Definition of Prophecy

In preparation for a closer examination of some of the "failed prophecies" of Joseph Smith it is essential that we review the vocabulary we will be using. This post is designed to lay some of that groundwork.

Random House Webster's College Dictionary defines prophecy as follows:

prophecy n., pl. -cies. 1. the foretelling or prediction of what is to come. 2. something that is declared by a prophet, esp. a divinely inspired prediction, instruction, or exhortation. 3. any prediction or forecast. 4. the action, function, or faculty of a prophet.

LDS apologist Michael W. Fordham writes that "The term "prophesy" can be used in conjunction with false prophets as well as true prophets. So how do we tell the difference? A false prophet is not necessarily one who makes false prophecies. A prophet is a teacher. A false prophet is one who teaches false doctrine. A true prophet is one who teaches true doctrine. So how does Joseph Smith fit this description? Keeping the words of Christ in mind, when he said to his apostles concerning others who were casting out evil spirits, we find a clue in Mark 9:38-40.

And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbade him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.

'Anyone who has read the scriptures brought forth by and through Joseph Smith will readily see that he was not against Christ. Anyone who has read other, non-scriptural, writings and sermons of Joseph Smith will readily see that he was not against Christ. Anyone who has read the writings of those who personally knew Joseph Smith will readily see that he was not against Christ. Anyone who knows the historical fact that Joseph Smith gave his life for his belief in, and devotion to, the Savior knows that he was not against Christ. Since Joseph Smith was not against the Savior, then he was "on our part," as Christ said. So why then, are men … who proclaim themselves Christians, who claim to follow Christ, so eager to malign Joseph Smith?

So is Joseph Smith a false prophet of Jesus Christ? Certainly he was not against Christ, and Christ himself said that his disciples should "Forbid him not" unless he actively opposes Christ. So he passes our first test.

Did he teach false principles? While different denominations may disagree with his teachings, a fair examination of them cannot truthfully declare them false. Disagreement does not make something false. Honest brokers can acknowledge the legitimacy of a contrary view without accepting that view.

Therefore we are left with the definition of prophecy that concerns itself with inspired predictions of future events. Joseph Smith passes the first two tests of prophecy and so far we have shown many instances (1, 2, 3, 4) of his passing the third test - uttering inspired predictions of future events. Next we will cover how to correctly interpret prophecy before we examine the first of our "failed prophecies", the prophecy found in D&C 114 concerning David W. Patten.

Zion's Camp

This post on one of the more dramatic prophecies of the Prophet Joseph Smith will be the last one for awhile. My next few posts will address putting prophets and prophecy in context and then next week I'll start the promised series of posts addressing some of the claims of failed prophecies made by our critics.

The Encyclopedia of Mormonism states that Zion's Camp was "a Latter-day Saint expedition from Kirtland, Ohio, to Clay County, Missouri, during May and June 1834. The Mormon settlers in adjacent Jackson County, Missouri, had been driven out in the fall of 1833 by hostile non-Mormon elements, and the initial objective of Zion's Camp was to protect those settlers after the Missouri militia escorted them back to their homes."

In our primary manual we read the following:

Early in the march Joseph Smith gave Zion’s Camp a prophetic warning. He told the people in the camp that if they quarreled and complained and did not keep the Lord’s commandments, a scourge (a great affliction or illness) would come upon the camp. The Prophet even prophesied that some people would die because of the scourge. But he also said that if the people would humble themselves and repent, most of the scourge would be turned away.

About three weeks later this prophecy came to pass when a violent illness called cholera hit the camp. The illness attacked those who had been obedient as well as those who had quarreled and complained. Even the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum became sick. ...

After eight days of illness in the camp, Joseph met with many of the group and said that if they would humble themselves before the Lord and covenant to keep his commandments, the cholera would leave immediately. The men raised their hands and covenanted with the Lord, and the illness stopped. About sixty-eight people of Zion’s Camp had suffered from the disease, and fourteen people had died.

Some journals from that time quote Joseph as saying that many would die horrible deaths. A death by cholera in those days was definitely a horrible death. Although it took 3 weeks, the words of the prophet were fulfilled to the letter both when he prophecied the curse, and later when he prophecied the lifting of the curse.

A Miracle

From the 1969 New Era we learn about a miracle regarding a bodyguard of the Prophet, Heber J. Grant.

Performance of duty, regardless of the sacrifice involved, is a part of dealing justly with oneself and others. Early in the history of this valley Joseph W. McMurrin was placed in charge of guarding some of the leaders of the Church. At a meeting in Social Hall in Salt Lake City, an intruder under a claim of authority tried to enter the hall; and Joseph W. McMurrin, being true to his trust to guard the servants of the Lord, restrained him from going through the door.

President Heber J. Grant relates that the intruder 'finally got his hand loose and took his pistol and, pressing it against Brother McMurrin's body, fired two bullets . . . through his vitals. Those bullets lodged just under the skin in his back.

He was attended by Dr. Joseph Benedict who told Joseph W. McMurrin that no man could live after two bullets had passed through his vitals, and then added: "If you wish to make a dying statement you should do so immediately."

I went with John Henry Smith to Brother McMurrin's home and saw where the flesh was burned away around those terrible gaping wounds. I saw where the bullets had gone clear through him. I heard John Henry Smith say, "By the authority of the Priesthood of the living God which we hold, and in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, we say that you shall be made absolutely whole, and that there shall be no physical weakness left upon your body because of these terrible wounds that you have received while guarding the servants of the living God." '

On November 21, 1931, President Grant concluded, 'Joseph W. McMurrin is alive and well, and has never had any physical weakness because of those terrible wounds.'

Temple Closed

Violence has forced the closure of a temple. The only temple in Nigeria has been closed and temple workers moved after how four gunmen armed with AK-47s shot holes in the Aba temple's guardhouse.

I wonder how many more temples will undergo such closures before the Savior returns. Probably quite a few.

Dan Jones

The night before Joseph Smith was killed in Carthage Jail, he prophesied that Dan Jones would survive to serve a mission in Wales. That event is recorded in History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 601:

Soon after Dr. Richards retired to the bed which Joseph had left, and when all were apparently fast asleep, Joseph whispered to Dan Jones "are you afraid to die?" Dan said, "Has that time come, think you? Engaged in such a cause I do not think that death would have many terrors." Joseph replied, "You will yet see Wales, and fulfill the mission appointed you before you die."

Later that year, in August of 1844, he went to Wales with Wilford Woodruff to do missionary work in that land. His work led to the conversion of hundreds of people. He started the first foreign-language magazines for the Church, publishing a magazine in the Welsh language beginning in 1846. According to an article on "International Magazines" in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 2,

"Dan Jones edited and published thirty-two issues of Prophwyd y Jubili, Neu Seren y Saints (Prophet of Jubilee, New Star of Saints), filled with doctrinal and historical articles, messages from Church leaders, and replies to attacks from antagonists of the Church. Other [non-English] magazines followed."

The gift of prophecy was with the Prophet Joseph up until the last hours of his life. As Truman Madsen said "Joseph Smith lived his life in cresendo, there was no diminuendo."

Hat tip to Jeff Lindsay.

Stephen A. Douglas

Stephan A. Douglas was a candidate for President in the 1860 election against Abraham Lincoln. When Lincoln defeated him in electoral votes 180-12 it was one of the greatest upsets of American political history. Interestingly both of the major candidates that year were from Illinois and both had knowledge of the Mormons and some contact with Church leaders.

The History of the Church records the following meeting between Joseph Smith and Mr. Douglas. At the time Judge Douglas was little known. Our account is from the journal of William Clayton who was present at the meal, an account which was published in the 24 September 1856 edition of the Deseret News. It was later published in England in 1859.

May 18th, 1843:--Dined with Judge Stephen A. Douglas, who is presiding at court. After dinner Judge Douglas requested President Smith to give him a history of the Missouri persecution, which he did in a very minute manner for about three hours. He also gave a relation of his journey to Washington city, and his application in behalf of the saints to Mr. Van Buren, the president of the United States, for redress, and Mr. Van Buren's pusillanimous reply--'Gentlemen, your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you;' and the cold, unfeeling manner in which he was treated by most of the senators and representatives in relation to the subject, Clay saying, 'You had better go to Oregon,' and Calhoun shaking his head solemnly, saying, 'It's a nice question--a critical question; but it will not do to agitate it.'

The judge listened with the greatest attention, and then spoke warmly in deprecation of Governor Boggs and the authorities in Missouri, who had taken part in the extermination, and said that any people that would do as the mobs of Missouri had done ought to be brought to judgment; they ought to be punished.

President Smith, in concluding his remarks, said that 'if the government, which receives into its coffers the money of citizens for its public lands, while its officials are rolling in luxury at the expense of 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 of Israel, unless the United States redress the wrongs committed upon the saints in the state of Missouri and punish crimes committed by her officers, that in a few years the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be so much as a potsherd left, for their wickedness in permitting the murder of men, women and children and the wholesale plunder and extermination of thousands of her citizens to go unpunished, thereby perpetrating a foul and corroding blot upon the fair fame of this great republic, the very thought of which would have caused the high-minded and patriotic framers of the Constitution of the United States to hide their faces with shame. Judge, you will aspire to the presidency of the United States; and if you ever turn your hand against me or the Latter-day Saints, you will feel the weight of the hand of the Almighty upon you; and you will live to see and know that I have testified the truth to you; for the conversation of this day will stick to you through life. . .

In June of 1857, in a speech in Springfield, Illinios, Judge Douglas turned against the Mormons. The prophecy was now in effect.

Our enemies claim that this prophecy was made up "after the fact". This claim is in the anti-Mormon One Nation Under Gods on page 406, in a book by the Tanners and many others. Yet Judge Douglas didn't turn against the Saints until a year after its publication in the Deseret News and a full four years before he declared for the Presidency!

Incidentally, Judge Douglas died a year after losing the election to Abraham Lincoln at the ripe old age of 48.

Promise of Three Witnesses

In the Doctrine and Covenants Joseph Smith made public to the world that their would be Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon. This promise is found in D&C 5:11-13 where we read:

11 And in addition to your testimony, the testimony of three of my servants, whom I shall call and ordain, unto whom I will show these things, and they shall go forth with my words that are given through you.
12 Yea, they shall know of a asurety that these things are true, for from heaven will I declare it unto them.
13 I will give them power that they may behold and view these things as they are;

Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris did later see the gold plates and hear the voice of God declare unto them that the translation made therof was by the gift and power of God. That is an amazing prediction for an imposter or fraud to make. However when a prophet does it we call it prophecy.

Night of the Falling Stars

Mark L. McConkie tells the story of the "Night of the Falling Stars" that is a powerful display of the gift of prophecy that Joseph Smith often had. This excerpt is taken from Mormon Life which cited an article written by Philo Dibble, and which was originally published in the Juvenile Instructor in January of 1892.

On one occasion Joseph was preaching in Kirtland sometime in the fall of 1833. Quite a number of persons were present who did not belong to the Church, and one man, more bitter and skeptical than others, made note with pencil and paper of a prophecy uttered on that occasion, wherein Joseph said that "Forty days shall not pass, and the stars shall fall from heaven."

Such an event would certainly be very unusual and improbable to the natural man, and the skeptic wrote the words as a sure evidence to prove Joseph to be a false Prophet.

On the thirty-ninth day after the utterance of that prophecy a man and brother in the Church, by the name of Joseph Hancock, who is yet living, in Payson, Utah, and another brother were out hunting game and got lost. They wandered about until night, when they found themselves at the house of this unbeliever, who exultingly produced this note of Joseph Smith's prophecy, and asked Brother Hancock what he thought of his Prophet now, that thirty-nine days had passed and the prophecy was not fulfilled

Brother Hancock was unmoved and quietly remarked, "There is one night left of the time, and if Joseph said so, the stars will certainly fall tonight. This prophecy will all be fulfilled."

The matter weighed upon the mind of Brother Hancock, who watched that night, and it proved to be the historical one, known in all the world as "the night of the falling of the stars."

He stayed that night at the house of the skeptical unbeliever, as it was too far from home to return by night, and in the midst of the falling of the stars he went to the door of his host and called him out to witness what he had thought impossible and the most improbable thing that could happen, especially as that was the last night in which Joseph Smith could be saved from the condemnation of "a false prophet."

The whole heavens were lit up with the falling meteors, and the countenance of the new spectator was plainly seen and closely watched by Brother Hancock, who said that he turned pale as death, and spoke not a word.

After that event the unbeliever sought the company of any Latter-day Saint. He even enticed Mormon children to keep him company at his house. Not long afterwards, too, he sent for Joseph and Hyrum to come to his house, which they did, but with no noticeable results, for I believe he never received the gospel.

This isn't the only recording of the event. Many people's journals reflect the same amazement on the same dates. The Little Rock Gazette wrote of it as follows on December 11, 1833.

The Falling Stars - The meteoric phenomenon witnessed here on the morning of the 13th ult. was general throughout the United States. The Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York Papers, give the same description of it, as those who witnessed it in this region, and to the north and south of us.

Scientists now refer to this event as the Leonid Meteor Shower which was unknown at the time of Joseph Smith. This all points to an amazing display that God was with Joseph when he uttered this amazing prophecy. There is nothing unclear about what he said, or how it was dramatically fulfilled. This is evidence of a true Prophet of God.

Update

I am putting together a series of posts starting with some remarkable prophecies of Joseph Smith. The first of these was yesterday's post. Then I will have a couple of posts on some of the logical fallacies that our enemies (and many LDS as well) engage in while analyzing the Prophet. Finally I will address at least 5 of the allegedly false prophecies of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Believe it or not, there is a method to my madness. I simply want to put everything in context so that there is no confusion. It's coming. I promise.

Praise to the Man CD

My daughter told me that there is a new CD out by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir honoring the Prophet Joseph Smith. Since this website is largely a defense of the Prophet it seems appropriate to mention it. If desired, it can be purchased by clicking on the link below the image.

Praise to the Man: Songs Honoring the Prophet Joseph Smith

Working on Something

I have been working on collecting the allegations of false prophecies by Joseph Smith so that I can address them. That is taking more time than I thought. Hopefully I'll have something with meat on it by tomorrow.

A Trial in My Hometown

In the community where I currently reside an LDS man is on trial for horrific crimes against his family. If the charges are true, they are of the worst kind - the kind that even hardened criminals find repulsive. Given his status as a member of the Church, how does this reflect on us?

As Latter-day Saints we like to tell others to judge us by our fruits. What are the fruits of the gospel as we teach it? Generally those fruits are quite good, but in this instance, the fruit appears to be rotten to the core.

Out of a sense of loyalty to the Church many members like to only reflect on the positive fruits of Church membership. If we are honest, and consistent, we must look at ALL OF THE FRUITS of our church. Honesty is not a lack of loyalty. It is the only position consistent with integrity.

Warning signs existed with this family and bishops were notified many years ago that something was very wrong in this home. Nevertheless the father (the accused) still held a responsible position in the Church (ward clerk) and as far as I know, he was never disciplined by a church council. Did we fail this family? Did the hometeachers fail this wife and children? How about the visiting teachers, Relief Society Presidencies, Elders Quorum Presidencies? Did they all fail?

I don't know who failed, but certainly this man failed to live the gospel as taught. Had he obeyed the counsel we are given and kept the commandments he would never had committed the crimes he is charged with. But it isn't enough to say it is all his fault, he didn't obey the commandments. ALL OF US ARE IMPERFECT to some degree. For some of us it is more obvious because maybe we smoke, or drink, or don't go to church on Sunday. But we all fall short in following the counsel we are given, as did this man. And to some degree yet unknown, we the Latter-day Saints in this area, failed this family. Our influence in homes is only as much as we are allowed. Apparently we weren't allowed to do very much of good or this would never have happened.

Generally the fruits of the gospel as taught by this Church are wonderful. But occasionally they are rotten. The same tree that brought us Gordon B. Hinckley and Thomas S. Monson also brought us this man who is now on trial. It is tempting to dismiss this case as an anomaly; and it is an anomaly, but we also need to acknowledge that we probably failed this family to some degree and to that degree we as a people need to repent.

The Book of Mormon

I find it interesting that critics of the Church tend to avoid deep discussion of the Book of Mormon. They will take cheap shots at it, but avoid any in-depth discussion. I have my suspicions as to why. The Book of Mormon is tangible, it isn't some spiritual concept. Concepts are easier to argue than something real. So critics stay in the safer arena of arguing scriptures and concepts instead of addressing the reality of the Book of Mormon.

There also is the problem of the growing set of evidences that support hundreds of things in the Book of Mormon. It is simply too large to ignore. While none of those evidences "proves" the Book of Mormon to be true, they are troubling to an honest critic, thus it is easier to simply avoid.

Book of Mormon critics have created a deafening silence regarding the Three Witnesses: Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer. It is harder for people to recognize what "isn't being said" than what is being said. Therefore it takes more effort to notice that our critics don't want to touch the Three Witnesses. Their collective testimonies are compelling evidence to the honest at heart and therefore are best ignored by our critics.

The Eight Witnesses are often overlooked but they effectively counter the few arguments against the Three Witnesses that they experienced some form of "group delusion". There is nothing supernatural about handling a bunch of metal plates. The allegation of some form of tomfoolery regarding the Three Witnesses is effectively neutered by the testimony of the Eight Witnesses. Again, it is easier to ignore these 8 men whose collective testimony is the perfect compliment to the Three Witnesses.

The fact that most of these eleven men fell away from the Church, yet never denied their testimony is somehow even more compelling testimony. It probably shouldn't, but it nonetheless seems to lend greater credibility to their prior testimony.

I understand how some might find it hard to believe that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon. But the honest at heart have to answer the questions I've listed before they can reject the Book of Mormon as our enemies have done. I was once an non-member and I remember how strange that sounded to me at first.

I have yet to hear a rational argument that effectively challenges these three things: the growing collection of evidences supporting the Book of Mormon; the Three Witnesses; and the Eight Witnesses. Until some rational argument can be made against these very compelling evidences I suggest that the honest at heart will eventually come to realize that as strange as the Joseph Smith story sounds when it is first heard, it is still the best explanation for the presence of the Book of Mormon. And once one reaches that logical conclusion the Spirit can bear witness that they are correct - the Book of Mormon truly is the Word of God.

Is this the beginning?

The U.S. Census Department has decided that Utah citizens serving missions in foreign lands will NOT BE COUNTED in the upcoming census next year. Military personnel serving overseas are counted. Federal employees serving overseas are counted but LDS missionaries are not going to be counted.

Normally that wouldn't matter but the last time the census was done in the year 2000, Utah came up less than 1000 votes short of gaining another U.S. Representative in Congress. There are probably 1000 Utah missionaries in Brazil alone! A really bad guesstimate of missionaries would have put them over the top.

That year the Clinton administration wouldn't count them. This time its the Obama administration that won't count them. Do you think it might have something to do with the fact that Utah is the most reliable Republican state in the Union? Is this the beginning of the U.S. Government starting a new round of denial of civil rights to LDS Church members as was done in the late 1800's allegedly over polygamy? We'll have to wait and see.

This will be cross-posted at my political blog Rookie Political Commentator.

This Morning's Devotional

When I wake up earlier in the morning than is needed to start the day, I like to fill in the time with a private, morning devotional. It is quite simple. I read a few verses of scripture, ponder them, and pray. Then I make sure and wait for an answer. In the rush of a typical day I often skip the pondering and waiting parts. Today I didn't.

I read only a few verses of the Book of Mormon, Moroni 7:39-44. This section simply talks about the esential interweaving, mutually dependent nature of faith and hope. It then comments on the essential nature of being meek and lowly of heart; concluding with the importance of charity. As I was pondering these principles I suddenly realized something very important (at least to me it was important).

Every former member of the Church, or member who has slipped away, has a weakness in this area. In saying that, I am not claiming that all active Latter-day Saints are strong in these areas - for I do not believe it. I know many active LDS who are not meek and lowly of heart; nor are they charitable. But they are not the purpose for this post.

Those who fall away almost universally lose their faith, meekness, and lowliness of heart. They often replace their faith with another one - evangelical Christianity, Catholicism, traditional Protestanism, secular humanism, etc... Many of these people are wonderful people, lovely to know, and they do wonderful things. But I have never met a meek and lowly of heart former member. I have never heard of a meek and lowly of heart member who has fallen away. Perhaps they exist, but I have never met them.

I suspect this is at the root of people who fall; and may serve as a predictor of those who might be vulnerable to falling away - are they meek and lowly of heart? Having lost faith in the source of that meekness and lowliness of heart, it isn't surprising that they would lose the fruits of it. In fact, the universal absence of it seems to be a back-handing form of proof that the fruits of Mormonism (when lived correctly) lead to such things - faith, hope, meekness, lowliness of heart, and charity. May we all strive to become such people. I am working on it.