Fifty-Six Years Wind Up the Scene (1891)
Joseph Smith, 1835: The Coming of the Lord Is Nigh, 'Even Fifty Six Years, Should Wind Up the Scene'
At a February 1835 meeting in Kirtland, Ohio, the Mormon founder told the newly called apostles the end was 56 years off. That put it in 1891.
What was claimed (paraphrase)
the coming of the Lord, which was nigh, even fifty six years, should wind up the scene.
— Joseph Smith (founder, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) · said Feb 14, 1835 · due Fifty-six years from February 14, 1835 (1891)
1891 came and went with the scene still running.
The Story
Recorded in the minutes of the February 14, 1835 meeting in Kirtland, so the words are the clerk's report of what Smith said.
The Joseph Smith Papers footnote links it to an 1843 statement in which Smith said he was told he would see the Son of Man if he lived to 85, adding: 'I believe the coming of the son of man will not be any sooner than that time.' Smith was 29 in 1835, so 85 also lands in 1891.
Other 19th-century dates: miller-1843-1844, great-disappointment-1844, shipton-1881.
Receipts
- Minute Book 1, page 147 - The Joseph Smith Papers (minutes of February 14, 1835)accessed 2026-10-09
- Discourse, 14 February 1835 - The Joseph Smith Papers (annotated)accessed 2026-10-09
As of Oct 9, 2026
since it didn't happen
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