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Failed Prophecies of Joseph Smith
Institute for Religious Studies ^

Posted on 02/03/2003 6:49:48 PM PST by A.J.Armitage

Joseph Smith bore many titles in his lifetime, Elder, Seer, President, Mayor, even Lieutenant General, but he is probably best known as the Prophet. And prophesy he did, often with great passion, invoking the powers of heaven and the name of God. What follows are seven prophecies of Joseph Smith, notable for their specificity and appeal to divine authority. These are taken from official Mormon sources — either the Latter-day Saint scriptures or the History of the Church (HC), a seven volume history published under the authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). Each are given in context and cited directly from the original source. Where they are known, subsequent historical events relevant to the prophecy are noted.

Prophecy # 1 — The Coming of the Lord

President Smith then stated that the meeting had been called, because God had commanded it; and it was made known to him by vision and by the Holy Spirit. . . . it was the will of God that they should be ordained to the ministry and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, for the coming of the Lord, which was nigh — even fifty six years should wind up the scene. (History of the Church, Vol. 2, page 182).

This prophecy was spoken by Joseph Smith in 1835, and recorded by Oliver Cowdery. The fifty-six years were passed by 1891.

Prophecy # 2 — David W. Patten to go on a mission

Verily, thus saith the Lord: It is wisdom in my servant David W. Patten, that he settle up all his business as soon as he possibly can, and make a disposition of his merchandise, that he may perform a mission unto me next spring, in company with others, even twelve including himself, to testify of my name and bear glad tidings unto the world. (Doctrine & Covenants 114:1)

This prophecy was made on April 17, 1838. David W. Patten died in October of 1838 and thus never went on a mission the following spring.

Prophecy # 3 — The United States Government
to be overthrown in a few years

I prophecy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, unless the United States redress the wrongs committed upon the Saints in the state of Missouri and punish the crimes committed by her officers that in a few years the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be so much as a potsherd left for their wickedness in permitting the murder of men, women and children, and the wholesale plunder and extermination of thousands of her citizens to go unpunished (History of the Church, Vol. 5, page 394).

Joseph Smith made this prophecy in May 6, 1843. However, the United States Government did not redress any of the wrongs committed against the Mormons in Missouri, and now over 150 years later, the U.S. Government still stands.

Prophecy # 4 — Congress to be broken up as a government

While discussing the petition to Congress, I prophesied, by virtue of the holy Priesthood vested in me, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that, if Congress will not hear our petition and grant us protection, they shall be broken up as a government, and God shall damn them, and there shall be nothing left of them — not even a grease spot. (Millennial Star, Vol. 22, p. 455. See also History of the Church (HC), vol. 6, p. 116, though when this prediction was incorporated into the official history, Mormon Church leaders decided to leave out the "grease spot" part.)

The petition was not heard nor was protection granted (Deseret News, Vol. 1, p. 59). Yet, Congress was never broken up and continues to function to this day. It is interesting that the compilers of History of the Church, added an editorial note in an attempt to soften or explain this prophecy. They state that: "This prediction doubtless has reference to the party in power; to the ‘government’ considered as the administration;" (note, p. 116). According to the note in HC, this means the Democratic Party, which was in control at the time. However, the prediction is that "Congress shall be broken up as a government" and Congress is made up of representatives from both parties. The Saints were making an appeal to the General Government, not to the Democratic Party, a point made by a summary statement in the left margin beside this prophecy as it is recorded in HC.

Prophecy #5 —Finding Treasure in Salem, Massachusetts

This prophecy is recorded in Doctrine & Covenants Section 111. The introduction to this prophecy, found at the beginning of Section 111 states:

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Salem, Massachusetts, August 6, 1836. HC 2:465-466. At this time the leaders of the [LDS] Church were heavily in debt due to their labors in the ministry.

1. I, the Lord your God, am not displeased with your coming this journey, notwithstanding your follies.

2. I have much treasure in this city for you, for the benefit of Zion, and many people in this city, whom I will gather out in due time for the benefit of Zion, through your instrumentality.

3. Therefore, it is expedient that you should form acquaintance with men in this city, as you shall be led, and as it shall be given you.

4. And it shall come to pass in due time that I will give this city into your hands, that you shall have power over it, insomuch that they shall not discover your secret parts; and its wealth pertaining to gold and silver shall be yours.

5. Concern not yourselves about your debts, for I will give you power to pay them.

No treasure was ever discovered, nor did Salem ever fell into the hands of the Mormons.

Prophecy #6 — Pestilence, Hail, Famine & Earthquake
to Destroy the Wicked

And now I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ, that not many years shall pass away before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation; pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake will sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of the land, to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel from the north country. The people of the Lord, those who have complied with the requirements of the new covenant, have already commenced gathering together to Zion, which is in the state of Missouri; therefore I declare unto you the warning which the Lord has commanded to declare unto this generation, remembering that the eyes of my Maker are upon me, and that to him I am accountable for every word I say, wishing nothing worse to my fellow-men than their eternal salvation; therefore, "Fear God, and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come." Repent ye, repent ye, and embrace the everlasting covenant and flee to Zion, before the overflowing scourge overtake you, for there are those now living upon the earth whose eyes shall not be closed in death until they see all these things, which I have spoken, fulfilled (History of the Church, Vol. 1, pp. 315-316).

Such a widespread destruction of the wicked of that generation never occurred.

Prophecy # 7 — Temple to be Built in Zion, Missouri

This prophecy comes directly from Doctrine & Covenants Section 84, the introduction of which states:

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, September 22 and 23, 1832. HC 1:286-295.

1. A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six elders, as they united their hearts and lifted their voices on high.

2. Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem.

3. Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased.

4. Verily, this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation.

5. For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house.

The Mormons were forced to flee Missouri due to persecution and a temple was never built on the "temple lot" in the lifetime of Joseph Smith or within the generation of his contemporaries.

Testing Prophetic Claims

Over the last 200 years a number of people have claimed to be religious prophets with special spiritual authority from God. These include Charles Taze Russell (Jehovah’s Witnesses), Ellen G. White (Seventh-day Adventists), Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Science), and Joseph Smith (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Each started an organization which claimed to be the one true Christian Church, each had unique teachings, and each appealed to the Bible to some degree as their basis for spiritual authority. Yet, each "prophet’s" teachings contradict those of the others.

How can we test a person like Joseph Smith who claims to be a prophet?

Jesus warned in Matthew 7:15 that many false prophets would come, and several other places warn us about false prophets and spiritual deception (2 Corinthians 11:4-15; Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1 and Jude 3-16). We should not be surprised, therefore, to discover that there are false prophets in the world today.

A specific biblical test. The Bible, in Deuteronomy chapters 13 and 18, provides 2 tests for anyone claiming to be a prophet and speak for God. If the person fails either test given by God, then we can know for sure they are a false prophet and we are to reject their teaching. Here we will focus on the test found in Deuteronomy 18:21-22 which reads as follows:

And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Here the God of Israel tells his people how they can keep from being deceived by someone claiming to be a prophet — if even one of the prophet’s prophecies do not come true he is a false prophet. What was the punishment if a prophet did speak a false prophecy? According to verse 20 the prophet was to die. So God takes the area of false prophecy very seriously.

Joseph Smith's false prophecies in the name of the Lord constitute one of the single greatest objections to his claim to be a latter-day prophet of God.


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To: drstevej
Stevy in a Puffy self-righteous judgemental highfalutin tootin!

I is goin to get you! Rest you hypocrite how dare you make fun of me as a windbreaker!


41 posted on 02/05/2003 7:03:31 PM PST by restornu
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To: restornu

42 posted on 02/05/2003 7:24:22 PM PST by drstevej
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To: restornu

43 posted on 02/05/2003 7:24:26 PM PST by drstevej
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To: drstevej; Wrigley
Gee Steve your humor is so boring!


Steve & Wrig dancing:)

44 posted on 02/05/2003 7:31:24 PM PST by restornu
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To: restornu
In other words, Steve hit a nerve!
45 posted on 02/05/2003 7:47:03 PM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar

GOT A NEW BROOM RUY?
46 posted on 02/05/2003 8:12:26 PM PST by restornu
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To: Wrigley; drstevej; P-Marlowe; RnMomof7; A.J.Armitage; LiteKeeper
I wish I heard this before I so foolishly plunged into Mormonism. The Mormons are so very wrong in their beliefs it is almost painful to watch them attempt to spin their false doctrines as somehow Christian.
47 posted on 02/05/2003 8:32:54 PM PST by CARepubGal
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To: CARepubGal; restornu; Wrigley; drstevej; P-Marlowe; RnMomof7; A.J.Armitage; LiteKeeper
God brought you and P-Marlowe out of Mormonism to faith in Jesus (minus Joe). We need to keep praying for restornu. It would be great to have her as a sister in Christ.
48 posted on 02/05/2003 9:09:08 PM PST by drstevej
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To: restornu
I is goin to get you!

Hey, he hasn't been turned black yet.

But I'm sure the Mormon god is going to come through and smite us with undelightsome skin any moment now.

49 posted on 02/06/2003 12:04:42 AM PST by A.J.Armitage
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To: A.J.Armitage
I don't know who you are but you are one bitter soul and a one track mind.

My advice to go read some lovely up lifting verses in the NT.

As far a I can see you never let your light shine once on the religious forum.

***


You been attending this forum with a chainsaw!

50 posted on 02/06/2003 5:30:04 AM PST by restornu
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To: restornu

You been attending this forum with a chainsaw.

Even though the source of your gif claims it is of a chainsaw, I have to ask. Do you know what a chain saw is? The gif looks more like a power hand saw or table saw blade to me.

51 posted on 02/06/2003 5:37:28 AM PST by Wrigley
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To: drstevej
Better a hypocrite than a demon-spawn.

A BIG difference.

52 posted on 02/06/2003 6:16:42 AM PST by Illbay
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To: A.J.Armitage
So should I "obey God" by believing Christ will return in 1891?

Should I rise to your silly bait--the oldest trick in the debating universe, the straw man?

Joseph never said any such thing. In fact, what you posted aren't even his words. I know the reference that is alluded to--it's in our scriptures after all--and it bears no resemblence to what you posted.

But you knew that, didn't you? You lie, you know you lie, you don't care if you lie. Lies are the stock-in-trade of the REAL master whom you serve.

53 posted on 02/06/2003 6:18:45 AM PST by Illbay
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To: A.J.Armitage
Unlike most Mormons with their hypocritical front of niceness, you just let it all out...

"Mormons" are people. Just as Jews, Catholics, and Muslims are people. The trick of hate-mongers like yourself is to reduce your target to less-than-people, the better to ease your conscience when your fellow-travelers strangle old women and infants in their beds, or shoot 9-year-old boys through the head at point-blank range with a pistol.

Yes, "Mormons" are people: human beings just like yourself. And "Mormons" have faults. Mine is that I have no patience with retarded hate-mongers who can't even frame an honest argument; they have to populate it with straw-men.

I have no patience with those who persecute the Lord Jesus Christ--yourself, for example.

Finally, I no longer have enough patience to be "nice." It's not a nice world. It's peopled with scum like you, who have NOTHING in your own false religion that gives you an ounce of comfort, so you seek to compensate by attacking the truth, by attacking the only, single, living true church of Jesus Christ on the face of the earth.

But your deeds are known, and they are chronicled. You are fashioning the rope by which you yourself will be hung.

And when that day comes, don't go mewling "but Lord, when did we see You?" You know where He's going to send you at that point.

Begin to repent NOW, and at the very least, if you find you have no stomach nor intellect to recognize and incorporate the truth in your own life, cease to persecute it.

When you do, you seek to crucify Christ anew. That you'll never do, but you will destroy yourself for all eternity.

Pull back, while there's still time.

54 posted on 02/06/2003 6:25:43 AM PST by Illbay
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To: drstevej
I can see your face, drstevej, on the day you walk that path, attempting to get to the one you falsely call your Savior.

You will meet Joseph on the way. He will arch his eyebrow at you, and you will turn pale as the mist of morning.

You will know at that time, that you sought to persecute the Prophets and Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will finally know the depths of eternal regret.

My task is to work hard to perfect myself so that on that day, I don't laugh, hard and loud.

55 posted on 02/06/2003 6:28:00 AM PST by Illbay
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To: Wrigley
You can replace **** with the foulest, most putrid pollution you can think of. That's who and what you are. No more than that.

The foulness of those who fight against the Savior of the world--and the hypocrisy as they bleat, like the goats they are, that they instead FOLLOW him, while crucifying him in their hearts afresh--is beyond description.

Even the asterisks aren't sufficient. They're far too mild.

56 posted on 02/06/2003 6:30:03 AM PST by Illbay
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To: restornu
One can only hope they could be compared to Zeezrom, who though he fought against the Church of the Lamb, was finally convinced of the truth and became a staunch defender of the faith.

Being wholly judgemental and not at all hopeful where the wickedness of this world is concerned, I intend not to hold my breath.

As it is, they are hell-bound just as surely as any human being can possibly be.

57 posted on 02/06/2003 6:32:01 AM PST by Illbay
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To: CARepubGal
What's REALLLY sad to see is the gall of bitterness of those who had the truth, but allowed the lusts of the world, and the temptations of Satan, to turn against it.

This explains to me better than anything else you could say, why you are such a bitter old harpy.

How I pity you.

58 posted on 02/06/2003 6:33:22 AM PST by Illbay
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To: Illbay; Wrigley; Elsie; computerjunkie; CARepubGal; CCWoody; RnMomof7
*** I can see your face, drstevej, on the day you walk that path, attempting to get to the one you falsely call your Savior. You will meet Joseph on the way. He will arch his eyebrow at you, and you will turn pale as the mist of morning.***

Been looking a chocolate rocks in your hat like your pal Joe Smith, have you? Now, in this vision of yours is it Joseph's eyebrow that is arched or Jesus' (or are those two interchangeable for you)?

***You will know at that time, that you sought to persecute the Prophets and Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ***

Only the false prophets and apostles, an endeavor which the real Jesus commends.

Rev 2:2 - I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.

***My task is to work hard to perfect myself ***


Nice self help religion you have there.
59 posted on 02/06/2003 7:16:49 AM PST by drstevej (Give me Jesus (minus Joe Smith and Bringem Young))
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To: drstevej; Illbay
It isn't pretty when you see how hard the devil will fight when confronted.

Even the when he calls us to repent, you see no honesty or any true hopefulness that it will happen. It is a lashing out; a turning from God.

Illbay, I truly hope you will look at your posts and see how full of hate those posts are. Repent while you still can.
60 posted on 02/06/2003 8:11:36 AM PST by Wrigley
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