Joseph Smith Genesis5033

Was Joseph Smith a "Self-Certifying Prophet" with JST Genesis 50:33?

Critics note that one verse in the Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of the Bible, Genesis 50:33, is a verse that prophesies about Joseph Smith. This verse does not exist in Genesis we have today, which ends with verse 50:26.

Critics complain this is a “self-certifying prophecy”. They say Joseph made up a verse which talks about himself, which does not exist in today’s Bible, to convince others that he was a prophet.

The Joseph Smith Translation (JST) is not scripture

First of all, the Joseph Smith Translation (JST) is not scripture in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Here is more about the JST from FAIR), and the JST from the church website). Some describe the JST as inspired commentary. We believe some of it was restoring the original intent of some Biblical verses. Some of it was restoring missing scripture or missing events. Some was for clarifying or harmonizing similar verses. Some verses have different interpretations for some temporary purpose. JST Genesis 50:33 appears to be a restoration of missing scripture, but we don’t know its purpose for sure. Joseph did not write this as a specific verse of scripture; this was added later.

Joseph Smith did not use this to market himself

Joseph Smith did not use this one verse to publicly market himself as a prophet. Otherwise, he would have published it and discussed it frequently. The entire JST was first published in 1867, long after Joseph died, by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (RLDS, now Community of Christ). Not until 1979 did the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints publish the JST as part of the footnotes in the King James Bible.

A similar verse in 2 Nephi 3꞉14-15 exists, but Joseph did not use that as a marketing tool either.

Jesus also referred to missing scripture about Himself

Jesus also referred to missing scripture which talked about Himself: John 8꞉56, John 7꞉38, John 7꞉42.