Evaluating Joseph Smith as a Prophet
The Bible provides clear standards for evaluating anyone who claims to speak for God. These standards are not based on popularity, sincerity, or supernatural claims, but on faithfulness to God’s revealed Word, accuracy of prophecy, loyalty to the true God, and the moral fruit of one’s life. Scripture repeatedly warns that false prophets will arise and urges believers to test all claims carefully.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1).
When these biblical tests are applied consistently, they provide a reliable framework for discernment. This article applies those tests directly to the life and teachings of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, using Scripture as the final authority.
The First Test: Agreement With Scripture
Isaiah 8:20 gives a foundational test for any spiritual teacher.
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
“The law and the testimony” refer to God’s revealed Word, which today includes both the Old and New Testaments. According to Scripture, any true prophet must teach in harmony with the Bible. God does not contradict Himself.
When the teachings of Joseph Smith are compared with the Bible, significant contradictions emerge. Mormon doctrine, as found in the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price, differs from Scripture on core doctrines such as the nature of God, the Trinity, the nature of Christ, salvation, sin, the state of the dead, heaven, and hell.
The Bible teaches that God is eternal, unchanging, and singular in essence.
“I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me” (Isaiah 45:5).
In contrast, Mormon theology teaches that God was once a man who progressed to godhood and that humans may also become gods. This directly contradicts biblical monotheism.
“Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me” (Isaiah 43:10).
Because Joseph Smith’s teachings conflict with Scripture on essential doctrines, they fail the first biblical test.
The Second Test: A Biblical Confession of Jesus Christ
1 John 4:2 gives another crucial test.
“By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God.”
This test involves more than acknowledging Jesus as a historical figure. It includes affirming His true identity as revealed in Scripture.
The Bible teaches that Jesus is eternally divine, not a created being who progressed into godhood.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
Mormon teaching presents a different Christ. According to Doctrine and Covenants 93:13-14, 20, 22-23, Jesus became the Son of God gradually as He received fullness from the Father. Mormon theology also teaches that humans are literal spirit children of Elohim and can become gods in the same sense as Jesus.
This teaching removes the uniqueness of Christ’s divinity. In biblical Christianity, Jesus is the eternal Son of God, not merely the firstborn among many potential gods.
“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9).
By redefining who Jesus is, Joseph Smith’s teachings fail the biblical test regarding the confession of Christ.
The Third Test: Fulfilled Prophecy
Deuteronomy 18:21-22 provides a clear standard for prophetic accuracy.
“If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken.”
According to the Bible, a true prophet of God does not make false predictions. Even one failed prophecy disqualifies a prophetic claim.
Joseph Smith made multiple prophetic statements “in the name of the Lord” that did not come to pass. In 1835, Smith predicted that the Second Coming of Christ would occur within fifty-six years. This would have placed Christ’s return around 1891. That prophecy failed.
Joseph Smith also prophesied in September 1832 that the New Jerusalem would be built in western Missouri and that a temple would be erected there during the lifetime of those who heard the revelation.
“A temple shall be reared in this generation” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:1-5).
That temple was never built during the lifetime of those present.
Smith also prophesied that New York would be destroyed if it rejected the Mormon gospel (Doctrine and Covenants 84:114-115). This did not occur.
In Doctrine and Covenants 87, Joseph Smith predicted that the Civil War would escalate into global war involving all nations, accompanied by widespread slave revolts, famine, plague, earthquakes, and the complete end of nations. These events did not happen as prophesied.
Because these prophecies failed, Joseph Smith does not meet the biblical standard of a true prophet.
The Fourth Test: Loyalty to the One True God
Deuteronomy 13:1-3 addresses prophets who lead people away from the true God.
“If a prophet… says, ‘Let us follow other gods,’ you must not listen to the words of that prophet.”
The Bible consistently affirms monotheism. There is only one true God.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4).
Joseph Smith openly taught a plurality of gods. History of the Church records Smith stating that he consistently preached the doctrine of multiple gods. He declared that God Himself was once a man who became exalted.
“God himself was once as we are now” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345).
This teaching directly contradicts Scripture, which declares that God is eternal and uncreated.
“From everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:2).
By promoting belief in multiple gods, Joseph Smith fails this biblical test.
The Fifth Test: Moral Fruit
Jesus gave a practical test for identifying false prophets.
“Beware of false prophets… You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-16).
This test examines character, behavior, and the moral impact of a teacher’s life. Scripture consistently calls God’s servants to humility, self-control, and peace.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness” (Galatians 5:22).
Historical records describe Joseph Smith as combative and physically aggressive. History of the Church documents incidents where Smith challenged opponents to physical violence and engaged in altercations involving hitting, kicking, and fighting.
These behaviors stand in contrast to the biblical model of Christlike conduct.
“If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matthew 5:39).
While no believer is sinless, a pattern of aggression and violence raises serious concerns when evaluating a prophetic claim.
The Importance of Biblical Discernment
The Bible warns that false prophets often appear sincere and persuasive.
“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive” (Matthew 24:24).
Sincerity, charisma, or religious success do not validate a prophet. Only alignment with God’s Word does.
When the biblical tests are applied to Joseph Smith’s teachings, prophecies, theology, and conduct, they consistently fall short of the standards Scripture establishes.
Why This Matters
This evaluation is not about personal attacks or religious hostility. It is about faithfulness to God’s truth. Scripture calls believers to love others while remaining anchored in truth.
“Speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).
Accepting false prophecy has eternal consequences because it affects how people understand God, salvation, and Christ Himself.
The Bible provides clear and objective tests for identifying a true prophet. These tests include agreement with Scripture, a correct confession of Jesus Christ, fulfilled prophecy, loyalty to the one true God, and godly fruit in life and character.
When these tests are applied to Joseph Smith, his teachings and claims do not meet biblical standards. His doctrines contradict Scripture, his prophecies failed, his theology promotes other gods, and his life exhibits patterns inconsistent with biblical expectations for God’s messengers.
Scripture urges believers to remain grounded in God’s Word.
“Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
True faith rests not on new revelations or human authority, but on the unchanging Word of God.
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