5. Prophecies

5A. What was Joseph Smith's Prophecy concerning the Temple?

"Hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments, in this land, which is the land of Missouri, which is the land I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints.

Wherefore, this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion.

And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the court-house."

Doctrine and Covenants, Section 57:1-3

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, July, 1831.

5B. Did Joseph Smith repeat this prophecy in 1832?

Yes, in 1832.

1. "A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six elders, as they united their hearts and lifted their voices on high.
2. Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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."

Doctrine and Covenants, Section 97:19, Revelation given through Joseph Smith, the Prophet, at Kirkland, Ohio, September 23, 1832.

5C. Did Joseph Smith repeat this prophecy in 1833?

Yes,

"And the nations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say: Surely Zion is the city of our God, and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there."

Doctrine and Covenants, Section 84:1-5, Revelation given through Joseph Smith, the Prophet, at Kirkland, Ohio, August 2, 1833.

5D. Was the prophecy repeated in December of 1833 by Joseph Smith?

Yes:

A revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet at Kirkland, Ohio, December 16, 1833.

Doctrine and Covenants, Section 101:17-21

17. Zion shall not be moved out of her place, not withstanding her children are scattered.
18. They that remain, and are pure in heart, shall return, and come to their inheritances, they and their children, with songs of everlasting joy, to build up the waste places of Zion-
19. And, all these things that the prophets might be fulfilled.
20. And, behold, there is none other place appointed than that which I have appointed; neither shall there be any other place appointed than that which I have appointed, for the work of the gathering of my saints."

Doctrine and Covenants, Section 107:17-20, 12:16, 1833, p. 172.

5E. Did the Elder Orson Pratt believe the prophecy given by Joseph Smith, that the temple would be built in Jackson County, Missouri?

Yes,

"...And when the saints were driven out from Jackson County, almost all in the Church expected that they would almost speedily be restored; and a person was considered almost an apostate that would say, they would not return in five years, or ten at the furthest;"

"The people think of almost everything else but the redemption of Zion, and speak to individuals about it, and they put it off a great distance ahead. But I do not feel to go to this extreme. I will give you my opinion; so far as the revelation go, in speaking of this subject, I think that this event is nearer than this people are aware of."

1845 Journal of Discourse, Vol. 3, p. 17. A discourse by Elder Orson Pratt, May 20, 1855.

5F. Did President Heber C. Kimball believe the prophecy of returning to Jackson County and building the temple given by Joseph Smith?

Yes,

A discourse by President Heber C. Kimball delivered in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, August 2, 1857.

"But if you cannot learn to keep the commandments of God in Great Salt Lake City...how do you expect to keep them in Jackson County?-for we are sure to go back there as we exist."

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 5. p. 134 A.

5G. Did President Heber C. Kimball Expect to go back to Jackson County, Missouri?

Yes. He indicated this in his speech, December 17, 1857.

"They are holy places, and they will be held sacred even as Jackson County.." "and I shall yet see the day that I will go back there, with brother Brigham and with thousands and millions of others, and we will go precisely according to the dedication of the Prophet of the living God. Talk to me about my having any dubiety on my mind about these things being fulfilled!-I am just as confident of it as I am that I am called to be a saviour of men, and no power can hinder it."

1857 Journal of Discourses, Vol 6. p. 190.

5H. Did Elias Smith believe Joseph Smith's Prophecy about returning to Jackson County?

Yes, 1857.

"I expect to live to be an old man, and to go back with the saints to the land of Jackson County."

(President B. Young; "God grant it.")
1857 Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 221

5I. How many others did Heber C. Kimball say would go back with him to Jackson County?

With thousands of this people.

"Brethren, I shall go to Jackson County with thousands of this people who will be faithful to their integrity; but we cannot go back until we have built some good houses."

1861 Journal of Discourses, Vol. 8, p. 350, Disclosure by Heber C. Kimball.

5J. Did Elder George A. Smith teach that this generation would not pass away until the temple was built?

Yes:

"Who is there that is prepared for this movement back to the center stake of Zion, and where are the architects amongst us that are qualified to erect this temple and the city that will surround it." "And let me remind you that it is predicted that this generation shall not pass away till a temple shall be built, and the glory of the Lord rest upon it, according to the promises."

March 10, 1861, Journal of Discourse, Vol. 9, p. 71.

5K. What generation did Elder George Q. Cannon teach would build the temple?

The generation in which the revelation was given, which is upwards of thirty years ago.

"The day is near when a Temple shall be reared in the Center Stake of Zion, and the Lord has said his glory shall rest on that House in this generation, that is in the generation in which the revelation was given, which is upwards of thirty years ago."

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 10, p. 344, October 23, 1864.

5L. Did the Latter-day Saints have more faith in returning to Jackson County, than the Jews in returning to Jerusalem?

Yes,

"We have just as much confidence in returning to Jackson County and the building of a great city that will remain there a thousand years before the earth passes away, as the Jews have in returning to Jerusalem and re-building the waste places of Palestine. In fact, we have more faith than they have; for they have been so many generations cast out of their land that their descendants have almost lost their faith in returning. But, the Latter-day Saints are fresh, as it were. There are many of the old stock, who passed through all those tribulations I have named, still living, whose faith in returning to Jackson County, and the things that are coming, is as firm and fixed as the throne of the Almighty."

Elder Orson Pratt, in a discourse delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, April 10, 1870. Journal of Discourses, Vol. 13, p. 138.

5M. Did the generation of 1832 believe they would return and build up the City of Zion in Jackson County including the Temple where the cornerstone had been laid?

Yes, as much as they expected the sun to rise and set tomorrow. God has spoken, it must come to pass. This is our faith.

"God promised in the year 1832 that we should, before this generation then living had passed away, return and build up the City of Zion in Jackson County; that we should return and build up the temple of the Most High where we formerly laid the corner stone. He promised us that He would manifest Himself on that temple, that the glory of God should be upon it; and not only upon the temple, but within it, even a cloud by day and a flaming fire by night.

We believe in these promises as much as we believe in any promise ever uttered by the mouth of Jehovah. The Latter-day Saints just as much expect to receive a fulfillment of that promise during the generation that was in existence in 1832 as they expect that the sun will rise and set to-morrow. Why? Because God cannot lie. He will fulfill all His promises. He has spoken, it must come to pass. This is our faith."

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 13, p. 362, Discourse by Elder Orson Pratt, May 5, 1870.

5N. Did Elder Orson Pratt continue to preach after thirty nine years had passed, that the generation of 1832 would still build the temple on the spot that had been selected?

Yes, "all the people that were living thirty-nine years ago have not passed away; but before they do pass away this will be fulfilled."

"We just as much expect that a city will be built, called Zion, in the place and on the land which has been appointed by the Lord our God, and that a temple will be reared on the spot that has been selected, and the corner-stone of which has been laid, in the generation when this revelation was given; we just as much expect this as we expect the sun to rise in the morning and set in the evening; or as much as we expect to see the fulfillment of any of the purposes of the Lord our God, pertaining to the works of his hands. But say the objector, "thirty nine years have passed away." What of that? The generation has not passed away; all the people that were living thirty-nine years ago have not passed away; but before they do pass away this will be fulfilled."

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 14, p. 275. Discourse by Elder Orson Pratt, delivered in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, April 9, 1871.

5O. Did Elder Orson Pratt teach that the generation of forty-two years ago would commence a house of God in Jackson County, Missouri, and actually complete the same?

Yes. "...before that generation should all pass away."

"God said, in the year 1832, before we were driven out of Jackson County, in a revelation which you will find here in this book, that before that generation should all pass away, a house of the Lord should be built in that county. (Jackson County).

This was given forty-two years ago. That generation then living was not only to commence a house of God in Jackson County, Missouri, but was actually to complete the same. And when it is completed the glory of God should rest upon it."

Interest Manifested, ETO p. 111.

5P. Did Elder Orson Pratt change his mind on how large a group would return to Jackson County?

Yes, 1875.

"We need not expect, from what God has revealed, that a very great number of those who were then in the Church and who were driven, will have the privilege of returning to that land."

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 17, p. 291. February 7, 1875.

5Q. In 1935 did the Latter-day Saints teach the temple would still be built by the generation of 1832?

Yes,

"I firmly believe that there will be some of that generation who were living when this revelation was given who shall be living when this temple is reared. And I do not believe that the Lord has bound himself to accomplish the matter within 100 years from 1832." "I have full confidence in the word of the Lord and that it shall not fail."

The Way to Perfection, Salt Lake City, p. 270.

5R. Was the temple built by the generation of 1832? Was the prophecy of 1832 considered a false prophecy by Joseph Fielding Smith in 1972?

No, the temple was not built.

Yes, it is a false prophecy because no soul living in 1832 was still alive.

"It may be reasonable to assume that in giving this revelation to the prophet the Lord did have in mind the generation of people who would still be living with the one hundred years from the time of announcement of the revelation, and that they would enjoy the blessings of the temple, and a glorious cloud would rest upon it. It is also reasonable to believe that no soul living in 1832 is still living in mortality on the earth."

Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol. 4. p. 112, Joseph Fielding Smith.

5S. Has a temple ever been built on this property?

No,
The Latter-day Saints never built a temple in Missouri at the place appointed. They do not own the property.

In fact, Zion was moved out of her place two weeks prior to Smith receiving this prophecy. He was in Kirkland, Ohio, and unaware of the Missouri problem when he gave the revelation.

Notice in the quote below, the temple had to be on the "consecrated spot I have appointed." By the above, all authority after Joseph Smith believed that Zion would be on the consecrated spot.

Below is the original prophecy by Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants, Section 84:1-5, 31 given September, 1832.

1. "A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six elders, as they united their hearts and lifted their voices on high.
2. Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem.
3. 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.
4. Verily, this is the word of the Lord, and 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.
5. For verily this generation shall not pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill his house."

31. "which house shall be built unto the Lord in this generation, upon the "consecrated spot as I have appointed."

5T. By the words of the church in 1972 is Joseph Smith a false prophet?

Yes: Joseph Fielding Smith stated:

"It is reasonable to believe that no soul living in 1832 is still living in mortality on the earth."

Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol. 4, p. 112, Joseph Fielding Smith.

5U. Did Joseph Smith predict the coming of the Lord would be fifty-six years from 1835?

Yes, on February 14, 1835

"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 revelation of some of the circumstances attending us while journeying to Zion...our trial, 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 would wind up the scene."

History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 182.

5V. Did Joseph Smith predict that Zion would be the city of God and never removed from its place?

Yes, on August 2, 1833

"And the nations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say: Surely Zion is the city of our God, and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there."

Doctrine and Covenants 97:19

Two weeks prior to this prophecy (July 20, 1883) Zion was moved and leading Latter-day Saints officials were run out of town.

5W. What did Joseph Smith predict about Salem, Massachusetts?

"And it shall come to pass in due time, that I will give this city into your hands, that you shall have power over it, insomuch that they shall not discover your secret parts; and its wealth pertaining to gold and silver shall be yours."

Doctrine and Covenants, Section III, Vs. 4

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the prophet at Salem, Massachusetts, August 6, 1836.

5X. Did Joseph Smith predict that there were men on the moon?

Yes,

"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 the fashion of dress.

They live to be very old; coming generally, near a thousand years.

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."

Journal of Oliver B. Huntington, Vol. 2 p. 166.

5Y. Did Brigham Young teach that the moon and the sun are inhabited?

Yes.

"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 most ignorant of their fellows. So it is with 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. It was made to give light to those who dwell upon it, and to other planets; and so will this earth when it is celestialized."

Journal of Discourses 13:271, July 24, 1870.

False Prophecy List: Deuteronomy 18:20-22

1. Inhabitants of the Moon

"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 the fashion of dress. They live to be very old; coming, generally, near a thousand years. 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."

(Journal of Oliver B. Huntington, Vol 2. p. 166 of typed.)

2. The Temple that was never built:

In a revelation given by Joseph Smith, September 22 and 23, in 1832, the following appears:

4. "Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation.
5. For verily this generation shall not 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.

31. Therefore, as I said concerning the sons of Moses for the sons of Moses-and also the sons of Aaron shall offer an acceptable offering and sacrifice in the house of the Lord, which house shall be built unto the Lord in this generation, upon the consecrated spot as I have appointed."

Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 84, v. 4, 5, 31

On May 5, 1870, the Mormon Apostle Orson Pratt stated that the Mormons would return and build the temple in that generation because God could not lie:

"...God promised in the year 1832 that we should, before the generation THEN living had passed away, return and build up the temple of the Most High where we formally laid the corner stone.

We believe in these promises as much as we believe in any promise ever uttered by the mouth of Jehovah. The Latter-day Saints just as much expect to receive a fulfillment of that promise during the generation that was in existence in 1832 as they expect that the sun will rise and set tomorrow. Why? Because God cannot lie. He will fulfill all his promises. He has spoken, it must come to pass. This is our faith."

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 13, p. 362.