Did Joseph Smith receive revelation that the moon was inhabited?
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We have no evidence that he did. This claim is based on a single third-hand report made in 1881, almost four decades after Joseph died. Even though the belief was popular in the nineteenth century, we have no evidence from Joseph's writings or speeches that he believed any such thing, or that he made any prophecies or revelations related to such a belief.
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Is DC 84꞉3-5 an example of a failed prophecy?
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Joseph Smith's revelation in D&C 84 may appear on the surface to be a failed prophecy, but a more nuanced exegesis reveals that it may not have been a prophecy, and if it is, its fulfillment is still in the future. Another revelation that Joseph Smith recorded in DC 124꞉49-51 rescinded the earlier command to build a temple at Independence. The Lord accepted the diligent efforts of the Saints and wisely instructed them to build temples at other places where they would not be hindered by enemies.
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Claim: DC 1꞉37-38 "just says that you can’t make any excuses for a prophecy that doesn’t come true." (Chip Thompson)
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In this passage, the Lord confirms his word (e.g., prophecies and promises) in the Doctrine and Covenants shall all be fulfilled. By "search[ing] these commandments" we find that:
- promised blessings are predicated by obedience (DC 130꞉20-21)
- commandments and their promised blessings can be revoked due to disobedience (DC 58꞉30-31 DC 56꞉4)
- we need not "run faster or labor more than you have strength" (DC 10꞉4)
- if circumstances render one unable to perfectly keep a commandment, it is sufficient to have good intent (DC 124꞉49-51 see also Mosiah 4꞉24-27)
- if men use agency to be "anxiously engaged" in good acts, they won't "lose their reward" (DC 58꞉27-28)
- the mere presence of a commandment does not guarantee success, prayer is also needed to "come off conqueror" of Satan's opposition. (DC 10꞉5)
- if a person in an important calling can no longer fulfill important responsibilities due to apostasy or death, the Lord can appoint a replacement (DC 114꞉2 DC 118꞉6 DC 124꞉30)
- a person can be released from a calling or responsibility to attend to attend to more important matters (DC 126꞉1-3
It is a misuse of the passage to recast complex texts—texts dealing with commandments in the presence of agency and conditional promises—into unconditional prophecies that must be fulfilled by the letter.
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Is DC 114꞉1 an example of a failed prophecy?
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This revelation is an admonition for David Patten to set all his affairs in order so that he may perform a mission, not a prophecy that he would serve a mission. This revelation must be interpreted in light of a second one (DC 118꞉1-6) received two months later. It identifies the Quorum of Twelve as the "twelve" including Elder Patten who were to embark on a mission the next spring. In fact it specified a date and place to commence and where the mission would be served. Both texts suggest that fallen members of this mission group would be replaced.
The Twelve Apostles had to fight for the survival of their families and fellow Saints in the face of mob violence and a forced, winter exile. Elder Patten himself did not survive until the spring. A council was held in Quincy, Illinois in March to decide what obligations the Twelve had towards fulfilling D&C 118 (and by extension D&C 114):
- Many of the authorities considered, in our present persecuted and scattered condition, the Lord would not require the Twelve to fulfill his words to the letter, and, under our present circumstances, he would take the will for the deed; but I felt differently and so did those of the quorum who were with me. I asked them, individually, what their feelings were upon the subject. They all expressed their desires to fulfill the revelation. I told them the Lord God had spoken, and it was our duty to obey and leave the event in his hands and he would protect us. (Brigham Young Manuscript History)
On the day prescribed in D&C 118, a group of Saints together with the Twelve Apostles gathered in the main square at Far West to take their leave. They then departed in a great hurry (the whole event occurring well before dawn) before anyone would notice because Far West was now enemy territory! President Young had heard a report that "the mob came into Far West and tantalized the committee on the subject of the revelation, saying that was one of Joe Smith's revelations which could not be fulfilled, as the Twelve and the Saints were scattered to the four winds; and threatened them severely if they were found in Far West the next day." (BYMH)
Shortly after that the Twelve, led by Brigham Young, did indeed depart for Great Britain, where they had great success and secured the foundations for the LDS Church as we know it today. It is unfortunate that David Patten was unable to serve in that capacity, but clearly the Lord's purposes underlying D&C 114 and 118 were fulfilled anyway.
To read more:
- "Did Joseph Smith Prophesy Falsely Regarding David Patten?" off-site
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Claim: Joseph Smith does not measure up to the Biblical standard for prophets in Deuteronomy 18꞉21-22
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There is no reliable evidence that Joseph Smith fails any sound test based on Deuteronomy 18꞉21-22. These critics have attempted to condemn Joseph Smith using a standard that would, if applied to Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Nathan, an angel of God, and Jonah, also condemn the Old Testament as a fraud. The critics are inconsistent, given their desire to condemn Joseph.
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Did Joseph Smith prophesy the exact date of the Second Coming of Christ?
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Joseph Smith was merely speculating in 1835 when he said "even 56 years should wind up the scene." It is clear the actual revelation recorded in DC 130꞉14-17 he had on the subject left the exact date much more uncertain.
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