Failed Prophecies of Joseph Smith

Institute for Religious Studies ^

[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.

[A.J.Armitage]

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

That's just the thing. It isn't a straw man. If I heed Joe Smith, I have to believe the world will end in 1891, never mind that it's now 2003. Smith messed up, and stands exposed as a false prophet. You can rage, restornu can post silly graphics, but nothing will change the fact that the Lord has commanded you not to fear Joe Smith. You fear him, and exhort us to fear him, in direct violation of God's standard of a true prophet, delivered by a real prophet, Moses. Moses wouldn't have thought twice about having Smith stoned.

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.

Restornu quoted some of them "in context" (which didn't help the Mormon cause any). So is she now an anti-Mormon liar?

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.

This from the guy who said the "prophet" who ordered his thugs to destroy a newspaper for printing a truth about him he'd rather keep secret had no hints of scandal. And now you claim Joe Smith never said the stuff above, even though it's been quoted. You lie, and you even lie about who's lying. You have to lie. If you didn't, you couldn't be a Mormon.

But it's not just lying, is it? In your next post, you called me a "retarded hate-monger". You can't attack the facts, so you attack the people telling you the facts. And based on your own words, the conclusion is that Mormonism gives you no comfort. Good. It shouldn't give you comfort, because it's a lie cooked up by a huckster at the behest of Satan. If it gives you no comfort, that's a good sign, because there IS comfort from God. Real comfort, based on the truth. You keep say it's not too late: it's not. God can still save you. He can still pull you from your blasphemies. Joe Smith is waiting to be cast into the Lake of Fire; you don't have to join him.

Which is worth more: keeping your pride in this world and not admitting you had it wrong, or being saved?

[Wrigley]

So, do we have natural man comments here?

[A.J.Armitage]

Tiny, miniscule little minds.

Possibly the least hateful thing you've said in the whole thread.

You hate us because it's the only defense you have against the truth. You could embrace the truth instead and trust in Jesus alone, but you have too much invested in the false gospel of Joe Smith. So you hate. That's no surprise. The world has always hated us and always will.

You can still repent. Nothing stands in the way but your own will.

[restornu]

MANY EYES UPON YOU!

[Illbay]

Yeah, you equate a couple of roughneck hillbillys acting in the far frontier of a frontier settlement--without knowledge, much less consent of anyone in authority--to the INSTITUTIONALIZED persecution, led by prominent Methodist and Baptist clergy, as well as elected officials--though without true color of law and in such a way that was condemned as "criminal" just a few years later by the Federal authorities that had to take over Missouri just a few years later.

Par for your course, you cretin.

[Illbay]

That's just the thing. It isn't a straw man...

See this stuff I have in this box right here? I dug it out of my chicken-yard. It ISN'T what you think it is, it's PURE GOLD!!!

[A.J.Armitage]

Yeah, you equate a couple of roughneck hillbillys acting in the far frontier of a frontier settlement--without knowledge, much less consent of anyone in authority--to the INSTITUTIONALIZED persecution, led by prominent Methodist and Baptist clergy, as well as elected officials--though without true color of law and in such a way that was condemned as "criminal" just a few years later by the Federal authorities that had to take over Missouri just a few years later.

Joe Smith commanded a militia and was a mayor. He ran for president.

He also ordered thugs to attack a newspaper.

[A.J.Armitage]

See this stuff I have in this box right here? I dug it out of my chicken-yard. It ISN'T what you think it is, it's PURE GOLD!!!

AND it's got writing! I traslated it with a seer stone. It's right here in this other testament of Jesus Christ.

If you don't believe it, you're demon-spawn! It's got to be true: see how much of it's also in the KJV...

[Illbay]

You hate us because it's the only defense you have against the truth.

Wrong. I hate bigotry. I hate lies in the name of bigotry. I hate the self-righteous, smug intolerance that masquerades as "Chri$tian" charity and concern for the "souls" of the wayward (you know, that's EXACTLY what they said throughout the centuries when the Chri$tians were burning "heretics": It was out of concern for their immortal souls, and--like that perennial useful idiot drstevej intoned earlier--because they knew they were "approved by Jesus.")

We could be as wrong as wrong can be in all our religious beliefs, and we'd still be better than YOU, because we don't justify persecution including murder and mayhem because of religious differences.

That's where you people are the scum of the earth. Were the Savior teaching today, you'd be standing there with a sign warning people away. But what's more, if you could get 'round the law you'd see Him crucified again, and you'd stand there shouting for Barrabas as loudly as your voice could carry.

That's who you are; it's who the likes of you have always been. If you don't like the fact that I'm exposing your ghastliness for all to see, well, that's just too bad.

Joseph was told that the Gentiles would be suffered to harm the Saints just so many times.

Your time is up.

[Illbay]

You've heard of slander, right? Funny thing, slander. You have to prove it in a court of law.

And the Nauvoo Expositor was found GUILTY of vile, vicious slander (of the same stripe cretins like you regularly spew in these threads) in a court of law, and the FORCES of the law took out their printing press. Bravo. So few times did you see true justice done on behalf of the "Mormons" in that time. That was one of them.

Of course, I remember a former war protestor describing the lawful pacification of a bunch of his maggot-ridden buddies at a small state college in Iowa in the early 70s. He said they were noble citizens, exercising their right of free speech, and were set upon by "thugs."

The way it looked to me, the protestors were burning buildings and turning over cars, and the lawful authorities moved in to restore peace.

Depends which side you're on, who're the thugs and who're the "heroes."

You and that "peace protestor" can have it your way. I and the noble principles of law and order will have it ours.

[Illbay]

Since I realize you can't translate a bloomin' thing unless you got the divil whisperin' in your ear, I'll just smirk and pass on that silly statement.

Bottom line, you can declare whatever you want to; that don't make it sacred truth.

A prophet spoke, and the word came from Cumorah, and the world is changed forever, despite the puny efforts of misbegotten followers of darkness like yourself.

You will NEVER extinguish that light; you won't even succeed in driving it underground as you did more than eighteen centuries ago.

It's there for all to see. The rock is cut out of the mountain without hands, and no pitiful hand of a man can stay its inevitable progress.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the ONLY true and living Church of God and His Christ on the face of this world. Join or stay in darkness. The Lord has given it to you to choose.

So far, I can't say I think much of your prospects.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

It has been said that one should not stir up old $h!t as it will stink as bad as it did at first. If you are tired of hearing about Mountain Meadows there is another massacre for you.
In 1862 many of the mormons, about 500, began to think of Brigham Young as a false prophet and separated themselves from the church. They were led by a man named Joseph Morris and were referred to as the Morrisites.
Young, not wanting a rival prophet, ordered the Nauvoo leagion to attack and destroy them which they did, firing cannon into the men, women, and children with abandon. They then rode in shooting everyone they saw. Both Morris and Joseph Banks were killed.(Banks, slightly wounded died not long after drinking a cup of "water" given to him by the Brighamite surgeon.)
After it was over Brigham Young said this...
"Morris and Banks will be taken no doubt, but if I had my way I would spare neither man, woman, or child..."

The US Army later resettled many of the Morrisites at Soda Springs, Idaho.

Stir, Stir, Stir!

[Elsie]

Gone..... butt not forgotten

I was merely interpreting, just like the Bible says to do......

---

It was OBVIOUS that Illbay was speaking in tongues, as it seemed that no one understood him.  So, someone NEEDED to do the interpretation.

---

 

1 Corinthians 14

 

 1.  Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
 2.  For anyone who speaks in a tongue  does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.
 3.  But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
 4.  He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
 5.  I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,  but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,  unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.
 6.  Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
 7.  Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?
 8.  Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?
 9.  So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
 10.  Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
 11.  If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
 12.  So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
 13.  For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. (but, he did NOT want to do this!)
 14.  For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
 15.  So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
 16.  If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand  say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?
 17.  You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.
 18.  I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
 19.  But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
 20.  Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
 21.  In the Law it is written: "Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me," says the Lord.
 22.  Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
 23.  So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand  or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
 24.  But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all,
 25.  and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"
 26.  What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.
 27.  If anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
 28.  If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.

 

Good advice!

[Elsie]

Say there, AJ. What kinda heathen ARE you??

#54 ...who have NOTHING in your own false religion that gives you an ounce of comfort,

A Muslim?
Hindu?
JW?
Animist?
Wiccan?

You know, one of these millions of miserable people who have no joy.... (Why DO they do it???)

---

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.

Are you still waiting for him to post the truth; as he sees it?

I am...........

[A.J.Armitage]

I hate bigotry.

And yet you follow racists like Brigham Young.

I hate lies in the name of bigotry.

But you love lies in the name of Mormonism.

For example:

We could be as wrong as wrong can be in all our religious beliefs, and we'd still be better than YOU, because we don't justify persecution including murder and mayhem because of religious differences.

Quote me justifying persecution.

You can't. You can quote me saying Moses and the other prophets would have gladly stoned joe Smith to death, and that's objectively true. But we're under grace (or I am, anyway), not the law.

You can also quote me saying some extremely harsh things about Mormonism: it's a fraud, it's blasphemous, it's a heresy, it inverts Jesus and Satan, it's racist, and so on. All of them true, none of them calls for persecution. If harsh words are calls for persecution, what should we make of you?

But you cannot quote me calling for persecution. You can be be blasphemous as all get-out, and as long as you refrain from attacking others' persons or property (which the early Mormons notably failed to do), you should be left with no more disturbance than others pointing out your blasphemy and the eternal consequences thereof. You can worship Baphomet if you want, and I won't come looking for you.

Or, to put it simply, you're a liar.

That's where you people are the scum of the earth. Were the Savior teaching today, you'd be standing there with a sign warning people away.

He is teaching today, through Scriptures, and instead of simply directing others away, you add other, false teachings to keep people from following the real teaching of my Lord. Somewhat more subtle, but it has the same effect and the same source.

But what's more, if you could get 'round the law you'd see Him crucified again, and you'd stand there shouting for Barrabas as loudly as your voice could carry.

There, but for the grace of God, would go I.

But I have the grace of God.

That's who you are; it's who the likes of you have always been. If you don't like the fact that I'm exposing your ghastliness for all to see, well, that's just too bad.

You're not exposing anything except the fact that you've got nothing but ad hominems. Mormonism is intellectually, morally, and spiritually bankrupt. It always has been.

Joseph was told that the Gentiles would be suffered to harm the Saints just so many times. Your time is up.

Is that a threat?

[A.J.Armitage]

Just keep telling yourself that.

[A.J.Armitage]

Say there, AJ. What kinda heathen ARE you??

A white one. The piddling Mormon god has had a day, and I'm still almost as white as Bigham Young's sheets. Maybe he's waiting for summer -- the heathen went to the beach white and delightsome, and behold, his skin is now darkened.

[Elsie]

Well.... if you saw (read - could stomache) the special(?) on Michael Jackson tonight, you would have noted that HE is just getting more and MORE delightsome as he ages!

Perhaps he's switched allegience from the JW of his youth to the LDS organization.

[CARepubGal]

Bitter? Old? harpy? FOFLMAO! Not even close to the truth. Lust did not lead me away from the lies LDS inc taught. Jesus led me away from the false gods you worship. The Mormon god wants ignorant drones. Mine wants His children to love Him intelligently. have fun following the (false) prophet. And your garments are not flame proof.

[A.J.Armitage]

More delightsome? I had thought he'd reached the pinacle of delightsomeness, but now he's even more delightsome? Sacre blanc! Too bad I didn't see it.