nephites and real golden plates. Otherwise, choose Jedi-ism, or some other fanciful thing. However, Christianity itself appears to be a moving target. Matthew 7 is the best example of this. Anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ and goes looking for a reward is going to be met with a rebuke. It resolves back to imploring people to be good as its own reward. To love others to make the world a better place. To not always have to have a "me first" attitude. All of the things are missing in mormonism, and in most of evangelical thought, too. The message to love one another (John 13:34) is muddled in the idea we're all sinners (Romans 3:18) and the best that the new testament has to offer is grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). At least, grace is better than mormon guilt, that heaps on in batches. Saved by works....after all we can do.

My present view is as a secular humanist. I am afraid we're pushing the planet to its absolute limit. It likely will not be able to satisfy our species greed and penchant for irreversible damage. Our extinction is on the table.