"...THAT PROPHET SHALL DIE"
by Larry Hall
"But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die." (Deuteronomy 18:20)

If you have ever been visited by missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you were undoubtedly confronted with this statement, "I bear testimony that the Mormon Church is the only true church and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God."

In the many times I have been visited, their "testimony" normally follows one of my hard-hitting, painful, or very sensitive questions to them regarding Mormon doctrine. This Mormon "testimony" is always a signal to me that our dialogue is about to end. The young missionaries are usually quick to add, "We're sorry, but we really must be going. We do have another appointment."

This newsletter is dedicated to the Mormons and Christians who have pondered this question: Was Joseph Smith really a prophet of God? The very existence of Mormonism hinges on the answer. After all, it is a central tenet of their faith that proclaims Joseph Smith was called of God to reestablish Christ's true church on earth and to usher in the last dispensation of time. Mormon scriptures depend entirely upon Joseph's prophetic words and are the written accounts of the "messages" he received.

Much confusion exists regarding the subject of prophecy. To understand the concept, one must know the difference between the "office" of a prophet in the dispensation of law and the "gift" of prophecy in the present dispensation of grace. The calling of the Old Testament prophet was "...one upon whom the Spirit of God rested,...to whom and through whom God speaks,...their messages were very largely the proclamation of the Divine purposes of salvation and glory to be accomplished in the future;..." ¹

It is certain that the "office" of a prophet was fulfilled with the words of Jesus, "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it." ² The Apostle Paul made the transition very clear in his epistle to the Hebrews, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,..." ³

The time for declaring the coming of the kingdom of God was over, and the kingdom itself was now to be declared by Jesus Himself! No New Testament prophet was appointed by Jesus because He had fulfilled the empty office in His own right.

You may wonder, then, about the "gift" of prophecy active in the New Testament church of today. Upon a careful reading of prophecy-related verses in 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, and Acts, you will notice that "prophets" are placed after "apostles." These passages do not refer to the prophets of old, but rather to the gifts of the ascended Lord Jesus. According to Vine, "The purpose of their ministry was to edify, to comfort, and to encourage the believers,...while its effect upon unbelievers was to show that the secrets of a man's heart are known to God, to convict of sin, and to constrain to worship." ⁴

In essence, the Old Testament prophet was replaced with a New Testament "teacher." This change becomes obvious as we read 2 Peter 2:1, "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

Vine has concluded, "With the completion of the canon of Scripture, prophecy apparently passed away. In his measure, the teacher has taken the place of the prophet. The difference is that, whereas the message of the prophet was a direct revelation of the mind of God for the occasion, the message of the teacher is gathered from the completed revelation contained in the Scriptures." ⁵

I have explained the "prophet dilemma" for a reason. If Joseph Smith was appointed by God to be His spokesman, the established order of the New Testament church would have to be ended and a new covenant established! Since such a covenant was never foretold by Christ, a great deal of caution must be taken before we accept as gospel the words of a necromancer!

Before we take the step of faith to obey this New Age Joseph Smith, it would be wise for us to measure him against the same biblical tests that were required for every Old Testament prophet. The test is simple, but nonnegotiable: "When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him." ⁶

"If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." ⁷

As we now examine some of the important prophecies of Joseph Smith, remember that according to Deuteronomy 18:20-22, it takes only ONE false prophecy to make a prophet false, just like it takes only one murder to make a person a murderer.

The Fall of Zion

This prophecy, attributed to the Lord as he spoke through Joseph Smith, was given in Kirtland, Ohio, on September 22-23, 1832. It concerns the everlasting New Jerusalem (or Mount Zion) and the Mormon temple to be built in the city of Independence, Missouri. The prophecy states:

"A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six elders, as they united their hearts and lifted their voices on high.

"Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem.

"Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased.

"Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation.

"For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house." ⁸

On August 2, 1833, Joseph made the claim, "Surely Zion is the city of our God, and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there;" ⁹

Joseph Smith was specific about the location of Zion in December of 1833, "Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children are scattered....And, behold, there is none other place appointed than that which I have appointed; neither shall there be any other place appointed than that which I have appointed, for the work of the gathering of my saints." ¹⁰

It was understood by Mormon authorities that the temple would be reared in Independence, Missouri, within the generation that Joseph was living. Apostle Orson Pratt told the General Conference in 1870, "...God promised in the year 1832 that we should, before the generation then living had passed away, return and build up the city of Zion in Jackson County; that we should return and build up the temple of the Most High where we formerly laid the corner stone....We believe in these promises as much as we believe in any promise ever uttered by Jehovah. The Latter-day Saints just as much expect to receive a fulfillment of that promise during the generation that was in existence in 1832 as they expect that the sun will rise and set tomorrow. Why? Because God cannot lie. He will fulfil all his promises. He has spoken, it must come to pass. This is our faith." ¹¹

For many years, Mormon Church authorities proclaimed their faith in this prophecy. In 1900, President Lorenzo Snow stated, "There are many here now under the sound of my voice, probably a majority, who will live to go back to Jackson County and assist in building that temple." ¹²

As late as 1935, Joseph Fielding Smith, who would become president of the church proclaimed, "I firmly believe that there will be some of that generation who were living when this revelation was given who shall be living when this temple is reared....I have full confidence in the word of the Lord and that it shall not fail." ¹³

Facts and Findings:

(1) Smith's prophecy was proclaimed as a revelation of Jesus Christ and "the word of the Lord."

(2) A generation, according to Webster's Dictionary, is "A single stage or degree in the succession of natural descent...(about 30 years)." The Bible recognizes between 35 to 40 years according to the life-span of Job (Job 42:16). The Book of Mormon counts the time as 110 years (4 Nephi 1:18). In any event, it has now been 165 years since the prophecy was given by Joseph Smith. Every single original player is now dead. It is safe to assume that Smith's generation has passed away.

(3) No Mormon city has ever been established in Missouri.

(4) The temple lot in Jackson County is not owned by the Utah Mormon Church. No temple has ever been built on that site.

(5) As Joseph Smith was declaring his prophecy in Kirtland, Ohio, in August 1833, he was unaware of the problems in Missouri. "Zion" had already been "moved out of her place." Two weeks prior to his revelation, the LDS newspaper presses had been destroyed, and leading Mormon officials had been tarred and feathered and then run out of town.

(6) The only "cloud" to rest on the temple lot was the cloud of dust that was raised when the entire Mormon Church was eventually chased out of the state and had to flee to Utah.

In response to those who profess that "Zion" was "reestablished" in Salt Lake City, they should read again the words of Joseph, "...behold, there is none other place appointed than that which I have appointed; neither shall there be any other place appointed. " So much for Salt Lake City, Utah!

Joseph's prophecy was entirely false. It is ironic that Joseph Smith's own words would serve to convict him. In an article he published in The Evening and Morning Star, July 1833, p. 1, Joseph stated, "The only way to ascertain a true prophet is to compare his prophecies with the ancient Word of God, and see if they agree, and if they do and come to pass, then certainly he is a true prophet....When, therefore any man, no matter who, or how high his standing may be, utters, or publishes, anything that afterwards proves to be untrue, he is a false prophet." ¹⁴

By Joseph Smith's own words he is proven to be a false prophet. According to the dictates of the "fruits of the poisonous tree" doctrine, the foundation of Mormonism crumbles like a house of cards. Mormons who learn the truth about Joseph Smith should not be afraid of him!

The Civil War...

The famous Civil War prophecy is claimed by the Mormon Church as one of Joseph Smith's "true" prophecies. While it looks good on the surface, it changes color drastically upon close examination. Spoken by Smith on Christmas Day 1832, the prophecy is found in Doctrine and Covenants, page 87. The prophecy states:

"Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls;

"And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning at this place.

"For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations, in order to defend themselves against other nations; and then war shall be poured out upon all nations.

"And it shall come to pass also that the remnants who are left of the land shall marshall themselves, and shall become exceedingly angry, and shall vex the Gentiles with a sore vexation."

Facts and Findings

(1) It is fairly easy for a "seer" to predict an event after it has happened! South Carolina had already rebelled before the revelation was given. The History of the Church, Vol. 1, p. 301 reveals that Joseph Smith was aware of this rebellion at the time he gave the revelation. According to investigator Larry Jonas, "On July 14, 1832 (five months prior to Smith's prophecy), Congress had passed a tariff act that South Carolina thought was so bad, she declared the tariff null and void. President Andrew Jackson alerted the nation's troops. At the time Smith made his prophecy, the nation expected a war between North and South to begin at the rebellion of South Carolina. This can be confirmed in a U.S. history book." ¹⁵

(2) This rebellion did not end in war, but the civil war did start some years later over other trouble in South Carolina.

(3) War was not poured out on all nations at that time as Joseph Smith predicted.

(4) Brigham Young prophesied that the Civil War would continue until the land was "emptied" so the Mormons could return to Missouri, "...it will spread and continue until the land is emptied....Many of the Saints will return to Missouri, and there receive an inheritance." ¹⁶ He also declared that the Civil War would not free the slaves: "Will the present struggle free the slaves? No; " ¹⁷ Brigham Young was also a false prophet!

"There is no error in the revelations which I have taught...
I testify that no man has power to reveal it but myself...
things in heaven, in earth, and hell." ¹⁸
(Joseph Smith, Jr.)

The blatant false prophecies of Joseph Smith are so numerous that it is hard to decide how to continue this short article. In spite of Joseph's insistence that he was infallible, he had a terribly bad batting average. Look at several of his prophecies and check your own powers of observation, biblical knowledge, and history:

Joseph Smith prophecy: "...I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and concubines....I reveal unto you a new and everlasting covenant,...no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory....And let my handmaid, Emma Smith, receive all those [wives] that have been given unto my servant Joseph,...But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law." ¹⁹

(It is interesting to note that Joseph Smith already had at least a dozen wives at the time this revelation was given. Joseph Smith himself was destroyed one year later. Emma lived to be an old lady and was an avid enemy of polygamy her entire life.)

Joseph Smith prophecy: "There are those of the rising generation who shall not taste death till Christ comes....I prophesy in the name of the Lord God, and let it be written--the Son of Man will not come in the clouds of heaven till I am eighty-five years old (48 years hence or about 1890)." ²⁰

(The words in parentheses are found in Smith's diary but have been excluded from the account found in official church history. I wonder why?)

Joseph Smith prophecy: "And now I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ, that not many years shall pass away before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation; pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake shall sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of the land...for there are those now living upon the earth whose eyes shall not be closed in death until they see all these things, which I have spoken, fulfilled." ²¹

(This prophecy was given by Joseph in 1833. How many errors can you find?)

Joseph Smith prophecy: "I say unto you, I remember my servant Oliver Granger; behold, verily I say unto him that his name shall be had in sacred remembrance from generation to generation, forever and ever, saith the Lord." ²²

(I have asked several Mormon missionaries if they remember Oliver Granger. The only response I ever get is a blank stare.)

Joseph Smith prophecy: "...I prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, unless the United States redress the wrongs committed upon the Saints in the state of Missouri and punish the crimes committed by her officers, that in a few years the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be so much as a potsherd left." ²³

(The United States never complied with Smith's demands and wrongs were never redressed. After 154 years, the United States is still the most powerful country in the world.)

Was Joseph Smith Ever Right?

Believe it or not, he actually was! According to Ed Decker, President of Saints Alive (a ministry to ex-Mormons), "One such story that did come true (if Joseph actually gave it) was a 'word' given to Orin 'Porter' Rockwell, Joseph Smith's bodyguard and Church assassin for apostates of the early Mormon Church. Smith promised Rockwell a quiet death in bed if he never cut his hair. Porter killed a lot of men through the years, and we are told he died in bed." ²⁴

When I was in the U.S. Army during the early Vietnam years, I spent the last half of my term shooting pistols with the 5th Army Pistol Team. I learned a very valuable lesson about statistical probabilities: If you fire enough shots down-range, you will eventually hit the bullseye!

As I read through the laughable prophecies of Joseph Smith for the first time, I wondered why anyone with a brain could give him the slightest credence. I thought that Phineas Barnum had greatly understated the problem when he said, "There's a sucker born every minute."

Since that time, however, I have learned about the power of the adversary to blind and destroy. The problem has nothing to do with intelligence. It is a spiritual battle for control of man's soul and eternal destiny.

I will continue to pray for, preach to, and prod the Mormon people into the kingdom of the REAL GOD.

References:
(1) W. E. Vine, The Expanded Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, 1984, p. 894
(2) Luke 16:16
(3) Hebrews 1:1-2
(4) W. E. Vine, The Expanded Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, 1984, p. 893
(5) Ibid.
(6) Deuteronomy 18:22
(7) Deuteronomy 13:1-3
(8) Doctrine and Covenants, 84:1-5
(9) Ibid., 97:19
(10) Ibid., 101:17, 20
(11) Journal of Discourses, Vol. 13, p. 362
(12) Jerald and Sandra Tanner, The Changing World of Mormonism, 1981, p. 422 (from Dialog: A Journal of Mormon Thought, 1966, p. 74)
(13) Ibid. (from The Way to Perfection, 1935, p. 270)
(14) Charles and Steven Crane, Ashamed of Joseph, 1993, pp. 106-107 (from The Evening and Morning Star, July 1833, p. 1)
(15) Jerald and Sandra Tanner, The Changing World of Mormonism, 1981, p. 424 (from Mormon Claims Examined, Jonas, p. 52)
(16) Journal of Discourses, Vol. 9, pp. 142-143
(17) Ibid., Vol. 10, p. 250
(18) Joseph Fielding Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 1976, p. 368
(19) Doctrines and Covenants, 132
(20) History of the Church, Vol. 5, p. 336
(21) Ibid., Vol. 1, pp. 315-316
(22) Doctrines and Covenants, 117:12
(23) History of the Church, Vol. 5, p. 394
(24) Ed Decker and Caryl Matrisciana, The Godmakers II, 1993, p. 110

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