Was Joseph Smith a prophet of God as several different “Mormon” churches contend? Was he the Moses or Peter of our day and time? If so, then all men must listen to and accept his writings (Book of Mormon, Doctrines & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, etc.) as the inspired Word of God - as do the different Mormon groups. This should raise the question, “How can we tell if he was a true prophet?” Do just as the Bible says, “Try the spirits whether they be of God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1), and remember the test of a true prophet - do all his prophecies come true? If not, he is not a true prophet (Deut. 18:20-22)!
What about Joseph Smith and his prophecies? We shall look at some of them as recorded by Mormons. Remember that these prophecies are taken from books written by Mormons, as a record of the teaching of their prophet! If you as a Mormon or the friend of a Mormon doubt the authenticity of these prophecies, please check the references and you will find them to be accurate.
1. Mormons tell us that Joseph Smith prophesied of the Civil War and events that were to happen during it. The prophecy can be read in Doctrine & Covenants 87:1-3 and 130:12-13, however, it was not in the first edition of Doctrine and Covenants printed in 1835, and Mormons admit the prophecy was first printed in 1851, They claim that Smith spoke the prophecy on December 25, 1832. Please note that this was at least a month after South Carolina had passed its Nullification Act and everyone could see the division of the Union coming and bringing certain war.
2. On February 14, 1835, Joseph Smith prophesied that the coming of the Lord was nigh, “even 56 years should wind up the scene” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 182). Any third grader can add 56 to 1835 and see that according to Smith the Lord was to return to the earth in 1891. He did not do so! Therefore, Smith joins the ranks of all the other so-called prophets who failed in their predictions of the Lord’s return (William Miller a 7th Day Adventist, Dr. John Thomas a Christadelphian, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc.).
3. Smith made many prophecies concerning the original twelve apostles of the Mormon church, which failed to come to pass. We shall only note two at this time:
A. Lyman E. Johnson – “He should bear the tidings of salvation to nations, tongues, and people, until the utmost corners of the earth shall hear the tidings… no power of the enemy shall prevent him from going forth and doing his work… he shall live until the gathering is accomplished” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 188). But Mr. Johnson apostatized in 1836, was excommunicated in 1837 and drowned in 1856. Obviously, the prophecy failed.
B. William E. M’Lellin – “The tempter shall not overcome him… He shall convince thousands that God has sent him; and his days may be prolonged until the coming of the Son of Man” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 190). But he was excommunicated that same year (1835) and then tried to start his own church. He took an active part with the mob in Missouri in robbing and driving out the Mormons. While Joseph Smith was in prison, M’Lellin and others robbed Smith’s house and stable (Historical Record, Vol. 5, pp. 38-39). Again, Smith’s prophecy failed.
These are just a few of the many prophecies made by Joseph Smith that utterly failed. It is obvious that Joseph Smith was a false prophet and therefore his writings are not part of the inspired Word of God.
edited, from a bulletin for the College Park church of Christ in Dear Park, Texas, dated August 15, 1976