Joseph Smith The False Prophet
- Mar 4
- 3 min read
1. Failed Prophecies (Deuteronomy 18 Test)
Smith issued statements “in the name of the Lord” (often in Doctrine and Covenants or History of the Church) that did not come to pass.
Temple in Independence, Missouri (“Zion”) – D&C 84:1–5, 31 (September 22–23, 1832) The revelation states the temple “shall be reared in this generation” and “this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord.” The Saints were expelled from Jackson County in 1833; no temple was built on the dedicated lot in Smith's generation or since. Early LDS leaders treated it as time-bound. Sources:
Doctrine and Covenants 84:1–5, 31 (official LDS scripture).
Can We Trust the Prophecies of Joseph Smith? (Cold Case Christianity).
False Prophecies of Joseph Smith – Temple in Independence, MO (Talking to Mormons).
The Second Coming / End of the Scene within 56 years – History of the Church 2:182 (February 14, 1835) Smith stated the Lord's coming was “nigh—even fifty-six years should wind up the scene” (1835 + 56 = 1891). It did not occur. Sources:
History of the Church, vol. 2, p. 182 (official LDS publication; searchable via Joseph Smith Papers or archives).
Failed Prophecies of Joseph Smith (Institute for Religious Research).
Can We Trust the Prophecies of Joseph Smith? (Cold Case Christianity).
U.S. Government to be “utterly overthrown and wasted” – History of the Church 5:394 (May 6, 1843) Unless Missouri wrongs were redressed, the government would be “utterly overthrown and wasted” in a few years. No redress occurred; the U.S. government persists. Sources:
History of the Church, vol. 5, p. 394 (official LDS publication).
Failed Prophecies of Joseph Smith (Institute for Religious Research).
David W. Patten’s Mission – D&C 114:1 (April 17, 1838) Patten was to perform a mission “next spring” with the Twelve; he died in October 1838 before it happened. Sources:
Doctrine and Covenants 114:1 (official LDS scripture).
Failed Prophecies of Joseph Smith (Institute for Religious Research).
Critics argue these are unconditional and presented as divine; one failure disqualifies under Deut 18. (For LDS counterarguments emphasizing conditionality or flexible fulfillment, see Alleged false prophecies of Joseph Smith on FAIR Latter-day Saints.)
2. The Book of Abraham (Evidence Against Divine Translation Gift)
Smith claimed the papyri contained “the writings of Abraham... written by his own hand upon papyrus” and produced the Book of Abraham (Pearl of Great Price). Rediscovered fragments (1960s) are Ptolemaic funerary texts (Book of Breathings for Hôr, Book of the Dead); Egyptologists say they mention nothing of Abraham, and Smith's facsimiles/explanations mismatch Egyptian meanings (e.g., Facsimile 1 is Osiris resurrection, not Abraham's sacrifice). Sources:
Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham (official LDS Gospel Topics Essay; endorses “catalyst theory”).
“Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham” — A Response (Robert K. Ritner, Egyptologist, University of Chicago; direct scholarly critique).
The Church's essay endorses a “catalyst theory” (papyri prompted revelation, not literal translation), but critics say this contradicts Smith's original claims.
3. Leading People After “Other Gods” (Deuteronomy 13 Test)
Later teachings (e.g., King Follett Discourse, D&C 132) describe God the Father as an exalted man who progressed to godhood, plurality of gods, and human exaltation to godhood—contrasting biblical monotheism (Isa 43–44; 1 Tim 1:17). Deut 13 disqualifies even if signs occur. Sources:
This is a Test: Joseph Smith and Deuteronomy 13 (Mormonism Research Ministry).
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