Mormon Scripture – The Articles of Faith/Part 24

Previous Article

The tenth LDS Article of Faith states, “We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.” In this Article, LDS leaders and scripture define Christian terms with meanings which are foreign to historic Christianity. For example, Mormons believe “the literal gathering of Israel” will bring the “ten lost tribes” and Book of Mormon “Lamanites” together in America, while the tribe of Judah will be gathered to the area around Jerusalem. They also believe when the “lost ten tribes” of Israel left the land of their captivity they went to an undisclosed location in the “frozen north” from whence they will return to Zion in America as Elder George Reynolds wrote on pages 10-11 of Are We of Israel?

At the semi-annual LDS conference on October 8, 1916, Mormon Apostle James E. Talmage said, “The (lost ten) tribes shall…be brought forth as hath been predicted: and I say unto you there are those now living—aye, some here present—who shall live to read the records of the Lost Tribes of Israel, which shall be made one with the record of the Jews, or the Holy Bible, and the record of the Nephites, or the Book of Mormon, even as the Lord hath predicted; and those records… shall tell of the visit of the resurrected Christ to them, after he had manifested Himself to the Nephites upon this continent” (Articles of Faith by Talmage, p. 513). His prediction was based upon 3 Nephi 16:1-4 and 17:4 in the Book of Mormon, which says Christ would appear to the lost tribes of Israel and they would record His visit in a new book of scripture. Talmage said that Christ would visit the lost tribes of Israel in the North Country and they would record His visit in a book of scripture and bring it with them to Zion in America in the last days where it would be joined with the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Talmage also said that some who heard him speak in 1916 would live to read that new scripture. Talmage’s message was given 87 years ago and the “lost tribes” still haven’t arrived in “Zion.” So, even if they wrote a book of scripture, it isn’t available to read which means this was a false prophecy.

Joseph Smith said he received a revelation on September 22 and 23, 1832, about Zion and a temple to be built there. It says,

A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six elders, as they united their hearts and lifted their voices on high. Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem. Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased. Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation. For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house (Doctrine & Covenants, Sec. 84:1-4).

The italicized words in this Mormon scripture mention things which the generation living in 1832 were to see or do. Mormons did begin “gathering” in Missouri where they tried to build a city and even laid the cornerstone for a temple. But, conflict with the people of Missouri forced them to move and abandon their plans. The generation living in 1832 has been dead for over 100 years, but none of these things have been done, so this is a false prophecy.

Joseph Fielding Smith, the tenth LDS Prophet said,

In the day of regeneration, when all things are made new, there will be three great cities that will be holy. One will be the Jerusalem of old which shall be rebuilt according to the prophecy of Ezekiel. One will be the city of Zion, or Enoch, which was taken from the earth when Enoch was translated and which will be restored; and the city Zion, or New Jerusalem, which is to be built by the seed of Joseph on this the American continent (Answers to Gospel Questions, vol. 2, p. 105).

LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie further explains on pages 854-855 of Mormon Doc­trine,

Enoch built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion. This Zion, in process of time, after 365 years, was taken up to heaven…for God received it up into his own bosom…It is this City of Zion which is to return in the last days, probably shortly after the ushering in of the millennial era…The Mount Zion spoken of (in Rev. 14:1-5) is identified by latter-day revelation as the New Jerusalem to be built in Jackson County, Missouri (D. & C. 84:1-4).

The only “city of Enoch” in the Bible was built by Cain and named for his son, Enoch (Gen. 4:17). Neither that city nor any other city in the Bible was translated or caught up to God. Enoch, the son of Jared, who was translated, never built a city (Gen. 5:18-24). The Apostle John “saw the holy city, New Jerusalem coming down or descending from God out of heaven” (Rev. 21:2 & 10). The Bible does not teach that heavenly Jerusalem will be built by mortals or that it will be located in Missouri! If Mormon revelation is wrong about these things, could it also be wrong about things which affect one’s eternal destiny?

Next article we will discuss Christ’s return and reign on the renewed earth. More LDS views on this subject can be read in The Restoration of All Things by Joseph Fielding Smith.