Joseph Smith False Prophet: 3 Biblical Tests Explained
- Mar 4
- 2 min read
Quick Summary
This article examines whether Joseph Smith is a false prophet using clear biblical standards. Scripture gives specific tests for identifying true and false prophets, and when applied to Joseph Smith, serious concerns arise.
The goal is not personal attack, but biblical evaluation. If someone claims to speak for God, their message must align with truth – without contradiction or failure.
1. Joseph Smith False Prophet and the Deuteronomy 18 Test
The Bible gives a clear standard:
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 – If a prophet speaks in God’s name and it does not come to pass, that prophet has spoken falsely.
Joseph Smith made multiple time-bound prophetic claims that did not occur.
Key Examples:
Temple in Independence, Missouri
D&C 84:1–5, 31 (1832) – A temple would be built “in this generation”
The temple was never built in that generation
Sources:
Second Coming Within 56 Years
History of the Church 2:182 (1835) – Suggested the end within ~56 years (by 1891)
This did not occur
Sources:
U.S. Government Overthrow
History of the Church 5:394 (1843) – Government would be “utterly overthrown”
This did not happen
Sources: https://mit.irr.org/file/history-of-church-vol5-p394-false-prophecies https://mit.irr.org/failed-prophecies-of-joseph-smith
David W. Patten Mission
D&C 114:1 (1838) – Mission predicted for the following spring
Patten died before it could happen
Sources:
Key Insight
Even one failed prophecy disqualifies a prophet according to Scripture.
Some defenders argue these were conditional, but the language often presents them as direct revelations.
Reference for LDS defense: https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/Alleged_false_prophecies_of_Joseph_Smith
2. The Book of Abraham Challenges His Translation Claims
Joseph Smith claimed the papyri contained writings of Abraham and translated them into what is now the Book of Abraham.
However, when the papyri were rediscovered:
They were identified as Egyptian funerary texts
They do not mention Abraham
Smith’s interpretations of the facsimiles do not match Egyptological understanding
Sources:
Key Insight
The LDS Church now supports a “catalyst theory,” suggesting the papyri inspired revelation rather than being directly translated.
Critics argue this conflicts with Joseph Smith’s original claims of literal translation.
3. Joseph Smith Fails the Deuteronomy 13 Test
Another biblical test:
Deuteronomy 13:1-3 – Even if signs occur, a prophet who leads people to a different view of God must be rejected.
Joseph Smith introduced teachings such as:
God the Father was once a man
Humans can become gods
A plurality of gods exists
These teachings differ significantly from biblical monotheism:
Isaiah 43:10 – No God formed before or after
Isaiah 44:6 – The Lord is the only God
1 Timothy 1:17 – God is eternal and unchanging
Source:
Apologetic Insight
The Bible provides objective tests for truth:
Do prophecies come true?
Does the teaching align with God’s revealed nature?
When these tests are applied consistently, the conclusions are not based on opinion, but on Scripture.
Final Takeaway
Joseph Smith’s claims must be evaluated by the same biblical standards applied to all prophets.
Based on:
Failed prophetic statements
Translation issues
Doctrinal differences about God
There is strong biblical reason to question his authority as a true prophet.
This topic requires both truth and humility. The goal is not to win arguments, but to point people toward the unchanging truth of Scripture.
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