Muhammad and Joseph Smith: Prophets of God, or Criminals?
After being arrested, Jesus was taken first to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas the high priest, and then to Caiaphas. From John’s gospel account we are told what happened next – “Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. Pilate then went out to them and said, ‘What accusation do you bring against this Man?’ They answered and said to him, ‘If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.’ Then Pilate said to them, ‘You take Him and judge Him according to your law.’ Therefore the Jews said to him, ‘It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,’ that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which he spoke, signifying by what death He would die. Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?’ Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?’ Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’” (John 18: 28-36)
Jesus came to earth in order to give His life as a ransom for us. He fulfilled the law that no one could fulfill. He paid the full price to redeem us from our spiritual and physical death penalty. He opened the way for us to be eternally reconciled with God. He did not want His servants to steal from people and kill them, like Joseph Smith and Muhammad both did.
When studying the life and teachings of false prophets, inevitably they are found attempting to establish their kingdom on earth. They often seek for people to follow them at any cost. Both Muhammad and Joseph Smith sought great control over people. There are many similarities between these two men. Far from not wanting their servants to fight, they both became military leaders of their own armies (Johnson 22). Similar to Joseph Smith’s troubles with the people of Missouri, Muhammad’s troubles with the Jews worsened after Muslim raids on them brought about a breaking point (Spencer 103). Also similar to Joseph Smith, Muhammad received various “edicts” or “commands” from Allah based upon the dire circumstances he found himself in. After raiding Quraysh caravans, Muhammad justified going to battle with them after receiving the “revelation” to fight fiercely and behead their enemies (Qur’an 47: 4) (Spencer 103-104). Joseph Smith was heard to say in Far-West, Missouri that the time had come that the Saints should rise and take the kingdom, by the sword of the Spirit, and if not, by the sword of power, and that the Mormon church was that kingdom spoken of by Daniel that should overcome all other kingdoms. Joseph Smith warned that people should leave him alone, or he would make it one gore of blood from the Rocky Mountains to the State of Maine (Hunt 217). It was reported that in Jackson County, Missouri, the Mormons would tell the Missouri citizens daily that they were to be cut off, and their lands given to the Mormons for inheritance, and that this was to be accomplished by the destroying angel, or by the Mormons directly under the direction of God (Hunt 129). It was this arrogant attitude that inevitably led to Mormon – Gentile confrontation. There are documented deposed witness testimonies that clearly establish the truth that Mormons under the leadership of Joseph Smith were guilty of treason, murder, arson, robbery, burglary, and larceny (Hunt 193-304).
Jesus did not become a military leader of His people. He came as the prophesied Lamb of God to give His life because of His love for the world. Jesus loves everyone. Jesus loves those who know Him and follow Him, as well as those who follow other prophets and teachers. If you are a follower of Joseph Smith or Muhammad, would you consider how different Jesus is from these two men? Would you have the courage to look at the historical evidence of the lives of Joseph Smith and Muhammad? Would you consider the possibility that the way to God that they established may not be the correct way? Jesus said about Himself – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14: 6)
As a person who for many years revered Joseph Smith as a true prophet of God, only because of what the leaders of the Mormon Church taught about him, I would challenge you to look out of the box. Use your own intellect and reason to discover the truth about Joseph Smith and Muhammad. Unfortunately, the Mormon organization continues to publish propaganda about their founding leader; however, historical evidence clearly proves that he was a criminal. After looking at the evidence about these men, decide for yourself what you should believe.
RESOURCES:
Hunt, James E. Mormonism: Embracing the Origin, Rise and Progress of the Sect, with an Examination of the Book of Mormon, also their troubles in Missouri, and final expulsion from the State. St. Louis: Ustick & Davies, 1844.
Johnson, Eric. Joseph Smith & Muhammad. Draper: Mormonism Research Ministry, 2009.
Spencer, Robert. The Truth about Muhammad. Washington D.C., Regnery Publishing, 2006.
