Joseph Smith — Prophet

False Prophecies

A selection of false prophecies given by Joseph Smith.

Independence Temple Prophecy

Joseph prophesied that his generation would build a temple in Independence, Missouri. The lot for the temple was purchased on December 19, 1831. After Joseph’s death, the church split into several denominations and ownership of the land was disputed in court. Ultimately, the Church of Christ gained ownership. To date no temple has been constructed on the property.

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.

— Joseph Smith

Mormonism founder
Doctrine and Covenants 84:3-5

Church Leadership Prophecies

Joseph made four prophecies about church leaders that were not fulfilled, and subsequently omitted in the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 137.

[1] 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 their 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.

[2] I also beheld Elder McLellin 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.

[3] 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 a bout 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.

[4] And I finally saw the Twelve in the celestial kingdom of God. I also beheld the redemption of Zion [Independence, Missouri] and many things which the tongue of man cannot describe in full.

— Joseph Smith

Mormonism founder
History of the Church, Vol. 2, pp. 380-381

[1] Six of the twelve apostles were excommunicated. One died in the 1838 Mormon War.
[2] McLellin was excommunicated.
[3] There is no record of this event.
[4] According to LDS doctrine, they could not all be together in the celestial kingdom since some of the twelve had left the church.

David Patten Mission Prophecy

On April 11, 1838, Joseph prophesied that Mormon apostle David W. Patten would serve a mission the following spring. Six months later, on October 25, David died in the battle of Crooked River.

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.

— Joseph Smith

Mormonism founder
Doctrine and Covenants 114:1

Book of Mormon Copyright Prophecy

David Whitmer, a Book of Mormon witness, said that Joseph Smith prophesied that the Book of Mormon copyright would be sold in Canada.

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.

— David Whitmer

President of the Missouri church and Book of Mormon witness
An Address to all Believers in Christ, p. 31

Update: we can confirm David Whitmer was telling the truth, as the original prophecy was found in the First Presidency archive:

Wherefore I say unto you that ye shall go to Kingston [Canada] seeking me continually through mine only Begotten and if ye do this ye shall have my spirit to go with you. And ye shall have an addition of all things which is expedient in me. And I grant unto my servant a privilege that he may sell a copyright through you speaking after the manner of men for the four Provinces.

— Joseph Smith

Mormonism founder
23 Commandment AD 1830, "Revelation Book 1"
josephsmithpapers.org

David said that Joseph received a second revelation as to why the first revelation failed.

Some revelations are of God: some revelations are of man: and some revelations are of the devil.

— Joseph Smith

Mormonism founder
*As quoted by David Whitmer
An Address to all Believers in Christ, p. 31

Although the original is not extant, Joseph used similar phrasing in the Doctrine and Covenants, stating that some commandments are from men and others are from devils. D&C 46:7

True Prophecy

Joseph prophesied that a man who boasts in his own strength would incur God’s vengeance.

For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him.

— Joseph Smith

Mormonism founder
Doctrine and Covenants 3:4

On May 26, 1844, Joseph made this boast about himself.

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. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet.

— Joseph Smith

Mormonism founder
History of the Church, Vol. 6, pp. 407-408

One month later, on June 27, he was dead. His church split into several denominations.

Testing the prophets

Jesus’ Apostles and Prophets warn us about false prophets. They teach us how to identify false prophets:

The prophets must be scrutinized.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

— Apostle John

1 John 4:1

False prophets make false prophecies. Jeremiah 23:25-40; Ch. 28
A prophet must preach the same gospel that Jesus and His Apostles taught.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man preach any other gospel unto you then ye have received, let him be accursed!

— Apostle Paul

Galatians 1:8-9

Even if they perform miracles and give true prophecy, they are false prophets if they lead you to a different god(s).

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.

— Prophet Moses

Deuteronomy 13:1-3

False prophets exploit others, are greedy, carnal, and bring destruction upon themselves.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

— Apostle Peter

2 Peter 2:1-3 NASB

Conclusion

Conduct of a False Prophet	Conduct of Joseph Smith
Preaches another gospel	Book of Mormon—“another testament of Jesus Christ”
Makes false prophecies	Several, including no temple in Independence.
Leads followers to different god(s).	Made God a man with a human body. Taught polytheism—many gods. Made Lucifer equal to Jesus (brothers). Exaltation—followers become gods.
Carnal, gives into sexual immorality	Had as many as 49 wives: including young teenagers, mothers and their daughters, and married women. Taught others to do the same.
Secretly introduces new doctrines	Practiced polygamy while publicly denying it.
Exploits followers / greedy	Often used ‘revelation’ to get people to do his bidding. Some examples: Threatened Martin Harris with “the destruction of thyself and property” unless he used his property to finance the Book of Mormon printing. D&C 19:26-33 Threatened non-tithing church members will be burned when the Lord returns. D&C 64:23 Threatened his wife Emma that “she shall be destroyed” if she rejects his polygamous marriages. D&C 132:51-55
Brings swift destruction upon himself	At age 38, Joseph recklessly ordered a newspaper office and printing press critical of his church destroyed. The act was a clear violation of freedom of the press, which is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In response, the Governor of Illinois had Joseph arrested. An angry mob broke into the jail and killed Joseph.