Joseph Smith had dedicated ground for the building of a temple in Jackson County, Missouri. That ground is what was “appointed by the finger of the Lord” and “dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jr.” Those events had already happened.
God wants His people to be a Zion people. He wants His people to build a New Jerusalem which is Zion. Whenever He has a covenant people, He enjoins them to build Zion. A temple is a part of Zion. Here are two scriptures about that:
• • •
The LDS were not righteous enough after Joseph Smith had dedicated the ground for the temple, to build it immediately, nor would the non-LDS people of Missouri cooperate or allow for such a building to be built. What you are thinking is a prophecy is actually an injunction by God for the LDS to build the temple they needed to build to have Zion, but since that group of LDS weren’t yet righteous enough, and the non-LDS people around them were belligerent about the whole idea of an LDS “New Jerusalem” being built anywhere in Missouri, the temple-building project was delayed and eventually was moved to Nauvoo, IL, where a temple was built and where temple ordinances were performed. The temple was built in “that generation.” Joseph Smith had already done his part by dedicating ground for a temple and by providing the injunction from God to build a temple. The Saints carried on and finished the temple-building project (in Nauvoo) after he was killed.
Zion is built up wherever there is a temple and a Zion people. So now there are over a hundred places for Zion to be built, and for the LDS saints to gather to Zion. Eventually, during the Millenium, a New Jerusalem will be a part of the Zion of North America.
Thanks for your response ParkerD. I’m sorry to tell you, that makes the fourth story I’ve heard, from as many Mormons.
Doesn’t this mean that the prophesy failed? Let me clarify my question, point by point, below.
The Bible tells us, Deuteronomy 18:20-22, how to distinguish a true prophet from a false one.
**Deu 18:20 But the prophet, who being corrupted with pride, shall speak in my name things that I did not command him to say, or in the name of strange gods, shall be slain.
Deu 18:21 And if in silent thought thou answer: How shall I know the word that the Lord hath not spoken?
Deu 18:22 Thou shalt have this sign: Whatsoever that same prophet foretelleth in the name of the Lord, and it cometh not to pass: that thing the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath forged it by the pride of his mind: and therefore thou shalt not fear him.**
The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints is quite clear.
D&C 84:1, tells us this is a revelation of Jesus Christ unto His servant Joseph Smith, and six elders.
D&C 84:2, tells us this is, the word of the Lord…as He has spoken by the mouth of His prophets.
Anything spoken by the mouth of a prophet, in the name of the Lord, is a prophesy. This contradicts an idea this was not a prophesy, but was instead an “injunction”.
D&C 84:3, tells us, that which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the Western boundaries of the STATE OF MISSOURI, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith.
The finger of the Lord appointed the Western boundaries of the state of Missouri. I’ve already mentioned that Joseph Smith cannot dedicate it if it were built, as he was fatally shot at Carthage jail.
Now, we know that Jesus cannot lie, and I don’t believe He could confuse Missouri for Illinois. In fact, that original plot of land, in Missouri, is still owned by the Church of Christ (Temple Lot). That Church has stated the other sects of Mormonism were in apostasy from the restored Gospel.
Surely, you wouldn’t want us to think Jesus could not accomplish what He had spoken through the mouth of one of His prophets?
D&C 84:4 and 5, tells us, which build shall be reared in that generation. 5 clarifies it more by saying, “For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord…”
That was over 160 years ago.
THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
SECTION 84:1 - 5
1 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.
2 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.
3 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.
4 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.
5 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.
As I’ve said, yours is the fourth interpertation of this prophesy, that I’ve heard, from as many Mormons. It appears, many try very hard not to accept the fact, that one false prophesy, makes a false prophet, in my opinion.
This makes people look closely at other prophesies of Joseph Smith, and there’s a list of them that never came to pass…
I had to edit your quote to make this fit the character limits.
Because providing a parallel example of why simply regurgitating scriptures to explain a complex doctrine or belief is changing the subject…
