List of prophecies of Joseph Smith
Prophecy Source Date Notes
Land purchase : The Latter Day Saints were to gather riches and purchase a place of refuge and safety , where the wicked would not come , and the wicked would refuse to battle the Saints Section 45:64-74 March 7 , 1831 Latter Day Saints claim that this prophecy was fulfilled . Richard Abanes claims this was not fulfilled . Members of the LDS Church claim that the place of refuge and safety that was purchased is in the Salt Lake Valley , and that many , including the U.S. government , refused to battle with the Mormons shortly after their relocation to Utah
Zion in Missouri : Missouri is named as the place for the City of Zion ; the land will be purchased for an everlasting inheritance Section 57:1-5 July 20 , 1831 In the Doctrine and Covenants , Section 124:49-51 the project was postponed . Hence , Latter Day Saints claim that a subsequent prophecy of Smith 's replaced a prior prophecy . In any case , many adherents generally believe that a temple will eventually be constructed on the site prepared , based on additional statements by Smith . The Community of Christ has constructed a temple on the Greater Temple Lot . The Church of Christ ( Temple Lot ) and the LDS Church still own land on the Greater Temple Lot
Strong hold in Kirtland for the space of five years : Elder Frederick G. Williams should not sell his farm because [ The Lord wills ] to retain a strong hold in the land of Kirtland , for the space of five years Section 64:21 September , 1831 Latter Day Saints claim that this prophecy was fulfilled . A majority of Latter Day Saints fled from Kirtland to Far West , Missouri between 1837 and 1838 to escape mob violence
Zion in this generation : Zion and its temple will be built at Independence , Missouri , in this generation Section 84:2 September 22 or 23 , 1832 The precise site dedicated by Smith for the construction of the temple at Independence is the Temple Lot ; it is currently vacant and owned by the Church of Christ ( Temple Lot ) . Members of the LDS Church believe that a temple will be built at this location in the future . One oft repeated explanation of the supposed non-fulfillment of this prophecy is that the phrase in this generation is used figuratively to designate those of this gospel dispensation ( those who have received or will receive divine revelation during the dispensation of revelation and inspiration from God ( or heaven ) since the time that Joseph Smith began receiving such revelation , and afterwards , ( as it is used in a similar fashion in some instances in the Bible ) . Another plausible explanation that this prophecy was fulfilled can be taken at face value from this revelation ( D & C 84 ) , in that it was received in Kirtland , Ohio . And though verse 3 indicates that the place of the temple ( in Independence , MO ) was indicated by the finger of the Lord ( previously ) , the phrase in verse 4 beginning at this place is rather a transition of reference to Kirtland , Ohio , where Joseph Smith was at when this revelation was received by him And , indeed , the Kirtland Temple was built and finished and dedicated by the spring of 1836 . The reference to building New Jerusalem in this context then is not one of physical edifices ( though the 'temple ' being reared in this generation was , but occurred in Kirtland , OH , and not in Independence , or Jackson County , MO ) - but , rather indicated that 'building ' or developing the future inhabitants of that city ( yet to be built physically ) began in earnest , spiritually , by the reception of priesthood keys , as well as priesthood organization of quorums , and temple practices and ordinances revealed by Joseph Smith to holders of both the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood among duly ordained male members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Kirtland who received these things were begun in the temple there , Ohio finished within four years from the year this prophecy was given . The Community of Christ has constructed the Independence Temple on the Greater Temple Lot
New York destroyed : New York and Boston will be destroyed if they reject the gospel . The hour of their judgement is nigh Section 84:114 September 22 or 23 , 1832 Richard Abanes contends that this prophecy was not fulfilled because both cities still exist . But Latter Day Saints believe that the conditions precedent for this prophecy were not fulfilled , because the gospel was accepted , not rejected , in both New York and Boston . Smith went to New York and Boston to preach and there are large groups of Latter Day Saints in both cities today
Civil War : there will be a war between the northern states and the southern states beginning in South Carolina ; the southern states will call upon Great Britain for assistance ; that after this , war will be poured out on all nations ; and that slaves shall rise up against their masters , who shall be marshaled and disciplined for war Section 87 December 25 , 1832 Latter Day Saints believe that the American Civil War fulfilled this prophecy , in part : it was a war between the northern and the southern states , the war began in South Carolina , and the southern states did call upon the United Kingdom for military assistance . The prediction that after this , war would be poured out upon all nations is disputed , but Latter Day Saints argue that the wars that have occurred since the American Civil War - which include two world wars - adequately fulfill this prophecy
Table of prophecies organized by date -- Prophecies from 1831 to 1832
Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, is viewed by the movement's adherents as a prophet in the tradition of the ancient prophets recorded in the Bible. During his life, Smith made several prophecies, many documented in the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of scripture in several of the movement's denominations. There is much dispute surrounding the known and alleged prophecies of Smith. Some critics contend that Smith could not be a genuine prophet because they claim that some of his prophecies did not come true. Latter Day Saint adherents have responded to these claims by putting forth the following six arguments: