In his book, Evidence in Science and in Religion (1966), Arthur Wallace has a section entitled “What About Some of Joseph Smith’s Prophecies?” Here are some of the better prophecies discussed therein:
Besides the Book of Mormon, Joseph
Smith compiled a book of revelations given directly to him (Doctrine and
Covenants), translated a book from Egyptian papyrus (Abraham), and made an
inspired revision of the Bible in addition to authoring other works.
Many prophecies were contained in
these works. It matters little of the prophecies were Joseph Smith’s own or
those of prophets in the Book of Mormon so long as they have been fulfilled. Here
is a list of some of them:
1. When Joseph Smith was baptized
on May 15, 1829, he prophesied that the Church would rise up (Doctrine and Covenants
1:42). The Church was formally organized on April 6, 1830 and since then it has
risen to great prominent.
. . .
9. 1 Nephi 13:40 predicts a
world-wide distribution for the Book of Mormon. Most books do not get past a
first edition, but true to the prophecy the Book of Mormon has been published
in over thirty languages and several million copies have been distributed.
10-11. 2 Nephi 30:3 predicts that
many would believe the words of the Book of Mormon and that the book would be
taken to the remnant of the Nephite descendants, i.e. to the American Indians.
The membership of the Church is now two million. The book has been taken ot the
American Indians and great numbers have accepted it.
. . .
13. 2 Nephi 28:29-30 predicts that
those who say we have enough of the word of God (Bible) shall have that which
they do have taken away. [this] describes the dismantling of the Bible by modern
science.
. . .
16. The Book of Mormon in speaking
of this land of America says:
But behold, this land, said God,
shall be a land of thine inheritance, and the Gentiles shall be blessed upon
the land. And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there
shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles. And I
will fortify this land against all other nations. (2 Nephi 10:10-12)
For Behold, this is a land which
is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve
God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is
not until the fullness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they
are swept off. (Ether 2:10)
Maximilian in Mexico (1865) lost
his crown according to these prophecies. Let this be a note of warning to the
dictators and those who would destroy American freedom and way of life. The
promise is continent on obedience—“if they serve the God of the land who is
Jesus Christ.”
. . . .
20. Joseph Smith prophesied that
the corner stone of the temple would be laid on a certain day [April 26,
1839—D&C 118:5]. In spite of mob organization, it was successfully accomplished.
21. 1 Nephi 13:30 says that this
nation (U.S.A.) should be a nation above all nations. It wasn’t the case in
1830 but it certainly was in 1946.
. . . .
23. Joseph Smith announced early
in his career that he had been prophetically told that his name and his work
should be known for good or evil throughout the world. This prophecy is
correct.
. . .
25. 3 Nephi 20:13 in the Book of
Mormon refers to a “gathering” of the dispersed of Israel. Indeed the converts
of the Church gathered together in Ohio, then in Missouri, then in Illinois,
then in Utah for the purpose of building the kingdom of God. If Joseph Smith
were fraud, it is very unlikely that such a great gathering covering decades
would have occurred, but the prophecy is being fulfilled. (Arthur Wallace, Evidence
in Science and in Religion [Los Angeles: Arthur Wallace, 1966], 85-86, 87,
comments in square brackets added for clarification)
Further Reading
