Description
by Duane S. Crowther
The Prophecies of Joseph Smith is a well-written biography which documents the major events in Joseph’s life, depicting them in the text but also showing them in a very useful set of maps which list and show his significant travels. The book itself moves through the Palmyra, Restoration, Kirtland, Missouri and Nauvoo periods with careful attention to the major events in the Church which affected Joseph’s life and destiny. In addition to the maps which detail the location of the major events in Joseph’s life, it also includes numerous charts, photographs, and drawings that explain major prophecies, doctrinal principles, and historical events.
The Prophecies of Joseph Smith is a carefully researched, well documented prophetic history. This unique volume cites hundreds of prophecies, describes the circumstances under which they were uttered, and explains in detail how they were fulfilled. (This is in contrast to the author’s previous work: Prophecy: Key to the Future, which treats many prophecies concerning the last days which have yet to be fulfilled.)
The Prophecies of Joseph Smith documents numerous prophecies made by others about Joseph Smith. Also, almost two hundred prophecies from the Bible or other scriptural sources are cited, with the exact nature of their fulfillment.
The Prophecies of Joseph Smith is a testament that the Lord has spoken through Joseph Smith in these last days.
A useful summary of the messages of the book is listed in the four appendices which list 184 scriptural prophecies about Joseph Smith and the restoration, 141 prophecies made by Joseph Smith, 40 prophecies about him made by other people, and 52 other supernatural experiences. All of these combine to show that Joseph Smith truly was and is a prophet called and authorized by God.
Fulfillment of prophecy is one test that has been applied through the ages to identify those who speak in the name of God. Here is an easily accessible and important volume that provides knowledge and stability to those who are searching for a personal testimony of God’s ministration to His people through prophets today. Rich with history, this readable and inviting book will hold the interest of both young and old.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Test of a Prophet
The Purposes of This Book
Why the Emphasis on Prophecy?
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
Maps
Charts
Key to Abbreviations Used in The Footnotes
PART ONE – THE RESTORATION
I. The First Vision-A Prophecy That The Fullness of The Gospel Would Be Given, 17
Early Life Filled with Varied Experiences, 17
Satan’s Efforts To Foil God’s Work, 19
Religious Revival Prepares The Way, 20
The Appearance of The Father and The Son-Their Prophetic Promise, 21
The Book of Mormon Contains The Fullness of The Gospel, 24
The Fullness of The Gospel Defined, 24
II. Five Prophetic Promises of The Angel Moroni and Their Fulfillment, 26
The Coming of Moroni, 26
God Had a Work for Joseph To Do, 28
Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, 29
Church Organizer and Leader, 29
Educator, 29
Author, 30
Editor, 30
Historian, 31
Translator, 31
Scripturist and Bible Scholar, 31
Teacher, 33
Philosopher, 33
City Planner, 34
Architect, 34
Civic and Political Leader, 34
Military Leader, 35
Economist, 36
Scientist, 36
Humanitarian, 37
Joseph’s Name Would Be Known Among All Nations, Kindreds, and Tongues, 38
Both Good and Evil Would Be Spoken of Joseph, 48
Great Judgments Coming Upon The Earth, 52
Satan Would Tempt Joseph To Use The Plates To Get Rich, 54
The Coming of Moroni Fulfilled Biblical Prophecy, 59
III. An Early Prophecy–The Piety of Deacon Jessup, 61
Angels Minister to Joseph, 61
Another Religious Revival, 63
The First Recorded Prophecy Made by Joseph, 64
IV. Joseph Receives The Plates-Moroni’s Prophetic Warning, 65
Joseph’s Marriage to Emma Hale, 65
The Smiths Lose Their Home Through Fraud, 65
Joseph Is Commanded To Obtain The Plates, 66
Joseph Receives The Plates-A Prophetic Warning by Moroni, 67
Fulfillment of The Prophecy, 70
Willard Chase’s Mob, 70
Three Attacks on Joseph, 71
Plates Hidden, 71
Diviner Leads a Mob, 71
Mob Fails To Prevent Joseph’s Move, 71
Search by Martin Harris’ Wife, 71
Manuscript Stolen, 72
False Witnesses, 72
Palmyra Mob, 72
Cole’s Dogberry Paper, 73
Book of Mormon Boycotted, 73
V. Joseph and Martin Harris Fulfill Ancient Prophecies-The Professor Anthon Incident, 74
Martin Aids Joseph in His Move to Harmony, 74
Prophecies of The Sealed Book, 76
Analysis and Fulfillment of The Prophecies, 78
God Will Bring Forth To The Lamanites The Words of A Book, 78
The Book Shall Be Sealed, 80
Words Delivered To Two Men, 82
Shall Deliver Only The Words, 82
God Will Command The Man, 82
Bring Hither The Book, 82
I Cannot Bring The Book, For It Is Sealed, 83
Lord Will Deliver The Book to The Unlearned, 83
I Am Not Learned, 85
The Learned Shall Not Read Them, 85
VI. The Loss of The 116 Pages of Manuscript-Ancient Preparation For A Modern Tragedy, 87
Martin Loses The Manuscript, 87
Joseph Journeys to Palmyra, 88
Revelations Concerning The Lost Manuscript and Further Translating, 90
The Contents of The Book of Mormon, 92
The Jaredites, 92
The Mulekites, 92
The Nephites and Lamanites, 92
VII. The Hidden Thoughts of Oliver Cowdery Revealed-The Translating of The Book of Mormon, 100
An Angel Promises Joseph A Scribe, 100
Joseph’s Parents Visit Harmony-The Prophet’s Foreknowledge of Their Approach, 101
Oliver Cowdery Seeks a Testimony, 103
The Prophetic Promise Fulfilled-Joseph Gains A Scribe, 104
The Hidden Thoughts of Oliver Cowdery Revealed, 105
Oliver Is Taught The Difficulty of Translating, 106
VIII. Baptism, Ordination, and A Prophecy of The Rise of The Church, 111
John The Baptist Restores The Priesthood of Aaron, 111
John’s Coming Fulfilled Biblical Prophecy, 113
The Melchizedek Priesthood Restored–John’s Two Prophetic Promises Fulfilled, 115
Joseph’s Prophecy of The Rise of The Church, 117
IX. Joseph and Oliver Move To Fayette-The Actions of David Whitmer Foretold, 124
Opposition Develops in Harmony, 124
Joseph Foretells David Whitmer’s Movements, 125
The Translation Is Completed, 127
X. The Witnesses to The Book of Mormon Fulfill Ancient and Modern Prophecy, 128
Witnesses to The Book of Mormon Prophesied, 128
Analysis and Fulfillment of The Prophecies, 130
Faithful To Speak From The Dead, 130
God Will Bring Forth The Words of The Book, 133
The Book Shall Be Hidden From The Eyes of The World, 133
Three Witnesses Called of God, 134
Three Witnesses Shall Behold The Book, 134
God Will Speak From The Heavens, 134
Martin Harris Must Humble Himself, 134
Three Witnesses Shall Testify, 139
Testimony of the Witnesses Shall Stand, 139
Oliver Cowdery, 140
David Whitmer, 143
Martin Harris, 146
Plates Shall Be Shown Unto Those Who Shall Assist, 148
Other Witnesses To Establish God’s Word, 151
XI. Prophecies Concerning The Book of Mormon, 155
Publication of The Book of Mormon, 155
Local Religionists Attempt To Prevent The publication of The Book, 155
Prophecies of The Churches which Would Exist when The Book of Mormon Came Forth, 158
The Bible Prophesies of The Book of Mormon, 168
Ezekiel’s Prophecy of The Two Sticks, 168
Jacob’s prophecy of The Descendants of Joseph, 171
Isaiah’s Panorama of Book of Mormon Events and The Restoration of The Gospel, 174
The Fall of The Nephites, 174
Great Destruction in The Americas, 178
The Great Apostasy, 179
How The Spiritual Famine Would End, 181
Joseph’s First Vision, 181
The Marvelous Work and A Wonder, 182
The Deaf and Blind Shall Receive, 182
Summary of Isaiah’s Prophecy, 183
The Psalmist’s Vision of the Coming Forth of The Book of Mormon, 184
The Savior’s Message Concerning His Other Sheep in The Americas, 184
The Book of Mormon Tells of Its Mission in The Last Days, 187
The Book of Mormon To Come Unto The Knowledge of The people by The Power of God, 187
The Book of Mormon To Convince Men of Christ, 187
The Book of Mormon To Testify of The Bible, 187
XII. The Restoration of Christ’s Church Fulfills Prophecy, 190
The Church Is Organized, 190
The Need for A Restoration-Bible Prophecies of The Apostasy, 191
Bible Prophecies of The Restoration-The Restitution of All Things, 196
All Things Gathered, 196
A Dream of The Restoration of The Church, 196
Sealing Power Restored, 199
A Joseph of The Last Days Foretold, 201
PART TWO – THE MINISTRY
XIII. Early Members Witness The Spirit of Prophecy in Their Labors, 203
The Early Ministry of the Church, 203
The June Conference-A Prophecy of The Great Work To Be Accomplished
Through Joseph’s Instrumentality, 203
The Lord Calls A Lawyer-Joseph’s Trials in Colesville, 204
A Dream of Joseph’s Return, 205
The First Missionary of the Church Sees Book of Mormon Prophecies Fulfilled, 205
The Eyes of Enemies Blinded Through Faith, 210
Three Conferences and The Westward Expansion of The Church, 210
XIV. The Fulfillment of Joseph’s Prophecies Made During The Early
Kirtland Period (1831-1833), 213
Joseph’s Arrival in Kirtland-“Thou Art The Man”, 213
The Man of Sin To Be Revealed, 216
Destruction Upon the Waters, 216
Orson Hyde To Go to Jerusalem, 219
The Fate of Olmstead Johnson, 221
Sidney Rigdon To Be A Spokesman, 222
The Devil To Handle Sidney Rigdon, 224
Transportation Provided As The Result of A Promise To Newel K. Whitney, 225
Brigham Young To Preside Over The Church, 227
Prophecies on War, 229
Revelation to The School of The Prophets in Fulfillment of Joseph’s Promise, 232
The Healing of Sophronia Stoddard, 233
The Fate of Sidney Rigdon, 233
The Falling of The Stars Foretold, 239
XV. Zion’s Camp Hears The Voice of Prophecy, 241
Early Mormon Settlers Expelled from Jackson County, Missouri, 241
The Formation of Zion’s Camp-The Lord To Provide Funds, 245
A Man of God Senses Death, 247
Joseph’s Prophecies Settle Difficulties in Zion’s Camp, 248
Not To Be Troubled by Mild Sickness, 249
Safe Passage Through Indianapolis Promised, 249
The Recovery of James Foster, 250
A Well in The Desert, 251
Mobocrat “Prophets” Learn How God Fulfills Their Oaths, 251
The Lord’s Scourge on Zion’s Camp, 254
XVI. Prophecies During the Church’s Turmoil in Kirtland (1834-1837), 258
Joseph’s Inspired Plan for The Kirtland Temple, 258
Joseph Prophesies of The Kirtland Endowment, 259
Joseph’s Prophecies Concerning The Enemies of The Church, 263
The Coming of Elijah Fulfills Biblical Prophecy, 268
Joseph’s Blessing of Newel K. Whitney, 271
His Father’s Life Would Be Spared, 276
Samuel Smith’s Wife Would Be Spared, 277
Relief from Debt Promised, 277
Joseph’s Grandfather Foresees The Prophet’s Great Mission, 280
Joseph’s Vision of A Coming Apostasy-The Rise and Fall of The Kirtland Bank, 280
Kirtland Safety Society Currency To Be as Good as Gold, 286
The Apostasy of 1837-Is A Prophet Always A Prophet?, 286
Brigham Young’s Prophetic Council to Joseph, 288
XVII. The Savior’s Prophetic Promises Fulfilled Miracles and Persecution, 289
Jesus’ Promise of Miracles in His Church, 289
Joseph Casts Out The Devil-The Church’s First Miracle, 289
A Manifestation of the Gift of Tongues, 291
They Shall Take Up Serpents, 293
Power Against Deadly Poisons, 294
The Sick Shall Recover, 296
Joseph Promises Spiritual Gifts as A Sign That He Is A Prophet, 298
Jesus’ Promise of Persecution in The Last Days, 299
XVIII. The Fulfillment of Joseph’s Prophecies Made During The Missouri Period (1838-1839), 308
Previous Activities of The Saints in Missouri, 308
Causes of Conflict Between Mormons and Non-Mormons, 309
Joseph’s Promise-“You Will Get Those Arms”, 311
The Fall of Far West-Not One of Our Lives Shall Be Taken, 312
Mother Smith’s Revelation Concerning The Fate of The Prophet, 318
A Mormon Sermon Would Be Preached in Jackson County Before The Close of 1838, 321
Joseph Rebukes The Guards, 322
The Twelve To Leave on Missions from Far West, 324
Jackson County To Be Visited by Fire and Sword, 326
The Escape of Stephen Markham and The Prophet, 328
Joseph’s Mother Prophesies His Return To Freedom, 332
XIX. Prophecy and Politics, 334
Martin Van Buren Not To Be Elected Again, 334
Stephen A. Douglas To Seek The Presidency of The United States, 336
Joseph as a United States Presidential Candidate, 338
XX. Joseph’s Prophecies During the Nauvoo Period (1839-1844), 344
A Promise of Recovery for Joseph’s Uncle, 344
A Handkerchief-Instrument of Healing and Bond of Friendship, 345
The Safe Return of John Taylor Prophesied, 346
No Law of the Nauvoo City Council To Be Set Aside by A Judge, 347
No Formidable Opposition To Be Raised at His Trial, 348
Joseph Would Build Up A Great City, 351
The Prophet Won’t Go to Missouri, Dead or Alive, 354
We Will Have Means To Gather The Saints by Tens and Thousands, 358
The Man Was An Adulterer, 359
Christ Will Not Come This year as William Miller Prophesied, 359
Porter Rockwell Will Get Away Honorably from the Missourians, 361
Stakes in Boston and New York City, 362
XXI. Prophecies That The Saints Would Settle in The West, 364
Saints Would Continue To Suffer and Be Driven to The Rocky Mountains, 364
Joseph Often Spoke of the Western Movement of The Saints, 365
XXII. Prophecies Concerning the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith, 369
Father Smith’s Deathbed Blessing-Joseph Shall Live To Finish His Work, 369
Joseph’s Enemies Wouldn’t Have Power to Kill Him Until His Work Was Accomplished, 370
Joseph’s Son Will Draw People Away from The Church after Him, 371
Joseph Wouldn’t Live To See Forty Years, 374
After Joseph’s Blood Was Shed, The Mob Would Thirst for The Blood of All The Saints, 375
No Guns Would Be Fired by The Saints during The Nauvoo Strife Associated with
Joseph’s Death, 376
Sickness Will Vex The Mob, 378
Joseph Knew His Death Was Near, 380
The Prophet’s Enemies Would Face The Cannon’s Mouth, 384
Dan Jones Would Live To Fill A Mission In Wales, 385
Willard Richard’s Life Would Be Preserved While Friends Would Fall Around Him, 386
Appendix I — 184 Scriptural Prophecies About The Restoration Cited in This Book, 389
Appendix II — 141 Prophecies Made or Recorded by Joseph Smith Cited in This Book, 397
Appendix III — 40 Prophecies Made by Others About Joseph Smith Cited in This Book, 403
Appendix IV — 52 Other Supernatural Experiences Cited in This Book, 405
6″ x 9″ paperback
416 pages
