Lucifer vs. Joseph Smith
Objective Comparison
Two men reach for heaven—one by pride, one by pretense. But the throne belongs to God alone.
Isaiah 14:13-14 • Ezekiel 28:1-19
“I will not give My glory to another.” — Isaiah 42:8 “Though you make your heart like the heart of God… you are a man, and not God.” — Ezekiel 28:2
Note on Tone and Intent: This comparison is not a personal attack, nor is it meant to shame individuals who follow Joseph Smith or the teachings of the LDS Church. It is a sober examination of doctrine and legacy, measured against the standard of Scripture. The goal is not to mock, but to warn. Scripture calls us to test every spirit, every prophet, and every gospel (1 John 4:1; Galatians 1:8-9). This section presents a biblical evaluation of Joseph Smith’s teachings and actions—not to condemn him as a man, but to expose the spiritual posture they represent. If the pattern aligns with rebellion, pride, and deception, then it must be named clearly, for the sake of truth and the protection of souls.
PS: YES, I'm doing it right: These are not sins, not false or ralling accusations but rather letting the evidence speak for itself.
If this feels heavy, it’s because the stakes are eternal. I’m not here to win an argument—I’m here to sound a warning.
Lucifer’s “Five I Wills”
Isaiah 14:13-14
| Statement | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I will ascend into heaven | Seeks divine status and access to God’s realm |
| I will exalt my throne above the stars of God | Desires rulership over celestial beings |
| I will sit upon the mount of the congregation | Claims authority over Zion—God’s holy place |
| I will ascend above the heights of the clouds | Pursues elevation above all creation |
| I will be like the Most High | Aspires to be equal with God |
Motivation: Self-exaltation, rebellion, replacement of God
Biblical verdict: Condemnation and fall (Isaiah 14:15)
Joseph Smith’s Doctrine of Exaltation
| Teaching | Source | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Humans can become gods | Doctrine & Covenants 132 | Exalted individuals inherit divine status |
| God was once a man | King Follett Discourse | Godhood is attainable through progression |
| Exalted beings rule kingdoms | LDS theology | Each god rules in their own realm |
| Obedience leads to godhood | LDS ordinances | Salvation is a path to divinity |
Motivation: Divine inheritance, eternal progression
Theological result: Multiple gods, erosion of God’s uniqueness
Objective Comparison
| Element | Lucifer | Joseph Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Be like God | Be like God |
| Method | Rebellion | Obedience and progression |
| View of God | Replace Him | Emulate and become Him |
| Outcome | Condemnation | Exaltation (within LDS doctrine) |
| Biblical alignment | Violates monotheism | Violates monotheism |
| Element | Lucifer | Joseph Smith |
| Claimed divine status | Yes | Yes |
| Sought worship | Implied | Implied (King of the Kingdom of God) |
| Introduced new doctrine | Yes (self-exaltation) | Yes (exaltation, polytheism) |
| Violated God’s Word | Isaiah 14 | D&C 132, King Follett Discourse |
| Result | Cast down | Biblically condemned |
Why It’s Blasphemy (Biblical Standard)
- First Commandment violation: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3) — Smith’s doctrine introduces other gods.
- Self-exaltation condemned: “I will be like the Most High” mirrors Lucifer’s ambition.
- Unauthorized access: “He who climbs up another way is a thief” (John 10:1) — progression to godhood is a man-made ladder.
- God’s uniqueness denied: “Before Me no god was formed, nor shall there be after Me” (Isaiah 43:10).
⚖️ The Contradiction of Joseph Smith
Ezekiel 28:1-19
Joseph Smith preached:
- Morality and repentance: Emphasized obedience to commandments and personal righteousness (Doctrine & Covenants 1:31).
- Divine law and authority: Claimed to restore the true church through revelation and priesthood authority (D&C 13; Articles of Faith 1:5).
Yet his life included:
- Polygamy: Practiced secretly before public acknowledgment in 1852. Took over 30 wives, some already married to other men. Contradicted biblical standards of marriage (Genesis 2:24; 1 Timothy 3:2). Deuteronomy 17:17 warns kings not to “multiply wives for himself.”
- Financial Fraud: The Kirtland Safety Society (1837) collapsed, costing many followers their savings. Smith was sued multiple times for fraud and unpaid debts. Proverbs 11:1 — “A false balance is abomination to the Lord.”
- Authoritarian Control: In Nauvoo, Smith held political, military, and religious power. Created the Nauvoo Legion, a private militia under his command. Declared himself King of the Kingdom of God in 1844 (Council of Fifty). Ezekiel 28:2 — “Yet you are a man, and not God, though you make your heart like the heart of God.”
- Violent Conflicts: Tensions with Missouri and Illinois authorities led to armed clashes. His destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor press triggered his arrest and death. Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
🚩 Red Flags and Warning
Doctrinal Crimes, Moral Contradictions, and Spiritual Condemnations
“Scripture calls us to test every spirit.” Below are the red flags that emerge when Joseph Smith’s teachings are held up to the light of God’s Word. Please do not confuse righteous discernment with accusation.
These warnings are not aimed at sincere believers who trust in Christ. Scripture affirms that Jesus is the defender of His people—He does not accuse, He intercedes (Romans 8:33-34; 1 John 2:1).
But for those who claim prophetic authority, rewrite Scripture, and preach another gospel, the standard is different. Joseph Smith will be measured by the Word of God itself—and because his teachings oppose that Word, he will not have Christ defending him. Christ is the Word made flesh (John 1:1,14); to contradict Scripture is to stand against Christ Himself. Unless Smith’s doctrine aligns with divine truth, he will stand accountable before the Judge who magnifies His Word above His name (Psalm 138:2).
Doctrinal Crimes
| Example | Scriptural Violation |
|---|---|
| False prophecy — Predicted Second Coming before 1891; temple in Independence | Deuteronomy 18:22 |
| Added to Revelation | Revelation 22:18-19 |
| Added post-biblical writings that conflict with God’s Word — Book of Mormon and Doctrine & Covenants | Isaiah 8:20; Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 |
| Demoted God’s Word to corruption — Claimed the Bible is unreliable “unless translated correctly” | 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 138:2; Psalm 12:6-7 |
| Denied divine preservation — Claimed the gospel and Scripture were not protected by God | Psalm 12:6-7; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35; John 17:17 |
| Rewrote portions of the Holy Bible — Inserted commentary and reinterpretation as if it were Scripture (Joseph Smith Translation) | Proverbs 30:6; Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19 |
| Polytheism — Taught existence of multiple gods | Isaiah 43:10; Exodus 20:3 |
Moral Contradictions
| Example | Scriptural Violation |
|---|---|
| Polygamy and coercion — Secret marriages to young girls and married women | Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; 1Timothy 3:2,12; Exodus 20:14; Hebrews 13:4; 1Corinthians 6:18; Deuteronomy 17:17; Deuteronomy 22:25-27; Isaiah 10:1-2; James 5:1-6; Genesis 2:24; 1Timothy 3:2 |
| Financial fraud — Kirtland Safety Society collapse, lawsuits | Leviticus 19:11; Amos 8:5; Micah 6:11; 1Corinthians 6:8; Proverbs 11:1 |
| Authoritarian control — Political, military, and religious consolidation | Micah 3:11; Proverbs 29:2; Revelation 13:7-8; Ezekiel 28:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:4 |
Spiritual Condemnations
| Example | Scriptural Violation |
|---|---|
| Self-exaltation — Claimed divine status and future godhood | Isaiah 14:14; Ezekiel 28:2 |
| False gospel — Preached a different gospel through new revelations | Galatians 1:8-9 |
| Blasphemy — Redefined God’s nature and denied His uniqueness | Isaiah 42:8; Isaiah 43:10 |
Summary: Joseph Smith’s teachings and actions form a pattern of rebellion, deception, and spiritual pride. Though cloaked in religious language, they mirror the very posture condemned in Scripture—from Lucifer’s ambition to the indictment of the King of Tyre.
🧠 Theological Implications
This duplicity — preaching virtue while living in contradiction — mirrors the spiritual indictment in Ezekiel 28:
- Elevating himself spiritually — Claimed divine authority and exaltation.
- Claiming divine status or favor — Taught that humans can become gods (D&C 132:20).
- Falling into pride and secrecy — Hid polygamy, consolidated power, and resisted accountability.
Ezekiel 28 condemns the King of Tyre for:
- Pride in wisdom and beauty (v. 17)
- Corruption and violence (v. 16)
- Claiming godhood (v. 2)
- Being cast down by God (v. 18-19)
Smith may not be the King of Tyre, but he embodied the same spiritual posture: self-exaltation cloaked in divine language.
🔍 Why This Matters
This isn’t just about hypocrisy — it’s about spiritual integrity. Scripture warns repeatedly:
- Matthew 7:15-23 — False prophets may do mighty works but are rejected by Christ.
- Isaiah 42:8 — “I will not give My glory to another.”
- Galatians 1:8-9 — Even an angel preaching another gospel is accursed.
The question is not whether Joseph Smith was sincere — but whether his doctrine and life align with biblical truth. If they don’t, then the contradiction becomes a spiritual warning, not just a historical curiosity.
Reader Reflection
Ask yourself: “Who am I really worshiping?” Joseph Smith? The LDS Church? Or Christ Jesus?
Ask yourself: “Do I want to be like Christ—or become a god?”
“Who am I really worshiping?” The typical answers I hear sound like: “I absolutely worship Christ—by believing Joseph Smith instead of Christ Himself.”
“Do I want to be like Christ—or become a god?” The usual response? “Of course I want to be a god! That’s why I follow Joseph Smith and the LDS teachings—even when they contradict God’s Word.”
Final Analysis
Joseph Smith’s doctrine of exaltation is not a restoration of biblical truth—it is a repackaged form of Lucifer’s ambition, cloaked in the language of obedience and eternal progression. Though the method differs, the goal remains the same: to be like God, not merely in character, but in status, power, and rulership.
From a biblical standpoint, this is not just theological error—it is blasphemy. It violates the First Commandment, redefines the nature of God, and leads followers into a belief system that mirrors the very rebellion condemned in Scripture.
Exaltation, as taught by Joseph Smith, echoes the prideful ascent described in Isaiah 14 and the spiritual corruption exposed in Ezekiel 28. Scripture does not endorse this path—it warns against it.