On the website https://www.theadventtruth.com/freebiblestudiesaasdfas/the-ten-tests-of-a-prophet
We find, “The Ten Tests of a Prophet.”
This was recently used in a drive-by evangelizing post, “my Jesus is
better than your Jesus” type of a post.
So, this is just meant to show that the Bible contradicts
the Bible and that Smith technically meets the (not that high of a standard) Biblical definition of prophet.
The Ten Tests of a Prophet
Test 1: Reliable Predictions
If someone claims to be a prophet that makes predictions,
their predictions must come to pass in totality. The only exception would be a
conditional prophecy. But if someone says something is definitely going to
happen, no conditions, then if it doesn’t happen, they are a false prophet.
Jeremiah 28:9 — The prophet which prophesieth of peace,
when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be
known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.
My answer: Reliable predications -cannot- be the Biblical
test of a Biblical prophet.
Jesus made predictions that were not fulfilled. Matthew 24:34. Mark 13:30.
In Ezekiel chapter 26, the prophecy is made that Tyre will
be destroyed and will never be rebuilt. Yet the city of Tyre still exists to
this day.
Clearly unfulfilled prophecies are not a Biblical test of a
Biblical prophet.
Test 2: Lift up Jesus
A true prophet will lift up Jesus, and not themselves.
Many false prophets are all about self with a “look at me” attitude. True
prophets will be humble, seeking only to point others to the Lamb of God.
John 16:13 — Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is
come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but
whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to
come.
Matthew 7:15-20 — Beware of false prophets, which come to
you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know
them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even
so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth
evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is
hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know
them.
My answer: Smith testified of Jesus. And the Book of Mormon
testifies of Jesus more per verse than the Bible. The Doctrine and Covenants
testify of Jesus.
“Salvation could not come to the world without the
mediation of Jesus Christ.” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-3?lang=eng
Test 3: Nothing Secret
False prophets will concoct their prophecies and
interpretations in secret. For example, Joseph Smith came up with the Book of
Mormon in secret. True prophets will be open and clear about the fact that the
doctrine they teach comes from the Bible.
2 Peter 1:19-21 — We have also a more sure word of
prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth
in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but
holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 — All scripture is given by inspiration
of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly
furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 2:15 — Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
My answer: Smith taught more from the Bible than he ever did
from the Book of Mormon. Ratios more. But “nothing secret” contradicts the
Bible.
First—This shows a huge misunderstanding of how the Bible
became the Bible. The Bible references books not actually in the Bible.
Second—Smith tried telling anyone and everyone about the
Book of Mormon and got it published for everyone.
As for this “no secrets” contradicting the Bible—John 21: 25
“ "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which,
if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could
not contain the books that should be written. Amen."
So there are “secret” things—things we do not know about. In
the Bible. From the Bible.
Another verse talking of secret things… John 20:30-31: "Jesus
did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in
this book. But these are written that you may believe..."
The Bible contradicts the Bible. There are verses that talk
of secret things in the Bible.
Test 4: No Sugar Coating
Like Elijah, true prophets point out and rebuke sin in
the proper spheres (private where necessary, openly where necessaary, but never
where the world can reproach the Gospel).
Micah 3:5-8 — Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets
that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he
that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.
Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it
shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down
over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. Then shall the seers be
ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for
there is no answer of God. But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the
LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression,
and to Israel his sin.
1 Kings 17-19
My answer: Apologists would likely say that Smith didn’t
sugar coat his teachings that Smith claimed came from God.
Test 5: Warning of
Judgments
God gives messages of
coming judgments to His prophets, and they, in turn, warn the church and the
world of these coming judgments.
Isaiah 24:20 — The
earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a
cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall
fall, and not rise again.
My answer: Apologists
would likely say that Smith gave Gods judgements.
Test 6: Builders
A true prophet will seek to edify and build up the
church, not to tear it down, be it public or private. A surgeon cuts to heal,
not to destroy, and never needlessly. 1 Cor. 14:3-4.
1 Corinthians 14:3-5 — But he that prophesieth speaketh
unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an
unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
My answer: Apologists would likely say that Smith “built”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Test 7: Bible Based
A true prophet will not teach anything contrary to the
Bible. Anyone claiming to be a prophet must be willing to be subject to
scrutiny based on the Bible.
Isaiah 8:20 — To the law and to the testimony: if
they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
1 Corinthians 14:32 — And the spirits of the prophets
are subject to the prophets.
My answer: Smith taught from the Bible. Constantly and
consistently. The Bible does not give an age limit for young women to marry.
Women are property in the Bible. Slavery is condoned. The Bible is noty that
great of an ethical and moral guide. But Smith followed it.
“Smith was a polygamist!” Its in the Bible. The House of
Israel is a polygamist group in the Bible. “Smith married young women!” No age
limit is given in the Bible.
Smith taught from the Bible. Constantly. He lived by the
Bible. The Bible contradicts itself and is not a very good moral and ethical
guide. “Polygamy is condemned!” Sure—in the Book of Mormon. It was normative in
the Bible.
Test 8: Physical Proof
A true prophet going into vision falls down weak, &
then is strengthened by God. They also have their eyes wide open the whole
time, and they do not breath while in vision.
Numbers 24:4 — He hath said, which heard the words of
God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having
his eyes open:
Daniel 10:7-9 — And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for
the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon
them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone, and
saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness
was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the
voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a
deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
Daniel 10:16-17 — And, behold, one like the similitude of
the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said
unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned
upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my
lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no
strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
My answer: Smith had miraculous visions, and created scripture. One of
the unique things critical historians note about Smith isn’t necessarily his
visions. Its that he is able to include others in his miraculous visions. Even
the most critical historians have to account for 20 separate witnesses to the
Book of Mormon. Smith did not have visions and miracles himself. He included
others in them. Like the Bible.
Test 9: Christlike Fruit
A true prophets life will be morally pure. While being
normal humans, they will be kind, respectful, and loving.
Matthew 7:15-20 — Beware of false prophets, which come to
you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know
them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even
so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth
evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is
hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know
them.
James 5:17 — Elias was a man subject to like passions as
we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on
the earth by the space of three years and six months.
My answer: Smith
meets the Biblical definition of Bible prophet. He had the ethics and
morality found in the Bible. Polygamy is normative in the Bible, women are property in the Bible, and the Bible sets no marital age for young women to marry. Smith meets the Biblical definition of Bible prophet.
He also claimed he repented of sins and was
miraculously forgiven. A teaching of Christ.
Test 10: Obedient
A true prophet will often have to bear unpleasant
messages. However, they will still be obedient, both to the command to share
the message, and to God’s Ten Commandment Law. Deuteronomy 18:18, Isaiah 8:20,
Prov. 29:18, Rev. 12:17.
Deuteronomy 18:18 — I will raise them up a Prophet from
among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and
he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
Isaiah 8:20 — To the law and to the testimony: if they
speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Proverbs 29:18 — Where there is no vision, the people
perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Revelation 12:17 — And the dragon was wroth with the
woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the
commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
My answer: Apologists will claim that Smith was obedient to
God and fulfilled Gods mission for him as a prophet.
