Smith's failed prophecies

In his June 10 letter (Thoughts on His nature), Dustin Lee Burnham quoted from the Mormon's Doctrine & Covenants 30:22, which states in part: "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's."

But Jesus said about his Father: "God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24). After Jesus rose bodily from the dead, he said to his disciples: "Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

Burnham also quoted from Joseph Smith, who Mormons believe was a prophet of God.

According to Deuteronomy 18:22, a true prophet had to be 100% accurate when predicting the future: "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed."

So even a 99% success rate didn't matter. The consequence for making a false prophecy? "But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.” (Deuteronomy 18:20)

Among Joseph Smith's failed prophecies:

1. A temple would be built in Zion, Missouri (Doctrine & Covenants, Section 84). Smith made this prophecy September 22 - 23, 1832. The Mormons were forced to flee Missouri, and a temple was never built.

2. On August 6, 1836 Smith prophesied that gold and silver would be found in Salem, Massachusetts, and that the city would be given into the hands of the Mormons.
(Doctrine & Covenants, Section 111). Never happened.

3. The United States government would be overthrown "in a few years" if it didn't redress any of the wrongs committed against the Mormons in Missouri. (History of the Church,  Vol. 5,  page 394). Smith made this prophecy on May 6, 1843. Now over 173 years later, the U.S. government still stands.

David Buckna