False Prophecies of Joseph Smith

Whitmer, then Cowdery, then… to Take Smith’s Place – oh never mind…

Far West Record, July 7, 1834, pg 73; “After all this was done the afore mentioned High Priests, Elders, Priests, Teachers, Deacons & members convenanted with uplifted hands to heaven that they would uphold Brother David Whitmer as President, head and leader in Zion (in the absence of br. Joseph Smith jr.) & John Whitmer & W.W. Phelps as assistant Presidents and Counsillors also convenanted to uphold him and one another at the throne of grace.”

This prophecy was given by Smith during a High Council Meeting held at the home of Lyman Wight on July 7, 1834.  Also History of the Church 2:125-126. 

The ordination was short lived.  Smith ordained Oliver Cowdery to take his place if he died on December 5, 1834.  From the website of www.olivercowedery.com  it says; 

“5 Dec (Fri)
Joseph Smith ordained Oliver Cowdery to be the “Assistant President of the High and Holy Priesthood in the Church of the Latter Day Saints.” Oliver Cowdery was authorized “to assist in presiding over the whole church, and to officiate in the absence of the president, according to his rank and appointment” (Dean C. Jessee, Papers of Joseph Smith, 2:36; “Manuscript History of the Church,” Book A1, p. 11, LDS Archives).”  http://olivercowdery.com/hurlbut/HChron4.htm 

Both these prophecies are obviously false as both Cowdery and Whitmer were excommunicated in the Far West fiasco of 1838. 

Also see http://www.saintswithouthalos.com/m/341205.phtml  and http://user.xmission.com/~research/central/chorg4.htm