FAIR Topical Guide

Guide Home > Early LDS History > Failed Prophecies

Additional Topics

The following are additional topic areas related to Failed Prophecies. If there is a bracket number after the topic, that number indicates how many actual articles there are related to that subject. If the link for the topic is not live, it simply means the topic is a 'planned area' for future growth.

FAIR Resources

These links are either to Web pages hosted on the FAIR Website, or to FAIR Papers. FAIR Papers are short articles about specific topics or questions, written by members of FAIR. These articles can be downloaded and read in PDF format and are intended to be distributed by e-mail or print for the general use of our patrons. (To read FAIR Papers you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader. It can be downloaded free from the Adobe Web site.) Click on a title below to visit a FAIR Web page or to read the latest version of a FAIR Paper.

"Independence temple to be built "in this generation"," FAIR Wiki (City Unknown: FAIR) This FAIR Wiki article examines the contention, made by critics, that Joseph Smith's prophecy that the Independence, Missouri temple "shall be reared in this generation" is an example of a failed prophecy that makes Joseph Smith a false prophet.

"Joseph and Moonmen," FAIR Wiki (City Unknown: FAIR) This FAIR Wiki article responds to the claim, made by critics, that Joseph Smith taught that the moon was inhabited, and that this is proof he was a false prophet.

George Cobabe, The White Horse Prophecy.

Michael W. Fordham, "A Non-Prophetic Report of Mormonism 101's Failing Grade," Mormonism 201 (Mesa, Arizona: FAIR) In response to the arguments presented by McKeever and Johnson, Fordham examines the nature of prophecy and some of Joseph's Smith supposedly failed prophecies.

Ensign Articles

These articles cited below provide information on the topic of this page. The Ensign is one of the official publications of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When you click on one of the article links below, you are whisked to the article found in the archives of the Church's Web site.

Stephen K. Iba, "Why does D&C 104:1 say that the united order was an everlasting order until the Lord comes, yet it is not practiced today?," Ensign, June 1986.

Other Resources

The resources listed below are related items available on the Web that should be of interest. These links are to information not located on the FAIR Web site.

Richard L. Anderson, "Joseph Smith and the Millennarian Time Table Joseph Smith and the Millennarian Time Table," BYU Studies, 55-66 “Of that day and hour knoweth no man” (Matt. 24:36), though claims to date the millennial coming are no historical rarity. In the past year newspapers carried stories of more than one group which separated itself to await the appointed day. Failures become miscalculation or misdefinition to persistent believers—and illusion to others. Joseph Smith joins the ranks of discredited visionaries in current publications reaching various intellectual levels. But the image is not a true one. Corrective historical analysis is not only in order, but also a word to those accustomed to dismiss him under the rubric of millennialism. A recent article of widely influential protestant distribution does essentially this: “Like leaders of other groups in the early nineteenth century, Smith believed that Christ’s coming was imminent, ‘even 56 years should wind up the scene.’” This statement of Joseph Smith, made on the occasion of choosing the Twelve on February 14, 1835, has been given more direct treatment. Most elaborate is a curious exposé, Harrison’s Mormons Are Peculiar People, in which no less than fifty-seven false prophecies of Joseph Smith are formally listed. With minor exceptions this parade of instances is a redundant application of three techniques: making ultimate promises immediate, precluding human agency by affixing total responsibility on the author of the revelation, and giving relative statements of time absolute value. The last method well matches the lack of sophistication claimed by the author for Mormons. Promises that “the hour is nigh” and “I come quickly” are now discredited in Harrison’s perspective of history, despite Joseph Smith’s express words that Millennial events “are now nigh at hand”—”speaking after the manner of the Lord.” Distortion is carried further; in spite of citation of correct explanatory sources, “even fifty-six years should wind up the scene” becomes number seven in the list of “false prophecies”: “According to Joseph Smith, Christ’s second coming should have taken place no later than February 14, 1891.”

Stephen R. Gibson, "Did Joseph Smith Falsely Prophesy Of a Temple In Independence?," One-Minute Answers to Anti-Mormon Questions (Bountiful, Utah: Horizon Publishers) If Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, how could the lord tell him that the temple would be built in Independence, Missouri before this generation shall pass away (D & C 84:5)? Surely people aren't still alive who were living in 1832.

Stephen R. Gibson, "Did Joseph Smith Falsely Prophesy Of Christ's Return?," One-Minute Answers to Anti-Mormon Questions (Bountiful, Utah: Horizon Publishers) Didn't Joseph Smith prophesy that Christ would return in 1890?

Stephen R. Gibson, "Did Joseph Smith Prophesy Falsely Regarding David Patten?," One-Minute Answers to Anti-Mormon Questions (Bountiful, Utah: Horizon Publishers) Why did Joseph Smith prophesy that David Patten would go on a mission (D & C 114:1), yet six months later Patten was dead? Isn't this just another example of a false prophet making a false prophecy?

Stephen R. Gibson, "Is Oliver Granger's Name Forgotten?," One-Minute Answers to Anti-Mormon Questions (Bountiful, Utah: Horizon Publishers) Latter-day Saints claim the Lord told Joseph Smith in D & C 117:12 that Oliver Granger's name would be had in sacred remembrance from generation to generation forever and ever. Why don't Mormons know who he is?

Malin L. Jacobs, "The Alleged Fifty-Six-Year Second-Coming Prophecy of Joseph Smith: An Analysis," (City Unknown: SHIELDS, 13-Jul-97)

Lindsay Jeff, Fulfilled Prophecies of Joseph Smith. A listing of documented fulfilled prophecies of Joseph Smith. Not exhaustive, but several listed here.

Christian R. Jurado, The Use of “Generation” in D&C 84:1-5.

Jeff Lindsay, Prophets in Latter-day Saint Religion. Answers many of the questions about Prophets in general. Answers many questions about Joseph Smith's "failed" prophecies.

Gerald Smith, D&C 87. The Prophecy on War.

W. John Walsh, Michael T. Griffith and Jeff Lindsay; Did Joseph Smith Deliver Some Prophecies That Didn't Come True?. A compilation of short articles dealing with the charges that Joseph's prophecies failed.

Recommended Reading

If you are interested in more information about the topic of 'Early LDS History,' you may want to refer to the books listed below. These books are available in the FAIR Bookstore; click on a link to find more information.

Michael T. Griffith, A Ready Reply: Answering Challenging Questions About the Gospel (Horizon Publishers, 1994, 123 pages). This book provides clear and complete answers to numerous challenges made against the LDS Church.

Stephen W. Gibson, One-Minute Answers to Anti-Mormon Questions (Horizon Publishers, 1995, 208 pages). Criticisms of the LDS Church are frequently based on intentional misinterpretations of Mormon doctrine. This book provides useful clarifications and rebuttals for many doctrinal and historical areas church critics use.

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Last Updated September 28, 2008
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