False Prophets, False Priests, and False Teachers

They preach that which they term to be the word of God.

…preaching to them that which he termed to be the word of God, bearing down against the church… Alma 1:3

They teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost.

…they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance. 2 Nephi 28:4

They deny the power of God.

And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel… 2 Nephi 28:5 …it shall come in a day when the power of God shall be denied… Mormon 8:28

They teach that God hath given His power unto men.

…for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men… 2 Nephi 28:5

They discredit miracles and God’s work.

…if they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work. 2 Nephi 28:6

They say there are no revelations, prophecies, or gifts.

…you who deny the revelations of God, and say that they are done away, that there are no revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts… Mormon 9:7 …he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ… Mormon 9:8

They teach the precepts of men instead of God.

…Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept… 2 Nephi 28:5 Behold, hearken ye unto my precept… 2 Nephi 28:6

They teach for doctrine the commandments of men.³

…their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men… Isaiah 29:13 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Mark 7:7

They reject the commandments of God, to keep their own tradition.

Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. Mark 7:9

They teach false, vain, and foolish doctrines.

…there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines… 2 Nephi 28:9

They secretly bring in damnable heresies.⁴

…false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them… 2 Peter 2:1

They teach that all are saved at the last day, all are redeemed, all have eternal life.

…all mankind should be saved at the last day… and, in the end, all men should have eternal life. Alma 1:4 …God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God. 2 Nephi 28:8

They lie, and deceive with vain and flattering words.

…lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words… 2 Nephi 28:8 …they were deceived by the vain and flattering words of the king and priests… Mosiah 11:7 …the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. Isaiah 9:15 …he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil. Jacob 7:4 …many who will say, Do this, or do that, and it mattereth not, for the Lord will uphold such at the last day. Mormon 8:31

They flatter with great words, for their own advantage.

…their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. Jude 1:16 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure… 2 Peter 2:18

They do not warn people of their sins.

…they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity… Lamentations 2:14 …Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer… Helaman 13:27

They promise peace when there is no peace.

They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Jeremiah 6:14 …they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace… Ezekiel 13:10

They tell the people that all is well.

…they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls… 2 Nephi 28:21 Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well! 2 Nephi 28:25

They teach for money, yet claim the Lord is with them.

…the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us. Micah 3:11

They are not sent by the Lord.

I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. Jeremiah 23:21 …The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them… Jeremiah 14:14

They follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! Ezekiel 13:3

They speak a vision of their own heart.

…they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord. Jeremiah 23:16 …them that prophesy out of their own hearts… Ezekiel 13:2

They borrow their words from one another.

…I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Jeremiah 23:30

They prophesy false dreams.

Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord… Jeremiah 23:32 …the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain… Zechariah 10:2

Their prophecies do not come to pass.

When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken… Deuteronomy 18:22

They prophesy in the name of the Lord.⁵

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?… Matthew 7:22 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Jeremiah 23:31 For I have not sent them, saith the Lord, yet they prophesy a lie in my name… Jeremiah 27:15 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 29:9

They cast out devils in the name of the Lord.

…and in thy name have cast out devils?… Matthew 7:22

They do many wonderful works in the name of the Lord.

…and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you… Matthew 7:22–23

Their signs and wonders may come to pass, yet lead away from God.

…And the sign or the wonder come to pass… saying, Let us go after other gods… Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet… Deuteronomy 13:1–3 And he doeth great wonders… And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles… Revelation 13:13–14 …false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant. Joseph Smith–Matthew 1:22

They profess they know God, but in works they deny Him.

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him… Titus 1:16 …even denying the Lord that bought them… 2 Peter 2:1

They are ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ.

…ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker… Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ?… Mormon 8:38

They don sheep’s clothing but are actually ravening wolves.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15

They disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:13–14 …the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel… Alma 30:53

They rise up from among us, to draw disciples after themselves.

…grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:29–30

They are blind seers and blind guides.⁶

…ye have rejected the prophets; and your rulers, and the seers hath he covered because of your iniquity. 2 Nephi 27:5 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant… Isaiah 56:10 Woe unto you, ye blind guides… Matthew 23:16 …how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides?… Helaman 13:29

They are intoxicated with self deception.⁷

…the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink… they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. Isaiah 28:7 …they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. Isaiah 29:9

They stray, err, and blunder.

…they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. Isaiah 28:7

They promise much and bear no fruit.

…clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots… Jude 1:12

They set themselves up as a light to the world.

…priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world… 2 Nephi 26:29

They seek the praise of the world.

…that they may get gain and praise of the world… 2 Nephi 26:29

They seek not the welfare of Zion.

…but they seek not the welfare of Zion. 2 Nephi 26:29

They teach that they ought to become popular.

…declaring unto the people that every priest and teacher ought to become popular… Alma 1:3 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. Luke 6:26

They set their hearts upon the things of the world.

Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men… D&C 121:35

All their works they do for to be seen of men.

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments… Matthew 23:5

They love receiving greetings in the markets.

And greetings in the markets… Matthew 23:7

They love titles. What would the title be today?⁸

…and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. Matthew 23:7 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. Matthew 23:8

They seek and conspire to get gain.

…that they may get gain… 2 Nephi 26:29 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof… to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. Ezekiel 22:25, 27

They treat gain as godliness.⁹

…men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 1 Timothy 6:5 …teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. Titus 1:11 …following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness… 2 Peter 2:15 …ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward… Jude 1:11

They trade souls for small gain.

…Will ye hunt the souls of my people… And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread… Ezekiel 13:18–19

They are watchmen who will not warn, greedy for gain.

…they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough… every one for his gain… Isaiah 56:10–11

They charge money for worship and forgiveness of sins.

…churches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins. Mormon 8:32

They will, in their greed, exploit you with fabricated stories.

And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you… 2 Peter 2:3

They teach they ought not to labor with their hands.

…and they ought not to labor with their hands… Alma 1:3

They teach they ought to be supported by the people.

…but that they ought to be supported by the people. Alma 1:3 …ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel… Helaman 13:28 …thus they were supported in their laziness… by the taxes which king Noah had put upon his people… Mosiah 11:6

They accept support and money from the people.

…many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him money. Alma 1:5

They rob God and man by abuse of tithing funds.¹⁰

…O priests, that despise my name… Malachi 1:6 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Malachi 3:8 …he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid… the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites… Nehemiah 13:5 …Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force. 1 Samuel 2:16

They wear very costly and fine apparel.

…to wear very costly apparel… Alma 1:6 …unto the wearing of very fine apparel… Mormon 8:36

They focus on outward appearances of themselves and others.

…ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones… Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men… Matthew 23:27–28

They cause people to build up churches.

…and even began to establish a church after the manner of his preaching. Alma 1:6 …they were led by many priests and false prophets to build up many churches, and to do all manner of iniquity. 4 Nephi 1:34

They build up a church, but not unto the Lord.

…the churches which are built up, and not unto the Lord, when the one shall say unto the other: Behold, I, I am the Lord’s… 2 Nephi 28:3

Their churches are lifted up because of pride.

…their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up. 2 Nephi 28:12

Their churches are corrupted.

Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted… 2 Nephi 28:12

They use their church to produce a profit.

…why have ye built up churches unto yourselves to get gain?… Mormon 8:33

They adorn their churches, and themselves with that which hath no life.

For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy… Mormon 8:37 Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life… Mormon 8:39

They build many elegant and spacious buildings.

And it came to pass that king Noah built many elegant and spacious buildings… Mosiah 11:8

They ornament them with fine work of all manner of precious things.

…he ornamented them with fine work of wood, and of all manner of precious things, of gold, and of silver… Mosiah 11:8

They cause all manner of fine work within the walls of the temple.

And he also caused that his workmen should work all manner of fine work within the walls of the temple… Mosiah 11:10

They build large buildings near the temple to overlook the land.

…he built a tower near the temple; yea, a very high tower, even so high that he could stand upon the top thereof and overlook the land… Mosiah 11:12

They build pulpits in order to speak lying and vain words.

…he caused a breastwork to be built before them, that they might rest their bodies and their arms upon while they should speak lying and vain words to his people. Mosiah 11:11

They build seats set apart for the high priests, above all other seats.

And the seats which were set apart for the high priests, which were above all the other seats, he did ornament with pure gold… Mosiah 11:11

They love the uppermost rooms at feasts.

And love the uppermost rooms at feasts… Matthew 23:6

They love the chief seats in the synagogues.

…and the chief seats in the synagogues… Matthew 23:6

They offer unacceptable and unworthy sacrifices.¹¹

And Cain loved Satan more than God. And Satan commanded him, saying: Make an offering unto the Lord. Moses 5:18 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil?… Malachi 1:8

They are puffed up in their hearts, and full of pride.

…and shall be puffed up in their hearts… 2 Nephi 28:9 …leaders of churches and teachers shall rise in the pride of their hearts… Mormon 8:28 And he began to be lifted up in the pride of his heart… Alma 1:6

They seek deep to hide their counsels from God.

…and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord… 2 Nephi 28:9 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord… Isaiah 29:15

Their works are in the dark.

…and their works shall be in the dark. 2 Nephi 28:9 …and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? Isaiah 29:15

They are deeply concerned with seniority and hierarchy.

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last… John 8:9 …Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 3 John 1:9

They aspire to the honors of men.

…and aspire to the honors of men… D&C 121:35

They envy others in higher positions within their own churches.

…even to the envying of them who belong to their churches. Mormon 8:28

They have priesthood conferred upon them.

That they may be conferred upon us, it is true… D&C 121:37

They undertake to cover their sins, gratify their pride, and their vain ambition.

…but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition… D&C 121:37

They exercise control, dominion, and compulsion on the souls of men.

…or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves… D&C 121:37

They rule, and the people love to have it so.

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? Jeremiah 5:31

They rule their flock with force and cruelty.

…but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. Ezekiel 34:4 …it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. D&C 121:39

They enforce their priestcraft and destroy those who threaten it.

…thou art not only guilty of priestcraft, but hast endeavored to enforce it by the sword… Alma 1:12

They prevent others from entering the kingdom of heaven.

…for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men…neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Matthew 23:13

They will not enter into the kingdom of heaven themselves.

…for ye neither go in yourselves… Matthew 23:13

They trod and destroy the vineyard.

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot… Jeremiah 12:10

Their spiritual feasts offer only vomit, or partly digested food.

For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean. Isaiah 28:8

They feed themselves instead of the flock of God.

…Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool… but ye feed not the flock. Ezekiel 34:2–3

They persecute the saints, and fight against God.

…he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God. D&C 121:38

They cast out and stone those who are true prophets.¹²

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee… Matthew 23:37

They always arise to oppose the true prophets.

…false prophets always arise to oppose the true prophets, and they will prophesy so very near the truth that they will deceive almost the very chosen ones. Joseph Smith, 1844

They oppress the Lord’s people, and grind on the face of the poor.

What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor?… Isaiah 3:15 …and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor. 2 Nephi 26:20

They take from widows while making long prayers.¹³

…for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer… Matthew 23:14 …this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mark 12:43–44

They teach that tithing is not for the poor.

…and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled… Deuteronomy 26:12

The hungry, needy, naked, sick, and afflicted pass by them unnoticed.

…and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not? Mormon 8:39

They neglect the weak, the sick, those driven away, and those who are lost.

The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick… neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost… Ezekiel 34:4

They do not seek out the lost sheep.

…my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. Ezekiel 34:6

The world always mistakes false prophets for true ones.

The world always mistook false prophets for true ones, and those that were sent of God they considered to be false prophets… Joseph Smith, 1842

Their followers are led into idolatry by flattering words.

Yea, and they also became idolatrous, because they were deceived by the vain and flattering words of the king and priests… Mosiah 11:7

Their followers will not find fault with them.

…because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him. Helaman 13:28

Their followers hate a prophet who warns them, and want every prophet to say the same thing.

…There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil… 1 Kings 22:8 …the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them… 1 Kings 22:13

Their followers are angry with a prophet who testifies of their sins, and cast him out.

…if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out… Helaman 13:26

Their followers have itching ears.

…after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears… 2 Timothy 4:3

Their followers want to hear smooth things.

Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits… Isaiah 30:10

Their followers prefer fables over truth.

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:4

Their followers will not endure sound doctrine.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine… 2 Timothy 4:3

They cause their followers to err.

For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. Isaiah 9:16 …O my people, they who lead thee cause thee to err and destroy the way of thy paths. 2 Nephi 13:12 …they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men. 2 Nephi 28:14 …and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness… Jeremiah 23:32

They cause their followers to do all manner of iniquity.

…led by many priests and false prophets to build up many churches, and to do all manner of iniquity. 4 Nephi 1:34

Their followers are blind.

…see ye indeed, but they perceived not. 2 Nephi 16:9

Their followers are deaf.

…Hear ye indeed, but they understood not… and make their ears heavy… 2 Nephi 16:9–10

Their followers dwindle in unbelief and wickedness.

…And thus they did dwindle in unbelief and wickedness, from year to year… 4 Nephi 1:34

Their followers are led into darkness.

…he spake unto me, and bade me follow him. And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste. 1 Nephi 8:6–7

Their followers are broken off and driven out.

…all ye that are broken off and are driven out because of the wickedness of the pastors of my people… 1 Nephi 21:1

Their followers are scattered and devoured by beasts.

And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field… Ezekiel 34:5

Their followers are many.

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 2 Peter 2:2

They are cursed by their own words, and bring their own destruction.

…yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed. Jeremiah 14:15 …and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1

Their followers are destroyed.

…they that are led of them are destroyed. Isaiah 9:16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword… Jeremiah 14:16

They are many.¹⁴

And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many… Joseph Smith–Matthew 1:9 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Mark 13:6 …Take heed that ye be not deceived… Luke 21:8 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen… D&C 121:34