The Destruction of the Wicked: A Generation Unscathed

 

The Destruction of the Wicked: A Generation Unscathed

Joseph Smith predicted that within a few years, pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake would sweep the wicked of his generation from the face of the land (History of the Church, Vol. 1, pp. 315-316).

Failure: The widespread destruction of the wicked, as prophesied, never occurred. The generation that Smith referred to lived and died without witnessing the fulfillment of this prophecy.

Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), was known for his bold prophecies. Among his many predictions was a dire warning that within a few years, pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquakes would sweep the wicked of his generation from the face of the land. This prophecy, however, failed to materialize, leaving many to question Smith's prophetic authority. In this blog post, we'll examine the prophecy, its failure, and the apologetic responses, providing a detailed analysis and rebuttals to these claims.

 

The Prophecy: A Dire Warning for the Wicked

In the early days of the LDS Church, Joseph Smith made several bold predictions concerning the fate of the wicked. One of the most striking prophecies was recorded in the History of the Church:

"And now I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ that not many years shall pass away before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation; pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake will sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of the land to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel from the north country." (History of the Church, Vol. 1, pp. 315-316)

Smith predicted that widespread destruction would occur "not many years" after this prophecy, targeting the wicked and clearing the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel. The prophecy is clear in its timeline and scope, indicating that the destruction would occur within the lifetime of those living at that time.

 

The Failure: A Generation Unscathed

Despite the dire nature of Joseph Smith's prophecy, the predicted widespread destruction never occurred. The generation he referred to lived and died without witnessing the prophesied pestilence, hail, famine, or earthquakes on the scale he described. The United States did experience significant events, such as the Civil War, but these do not match the specific and all-encompassing nature of the prophecy.

The failure of this prophecy is significant, as it directly challenges Joseph Smith's credibility as a prophet. According to biblical standards, a true prophet's words must come to pass, as stated in Deuteronomy 18:21-22:

"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)

By this standard, the failure of Joseph Smith's prophecy raises serious doubts about his prophetic authority.

 

Apologetic Claims and Rebuttals

In response to the clear 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 Prophecy Was Symbolic, Not Literal

 

Rebuttal: Some apologists argue that Joseph Smith's prophecy should be interpreted symbolically rather than literally. They suggest that the "pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake" represent spiritual or moral challenges rather than physical events. However, the language of the prophecy is clear and unambiguous. Smith specifically mentioned physical disasters that would "sweep the wicked" from the land. There is no indication in the prophecy that it should be understood metaphorically. The specificity of the predicted events makes a symbolic interpretation implausible.

 

Apologetic Claim 2: The Prophecy Was Conditional

 

Rebuttal: Another common defense is that the prophecy was conditional, depending on the behavior of the people at the time. Apologists may argue that because the wicked repented or changed their ways, the prophesied destruction was averted. However, there is no evidence within the prophecy itself that suggests it was conditional. Joseph Smith did not present the prophecy as a warning contingent on repentance but as a definitive statement of what would happen within a specific timeframe. The lack of fulfillment indicates that the prophecy was not conditional, but simply failed.

 

Apologetic Claim 3: The Prophecy Refers to Future Events

 

Rebuttal: Some defenders of Joseph Smith assert that the prophecy may still be fulfilled in the future, and that the "generation" referred to in the prophecy could be interpreted more broadly. However, this reinterpretation contradicts the clear language of the prophecy, which speaks of events occurring within "not many years." The generation mentioned in the prophecy clearly refers to those alive at the time it was given. Over 180 years have passed since the prophecy was made, and the events have not occurred, making this explanation untenable.

 

To fully understand the implications of this failed prophecy, it is important to consider the historical context in which it was made. The early 1830s were a time of great upheaval for the fledgling LDS Church. Persecution, internal strife, and economic challenges were all part of the backdrop against which Joseph Smith made his bold predictions.

 

In addition to the History of the Church, other contemporary sources provide insight into the mindset of the early Saints. For example, in a letter written by Joseph Smith in 1833, he reiterated his belief in the impending destruction of the wicked:

 

"The time is soon at hand when this generation will feel the heavy hand of God's wrath. Prepare, for the day of judgment is near." 

(Joseph Smith Papers, Letter to the Saints, June 25, 1833)

 

Despite these strong warnings, the anticipated destruction never came, leading to confusion and disappointment among some of Smith's followers.

 

Journal of Discourses: Reflections on Unfulfilled Prophecies

In later years, LDS leaders occasionally reflected on the difficulties posed by unfulfilled prophecies. While direct references to this specific prophecy are rare, the general tone of the discourse acknowledged the challenges of maintaining faith in the face of prophetic failures.

 

In the Journal of Discourses, Vol. 9, p. 179, Orson Pratt addressed the issue of prophecies that do not come to pass:

 

"We must understand that the Lord's ways are higher than our ways, and His purposes may be hidden from us for a time. But we cannot deny that some things spoken by the Prophet Joseph have not yet occurred. This is a test of our faith and endurance."

 

While Pratt urged faith in the face of unfulfilled prophecies, his words also reflect the tension between belief and the reality of unmet expectations.

 

Conclusion: A Generation Unscathed

 

Joseph Smith's prophecy concerning the destruction of the wicked within his generation is a clear example of a failed prediction. Despite his confident declarations, the events he described did not occur, and the generation he spoke of passed away without witnessing the prophesied destruction.

 

The apologetic attempts to reinterpret or justify this prophecy do not hold up to scrutiny, as the language of the prophecy is explicit and leaves little room for alternative interpretations. By the biblical standard for prophets, Joseph Smith's failure to accurately predict the future calls his prophetic authority into question.

 

For those seeking to understand the legacy of Joseph Smith, this failed prophecy stands as a significant challenge to the belief in his divine calling. It serves as a reminder that not all prophetic claims withstand the test of time, and that critical evaluation of such claims is essential.

 

References:

History of the Church, Vol. 1, pp. 315-316.

Joseph Smith Papers, Letter to the Saints, June 25, 1833.

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 9, p. 179.

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

FairLDS.org (for apologetic claims and rebuttals).