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A FAIR Analysis of: One Nation Under Gods
A work by author: Richard Abanes

Use of sources, Zion Redeemed by September 1836

Joseph gave couples marriage certificates

Note: This is a review of claims and/or responses to misrepresentations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints found in this work. The inclusion of an author's work here does not imply that he or she is "anti-Mormon," or that none of his or her works have value. Those who do not wish to examine the claims contained in what some would consider an "anti-Mormon" work are advised to proceed no further.

Copyright © 2005–2012 Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research. This is not an official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The content of this page may not be copied, published, or redistributed without the prior written consent of FAIR.

Zion redeemed by September 1836

The Quotes

One Nation under Gods, page 122 (hardback and paperback); 462 (paperback, appendix B)

God told Joseph that Zion would be redeemed by September 1836.

The References

Endnote 87, page 528 (hardback); page 526 (paperback); 617n16 (paperback, appendix B)

Joseph Smith, letter to the High Council of Zion, August 16, 1834, History of The Church, 2:145. BYU Studies link

The Problem

Main article: Joseph Smith/Alleged false prophecies

The book fails to note the many conditionals placed on this prophecy—its fulfillment relied on the members' faithfulness:

use every effort to prevail on the churches to gather to those regions and locate themselves, to be in readiness to move into Jackson county in two years from the eleventh of September next, which is the appointed time for the redemption of Zion. If—verily I say unto you—if the Church with one united effort perform their duties; if they do this, the work shall be complete....and if we do not exert ourselves to the utmost in gathering up the strength of the Lord's house that this thing may be accomplished, behold there remaineth a scourge for the Church, even that they shall be driven from city to city, and [p.146] but few shall remain to receive an inheritance; if those things are not kept, there remaineth a scourge also; therefore, be wise this once, O ye children of Zion! and give heed to my counsel, saith the Lord. (emphasis added)

Compare with:

DC 101:1-9- given on 16 December 1833 (History of the Church 1:458-464)
DC 103:1-12- given on 24 February 1834 (History of the Church 2:36-39)
DC 105:6-13 - given on 22 June 1834 (History of the Church 2:108-111)

Can't kill Joseph within 5 years of August 1843?—Sarah Scott's claim that Joseph Smith said on 27 August 1843 that nobody could kill him "till the Temple would be completed." (Link)
Civil War prophecy—Joseph Smith made an 1832 prophecy of the Civil War. Critics use a variety of tactics to dismiss this prophetic "hit." (Link)
- Alexander Doniphan and destruction in Missouri—Immense destructions in Missouri preceding the Second Coming, so extensive that “not a yellow dog will be left to wag his tail.” (Link)
- Attitude of Saints to Civil War prophecy—One critic claims that the horrors of the Civil War actually brought the Saints "some degree of emotional satisfaction and comfort," since it fulfilled Joseph's prophecy. (Link)
David Patten to serve a mission—Joseph Smith, under the inspiration of the Lord, issued a call for David Patten to go on a mission the following spring. Since Patten died before fulfilling this mission, critics claim that this is a failed prophecy. (Link)
Forged prophecy about Saints in Rocky Mountains?—Critics Jerald and Sandra Tanner claim that a prophecy from Joseph about the Saints' move to the Rocky Mountains was forged after the fact and inserted into the History of the Church. (Link)
- Tanners' use of sources—An examination of the sources used by the Tanners and how they do not support the critical claim. (Link)
Government to be overthrown and wasted—Since it is more than 150 years since this prophecy was uttered, and because the US government still exists, critics claim that this is a false prophecy. (Link)
Independence temple to be built "in this generation"—Critics point to Joseph Smith's prophecy that the Independence, Missouri temple "shall be reared in this generation" as an example of a failed prophecy (Link)
The Saints had to leave Missouri before the temple was built in Independence—Despite the fact that the Saints were forced to leave Missouri around a year after the "prediction" was given to build a temple in Independence, Missouri, they still hoped to return and see the prophecy come to fruition. (Link)
Joseph and Orson Hyde to drink of wine in Palestine?—Critics claim that 1) Joseph uttered a false prophecy in telling Orson Hyde that he would drink wine with him in Palestine, and 2) Joseph showed his disregard for the Word of Wisdom by promising to drink wine. (Link)
Notes from Kirtland Safety Society to be "as good as gold"?—Critics make light of Joseph Smith's claim that Kirtland Safety Society notes would be "as good as gold." (Link)
Prophetic test in Deuteronomy—Critics point to Deuteronomy 18:20-22 as a 'test' for a true prophet: (Link)
Queens to pay respect to Relief Society within ten years?—A record exists of Joseph prophesying that queens would pay their respects to the Relief Society within ten years of its formation. That no queens did so is held up as a sign of false prophecy. (Link)
Second Coming in 1890 (56 years)—Is it true that Joseph Smith prophesied Jesus Christ's return in 1890? (Link)
Stephen A. Douglas prophecy—Critics assert that a "forged prediction" was added to the history of the Church related to the political career of Stephen A. Douglas.) (Link)
Ten tribes return and wicked swept away?—Critics claim that Joseph prophesied that the wicked "of this generation" would be swept from the face of the land and the Lost Ten tribes would be gathered within Joseph Smith's generation. (Link)
Thomas B. Marsh to be "exalted"—Thomas B. Marsh was told that he would be "exalted," and that he would preach "unto the ends of the earth." (See DC 112:.) Critics claim that this prophecy was "unfulfilled," given Marsh's apostasy. (Link)
United Order everlasting, immutable, and unchangeable?—Critics claim that Joseph gave a false prophecy when he described the United Order in revelation as "everlasting," "immutable and unchangeable," "until I [Jesus] come." (Link)
Zion redeemed by September 1836?—Joseph predicted that Zion would be redeemed by September 1836. (Link)
Are prophets infallible?—Critics insist that any statement by any LDS Church leader at any point in time represents LDS doctrine and is thus something that is secretly believed, or that should be believed, by Latter-day Saints. (Link)

Fulfilled prophecies

Biblical Keys for Discerning True and False Prophets (Link)
The Word of Wisdom states that it is given in part because of the "evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days" (DC 89:4). Modern developments have vindicated this prophetic warning.
A list of some examples of fulfilled prophecies can be found here:
- Jeff Lindsay, "Fulfilled Prophesies of Joseph Smith," off-site

Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith—Claims and questions about Joseph Smith, first prophet of the restoration (Link)

Post-Joseph Smith and non-Joseph Smith prophecies

Revelation after Joseph Smith—If every President of the Church is a prophet, seer, and revelator, why have so few revelations after Joseph Smith been added to the Doctrine and Covenants? Revelations used to be printed in Church periodicals such as the Times and Seasons and the Evening and Morning Star. Why are revelations no longer published on an ongoing basis? (Link)
- Must all apostles literally see Christ?—Must a man see Christ literally in order to be called as an apostle? (Link)
- Prophecy fulfillment may extend into the Millennium—The fulfillment of prophecy does not end with death--blessings, promises, and fulfillment extend into the Millennial years of the Lord. (Link)

Oliver Cowdery

Orson Hyde ordination blessing: altered in History of the Church?—Critics claim that the ordination blessing given to Orson Hyde is an example of false prophecy. They also claim that Hyde's blessing was altered in the History of the Church for propaganda reasons. (Link)
Lyman Johnson to live until gathering accomplished—Critics claim that the ordination blessing given to Lyman Johnson of the Twelve was a false prophecy: "...that he shall live until the gathering is accomplished." (Link)
William Smith to remain on the earth until Christ comes—Critics claim that the ordination blessing given to William Smith, is an example of false prophecy. (Link)

Martin Harris

Heber C. Kimball - stand until the coming of the Lord—Critics claim that the ordination blessing given to Heber C. Kimball is an example of false prophecy. (Link)

Parley P. Pratt

Parley P. Pratt's reply to Sutherland—Parley P. Pratt replied to an anti-Mormon author and made a prophecy about the world's end that did not come to pass. What can you tell me about this? (Link)

Joseph Smith, Sr.

Joseph Smith, Jr., to continue in the priest's office until Christ comes—Critics claim that the father's blessing given to Joseph Smith, Jr., in which Joseph Sr. "declar[ed] that I should continue in the Priest's office until Christ comes," is an example of a false prophecy. (Link)

Joseph Fielding Smith

Joseph Fielding Smith claimed that man would never walk on the Moon—Critics claim that Joseph Fielding Smith taught or "prophesied" than man would never walk on the moon. Because of this, critics insist that Pres. Smith was a false prophet, or that nothing he taught can be replied upon. (Link)

David Whitmer

Brigham Young ordination blessing—FAIR has found no criticism about the blessing given to Brigham Young upon his ordination as an apostle. His blessing is referenced by at least one other blessing, however, and so is included here for reference. (Link)

Wilford Woodruff

Destruction of New York, Albany, and Boston—Wilford made a prophecy that included the destruction of New York by earthquake, Albany by fire, and Boston by flood. Brigham Young confirmed this as a true revelation. Since no earthquake, fire, or flood has yet destroyed them, does this make both Woodruff and Young guilty of false prophecy? (Link)

Others

John Taylor 1886 revelation—Did John Taylor receive a revelation on September 27, 1886 that promised that “polygamy would never be abandoned?” (Link)
Joseph F. Smith on revelation at Smoot hearings—Critics claim that at the Smoot hearings, Joseph F. Smith said that he never received revelation. (Link)
Missouri myths?—Will members "walk back to Jackson County" before the second coming of Christ? Will the whole Church return to Jackson county before the second coming? (Link)
- Walk back to Missouri?—Myth #1: We’re going to walk to Missouri to prepare for the Second Coming. (Link)
- Return to Jackson County, Missouri?—Myth #2: The entire Church will be gathered to Missouri. (Link)
- Heber C. Kimball–"dead yellow dog"—Myth #3: Destruction in Missouri. Did early leaders prophesy destruction against Jackson County before the second coming of Christ? (Link)
Wilford Woodruff's 1889 revelation—Did Wilford Woodruff receive a revelation on November 24, 1889 the said that the Church would prevail against the Government effort to seize the Church's assets? (Link)

Other related issues and claims

LDS prophets don't prophesy?—Some critics say that Latter-day Saint prophets aren't really "prophets" because they don't prophesy by foretelling unknown events. They commonly issue challenges such as, "If Gordon B. Hinckley is a prophet, tell me one event that he's prophesied." Do LDS prophets "prophesy"? (Link)
Prophetic inerrancy?—Critics sometimes impose absolutist assumptions on the Church by holding inerrantist beliefs about scriptures or prophets, and assuming that the LDS have similar views. Critics therefore insist, based upon these assumptions, that any statement by any LDS Church leader represents LDS doctrine and is thus something that is secretly believed, or that should be believed, by Latter-day Saints. (Link)
Mormonism and prophets—Critics claim that General Authorities are very silent about some issues, and that the Maxwell Institute takes their place (Link)

Mormonism and doctrine

Sub-articles

"Essentials" or Core doctrine

Official or "core" doctrine—What constitutes official or "core" doctrine of the Church? Joseph Smith defined our fundamental core doctrine: "The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 121.) (Link)

New doctrine

Establishing new doctrine—How is new doctrine established in the Church? (Link)
Changing doctrine—Is LDS doctrine constantly changing? Critics claim that Mormon doctrine is very elusive - very little is claimed to be official, which makes it easy to repudiate certain doctrines when they become unpleasant or unfashionable. (Link)
Church publications as doctrine—Are Church publications considered doctrine? Critics claim that anything that is, or ever was, officially published by the Church at any time ought to represent doctrine, thus define what Latter-day Saints really believe. However, just as Brigham Young taught principles that applied to the 19th-century saints, modern prophets teach us what we need for our particular time. (Link)
Official Church publications—Critics claim that some publications are official Church publications when in reality they are not. Conversely, some critics claim that some publications are not official Church publications when in reality they are. (Link)

Past doctrine

Statements by past prophets—Are statements of past prophets considered doctrine? Critics claim that anything that is, or ever was, officially published by the Church ought to represent doctrine. (Link)
Prophets are not infallible—Are prophets considered infallible? Critics sometimes impose absolutist assumptions on the Church and hold inerrantist beliefs about scriptures or prophets. Critics therefore insist that any statement by any LDS Church leader represents LDS doctrine and is thus something that is secretly believed, or that should be believed, by Latter-day Saints. (Link)
Repudiated concepts—Some teachings previously considered doctrinal have since been repudiated by the Church. (Link)

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Eschatology

Topics

Rapture and LDS theology—What is the "Rapture"? Do Latter-day Saints believe in this or a similar doctrine? (Link)

Miscellaneous doctrinal issues

Obedience—Mormons believe in being obedient to God and His servants. Critics sometimes characterize such obedience as the product of authoritarianism, or intrusion of leaders into members' lives. This misunderstands the doctrines of agency and obedience. (Link)
17 Points of the True Church (Link)
Angels—What is the LDS understanding of the nature of angels? (Link)
Animal sacrifice taught by Joseph?—Critics claim that Joseph Smith favored "Old Testament practices" including "teaching animal sacrifice." (Link)
Anti-Mormon—Some critics of the Church object to the use of the term "anti-Mormon." They do not like to be referred to as "anti-Mormons," and deny that their books, speeches, blogs or videos are "anti-Mormon." Such critics often insist that the term "anti-Mormon" is unfair because they are not "against" Mormons, but only write and act as they do because they "love" Mormons or Mormon investigators and want to bring them to the truth. (Link)
Apologetics—Many people are not familiar with "apologetics," and raise a variety of questions. (Link)
- Does the Church discourage reading critical material?—Does the Church forbid the reading of "anti-Mormon" criticisms, or discourage its members from considering such matters? (Link)
Mormon Church is a cult—Critics claim that the Church is "a cult." (Link)
Graven Images—Critics claim that the Church violates the Biblical command against "graven images" because it displays sculptures of Christ, statues of the angel Moroni on the spires of our temples, or paintings showing scriptural scenes, within temples, chapels, visitors' centers, and publications. (Link)
Deification of man / theosis—Critics claim that the doctrine of human deification is unbiblical, false, and arrogant. (Link)
- Downplaying the King Follett Discourse—Critics claim that, in an effort to appear more "mainline" Christian, the Church is downplaying the importance of some doctrines taught late in Joseph Smith's lifetime. Prominent among these is the doctrine of human deification. To bolster their argument, critics usually quote from a 1997 Time magazine interview with President Gordon B. Hinckley. (Link)
Excommunication and Church discipline (Link) ^{[needs work]}
Sons of Perdition (Link)
- Eventual fate—Today in our Sunday School class an individual expressed the belief that the sons of perdition would be given another chance to achieve celestial glory. Could you direct me to any specific reference on this topic? (Link)
- Will Sons of Perdition be resurrected?—Will sons of perdition be resurrected? (Link)
- Women as "sons of perdition"?—Are there women who would be among those cast into outer darkness? Are there female 'Sons of Perdition'? (Link)
Feelings and emotions as the basis of a testimony—Critics complain that the LDS appeal to "revelation" or a "burning in the bosom" is subjective, emotion-based, and thus unreliable and susceptible to self-deception. Sectarian critics also belittle appeals to spiritual experiences, comparing them to "warm fuzzies," or merely something "felt by simply watching a Hollywood movie." (Link)
Flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven—Critics attempt to use 1 Cor. 15:50 to demonstrate that a resurrected being with a physical body cannot enter into heaven, therefore excluding a God with a body as well as resurrected mortals. (Link)
Free will and science—Science demonstrates that all interactions of matter--including all events in the human brain--are sufficiently caused by previous events. If we know enough about the laws that govern these interactions and the current state of the universe, we would be able to exactly predict any future event. Does this mean that the doctrine of "agency" or "free will" is false, since all human choices are predetermined by the laws of physics? (Link)
Government during the Millennium—During the millennium, will there be a secular government in addition to Christ's reign? It seems that I had heard that there will be a "government headquarters" in a different location to the "church headquarters". Do we know where they will be located? (Link)
Location of Lost Ten Tribes?—Can you tell me something about the location of the lost ten tribes of Israel? I heard they might be under the polar ice cap. (Link) ^{[needs work]}
Myths about Mormons (Link)
Progression between kingdoms of glory—Is there progression between the three degrees of glory? (Link)
Prophets don't prophesy—Some critics say that Latter-day Saint prophets aren't really "prophets" because they don't prophesy by foretelling unknown events. They commonly issue challenges such as, "If Gordon B. Hinckley is a prophet, tell me one event that he's prophesied." Do LDS prophets "prophesy"? (Link)
Sabbath changed to Sunday—The Old Testament commands men to rest on the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week. Why do Mormons then follow the practice of most Christians by resting and worshiping on Sunday? (Link)
Satan's dominion over waters—I know I was told in the MTC that missionaries were not to ever swim because Satan had dominion over the waters. So what is the actual Church doctrine on this subject? (Link)
How is tithing calculated?—I've been told by critics of the Church that the Church expects or teaches its members to tithe on gross income. What can you tell me about how tithing it taught in the Church? (Link)

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Copyright © 2005–2012 Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research. This is not an official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The content of this page may not be copied, published, or redistributed without the prior written consent of FAIR. The Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research (FAIR) is a non-profit organization formed in late 1997 for the purpose of defending the Church. FAIR is staffed completely by volunteers, all of whom are dedicated to defending the Church. FAIR is not owned, controlled by, or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All research and opinions provided on this site are the sole responsibility of FAIR and should not be interpreted as official statements of LDS doctrine, belief, or practice.
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Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Use of sources/Redeemed by September 1836