Is Joseph Smith a Prophet of God?
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What about the Mormon Church?
Is Joseph Smith a Prophet of God?
Truth; that word to us should be a sweet sound to our ears. That word should describe the focus of our lives as God’s people. It is the truth that we know from the word of God that brings salvation to mankind, and that it is by the truth that we should live. Our studies this evening on the Mormon faith will have the focus of us doing what the truth of the scriptures say to do in and , to test the spirits to see if they are from God, to test all things, and to hold fast to that which is good. We must, just as the Bereans of old, search the scriptures daily to see if the teachings of men are true. That will be our focus this evening. We are going to answer 2 questions:
1. Is Joseph Smith a prophet of God?
2. Is the book of Mormon the word of God?
I have done my best in my studies to be diligent to make sure that the things I teach about the Mormon Church are accurate and not to misrepresent them in any way. I would also recommend to everyone to study this subject for yourselves and not to rely solely on what I have to say on the teachings on Mormonism. We each need to equip ourselves to defend the truth, to defend the faith of the true Gospel of Christ so we may be able to talk to Mormons that will sooner than later knock on our doors. They are diligent in their efforts, something that shows me where I fall short in my concern for souls. So we must be ready with the truth so we may always be ready to see what is not true.
Let’s begin our study by asking this question, Is Joseph Smith a prophet of God? The answer that we give to this question has consequences. If He truly is a prophet of God, the things that he has taught are binding on the people of God. If we say that he is not a prophet of God, we must show from the scriptures why that is not so. I am going to quote from quite a few sources this evening. I will be quoting from Mormon scriptures and the writings of their early leaders because I believe that the only way to refute someone’s doctrine is to show exactly what they say and teach.
I will begin by quoting one of the many books they view as scripture.
Doctrine And Covenants 135:3 “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world than any other man that ever lived in it.”
Doctrines of Salvation: Joseph F. Smith:
“There is not salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...then this knowledge is of the most vital importance to the entire world. No man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences for he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Vol. 1, pp. 189-190
History of the Church: Brigham Young: “Every spirit that confesses that Joseph Smith is a Prophet, that lived and died a Prophet and that the Book of Mormon is true, is of God, and every spirit that does not is of anti-Christ.” Vol. 7, p. 287
Wow, this is a bold statement to make. Joseph Smith in this statement is put on almost equal ground with Christ Himself. The Mormon faith, as even their own leaders will say, stands or falls on Joseph Smith’s claims. I’ll quote one leader, and then a few later in the lesson.
Wow, this is a bold statement to make. Joseph Smith in this statement is put on almost equal ground with Christ Himself. The Mormon faith, as even their own leaders will say, stands or falls on Joseph Smith’s claims. I’ll quote one leader, and then a few later in the lesson.
Doctrines of Salvation: Joseph Fielding Smith
Doctrines of Salvation: Joseph Fielding Smith
“[The] Church stands or falls with Joseph Smith. Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground.
“[The] Church stands or falls with Joseph Smith. Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground.
If Joseph Smith was a deceiver, who willfully attempted to mislead the people, then he should be exposed; his claims should be refuted, and his doctrines shown to be false...If his claims and declarations were built upon fraud and deceit, there would appear many errors and contradictions... The doctrines of false teachers will not stand the test when tried by the accepted standards of measurement, the scriptures.” Vol. 1, p. 188
If Joseph Smith was a deceiver, who willfully attempted to mislead the people, then he should be exposed; his claims should be refuted, and his doctrines shown to be false...If his claims and declarations were built upon fraud and deceit, there would appear many errors and contradictions... The doctrines of false teachers will not stand the test when tried by the accepted standards of measurement, the scriptures.” Vol. 1, p. 188
This is a true statement by the 6th president of the Mormon Church. The whole Mormon faith either stands or falls on whether or not Joseph Smith spoke for God.
The only way that we can know whether or not a prophet is from God is to look at the things that they prophesy and teach. In , The Lord says, “But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.' 21 And if you say in your heart, 'How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?'-- 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.”
Did the things that Joseph Smith prophesy about come to pass? Does Joseph Smith pass the test of ? Let’s look at a few of his prophesies.
Civil War Prophesy
On Dec. 25, 1832, Joseph received the following revelation about the American Civil War, now printed as Section 87 of the Doctrine and Covenants:
“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.”
He also prophesied in D & C 130:12: "I prophesy, in the name of the Lord God, that the commencement of the difficulties which will cause much bloodshed previous to the coming of the Son of Man will be in South Carolina. It may probably arise through the slave question. This a voice declared to me, while I was praying earnestly on the subject, December 25th, 1832."
On July 14, 1832 (more than five months before the date of Smith's prophecy), Congress passed a tariff act that South Carolina declared null and void in Nov of 1832, 1 month before Smith’s prophecy. Because tensions were high, President Andrew Jackson put the U.S. army on alert and the United States expected war in 1832! Many U.S. newspapers reported that information before Smith's prophecy! If any one of us were living at that time in this country, we could have predicted a war.
Some things in this prophesy did not happen. Great Britain never got involved in this war. The south never made calls to other countries. War was not poured out on all nations beginning at this time. The war was contained to the states. The remnants (the Indians) did not play a major part in the outcome of the war. A full end of nations didn’t happen. The whole earth did not mourn; there was no earthquake, plague, or famine during the war. THE MAJORITY OF THE SLAVES REMAINED FAITHFUL TO THEIR MASTERS!
Many specifics of Joseph Smith’s prophecy did not come true. How about another prophecy.
“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.” What did he see?
“The 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 and are quite general in style, or fashion of dress. They live to be very old; coming generally, near a thousand years. (Journal of Oliver B. Huntington: Vol. 3, p. 166 of typed copy at Utah State Historical Society)
If anyone doubts that Joseph Smith made this prophecy, which Mormons do, I would next quote from Brigham Young, the second president and prophet of the Mormon Church. In a sermon delivered in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, President Young made these unbelievable statements. This quote is from Journal of Discourses, vol. 13, p. 271, a book that shows us the teachings of many early leaders of the Mormon Church. Brigham Young said:
"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."
President Brigham Young taught that the moon and the SUN are inhabited! Since Joseph Smith and Brigham Young were wrong about the moon, who can trust them about the way to Heaven?
Prophecy about Jesus return within 56 years
"President Smith then stated that the meeting had been called, because God had commanded it; and it was made known to him by vision 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." (History of the Church, Vol. 2:189)
Jesus did not return within fifty-six years when 1891 arrived.
Based on these prophesies, does Joseph Smith pass the test given to us by ? (NKJV) 20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.' 21 And if you say in your heart, 'How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?'-- 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
What about some of Joseph Smith’s other teachings?
A book was given to me by the Mormons when they gave me a copy of the Book of Mormon. It is titled The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This book claims, and I quote:
“In 1829...John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus, appeared to Joseph Smith and conferred on Him the Aaronic Priesthood...Peter, James, and John later appeared to Joseph Smith and conferred on Him the Melchizedek Priesthood. After he received priesthood authority, Joseph Smith was directed to organize the Church of Jesus Christ again on earth.”
Joseph Smith claimed to have the Aaronic (Levitical) and Melchizedek Priesthoods?
Joseph Smith claimed to have the Aaronic (Levitical) and Melchizedek Priesthoods?
Is it biblically possible for Joseph Smith to have both priesthoods? Let’s take a look at the scriptures!
The bible teaches that the Aaronic priesthood consisted only of descendants of Aaron (Levites), and ceased when Jesus died. Only fleshly descendants of Aaron could be priests after the order of Aaron. God makes no exception! Any others who tried to serve as Levitical priests should be put to death according to God in the Law of Moses.
(NKJV) So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall attend to their priesthood; but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death."
(NKJV) 39 ... no outsider, who is not a descendant of Aaron, should come near to offer incense before the Lord
(NKJV) 16 But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the Lord--valiant men. 18 And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed!
Even Jesus could not serve as priest according to the law of Moses, because He was of the tribe of Judah. He could serve as priest only after the law changed - .
I believe that for Joseph Smith to claim that he received a priesthood that Christ Himself did not receive makes Joseph Smith claim that he is greater than Christ!
Are all Mormon Aaronic priests descendants of Aaron and of the tribe of Levi? Mormons claim Joseph Smith was of the tribe of Joseph, so how could he have the Aaronic priesthood? If the Aaronic priesthood is still in existence, then Mormon priests are not of the proper ancestry and therefore would deserve death according to the Lord!
The only high priest we have after the order of Melchizedek is Jesus our High Priest.
The only high priest we have after the order of Melchizedek is Jesus our High Priest.
Joseph Smith said in Doctrines & Covenants 107:10: “High priests after the order of the Melchizedek Priesthood have a right to officiate in their own standing” The Mormon Church not only has priests in the order of Melchizedek, but also High Priests.
- Jesus was ordained High Priest, after the order of Melchizedek, by a special promise addressed to Him as God's begotten Son (v5).
- Old Testament priests had successors, because they died. Jesus continues as our priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek, having an unchanging priesthood. Hence, He has no successors.
We need no priest but Jesus between God and us. He is our only High Priest, and all Christians are priests below Him. To claim some other high priest today is to exalt men to the position the Bible says belongs only to Jesus.
How can there be other High Priests under the order of Melchizedek when Jesus Christ holds that position? The only way for there to be other High Priests in the order of Melchizedek is for Jesus Christ to die again, and stay dead! This is not going to happen!
The Mormon claim to be the true church rests on their claim to have authority in their priesthood. However, Joseph Smith’s claim to have both the Levitical and Melchizedek priesthoods clearly violates what the scriptures teach. The response that I was given when I presented what the scriptures teach on this subject was, “Well, things are just different today.” I’m sorry, but God’s word still remains the same no matter what the Mormon Church wants to teach.
As I stated already a few times, the Mormon Church puts Joseph Smith on a pedestal where he does not belong.
(ALREADY QUOTED)Doctrine And Covenants 135:3 “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world than any other man that ever lived in it.”
When I examine the prophecies and teachings of Joseph Smith with the teachings of the bible, Joseph Smith is shown to be a false prophet that should not be followed. All Joseph Smith has done for the salvation of souls is lead millions of people astray with teaching contrary to what our Lord teaches.
Joseph Smith is called a martyr by the Mormon Church. Tell me if this is the way a martyr dies: Joseph Smith was shot to death trying to escape from prison (where he was put for breaking the law) after he himself killed 2 men and wounded another. He was killed by a mob of men that broke into the prison whose wives and daughters Joseph Smith and Mormon leaders were trying to ruin by seducing them into polygamy. He is nothing like our Lord! His prophecies, teaching, and works do not back up his claim to be speaking for the Lord.
They claim that you must confess that J.S. is a prophet of God to be saved, but my bible, THE WORD OF GOD, says:
(NKJV) 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
It is not necessary to give another name. We do not as the Mormon Church teaches, have to have Joseph Smith’s stamp of approval to get into heaven. “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ().
That is the truth! Jesus Christ alone is the way to the Father. To close out this lesson, I ask us all to examine our hearts and ask ourselves: “Do I show the truth of that statement in my life? Have I obeyed the Gospel of Christ, have I done the things that Jesus says to do to have eternal life; and Am I doing what needs to be done right now to honor and glorify God?” Does my life show others that I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, that He is the only way to the Father?