Finding Treasure in Salem, Massachusetts: A Double Failure

 

In 1836, Joseph Smith received a revelation that there was much treasure in Salem, Massachusetts, that would benefit the church and pay off its debts (Doctrine & Covenants 111).

Failure: No treasure was ever found in Salem, and the church's financial woes continued. This prophecy failed on both counts:

 No treasure was discovered, and the debts remained unpaid.

In 1836, Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), received a revelation that there was much treasure hidden in Salem, Massachusetts. This treasure, according to the revelation, would benefit the church and help pay off its debts. This prophecy, canonized in Doctrine & Covenants 111, presented a promise of financial relief for the struggling church. However, no treasure was ever found, and the church's financial difficulties continued. This prophecy failed on both counts, as no treasure was discovered, and the debts remained unpaid. In this article, we will explore the context of this prophecy, its failure, and provide a detailed analysis of apologetic claims and rebuttals.

The Prophecy: Treasure in Salem to Relieve the Church’s Debts

In August 1836, Joseph Smith, along with several other church leaders, traveled to Salem, Massachusetts, in search of treasure that was promised through revelation. The prophecy is recorded in Doctrine & Covenants 111:

"I, the Lord your God, am not displeased with your coming this journey, notwithstanding your follies. I have much treasure in this city for you, for the benefit of Zion, and many people in this city whom I will gather out in due time for the benefit of Zion through your instrumentality. Therefore, it is expedient that you should form acquaintance with men in this city, as you shall be led and as it shall be given you." (Doctrine & Covenants 111:1-2)

The revelation also encouraged the church leaders not to worry about their debts, as God would provide the means to pay them off:

"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. Concern not yourselves about your debts, for I will give you power to pay them."

(Doctrine & Covenants 111:4-5)

The prophecy gave a clear promise of treasure that would benefit the church and alleviate its financial burdens.

The Failure: No Treasure Found, Debts Unpaid

Despite the optimism surrounding the prophecy, the expedition to Salem proved fruitless. No treasure was discovered, and the church's financial woes continued. The debts that the church hoped to pay off with the supposed treasure remained, and Joseph Smith's financial troubles persisted until his death.

At the time of his death in 1844, Joseph Smith owed approximately $5 million to creditors, a staggering sum in the 19th century (equivalent to over $150 million today). This debt was accumulated through various financial ventures, including failed banking enterprises such as the Kirtland Safety Society. The failure to find treasure in Salem only compounded the church's financial difficulties.

This prophecy is notable for its double failure: not only did the promised treasure fail to materialize, but the debts it was supposed to alleviate continued to burden the church. By the standards set in Deuteronomy 18:21-22, this failed prophecy calls into question Joseph Smith's role as a prophet of God:

"And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him." (Deuteronomy 18:21-22)

Apologetic Claims and Rebuttals

In response to the failure of this prophecy, LDS apologists have offered various explanations and reinterpretations. Below, we address these apologetic claims and provide strong rebuttals.

Apologetic Claim 1: The Treasure Was Spiritual, Not Literal

Rebuttal: Some apologists argue that the treasure mentioned in the prophecy was not literal gold or silver but rather spiritual treasures, such as conversions or spiritual growth. However, the language of the prophecy is clear in referencing "wealth pertaining to gold and silver" that would be used to pay off debts. This specific mention of material wealth makes it difficult to interpret the prophecy as purely symbolic or spiritual. Furthermore, the primary motivation for the trip to Salem was financial, as the church leaders were seeking tangible means to address their debt.

Apologetic Claim 2: The Prophecy Was Conditional

Rebuttal: Another defense is that the prophecy was conditional, depending on the faithfulness and actions of the church leaders. Apologists may suggest that the failure to find treasure was due to the leaders not meeting certain conditions required by God. However, the prophecy itself contains no explicit conditions or caveats. It presents a straightforward promise that treasure would be found and that the church's debts would be relieved. The failure to fulfill this promise, despite the leaders' efforts, indicates that the prophecy was not conditional but simply unfulfilled.

Apologetic Claim 3: The Prophecy Was Fulfilled in Ways We Do Not Understand

Rebuttal: Some apologists claim that the prophecy may have been fulfilled in ways that are not immediately apparent or that it was fulfilled in a broader sense. However, this interpretation is speculative and lacks supporting evidence. The prophecy specifically promised treasure that would alleviate the church's financial burdens, and this did not happen. Attempting to redefine the fulfillment of the prophecy after the fact does not address the clear failure of the original prediction.

Historical Context and Documentation

To fully understand the implications of this failed prophecy, it is important to consider the historical context in which it was made. The mid-1830s were a time of significant financial difficulty for the LDS Church. The failed Kirtland Safety Society and other financial ventures left the church in debt, and Joseph Smith and other leaders were desperate for a solution.

In the History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 465, the financial struggles of the church during this period are documented:

"At this time the leaders of the Church were heavily in debt, and their financial troubles were a source of great anxiety." (History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 465)

The trip to Salem was motivated by the hope of finding treasure that would resolve these financial issues. The fact that the treasure was never found only added to the church's burdens.

Joseph Smith's Financial Troubles

By the time of his death in 1844, Joseph Smith's financial situation had not improved. He owed approximately $5 million to various creditors, a sum that would have been difficult, if not impossible, to repay without the discovery of the promised treasure. This massive debt reflects the ongoing financial struggles that plagued the church throughout Smith's leadership.

In addition to the debt from the failed Kirtland Safety Society, Smith's financial troubles were compounded by legal battles and other financial ventures that did not succeed. The failure to find treasure in Salem was just one of many financial disappointments that Smith faced during his life.

Conclusion: A Double Failure

The prophecy concerning the treasure in Salem, Massachusetts, stands as a significant example of a double failure in Joseph Smith's prophetic career. Not only was the promised treasure never found, but the debts that it was supposed to alleviate remained a burden on the church. The failure of this prophecy raises serious questions about Joseph Smith's prophetic authority and the reliability of his revelations.

While LDS apologists have attempted to reinterpret or justify the prophecy, these defenses do not hold up to scrutiny. The specific promises made in Doctrine & Covenants 111 were not fulfilled, and the church's financial troubles continued long after the trip to Salem. For those seeking to understand the legacy of Joseph Smith, this failed prophecy serves as a reminder of the importance of critical evaluation and the need to hold prophets accountable to their predictions.

References:

Doctrine & Covenants 111:1-5.

History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 465.

Joseph Smith Papers, Letter to Martin Van Buren, November 29, 1839.

Deuteronomy 18:21-22 (Biblical standard for prophets).

FairLDS.org (for apologetic claims and rebuttals).