Prophecies

1. Isaiah 11 and Joel 2:28-32 soon to be fulfilled

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:20:54 -0400

Joseph Smith History 1:40-41, Pearl of Great Price, September 21, 1823:

Joseph Smith claimed the angel Moroni told him that the prophecies in Isaiah, chapter 11, were “about to be fulfilled” and that the prophecies in Joel 2:28-32 were “soon to be fulfilled.”

Over 180 years have now passed since these prophecies were allegedly received by Joseph Smith. Yet, they have not been fulfilled. Christians know that these prophecies will be fulfilled in the future, but not according to Joseph Smith’s (or Moroni’s) timing.

2. Mormonism: the work of God or men

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:20:39 -0400

Section 3:3, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, July, 1828”:

“Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men.”

This particular verse will come back, time and again, to haunt Joseph Smith. If this verse is to be accepted as scripture by Mormons (which it is, of course), then it simply needs to be demonstrated that something promised or prophesied by Joseph Smith was “frustrated” in some way, making it “the work of men.” (see prophecy #8)

3. The Lamanites would be converted and their skin would turn “white and delightsome”

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:20:14 -0400

Joseph Smith Begins His Work, Vol. 1, Book of Mormon, 1830 First Edition, Wilford C. Wood, Publisher (a Mormon publisher), 2 Nephi chapter 12, p. 117:

3. And now, I would prophecy somewhat more concerning the Jews and the Gentiles. For after the book of which I have spoken shall come forth, and be written unto the Gentiles, and sealed up again unto the Lord, there shall be many which are written; and they shall carry them forth unto the remnant of our seed.
4. And then shall the remnant of our seed know concerning us, how that we came out from Jerusalem, and that they are descendants of the Jews.
5. And the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them; wherefore, they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers, and also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers.
6. And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God; and their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a white and delightsome people.

Note: it is stated in the introduction to the 1981 Edition of the Book of Mormon that “the Lamanites,…are the principle ancestors of the American Indians.” The introductory paragraph to 2 Nephi chapter 5 states, “Because of their unbelief, the Lamanites are cursed, receive a skin of blackness, and become a scourge unto the Nephites.”

In this prophecy in the 1830 Edition of the Book of Mormon, the Lamanites (“the principle ancestors of the American Indians”) would turn “white and delightsome” within a few generations after accepting the gospel. But in 1981, the Book of Mormon was changed to its current reading as “pure and delightsome,” without a footnote indicating why. Is it possible that since sufficient time had passed for all to see that the Lamanites were not going to turn “white and delightsome,” following several generations of being members of the Mormon church, it was prudent to change the verse to “pure and delightsome”?

4. The Copyright to The Book of Mormon would be sold in Toronto, Canada

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:19:59 -0400

An Address To All Believers In Christ, David Whitmer, pp. 30-31, Winter 1829-1830:

Joseph Smith sent Hiram Page and Oliver Cowdery to Toronto, Canada, to sell the copyright of the Book of Mormon in response to the following revelation that he claimed to have received from God through his “seer stone.”

“Joseph looked into the hat in which he placed the stone, and received a revelation that some of the brethren should go to Toronto, Canada, and that they would sell the copy-right of the Book of Mormon. Hiram Page and Oliver Cowdery went to Toronto on this mission, but they failed entirely to sell the copy-right, returning without any money. Joseph was at my father’s house when they returned. I was there also, and am an eye witness to these facts. Jacob Whitmer and John Whitmer were also present when Hiram Page and Oliver Cowdery returned from Canada. Well, we were all in great trouble; and we asked Joseph how it was that he had received a revelation from the Lord for some brethren to go to Toronto and sell the copy-right, and the brethren had utterly failed in their undertaking. Joseph did not know how it was, so he enquired of the Lord about it, and behold the following revelation came through the stone: ‘Some revelations are of God; some revelations are of man; and some revelations are of the devil.’ So we see that the revelation to go to Toronto and sell the copy-right was not of God, but was of the devil or the heart of man.”

B.H. Roberts, LDS apostle and historian, records the following curious explanation regarding this Toronto revelation. “...May this Toronto incident and the Prophet’s explanation be accepted and faith still be maintained in him as an inspired man, a Prophet of God? I answer unhesitatingly in the affirmative. The revelation respecting the Toronto journey was not of God, surely; else it would not have failed; but the Prophet, over-wrought in his deep anxiety for the progress of the work, saw reflected in the ‘Seer Stone’ his own thought, or that suggested to him by his brother Hyrum, rather than the thought of God...in this instance of the Toronto journey, Joseph was evidently not directed by the inspiration of the Lord” (A Comprehensive History of the Church, Vol. 1, p. 165).

It is also interesting to note that Joseph Smith went back to the same seer stone to get an explanation from God as to why the first prophecy through that seer stone did not come to pass.

In view of these facts, how could anyone trust the prophetic ability or accuracy of Joseph Smith, when he himself could not discern between the sources of his revelations?

5. The “apostasy” and the “restoration” of the church

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:19:43 -0400

Mormonism is founded on Joseph Smith’s teaching about the apostasy of the early Church, which Joseph alleged God had revealed to him:

“When the people rejected the truth and killed the apostles, God took the priesthood authority and the Church from the earth. The loss of revelation through the Church led to great confusion, contention, and incorrect teachings. This falling away from the truth is called the Apostasy” (The Restoration, from the Missionary Discussions, 1986, Study Guide #3, pp. 1-2).

“Doctrines were corrupted, authority lost, and a false order of religion took the place of the gospel of Jesus Christ, just as it had been the case in former dispensations, and the people were left in spiritual darkness” (Improvement Era Magazine, February 1952, Vol. 55, No. 2, pp. 80-81).

Joseph Smith claimed to be the one sent by God to finally restore the “priesthood authority” of the apostles and to restore “the church” in 1830, after more than 1,700 years of allegedly being lost.

Two problems exist:

First, Joseph Smith received a revelation that John, the beloved, never died and remains on earth until Christ’s return in order to “prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues, and people,…that he might bring souls unto me [Christ]” based on Doctrine and Covenants 7:1-4 and John 21:22.

• If John is still alive today, then the priesthood authority was never lost from the earth and the Mormon doctrine of the apostasy is in error.
• If the early church did not completely apostatize, then Joseph Smith had nothing to restore.

In addition:
• John 21:23 leaves no doubt that Jesus did not intend for John, the beloved, to live until His return at the end of the age.
• Jesus stated in Matthew 16:18 regarding the church, “…and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” If what Joseph Smith and Mormonism have taught about the apostasy of the church is true, then the gates of hell DID prevail against it, making Jesus a liar.

Second, in the Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 28:4-9 says,

4. And when he [Jesus] had spoken unto them, he turned himself unto the three [Nephites], and said unto them: What will ye that I should do unto you, when I am gone unto the Father?
5. And they sorrowed in their hearts, for they durst not speak unto him the thing which they desired.
6. And he said unto them: Behold I know your thoughts, and ye have desired the thing which John, my beloved, who was with me in my ministry, before that I was lifted up by the Jews, desired of me.
7. Therefore, more blessed are ye, for ye shall never taste of death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven.
8. And ye shall never endure, the pains of death; but shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality; and then shall ye be blessed in the kingdom of my Father.
9. And again, ye shall not have pain while ye shall dwell in the flesh, neither sorrow save it be for the sins of the world; and all this will I do because of the thing which ye have desired of me, for ye have desired that ye might bring the souls of men unto me, while the world shall stand.

According to this passage, the three Nephites had the same desire as John, the beloved, and were granted, by the Lord, the same wishes as John. That makes a total of four people in the Book of Mormon who never died. This is additional evidence for the Mormon that the “priesthood authority“ was never lost. Therefore, the so called apostasy could never have happened.

6. The nations of the earth would bow to the Mormon gospel or be laid low of power

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:19:28 -0400

Section 49:9-10, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, March 1831”:

9. Wherefore, I say unto you that I have sent unto you mine everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning.
10. And that which I have promised I have so fulfilled, and the nations of the earth shall bow to it; and, if not of themselves, they shall come down, for that which is now exalted of itself shall be laid low of power.

Mormon apostle Bruce R. McConkie, in his book Mormon Doctrine, pages 529 and 530, commented that according to verse 9, the “everlasting covenant” is the gospel that has been given through the Mormon Church. The gospel according to Mormonism is composed of all the laws, ordinances and commandments God has given to man. According to verse 10, “...the nations of the earth shall bow to it.”

Over 170 years have now passed since this revelation was given. No nation has bowed to the Mormon gospel and no nation has been “laid low of power” for not bowing down to it.

7. The gathering place of the saints in Zion (Independence, Missouri)

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:19:11 -0400

Section 57:1-3, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, July 1831”:

1. Hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments, in this land, which is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints.
2. Wherefore, this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion,
3. And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the court-house.

Independence, Missouri, was named as the center place of Zion. It is also appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints and indicated to be the “land of promise.” This is an important revelation because it names the location of the city of Zion.

This revelation is false by virtue of the fact that Section 3:3 declared that any work that is frustrated is not from God but from men. There is no question that the gathering of the saints in “Zion” has been frustrated. They tried to gather in Independence and were physically driven out.

8. The gathering place of the saints in Zion (Independence, Missouri)

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:18:53 -0400

Section 62:1, 6 & 9, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, on the bank of the Missouri River, August 13, 1831”:

Joseph Smith declared in this revelation that God told him (6) “...the faithful among you should be preserved and rejoice together in the Land of Missouri. I, the Lord, promise the faithful and cannot lie...” Verse 9 says, “Behold, the kingdom is yours. And behold, and lo, I am with the faithful always. Even so. Amen.”

The facts are:
• The faithful were not preserved.
• The faithful did not rejoice together in the land of Missouri.
• The kingdom was not theirs – they were driven out.

All that anyone has to do is read some of the history regarding the Mormons between 1831 and 1847 to see that this revelation and prophecy was, and is a total failure. The least that can be said is that the prophecy was frustrated (Section 3:3) therefore indicating it was not from God.

9. Zion (Independence, Missouri) would flourish

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:18:28 -0400

Section 64:41-42, Doctrine and Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, September 11, 1831”:

41. For behold, I say unto you that Zion shall flourish, and the glory of the Lord shall be upon her,
42. And she shall be an ensign unto the people, and there shall come unto her out of every nation under heaven.

The facts are, as far as the Mormons purposes are concerned:
• Independence has not flourished.
• The glory of the Lord is not upon it.
• It is not an ensign to the people.
• People from every nation have not gone to Independence.

The least that can be said about this (prophecy) is that it has been frustrated (Section 3:3). Therefore, it cannot be from God.

The Mormons could say that this prophecy might still come to pass. However, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not even own the property. Another Mormon sect called Church of Christ – Temple Lot owns it. They believe that they are the only true Mormon church so they would not sell the property to any other. Even if they did build a temple on the lot, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints couldn’t and wouldn’t recognize it as a fulfillment of the prophecy, because they don’t recognize any other Mormon sect as being of God.

10. All prophecies and promises in the Doctrine and Covenants will be fulfilled

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:18:09 -0400

Section 1:37, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, November 1, 1831”:

37. Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.

This is stating that all of the prophecies and promises in the Doctrine & Covenants are going to be fulfilled. Since we are demonstrating that dozens of prophecies did not come to pass, then this first revelation in Doctrine & Covenants is also false.

11. No weapon formed against the saints would prosper

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:17:51 -0400

Section 71:6-10, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, December 1, 1831”:

6. For unto him that receiveth it shall be given more abundantly, even power.
7. Wherefore, confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest.
8. Wherefore, let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord.
9. Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you---there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper;
10. And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be confounded in mine own due time.

In Mormon church history, we see that the weapons used against the Mormons did prosper. The guns used to murder Joseph Smith prospered; and the Mormons were driven from one city to the next before they settled in Salt Lake City.

12. The temple lot prophecy

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:17:32 -0400

Section 84:2-5, 31, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, September 22 and 23, 1832”:

2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
...
31. Therefore, as I said concerning the sons of Moses--for the sons of Moses and also the sons of Aaron shall offer an acceptable offering and sacrifice in the house of the Lord, which house shall be built unto the Lord in this generation, upon the consecrated spot as I have appointed.

The facts are:
• History records that Independence, Missouri was built, but not by the Mormons.
• History also records that Joseph Smith dedicated the temple lot. However, that dedication ceremony was held on August 3, 1831, more than one year previous to receiving this revelation.
• Verse 4 states that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints. Whatever was built by the Mormons was built prior to the winter of 1838-1839 because the Mormons were driven out of Independence at that time.
• The last few words of verse 4 present the greatest problem. It states that the temple would be reared (built) in the generation then living. Verse 5 expands on this by stating that “...this generation shall not all pass away until a house shall be built unto the Lord,...”
• Verse 31 repeats the fact that the temple would be built in the generation then living.

Over 170 years have gone by and the temple still has not been built. Unless a generation can be considered to be longer than 170 years, this revelation fails. Joseph Fielding Smith (who became the 10th prophet of the Mormon church) answered the generation question by stating that “It is reasonable to believe that no soul living in 1832, is still living in mortality on the earth” (Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol. 4, p. 112).

A further problem remains in that the Mormon church no longer owns the lot. The Church of Christ -Temple Lot (another Mormon sect) owns it and plans to build their own temple.

13. Seeing the face of God by the authority of the priesthood

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:17:06 -0400

Section 84:20-22, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, September 22 and 23, 1832”:

20. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
21. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
22. For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

According to this prophecy, the ordinances were necessary for a man to “see the face of God, even the Father, and live.” Yet, when Joseph had his first vision in the grove not far from his home (see verse 17 below), he was but a boy of 14 years and had not received the ordinances.

17. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! -- Joseph Smith’s History, found in The Pearl of Great Price, 2:17, p. 48 through the 1981 edition (1:17, p. 49 after the 1981 edition.)

The fact is, either Joseph should have died when he saw the Father or he didn’t see the Father. Since these two LDS scriptures cannot be reconciled, either the story or the prophecy was fabricated.

14. New York, Albany, Boston would be destroyed if they didn’t accept the Mormon gospel

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:14:22 -0400

Section 84:114 –115, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, September 22 and 23, 1832”:

114. Nevertheless, let the bishop go unto the city of New York, also to the city of Albany, and also to
the city of Boston, and warn the people of those cities with the sound of the gospel, with a Loud voice, of the desolation and utter abolishment which await them if they do reject these things.
115. For if they do reject these things the hour of their judgment is nigh, and their house shall be left unto them desolate.

History records that Joseph Smith and Bishop Newell K. Whitney went to these cities in response to these two verses. There is no record of these cities ever receiving the Mormon gospel during the life of Newell K. Whitney or Joseph Smith. In fact, the Mormon church is still very small in those cities. If these verses were truly from God, these cities should have been destroyed by now.

15. The Civil War prophecy

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:14:03 -0400

Section 87:1-8, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, December 25, 1832”:

1. 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;
2. And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning at this place.
3. 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.
4. And it shall come to pass after many days, slaves shall rise up against their masters, who shall be marshaled and disciplined for war.
5. And it shall come to pass also that the remnants who are left of the land will marshal themselves, and shall become exceedingly angry, and shall vex the Gentiles with a sore vexation.
6. And thus, with the sword and by bloodshed the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn; and with famine, and plague, and earthquake, and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath, and indignation, and chastening hand of an Almighty God until the consumption decreed hath made a full end of all nations.
7. That the cry of the saints, and of the blood of the saints, shall cease to come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, from the earth, to be avenged of their enemies.
8. Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold it cometh quickly saith the Lord. Amen.

Joseph Smith received the above revelation on Christmas day, 1832. History records that, at that time, the state of South Carolina was already in rebellion. It’s not hard to prophesy about something already happening.

Mormons usually refer to the Civil War as one of Joseph Smith’s prophecies that has been fulfilled. However, upon close examination it becomes very clear that it was a failure. We count 20 different elements of this prophecy. All 20 elements would have to come to pass in order for this prophecy to be fulfilled. If that occurred, it would truly be remarkable. The chance of this happening without God’s guiding hand would be 1 in 1,048,576. The statistics are really stacked against Joseph Smith.

History records that the Civil War did not start until April 12, 1861, when Southern artillery shelled Fort Sumter in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. It ended four years later on April 9, 1865. The Civil War did not result in war being “poured out upon all nations” (verse 3). It also did not bring about “...a full end of all nations” (verse 6).

Incidentally, the Civil War prophecy was not published during Joseph Smith’s lifetime, but 19 years later and was in a publication advertising the Pearl of Great Price. Even LDS historian B.H. Roberts wrote, “In Vol. XIII of the Millennial Star, published in 1851, pp. 216 and 217, is an advertisement of a new church publication to be called the Pearl of Great Price. In the announced contents is named this revelation of December, 1832, with a statement that it had ‘never before appeared in print’ ” (Comprehensive History of the Church, Vol. 1, p. 294).

16. The wicked would be swept off the earth; some would not die until these things happened

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:13:42 -0400

History of the Church, Vol. 1, p. 315-316, January 14, 1833:

“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 will sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of the land, to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel from the north country. The people of the Lord, those who have complied with the requirements of the new covenant, have already commenced gathering together to Zion, which is in the state of Missouri; therefore I declare unto you the warning which the Lord has commanded to declare unto this generation, remembering that the eyes of my Maker are upon me, and that to him I am accountable for every word I say, wishing nothing worse to my fellowmen than their eternal salvation; therefore, ‘Fear God, and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come.’ Repent ye, repent ye, and embrace the everlasting covenant and flee to Zion, before the overflowing scourge overtake you, 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.”

No one alive in 1833 is alive today and the particulars of this prophesy have not come to pass.

17. Saints who kept the Word of Wisdom were promised health, strength, wisdom and knowledge

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:13:23 -0400

Section 89:18-21, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833”:

18. And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
19. And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20. And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
21. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

The above prophecy was part of the revelation of the Word of Wisdom (Doctrine and Covenants Section 89). The prophetic promise is given that if the Mormons will obey the Word of Wisdom (no coffee, tea, tobacco, etc.), they would obtain all of the promises listed in verses 18-21.

The fact is, many Mormons who obey the Word of Wisdom to the letter have ill health and the destroying angel does not pass them by. Mormons die like any other people-group. We think of the many Mormons in and around Saint George, Utah, who died of the effects of the radioactive fallout from the nuclear tests in Nevada. Why didn’t the destroying angel pass them by?

Regarding verse 20: on the top of page 268 of a book titled View of the Hebrews, written by Ethan Smith (no relation to Joseph Smith), we find the words “...they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.” Of course these words can also be found in Isaiah 40:31. While it is possible that Joseph Smith received the idea from View of the Hebrews, it is more likely that he got it from Isaiah because verse 20 includes the word “and” between “weary” and “they”. In the King James Version of the Bible the word “and” is italicized, which means that it was not in the original manuscript. It is interesting to note how many times Joseph Smith presents language that is supposed to have come directly from God and we find it is an exact quotation from the Bible, including the italicized words.

18. Zion (Independence, Missouri) was the city of God and could not be moved

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:13:07 -0400

Parley P. Pratt Biography, p. 100. Also Doctrine & Covenants 97:19-20, August 2, 1833:

19. And the nations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say: 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;
20. And He has sworn by the power of His might to be her salvation and her high tower.

Zion (Independence, Missouri) was indeed moved out of her place. The Mormons were driven out of Independence in the winter of 1838-1839.

19. The Mormons would retain their lands in Missouri, seek redress and destroy their enemies

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:12:48 -0400

History of the Church, Vol. 1, p. 455, December 10, 1833.

“Therefore this is my counsel, that you retain your lands, even unto the utmost, and employ every lawful means to seek redress of your enemies; and pray to God day and night to return you in peace and safety to the lands of your inheritance; and when the judge fail you, appeal to the executive; and when the executive fail you; appeal to the president; and when the president fail you, and all things also fail you but God alone, and you continue to weary Him with your importunings, as the poor woman did the unjust judge. He will not fail you to execute judgment upon your enemies, and to avenge His own elect that cry unto Him day and night. Behold, He will not fail you. He will come with ten thousand of His Saints, and all His adversaries shall be destroyed with the breath of His lips.”

The facts are:
• The Mormons did not retain their lands (in Missouri).
• They did seek redress from their enemies and were turned down.
• The Mormon god apparently did fail them because their enemies were not destroyed.
• The enemies of the Mormon Church drove them out of Missouri.

20. Zion (Independence, Missouri) would not to be moved; the saints would retain their lands, etc.

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:10:54 -0400

Section 101:17-20, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, December 16, 1833”:

17. Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children are scattered.
18. They that remain, and are pure in heart, shall return, and come to their inheritances, they and their children, with songs of everlasting joy, to build up the waste places of Zion--
19. And all these things that the prophets might be fulfilled.
20. 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--

The fact is, the Mormons were driven out of Zion and Zion WAS moved out of her place.

We believe that the Mormons were discouraged because of the persecutions that were being laid upon them. The above kinds of statements by Joseph Smith were designed to give them hope. They were truly suffering because of their doctrines.

Today, Mormon leadership may say that persecution against their church is evidence that their church is true. But, by that argument, so is the Watchtower Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses), the Unification Church (Moonies), the Christian Science Church, the Church of Scientology and many others. However, the persecution Mormons have experienced is minor compared to that suffered by Christians throughout the ages. A copy of Fox’s Book of Martyrs, edited by William Byron Forbush and published by Zondervan Publishing House, can be obtained at any Christian bookstore.

21. The Saints would prevail against their enemies if they observed all the words of the Lord

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:10:33 -0400

Section 103:5-7, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 24, 1834”:

5. But verily I say unto you, that I have decreed a decree which my people shall realize, inasmuch as they hearken from this very hour unto the counsel which I, the Lord their God, shall give unto them.
6. Behold they shall, for I have decreed it, begin to prevail against mine enemies from this very hour.
7. And by hearkening to observe all the words which I, the Lord their God, shall speak unto them, they shall never cease to prevail until the kingdoms of the world are subdued under my feet, and the earth is given unto the saints, to possess it forever and ever.

Mormons will say that this is a conditional prophecy. The people had to hearken unto the counsel of God and observe all the words God shall speak to them. Joseph frequently used the sins of the Mormon people in his prophecies as an excuse for why they didn’t “prevail.”

On that condition the Mormons could never prevail or achieve anything until they are completely righteous and that could never happen. Isaiah made it clear why Mormons can never obtain the blessings that Joseph Smith promised, when he presented one of God’s eternal truths as it relates to man, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness acts are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6).

22. Zion’s Camp was to march to Missouri, rescue the Mormons and redeem Zion

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:09:39 -0400

Sec. 103:15-17,21-22,26,32-36, Doctrine and Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 24, 1834”:

(Note: according to LDS historian D. Michael Quinn in his book, Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, “Joseph Smith as church president gave himself the code name ‘Baurak Ale,’ which had traditional use as an incantation for magic ceremonies emphasizing Jupiter, the ruling planet of his birth.”)

15. Behold, I say unto you, the redemption of Zion must needs come by power;
16. Therefore, I will raise up unto my people a man, who shall lead them like as Moses led the children of Israel.
17. For ye are the children of Israel, and of the seed of Abraham, and ye must needs be led out of bondage by power, and with a stretched-out arm.
...
21. Verily, verily I say unto you, that my servant Baurak Ale [Joseph Smith, Jun.] is the man to whom I likened the servant to whom the Lord of the vineyard spake in the parable which I have given unto you.
22. Therefore let my servant Baurak Ale [Joseph Smith, Jun.] say unto the strength of my house, my young men and the middle aged - Gather yourselves together unto the land of Zion, upon the land which I have bought with money that has been consecrated unto me.
...
26. And my presence shall be with you even in avenging me of mine enemies, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.
...
32. Therefore, if you cannot obtain five hundred, seek diligently that peradventure you may obtain three hundred.
33. And if ye cannot obtain three hundred, seek diligently that peradventure ye may obtain one hundred.
34. But verily I say unto you, a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall not go up unto the land of
Zion until you have obtained a hundred of the strength of my house, to go up with you unto the land of Zion.
35. Therefore, as I said unto you, ask and ye shall receive; pray earnestly that peradventure, my servant Baurak Ale [Joseph Smith, Jun.] may go with you, and preside in the midst of my people, and organize my kingdom upon the consecrated land, and establish the children of Zion upon the laws and commandments which have been and which shall be given unto you.
36. All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith.

All of the above pertains to Zion’s Camp, a group of Mormons organized to march to Missouri, rescue the Mormons there and redeem Zion.

• Verse 15: God apparently told Joseph to redeem Independence, Missouri by force.
• Verses 16-22: Allegedly, God then spoke through Joseph to say that Joseph was His chosen Moses figure to carry out this bold plan.
• Verse 26: Supposedly, God promised to be with Joseph and the rest of Zion’s Camp to do violence to anyone who stands in the way of the redemption of Zion.
• Verses 32-36: Listen to the explanation by LDS historian B. H. Roberts for the failure of these verses in the History of the Church Introduction to Vol. 3, p. XXXIX and following:

“The Lord also commanded them to gather up their forces and to go in sufficient strength to possess the land, and maintain their inheritance against their enemies. This however, they failed to do. Instead of raising five hundred men, as they were commanded to do, they started from Kirtland in ‘Zion’s Camp’ with a company of only about one hundred and thirty men, and twenty baggage wagons. This number was increased by additions en route to one hundred and eighty-two men, but even this number fell far short of the strength required to accomplish the purpose for which the camp was organized. In the matter of raising money for the purchase of lands the failure was more conspicuous than in raising men to take possession of them, and hence this effort to redeem Zion failed.”

• Joseph’s army consisted of 182 men. Since one hundred was the minimum number of men required for the success of this prophecy, the above response incorrectly explains its failure.
• Since “raising money for the purchase of lands” was not mentioned in the prophecy, that part of the response is actually irrelevant.

On their way through Clay County, adjacent to Jackson County in Independence, Zion’s Camp, lead by Joseph, encountered cholera and quickly gave up their military campaign.

Mormon apostle Orson Pratt wrote, “Joseph Smith... professes to have received, through revelation and commandment from God, a dispensation for the gathering of the Saints from all nations. Now the doctrine of the gathering of the Saints in the last days must either be false or true; if false, then J. Smith must be an imposter. It matters not how correct he may have been in all other points of his system, if this one point - the doctrine of the gathering - be false, he must be a deceiver. Why? Because he professes to have received this doctrine by direct revelation and commandment. On the other hand, if the doctrine of the gathering of the Saints be a true doctrine and scriptural, this will be another presumptive evidence that Mr. Smith was sent of God.” Orson Pratt’s Works, “Divine Authority,” p. 5.

Since “the gathering” never happened, then in Orson Pratt’s own words, Smith “must be an imposter.”

23. The United Order and communal work prophecy

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:09:14 -0400

Section 104:1, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given to Enoch [Joseph Smith the Prophet] April 23, 1834”:

1. Verily I say unto you, my friends, I give unto you counsel, and a commandment, concerning all the properties which belong to the order which I commanded to be organized and established, to be a united order, and an everlasting order for the benefit of my church, and for the salvation of men until I come--

History records that the United Order failed. The United Order was a communal type of order where everyone worked according to his ability, gave everything that he produced or earned to the Bishop’s Storehouse and received from the Bishop’s Storehouse according to his needs.

24. The destroyer would be sent to lay waste to the Mormons’ enemies; Zion would be redeemed

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:08:49 -0400

Section 105:13-15, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, on Fishing River, Missouri, June 22, 1834”:

13. Therefore it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season, for the redemption of Zion.
14. For behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I fulfill--I will fight your battles.
15. Behold, the destroyer I have sent forth to destroy and lay waste mine enemies; and not many years hence they shall not be left to pollute mine heritage, and to blaspheme my name upon the lands which I have consecrated for the gathering together of my saints.

History records that the enemies of the Mormons were not laid waste despite the fact that their destroyer was sent forth. There is ample evidence to suggest that the destroyer was a Mormon man named Porter Rockwell. He was sent out to destroy those who were frustrating the Mormons. This is another failed prophecy since the Mormons continued to be persecuted. It was only 4-1/2 years later that they were driven out of Zion (Independence, Missouri).

25. David Whitmer was ordained to succeed Joseph Smith as LDS prophet

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:08:30 -0400

History of the Church, Vol. 3, p. 32, footnote by LDS historian B. H. Roberts, July 8, 1834:

“…Subsequently he [Joseph Smith] attempted what he called a reorganization of the Church, and called upon David Whitmer to take the presidency thereof, claiming that he was ordained by Joseph Smith on the 8th of July 1834, as his (the Prophet Joseph’s) successor. The prophet himself, according to the minutes of the High Council held in Far West, on the 15th of March, 1838, referred to his ordaining of David Whitmer in July, 1834 and this is the account of what he said:
’President Joseph Smith, Jun., gave a history of the ordination of David Whitmer which took place in July, 1834, to be a leader or a Prophet to this Church, which (ordination) was on conditions that he (Joseph Smith, Jun.,) did not live to God himself. President Joseph Smith, Jun., approved of the proceeding of the High Council after hearing the minutes of the former councils.’--Far West Record, page 108.”

TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES

“We cheerfully certify, to all whom it may concern, that we attended a general conference, called at the instance of Joseph Smith, in Clay County, Mo., on the 8th day of July, 1834, at the residence of Elder Lyman Wight. And while the conference was in session, Joseph Smith presiding, he arose and said that the time had come when he must appoint his Successor in office. Some have supposed that it would be Oliver Cowdery; but, said he, Oliver has lost that privilege in consequence of transgression. The Lord has made it known to me that David Whitmer is the man. David was then called forward, and Joseph and his counselors laid hands upon him, and ordained to his station, to succeed him. Joseph then gave David a charge, in the hearing of the whole assembly. Joseph then seemed to rejoice that that work was done, and said, now brethren, if any thing should befall me, the work of God will roll on with more power than it has hitherto done. Then, brethren, you will have a man who can lead you as well as I can. He will be Prophet, Seer, Revelator, and Translator before God.”

MARTIN HARRIS
LEONARD RICH
CALVIN BEEBE
The Ensign of Liberty, December 1847, pp. 43-44

Of course, Brigham Young became the second prophet, 3½ years after Joseph Smith’s death.

There is another aspect of this prophecy that most everyone has overlooked. This prophecy was only one of eight possible methods for the succession to the Presidency that Joseph Smith had established between 1834 and 1844. (See Sunstone, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 2-4.)

1. By a counselor in the First Presidency.
2. By a special appointment.
3. Through the office of Associate President.
4. By the Presiding Patriarch.
5. By the Council of Fifty.
6. By the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
7. By the three priesthood councils.
8. By a descendant of Joseph Smith, Jr.

For more information on the eight possible methods of succession see “The Mormon Succession Crisis of 1844,” BYU Studies, Winter 1976, pp.187-233 by D. Michael Quinn.

In D&C 132, verse 8, the god of Mormonism states, “Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.” Providing eight possible ways for determining the succession to the LDS Presidency could create a lot of “confusion.”

26. Zion would be redeemed and the saints would move there by 9/11/1836

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:03:49 -0400

History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 145, August 16, 1834:

“DEAR BRETHREN---...I shall now proceed to give you such counsel as the Spirit of the Lord may dictate....use every effort to gather to those regions and locate themselves, to be in readiness to move into Jackson county in two years from the eleventh of September next, which is the appointed time for the redemption of Zion....”

By September 11, 1836, all Mormons should have gathered in Zion. If all other prophecies regarding Zion had come true (which they didn’t), they should have flourished, overcome their enemies, rejoiced together, lived the United Order, and built a temple. None of these things ever happened.

27. Christ was to return by February 14, 1891

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:03:26 -0400

History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 182, February 14, 1835:

“President Smith then stated that the meeting had been called, because God had commanded it; and it was made known to him by visions and by the Holy Spirit. He then gave a relation of some of the circumstances attending us while journeying to Zion--our trials, sufferings: and said God had not designed all this for nothing, but He had it in remembrance yet; and it was the will of God that those who went to Zion, with a determination to lay down their lives, if necessary, should be ordained to the ministry, and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, or the coming of the Lord, which was nigh--even fifty-six years should wind up the scene.”

Jesus Christ should have returned by February 14, 1891.

Matthew 24:36 says the exact date of Christ’s coming is unknown: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (See also Mark 13:34 and Acts 1:7.)

28. Orson Hyde was to go to Jerusalem and do “a great work”

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:03:09 -0400

Prophecies of Joseph Smith and their Fulfillment, Nephi Morris, p. 261, February 14, 1835, Deseret Book Co., 1926:

“In due time thou shalt go to Jerusalem, the land of thy father, and be a watchmen unto the house of Israel; and by thy hands shall the Most High do a great work, which shall prepare the way and greatly facilitate the gathering of that people.”

This prophecy was given to Orson Hyde, one of the twelve apostles of Joseph Smith. Although Orson Hyde did go to Jerusalem and dedicated Jerusalem on October 24, 1841, he did not do a great work or facilitate the gathering of the Jews. When Jews returned to Jerusalem 107 years later in 1948 it is doubtful that any of them ever heard of Orson Hyde.

29. A vision of the “twelve apostles of the Lamb” in the celestial kingdom

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:02:49 -0400

History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 380-381, January 21, 1836:

“The heavens were opened upon us, and I beheld the celestial kingdom of God, and the glory thereof, whether in the body or out I cannot tell....
...I saw the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb, who are now upon the earth, who hold the keys of this last ministry, in foreign lands, standing together in a circle, much fatigued, with their clothes tattered and feet swollen, with their eyes cast downward, and Jesus standing in their midst, and they did not behold Him. The Savior looked upon them and wept.
I also beheld Elder M’Lellin in the south, standing upon a hill, surrounded by a vast multitude, preaching to them, and a lame man standing before him supported by his crutches; he threw them down at his word and leaped as a hart, by the mighty power of God. Also, I saw Elder Brigham Young standing in a strange land, in the far south and west, in a desert place, upon a rock in the midst of about a dozen men of color, who appeared hostile. He was preaching to them in their own tongue, and the angel of God standing above his head, with a drawn sword in his hand, protecting him, but he did not see it. And I finally saw the Twelve in the celestial kingdom of God. I also beheld the redemption of Zion, and many things which the tongue of man cannot describe in full.”

Joseph Smith recorded that he saw the Twelve in the celestial kingdom of God. Yet, five of the apostles were either excommunicated or apostatized, never to return to the church. (Elder M’Lellin, who is named in this revelation, became one of the bitterest enemies that the Mormon Church ever had.) According to Mormon doctrine, none of these defectors would be eligible to enter the Mormon’s celestial kingdom, making this vision false.

• Lyman Johnson - Excommunicated April 13, 1838, History of the Church, Vol. 3:20.
• Brigham Young - Died in good standing.
• Heber C. Kimball - Died in good standing.
• Orson Hyde - Disfellowshipped August 4, 1835. Priesthood restored June 27, 1839. Restored as apostle at conference of October 6,7, & 8, 1839.
• David W. Patten - Died in good standing.
• Luke S. Johnson - Apostatized December 1837, History of the Church, Vol. 2:528.
• William E. M’Lellin - Excommunicated May 11, 1838, History of the Church, Vol. 3:31.
• John F. Boynton - Apostatized December 1837, History of the Church, Vol. 2:528.
• Orson Pratt - Excommunicated August 22, 1842, Brigham Young’s Journal. Rebaptized and ordained January 20, 1843, and later restored as an apostle, History of the Church, Vol. 5:255.
• William Smith - Excommunicated October 19, 1845, History of the Church, Vol. 7:483.
• Thomas B. Marsh - Excommunicated March 17, 1839, History of the Church, Vol. 3:284. Was rebaptized in 1857 and died in Utah, a member of the church, though never restored as an apostle.
• Parley P. Pratt - Died in good standing

Orson Pratt’s excommunication was directly related to his taking the word of his wife, Sarah, over that of Joseph Smith’s regarding Joseph’s seductive overtures of marriage to Mrs. Pratt while Orson was sent out of the country by Joseph to do missionary work. Sarah flatly and vehemently refused Joseph and threatened him with exposure if he didn’t cease. Joseph, in return, threatened to ruin her reputation. When Orson returned home and received word from Sarah of Joseph’s behavior, he became deeply distraught and disappeared for a while. He was eventually coaxed by other leaders to return and remain in the Mormon church. Though Sarah went with him, she rejected polygamy.

It is also interesting to note that the first part of the above vision was accepted as scripture on April 3, 1976. The last part of the above vision was not accepted as scripture. Is it possible that the Mormon leaders did not present the entire vision to be accepted as scripture because it was clear that the last part could not happen? If so, then the Mormon revisionists were willful deceivers.

30. Joseph saw the archangel Michael in a vision

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:02:28 -0400

The same vision as #29 was recorded in Joseph Smith’s diary under the same date of January 21, 1836, but was later altered by LDS leadership because of a specific problem. A portion of the revelation reads as follows:

“The heavens were opened upon us and I beheld the celestial Kingdom of God,...I saw father Adam, and Abraham and Michael and my father and mother, my brother Alvin...” (Joseph Smith’s Diary, January 21, 1836, pp. 135-136; original in LDS historical department).

The problem is this: in Mormon theology Adam IS Michael. Thus, Joseph Smith could not have seen both of them in the celestial kingdom. To solve this problem the Mormon leaders deleted the words “and Michael” from the revelation.

We just pray that the Mormons have not hardened their hearts to the truth so totally that they have brought themselves under strong delusion from God. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 says the following:

10. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

We believe that Mormons have been deceived by a man who was a tool of Satan. The apostle Paul gave sound, godly advice in Colossians 2:18:

18. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.

Let‘s apply this verse to Mormonism, “Let no man (Joseph Smith) beguile (cheat) you of your reward (eternal life) in a voluntary humility (conceit) and worshipping of angels (Moroni, Nephi etc.), intruding into those things which he (Joseph Smith) hath not seen (first vision, angel Moroni, celestial kingdom), vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.”

Regarding being “vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,” consider the following boast of Joseph Smith found in History of the Church, Vol. 6, pp. 408-409, May 26, 1844:

“Come on! ye prosecutors! ye false swearers! All Hell, boil over! ye burning mountains, roll down our lava! for I will come out on the top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet.”

Joseph Smith made the above boast on May 26, 1844. One month later, on June 27, 1844, he was dead. Contrary to Mormon teaching, he did not die a martyr. He died in a gunfight. Joseph had a six-shooter, which he fired at the mob coming up the jailhouse stairs. Three barrels misfired, but three fired and Joseph’s aim was deadly. Two men were killed and one was wounded who later died. (See History of the Church, Vol. 6, pp. 616-621 & Vol. 7, pp. 101-103.) This was not martyrdom.

31. The Mormons would take over Salem, Massachusetts and find much silver and gold there

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:02:09 -0400

Section 111:1-11, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Salem, Massachusetts, August 6, 1836,” regarding the Mormon leaderships’ trip to Salem, Massachusetts:

1. I, the Lord your God, am not displeased with your coming this journey, notwithstanding your follies.
2. I have much treasure in this city for you, for the benefit of Zion, and many people in this city, whom I will gather out in due time for the benefit of Zion, through your instrumentality.
3. Therefore, it is expedient that you should form acquaintance with men in this city, as you shall be led, and as it shall be given you.
4. And it shall come to pass in due time that I will give this city into your hands, that you shall have power over it, insomuch that they shall not discover your secret parts; and its wealth pertaining to gold and silver shall be yours.
5. Concern not yourselves about your debts, for I will give you power to pay them.
6. Concern not yourselves about Zion, for I will deal mercifully with her.
7. Tarry in this place, and in the regions round about.
8. And the place where it is my will that you would tarry, for the main, shall be signalized unto you by the peace and power of my Spirit, that shall flow unto you.
9. This place you may obtain by hire. And inquire diligently concerning the more ancient inhabitants and founders of this city.
10. For there are more treasures than one for you in this city.
11. Therefore, be ye as wise as serpents and yet without sin; and I will order all things for your good, as fast as ye are able to receive them. Amen.

History records that neither Joseph Smith nor the church leaders found treasures in Salem, Massachusetts. Their god never gave silver and gold to them nor gave the city of Salem into their hands. Time ran out on Joseph and in September of 1836, he returned to Kirtland, Ohio.

32. Kirtland, Ohio would be built up and the Mormons who secured the land would become rich

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:01:49 -0400

Latter-day Saint Messenger and Advocate, p. 488, April 1837:

“This place (Kirtland, Ohio) must be built up, and will be built up, and every brother that will take hold and help secure these contracts (for land) shall be rich.”

The Mormons were driven out of Kirtland, Ohio. Nobody became rich by helping to secure the contracts for land. In fact, most of the men that helped Joseph Smith in Kirtland lost most of their money in the Kirtland anti-Banking Society. Joseph Smith himself went bankrupt. Everything about this prophetic utterance failed.

33. The failure of Joseph’s “anti-bank”

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:01:32 -0400

“On the 2nd of November the brethren at Kirtland drew up certain articles of agreement, preparatory to the organization of a banking institution, to be called the ‘Kirtland Safety Society.’ ” History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 467, November 2, 1836

When the articles of agreement were adopted, this institution was officially named the “Kirtland Safety Society Anti-Banking Company.” Ibid. p. 471, January 2, 1837

Joseph Smith stated, “It is wisdom and according to the mind of the Holy Spirit, that you should call at Kirtland [Ohio], and receive counsel and instruction upon those principles that are necessary to further the great work of the Lord, and to establish the children of the kingdom, according to the oracles of God; as they are had among us: and further, we invite the brethren from abroad, to call on us, and take stock in our Safety Society; and we would remind them also of the sayings of Isaiah, contained in the 60th chapter and more particularly the 9th and 17th verses,…Also 62nd chapter, 1st verse…” Ibid. p.473.

Warren Parrish, cashier at the bank and a confidant of Joseph Smith stated, “I have listened to [Joseph Smith] with feelings of no ordinary kind, when he declared that the audible voice of God, instructed him to establish a banking-anti banking institution, who like Aaron’s rod shall swallow up all other banks (the Bank of Monroe excepted,) and grow and flourish, and spread from the rivers to the ends of the earth, and survive when all others should be laid in ruins.” Plainsville Republican, February 22, 1838, as quoted in Conflict at Kirtland, p. 297, by LDS writer Max Parkin.

The anti-bank officially failed in the summer of 1837. Joseph Smith recorded, “…I resigned my office in the ‘Kirtland Safety Society,’ disposed of my interest therein, and withdrew from the institution; being fully aware, after so long an experiment, that no institution of the kind, established upon just and righteous principles for a blessing not only to the Church but the whole nation, would be suffered to continue its operations in such an age of darkness, speculation and wickedness.” History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 497, July 7, 1837.

34. Thomas B. Marsh would do a great work for the church

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:00:55 -0400

Section 112:3-12, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, to Thomas B. Marsh, at Kirtland, Ohio, July 23, 1837”:

3. Nevertheless, inasmuch as thou hast abased thyself thou shalt be exalted; therefore, all thy sins are forgiven thee.
4. Let thy heart be of good cheer before my face; and thou shalt bear record of my name, not only unto the Gentiles, but also unto the Jew; and thou shalt send forth my word unto the ends of the earth.
5. Contend thou, therefore, morning by morning; and day after day let thy warning voice go forth; and when the night cometh let not the inhabitants of the earth slumber, because of thy speech.
6. Let thy habitation be known in Zion, and remove not thy house; for I, the Lord, have a great work for thee to do, in publishing my name among the children of men.
7. Therefore, gird up thy loins for the work, Let thy feet be shod also, for thou art chosen, and thy path lieth among the mountains, and among many nations.
8. And by thy word many high ones shall be brought low, and by thy word many low ones shall be exalted.
9. Thy voice shall be a rebuke unto the transgressor; and at thy rebuke let the tongue of the slanderer cease its perverseness.
10. Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.
11. I know thy heart, and have heard thy prayers concerning thy brethren. Be not partial towards them in love above many others, but let thy love be for them as for thyself; and let thy love abound unto all men, and unto all who love my name.
12. And pray for thy brethren of the Twelve. Admonish them sharply for my name’s sake, and let them be admonished for all their sins, and be ye faithful before me unto my name....

History records that Thomas B. Marsh was excommunicated on March 17, 1839 (History of the Church, Vol. 3:284). Even though he was rebaptized in 1857 and died a member of the church in Utah he never did any of the things outlined in the above prophecy. He never did a great work in the church. In fact, he became a bitter enemy of the church for many years. The fact is, if the Mormon god did know Thomas Marsh’s heart (verse 11), he would have known that he was going to be excommunicated and fight against the church.

35. The inhabitants of the moon and the sun

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:00:33 -0400

Oliver B. Huntington Journal, 1837, Book 14. Original at Huntington Library, San Marino, California. Also found in The Young Woman’s Journal, published by the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Associations of Zion, 1892, Vol. 3, pp. 263-264.

“Inhabitants of the Moon are more of a uniform size than the inhabitants of the Earth, being about 6 feet in height. They dress very much like the Quaker Style & are quite general in Style, or the one fashion of dress. They live to be very old; comeing (sic) generally, near a thousand years. This is the description of them as given by Joseph the Seer, and he could “See” whatever he asked the Father in the name of Jesus to see.”

“As far back as 1837, I know that he said the moon was inhabited by men and women the same as this earth, and that they lived to a greater age than we do, that they live generally to near the age of a 1000 years. He described the men as averaging near six feet in height, and dressing quite uniformly in something near the Quaker style....”

The evidence is conclusive that Joseph Smith said it. Brigham Young confirmed it on July 24, 1870:

“Who can tell us of the inhabitants of this little planet that shines of an evening, called the moon?...when you inquire about the inhabitants of that sphere you find that the most learned are as ignorant in regard to them as the ignorant of their fellows. So it is in regard to the inhabitants of the sun. Do you think it is inhabited? I rather think it is. Do you think there is any life there? No question of it; it was not made in vain” (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 13, p. 271).

On July 20, 1969 man set foot on the moon, and there was no trace of any beings ever having been there before.

36. David W. Patten would go on a mission

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 11:00:15 -0400

Section 114:1, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Far West, Missouri, April 17, 1838”:

1. Verily thus saith the Lord: It is wisdom in my servant David W. Patten, that he settle up all his business as soon as he possibly can, and make a disposition of his merchandise, that he may perform a mission unto me next spring, in company with others, even twelve including himself, to testify of my name and bear glad tidings unto all the world.

“Next spring” would have been the spring of 1839. History records that on October 27, 1838, Apostle David W. Patten was buried at Far West, Missouri (Church Chronology, p. 15). Some Mormons might try to defend this one by saying that his unworthiness thwarted the plan of God.

But hear what Joseph Smith said about him at the funeral:

“Brother David Patten was a very worthy man, beloved by all good men who knew him. He was one of the Twelve Apostles, and died as he had lived, a man of God, and strong in the faith of a glorious resurrection, in a world where mobs will have no power or place. One of his last expressions to his wife was--‘whatever you do else, O! Do not deny the faith’ ” (History of the Church, Vol. 3, p. 171).

37. A Temple would be built at Far West, Missouri

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:53:29 -0400

Section 115:1, 7-9, 12, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Far West, Missouri, April 26, 1838”:

1. Verily thus saith the Lord....
7. Let the city, Far west, be a holy and consecrated land unto me; and it shall be called most holy, for the ground upon which thou standest is holy.
8. Therefore, I command you to build a house unto me, for the gathering together of my saints, that they may worship me.
9. And let there be a beginning of this work, and a foundation, and a preparatory work, this following summer;
...
12. Thus let them from that time forth labor diligently until it shall be finished, from the corner stone thereof unto the top thereof, until there shall not anything remain that is not finished.

Over 165 years have gone by and the temple is still not built. The cornerstone of the temple was laid on July 4, 1838, amid elaborate ceremonies (A Comprehensive History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, B.H. Roberts, p. 440).

38. Oliver Granger would be held in sacred remembrance from generation to generation

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:52:52 -0400

Section 117:12-15, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Far West, Missouri, July 8, 1838”:

12. And again, 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.
13. Therefore, let him contend earnestly for the redemption of the First Presidency of my church, saith the Lord; and when he falls he shall rise again, for his sacrifice shall be more sacred unto me than his increase, saith the Lord.
14. Therefore, let him come up hither speedily, unto the land of Zion; and in the due time he shall be made a merchant unto my name, saith the Lord, for the benefit of my people.
15. Therefore let no man despise my servant Oliver Granger, but let the blessings of my people be on him forever and ever....

If words mean anything, then this seemingly innocent and insignificant little prophecy is simply another proof of Joseph Smith’s ineptitude as a prophet. A lot is said about Oliver Granger. But, you would find it very rare to locate a Mormon who has ever heard of him. His name is supposed to be held in sacred remembrance from generation to generation, forever and ever. Whatever the reason this man is NOT well known has nothing to do with any unfaithfulness on his part. Mormon history records that he WAS faithful.

39. Joseph Smith and the Mormons would triumph over all their foes

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:52:34 -0400

Section 121:5-15, 33, Doctrine & Covenants, “Prayer and Prophecies, written by Joseph Smith the Prophet, while a prisoner in the jail, at Liberty, Missouri, dated March 20, 1839”:

5. Let thine anger be kindled against our enemies; and, in the fury of thine heart, with thy sword avenge us of our wrongs.
6. Remember thy suffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will rejoice in thy name forever.
7. My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
8. And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.
9. Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.
10. Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job.
11. And they who do charge thee with transgression, their hope shall be blasted, and their prospects shall melt away as the hoar frost melteth before the burning rays of the rising sun;
12. And also that God hath set his hand and seal to change the times and seasons, and to blind their minds, that they may not understand his marvelous workings; and take them in their own craftiness;
13. Also because their hearts are corrupted, and the things which they are willing to bring upon others, and love to have others suffer, may come upon themselves to the very uttermost;
14. That they may be disappointed also, and their hopes may be cut off;
15. And not many years hence, that they and their posterity shall be swept from under heaven, saith God, that not one of them is left to stand by the wall.
...
33. How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.

What actually happened?
• The times and seasons didn’t change (verse 12).
• The minds of their enemies were not blinded (verse 12).
• Neither their enemies nor their posterity were swept from under heaven (verse 15).
• The Almighty didn’t pour down any exceptional knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints (verse 33).

Joseph Smith’s god promised that he and the Mormons would triumph over all their foes. They didn’t. Their enemies drove them out of Zion. Joseph would die at the hands of his enemies in little more than 5 years. The Mormons would leave the United States and settle in the Salt Lake Valley of the then Mexico-owned Utah Territory in 8 years. Despite the fact that the Mormon god kept promising them that they would conquer their enemies, it just didn’t happen.

40. The imminent return of Christ and the gathering of the saints

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:52:15 -0400

History of the Church, Vol. 3, pp. 390-391, July 2, 1839:

“Men profess to prophesy. I will prophesy that the signs of the coming of the Son of Man are already commenced. One pestilence will desolate after another. We shall soon have war and bloodshed. The moon will be turned into blood. I testify of these things, and that the coming of the Son of Man is nigh, even at your doors. If our souls and our bodies are not looking forth for the coming of the Son of Man; and after we are dead, if we are not looking forth, we shall be among those who are calling for the rocks to fall upon them.

The hearts of the children of men will have to be turned to the fathers, and the fathers to the children living or dead to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. If Elijah did not come, the whole earth would be smitten.

There will be here and there a Stake [of Zion] for the gathering of the Saints. Some may have cried peace, but the Saints and the world will have little peace from henceforth. Let this not hinder us from going to the Stakes; for God has told us to flee, not dallying, or we shall be scattered, one here, and another there. There your children shall be blessed, and you in the midst of friends where you may be blessed. The Gospel net gathers of every kind.

I prophesy, that that man who tarries after he has an opportunity of going, will be afflicted by the devil. Wars are at hand; we must not delay; but are not required to sacrifice. We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object. When wars come, we shall have to flee to Zion. The cry is to make haste. The last revelation says, Ye shall not have time to have gone over the earth, until these things come. It will come as did the cholera, war, fires, and earthquakes; one pestilence after another, until the Ancient of Days comes, then judgment will be given to the Saints.

Whatever you may hear about me or Kirtland, take no notice of it, for if it be a place of refuge, the devil will use his greatest efforts to trap the Saints. You must make yourselves acquainted with those men who like Daniel pray three times a day toward the House of the Lord. Look to the Presidency and receive instruction. Every man who is afraid, covetous, will be taken in a snare. The time is soon coming when no man will have any peace but in Zion and her Stakes.”

Both the imminent return of Christ and the gathering of the saints in Zion are covered in this prophecy. Over 165 years have gone by since this prophecy was uttered. The saints have not gathered in Zion and we must question that “no man will have any peace but in Zion and her Stakes.”

41. The Mormons would march to Jackson County to “possess the land” by 9/18/1842

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:51:54 -0400

The Reed Peck Manuscript, September 18, 1839:

“…Joseph Smith called for volunteers collected about 210 “Warriors” and marched to Clay County under arms, but the cholera on the second day after their arrival dispersed them and all hopes were destroyed of ‘redeem[in]g Zion’ for the present, but to console the Mormons under this disappointment, Joseph Smith, before he returned from the campaign prophesied publicly to them, that ‘within three years they should march to Jackson County and there should not be a dog to open his mouth against them.’ ”

160 years have passed and the Mormons have not yet marched to Jackson County. They should have had their marching orders prior to 1843. They had already tried to march back to Zion (Jackson County, Independence, Missouri) in 1834 and the march failed. They were to move into Zion no later than September 11, 1836. The fact is, they were driven out and have never returned.

42. George Miller was without guile and loved by the Lord

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:51:28 -0400

Section 124:20-21, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, January 19, 1841”:

20. And again, verily I say unto you, my servant George Miller is without guile; he may be trusted because of the integrity of his heart; and for the love which he has to my testimony I, the Lord, love him.
21. I therefore say unto you I seal upon his head the office of a bishopric, like unto my servant Edward Partridge, that he may receive the consecrations of mine house, that he may administer blessings upon the heads of the poor of my people, saith the Lord. Let no man despise my servant George, for he shall honor me.

The following can be found in the Church Chronology, p. 36, Sunday, December 3, 1848:

“At a meeting held in the Great Salt Lake City Fort, fellowship was withdrawn from Apostle Lyman Wight and Bishop George Miller.”

To have fellowship withdrawn is very serious in the Mormon church. Whatever the reason for the fellowship withdrawal, the Mormon god was wrong about Bishop Miller’s testimony or his character. Either way, the “prophet” Joseph Smith could not have received this revelation from God.

43. The work of God can be hindered by enemies

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:51:09 -0400

Section 124:49-50, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, January 19, 1841”:

49. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings.
50. And the iniquity and transgression of my holy laws and commandments I will visit upon the heads of those who hindered my work, unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord God.

Apparently the “commandment” and “work” of the Mormon god CAN be “hindered” by “enemies.” Yet, we read in 1 Nephi 9:6 of The Book of Mormon: “But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen.”

Joseph’s Doctrine and Covenants prophecy contradicts the Book of Mormon.

44. The building of the Nauvoo House

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:50:35 -0400

Section 124:59-60 Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, January 19, 1841”:

59. Therefore, let my servant Joseph and his seed after him have place in that house, from generation to generation, forever and ever, saith the Lord.
60. And let the name of that house be called Nauvoo House; and let it be a delightful habitation for man, and a resting-place for the weary traveler, that he may contemplate the glory of Zion, and the glory of this, the corner-stone thereof;

The Nauvoo House (hotel) was never completed. About two years following this prophecy, the Mormons were driven out of Nauvoo. Another two and one-half years later, Joseph Smith died. His widow, Emma, refused to follow Brigham Young to Salt Lake City due to her hatred for him and polygamy. She married Lewis Bidamon in 1847 and helped organize The Reorganized Latter-day Saint Church. Eventually, Lewis Bidamon used the building material from the Nauvoo House to create a smaller brick building on a corner of the same property. It became known as The Bidamon House or The Riverside Mansion where Emma Smith Bidamon lived until her death in 1879.

45. The saints would build the city of Zarahemla “upon the land opposite the city of Nauvoo”

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:50:20 -0400

Section 125:1-4, Doctrine & Covenants, “Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, March 1841, concerning the Saints in the Territory of Iowa”:

1. What is the will of the Lord concerning the saints in the Territory of Iowa?
2. Verily, thus saith the Lord, I say unto you, if those who call themselves by my name and are essaying to be my saints, if they will do my will and keep my commandments concerning them, let them gather themselves together unto the places which I shall appoint unto them by my servant Joseph, and build up cities unto my name, that they may be prepared for that which is in store for a time to come.
3. Let them build up a city unto my name upon the land opposite the city of Nauvoo, and let the name of Zarahemla be named upon it.
4. And let all those who come from the east, and the west, and the north, and the south, that have desires to dwell therein, take up their inheritance in the same, as well as in the city of Nashville, or in the city of Nauvoo, and in all the stakes which I have appointed, saith the Lord.

What happened to Zion in Independence, Missouri? It was supposed to flourish. It was not to be moved out of its place. History records that Zarahemla failed, along with Nauvoo, Kirtland, Independence and every other attempt to settle until they finally arrived in Salt Lake Valley where there was nobody to contend with for the land.

46. The saints would become “a mighty people in the tops of the Rocky Mountains”

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:50:03 -0400

George Q. Cannon Diary, August 6, 1842 (George Q. Cannon reached the position of the First Presidency under Brigham Young):

“At Montrose, Iowa, August 6, 1842, he [Joseph Smith] uttered a remarkable prophecy, which like every other prediction from his lips has been literally fulfilled. He declared the Saints would continue to suffer much affliction and would finally be driven to the Rocky Mountains. Many would apostatize, others would be put to death by their persecutors or lose their lives in consequence of their exile; and many of those who listened to him would live to assist in building cities and to see the Saints become a mighty people in the tops of the Rocky Mountains.” (See also, History of the Church, Vol. 5, p. 85).

Evidence suggests that this is a forgery. Nevertheless, if the Mormons want to accept it as a prophetic utterance of Joseph Smith, they will have to do so in light of some unflattering statistics from recent years regarding this Rocky Mountain religion. Here is what the public relations department of the Mormon church will have to overcome:

• Utah has had one of the highest divorce rates in the United States.
• Utah has had a high number of persons on welfare (when you combine the government and church numbers together it has been perhaps the highest in the nation on a per capita basis).
• Utah has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation (especially high among teenagers and women).
• Utah has had a high venereal disease rate.
• Utah has had a high percentage of marriages where the bride is pregnant at the time of the marriage.
• Salt Lake City is known as the “Stock Fraud” capital of the United States.
• In spite of being the home of the Mormon church, Utah has a high consumption of alcohol on a per capita basis. It has had a high number of female alcoholics.
• There is a problem with drugs in Utah that would not be expected in the home state of the Mormon church.
• Counterfeiting is a problem in Utah.
• Homosexuality and lesbianism is a real problem in Utah (and in the Mormon church).
• Bankruptcy in Utah has run at twice the national average.

The facts demonstrate that the “Saints” are not the “mighty people” that the Mormon Church would have the world believe.

47. Anson Call would perform a great work and assist in building many cities which would astonish the nations

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:49:47 -0400

Anson Call Diary, August 6, 1842, as reprinted in Prophecies of Joseph Smith, and Their Fulfillment, Nephi Lowell Morris, Deseret Book Company, 1926:

“After drinking a draught of ice water he (Joseph Smith) said, Brethren, this water tastes much like the crystal streams that are running in the Rocky Mountains which some of you will participate of. There are some of these standing here that will perform a great work in that land (pointing to Shadrack Rowndy and a number of others whom I have forgotten). There is Anson, he shall go and assist in building cities from one end of the country to the other and you shall perform as great a work as has ever been done by man, and the nations of the earth shall be astonished and many of them will be gathered in that land and assist in building cities.”

History records that Anson Call assisted in settling Millard County, Utah, a southern semi desert region of which Fillmore is the county seat (Church Chronology, p. 44).

• Anson Call did not assist in building cities from one end of the country to the other.
• He did not perform as great a work as has ever been done by man.
• Certainly the nations of the earth are not astonished at his achievements.

48. Joseph Smith would triumph over all his enemies

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:49:28 -0400

Section 127:2, Doctrine & Covenants, “An Epistle from Joseph Smith the Prophet to the Latter-day Saints at Nauvoo, Illinois, September 1, 1842”:

“...for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it.”

Another alleged promise from God that Joseph Smith would triumph over his enemies. Did this prophecy come to pass? Less than two years later Joseph Smith died at the hands of his enemies. The Mormons were driven out of every place they tried to settle until they arrived at the Salt Lake Valley in the then Mexico-owned Utah Territory.

49. The Son of Man would come in the clouds of heaven when Joseph was 85 years old, 1890

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:40:52 -0400

History of the Church, Vol. 5, p. 336, April 6, 1843 and Joseph Smith’s Diary, March 10, 1843--July 14, 1843:

“Were I going to prophesy, I would say the end (of the world) would not come in 1844, 5, or 6, or in forty years. There are those of the rising generation who shall not taste death till Christ comes.”

“I was once praying earnestly upon this subject, and a voice said unto me. ‘My son, if thou livest until thou art eighty-five years of age, thou shalt see the face of the Son of Man.’ I was left to draw my own conclusions concerning this; and I took the liberty to conclude that if I did live to that time, He would make His appearance. But I do not say whether He will make this appearance or I shall go where He is. 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.”

Note the changes that have been made in the following account of the same prophecy in Joseph Smith’s Diary.

“…I prophesy in the name of the Lord God---and let it be written: that the Son of Man will not come in the heavens till I am 85 years old 48 years hence or about 1890…”

• The Mormon historians have deleted the words “48 years hence or about 1890.”
• The rising generation came and went without Jesus’ return (remember Matthew 24:36).
• The Son of Man did not come about 1890.

Another interesting point about this prophecy is that Joseph Smith had already claimed to have seen the face of the Son of Man in the Pearl of Great Price, under Joseph Smith 2:17.

50. The US government would be destroyed unless the wrongs against the saints were redressed

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:39:30 -0400

History of the Church, Vol. 5, p. 394, May 18, 1843:

“President Smith, in concluding his remarks, said that if the government, which received into its coffers the money of citizens for its public treasury, cannot protect such citizens in their lives and property, it is an old granny anyhow; and 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 potsherd left...”

The Millennial Star, Vol. 22, p. 455, records a similar (perhaps the same) prophecy of Joseph Smith:

“I prophesied by virtue of the holy priesthood vested in me, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that, if congress will not hear our petition and grant us protection, they shall be broken up as a government, and God shall damn them, and there shall be nothing left of them--not even a grease spot.”

After over 160 years, history records:
• Congress did not grant protection to the Mormons.
• Congress did not redress the wrongs committed against the Saints in the state of Missouri.
• There was no punishment of her officers.
• The government was not broken up, utterly thrown down, wasted, turned into a grease spot or so much as a potsherd.