Prophets and Church leaders

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Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith

Summary: Claims and questions about Joseph Smith, first prophet of the restoration

Post-Joseph Smith and non-Joseph Smith prophecies

Revelation after Joseph Smith

Summary: If every President of the Church is a prophet, seer, and revelator, why have so few revelations after Joseph Smith been added to the Doctrine and Covenants? Revelations used to be printed in Church periodicals such as the Times and Seasons and the Evening and Morning Star. Why are revelations no longer published on an ongoing basis?

• • Must all apostles literally see Christ?—
    Brief Summary: Must a man see Christ literally in order to be called as an apostle? (Click here for full article)
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Oliver Cowdery

Orson Hyde ordination blessing: altered in History of the Church?

Summary: Critics claim that the ordination blessing given to Orson Hyde is an example of false prophecy. They also claim that Hyde's blessing was altered in the History of the Church for propaganda reasons.

Lyman Johnson to live until gathering accomplished

Summary: Critics claim that the ordination blessing given to Lyman Johnson of the Twelve was a false prophecy: "...that he shall live until the gathering is accomplished."

William Smith to remain on the earth until Christ comes

Summary: Critics claim that the ordination blessing given to William Smith, is an example of false prophecy.

Martin Harris

Heber C. Kimball - stand until the coming of the Lord

Summary: Critics claim that the ordination blessing given to Heber C. Kimball is an example of false prophecy.

Parley P. Pratt

Parley P. Pratt's reply to Sutherland

Summary: Parley P. Pratt replied to an anti-Mormon author and made a prophecy about the world's end that did not come to pass. What can you tell me about this?

Joseph Smith, Sr.

Joseph Smith, Jr., to continue in the priest's office until Christ comes

Summary: Critics claim that the father's blessing given to Joseph Smith, Jr., in which Joseph Sr. "declar[ed] that I should continue in the Priest's office until Christ comes," is an example of a false prophecy.

Joseph Fielding Smith

Joseph Fielding Smith claimed that man would never walk on the Moon

Summary: Critics claim that Joseph Fielding Smith taught or "prophesied" than man would never walk on the moon. Because of this, critics insist that Pres. Smith was a false prophet, or that nothing he taught can be replied upon.

David Whitmer

Brigham Young ordination blessing

Summary: FAIR has found no criticism about the blessing given to Brigham Young upon his ordination as an apostle. His blessing is referenced by at least one other blessing, however, and so is included here for reference.

Wilford Woodruff

Destruction of New York and Albany

Summary: Wilford made a prophecy that included the destruction of New York and Albany in an earthquake. Brigham Young confirmed this as a true revelation. Since no earthquake has yet destroyed them, does this make both guilty of false prophecy?

Others

John Taylor 1886 revelation

Summary: Did John Taylor receive a revelation on September 27, 1886 that promised that “polygamy would never be abandoned?”

Joseph F. Smith on revelation at Smoot hearings

Summary: Critics claim that at the Smoot hearings, Joseph F. Smith said that he never received revelation.

Missouri myths?

Summary: Will members "walk back to Jackson County" before the second coming of Christ? Will the whole Church return to Jackson county before the second coming?

• • Walk back to Missouri?—
    Brief Summary: Myth #1: We’re going to walk to Missouri to prepare for the Second Coming. (Click here for full article)
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  • Return to Jackson County, Missouri?—
    Brief Summary: Myth #2: The entire Church will be gathered to Missouri. (Click here for full article)
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  • Heber C. Kimball–"dead yellow dog"—
    Brief Summary: Myth #3: Destruction in Missouri. Did early leaders prophesy destruction against Jackson County before the second coming of Christ? (Click here for full article)
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Wilford Woodruff's 1889 revelation

Summary: Did Wilford Woodruff receive a revelation on November 24, 1889 the said that the Church would prevail against the Government effort to seize the Church's assets?

Other related issues and claims

LDS prophets don't prophesy?

Summary: Some critics say that Latter-day Saint prophets aren't really "prophets" because they don't prophesy by foretelling unknown events. They commonly issue challenges such as, "If Gordon B. Hinckley is a prophet, tell me one event that he's prophesied." Do LDS prophets "prophesy"?

Prophetic inerrancy?

Summary: Critics sometimes impose absolutist assumptions on the Church by holding inerrantist beliefs about scriptures or prophets, and assuming that the LDS have similar views. Critics therefore insist, based upon these assumptions, that any statement by any LDS Church leader represents LDS doctrine and is thus something that is secretly believed, or that should be believed, by Latter-day Saints.

Mormonism and prophets

Summary: Critics claim that General Authorities are very silent about some issues, and that the Maxwell Institute takes their place

Further reading and additional sources responding to these claims