Alleged false prophecies of Joseph Smith

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Questions

== Critics claim that Joseph Smith was not a true prophet, and that he made "false prophecies."

To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, [[../CriticalSources|click here]]

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Detailed Analysis

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Accusations of false prophecy

Specific accusations of Joseph Smith having uttered "false prophecy" are treated in the following wiki articles:

Can't kill Joseph within 5 years of August 1843?

Summary: Sarah Scott's claim that Joseph Smith said on 27 August 1843 that nobody could kill him "till the Temple would be completed."

Civil War prophecy

Summary: Joseph Smith made an 1832 prophecy of the Civil War. Critics use a variety of tactics to dismiss this prophetic "hit."

• • Alexander Doniphan and destruction in Missouri—
    Brief Summary: Immense destructions in Missouri preceding the Second Coming, so extensive that “not a yellow dog will be left to wag his tail.” (Click here for full article)
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  • Attitude of Saints to Civil War prophecy—
    Brief Summary: One critic claims that the horrors of the Civil War actually brought the Saints "some degree of emotional satisfaction and comfort," since it fulfilled Joseph's prophecy. (Click here for full article)
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David Patten to serve a mission

Summary: Joseph Smith, under the inspiration of the Lord, issued a call for David Patten to go on a mission the following spring. Since Patten died before fulfilling this mission, critics claim that this is a failed prophecy.

Forged prophecy about Saints in Rocky Mountains?

Summary: Critics Jerald and Sandra Tanner claim that a prophecy from Joseph about the Saints' move to the Rocky Mountains was forged after the fact and inserted into the History of the Church.

• • Tanners' use of sources—
    Brief Summary: An examination of the sources used by the Tanners and how they do not support the critical claim. (Click here for full article)
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Government to be overthrown and wasted

Summary: Since it is more than 150 years since this prophecy was uttered, and because the US government still exists, critics claim that this is a false prophecy.

Independence temple to be built "in this generation"

Summary: Critics point to Joseph Smith's prophecy that the Independence, Missouri temple "shall be reared in this generation" as an example of a failed prophecy

The Saints had to leave Missouri before the temple was built in Independence

Summary: Despite the fact that the Saints were forced to leave Missouri around a year after the "prediction" was given to build a temple in Independence, Missouri, they still hoped to return and see the prophecy come to fruition.

Joseph and Orson Hyde to drink of wine in Palestine?

Summary: Critics claim that 1) Joseph uttered a false prophecy in telling Orson Hyde that he would drink wine with him in Palestine, and 2) Joseph showed his disregard for the Word of Wisdom by promising to drink wine.

Notes from Kirtland Safety Society to be "as good as gold"?

Summary: Critics make light of Joseph Smith's claim that Kirtland Safety Society notes would be "as good as gold."

Prophetic test in Deuteronomy

Summary: Critics point to Deuteronomy 18:20-22 as a 'test' for a true prophet:

Queens to pay respect to Relief Society within ten years?

Second Coming in 1890 (56 years)

Summary: Is it true that Joseph Smith prophesied Jesus Christ's return in 1890?

Stephen A. Douglas prophecy

Summary: Critics assert that a "forged prediction" was added to the history of the Church related to the political career of Stephen A. Douglas.)

Ten tribes return and wicked swept away?

Summary: Critics claim that Joseph prophecied that the wicked "of this generation" would be swept from the face of the land and the Lost Ten tribes would be gathered within Joseph Smith's generation.

Thomas B. Marsh to be "exalted"

Summary: Thomas B. Marsh was told that he would be "exalted," and that he would preach "unto the ends of the earth." (See DC 112:.) Critics claim that this prophecy was "unfulfilled," given Marsh's apostasy.

United Order everlasting, immutable, and unchangeable?

Summary: Critics claim that Joseph gave a false prophecy when he described the United Order in revelation as "everlasting," "immutable and unchangeable," "until I [Jesus] come."

Zion redeemed by September 1836?

Summary: Joseph predicted that Zion would be redeemed by September 1836.

Are prophets infallible?

Summary: Critics insist that any statement by any LDS Church leader at any point in time represents LDS doctrine and is thus something that is secretly believed, or that should be believed, by Latter-day Saints.

Fulfilled prophecies

• The Word of Wisdom states that it is given in part because of the "evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days" (DC 89꞉4). Modern developments have vindicated this prophetic warning.
• A list of some examples of fulfilled prophecies can be found here:
  • Jeff Lindsay, "Fulfilled Prophesies of Joseph Smith," off-site

== Notes == None

Further reading

FairMormon Answers articles

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