FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Question: Is a blessing given to Lyman Johnson that he would live until the gathering was accomplished a false prophecy?
This article is a draft. FairMormon editors are currently editing it. We welcome your suggestions on improving the content.
Criticism
Critics claim that the ordination blessing given to Lyman Johnson of the Twelve was a false prophecy:
- that he should bear the tidings of salvation to nations, tongues, and people, until the utmost corners of the earth shall hear the tidings; and that he shall be a witness of the things of God to nations and tongues, and that holy angels shall administer to him occasionally; and that no power of the enemy shall prevent him from going forth and doing the work of the Lord; and that he shall live until the gathering is accomplished, according to the holy prophets; and he shall be like unto Enoch; and his faith shall be like unto his; and he shall be called great among all the living; and Satan shall tremble before him; and he shall see the Savior come and stand upon the earth with power and great glory."[1]
Source(s) of the criticism
Response
Given that Lyman Johnson apostatized and forsook his role in the Twelve, any promise made to him in a blessing would have been forfeit.
Even so, there is nothing in the blessing which can be said to have been unfulfilled.
"Live until the gathering is accomplished"
The blessing is not clear about which gathering is referred. Is it the gathering of all the tribes of Israel? Is it the gathering of the Jews to Jerusalem? These events were not to be completed within Johnson's day, or even our own.
But, there are other "gatherings" discussed and promised. Is it the gathering of the Saints into Zion—Johnson certainly lived to see the Saints gathered to Kirtland and the blessings of the temple within three years, in 1836. His lifetime would also see the gathering of the Saints to Salt Lake, even if he did not participate as a member of the Twelve. Critics must rule out all of these potential readings if they are to label this as "false prophecy." They cannot do so.
"Shall see the Savior come and stand upon the earth"
This promise nowhere asserts that Johnson will be a mortal when he sees this glorious event. This promise could be fulfilled whether Johnson is alive or dead.
Endnotes
- [note] History of the Church, 2:188. Volume 2 link