The same misinformation regarding the Smalcald Articles is also on the Lutheran Reformation webpage entitled, "Frequently Asked Questions about the Book of Concord," and on addition formats linked at the bottom of the webpage.

Coincidentally, on another Lutheran Reformation webpage, "The Texts of the Lutheran Confessions, there is a table that correctly notes that the Smalcald Articles were written in 1536, and gives this summary:

"Articles of faith intended by Luther to be an ecumenical platform for an upcoming ecumenical council. Stated what the Lutherans could not compromise and why."

Preceding the table is a reference: Huth, Harry A. The Story Of Our Confessions. The Lutheran Witness Vol. 96 No. 2 (February 1977): pages 10, 11

It's not clear if this reference is for just the table or the webpage's text given about the reference or both. The entire webpage appears to be a copy of the text and table from the Book of Concord webpage, "A Brief Introduction to the Book of Concord."

However, the text (from either webpage) has this about the Smalcald Articles:

"The Smalcald Articles were written by Luther in late 1536. On June 4, 1536, Pope Paul III announced that a council would be held in Mantua beginning May 8, 1537, to deal with the concerns of the Protestants. The elector (or prince) of Saxony requested Luther to prepare some articles for discussion at the council. Luther indicated on which points Lutherans would stand fast and on which points a compromise might be possible. These articles were never used for their intended purpose, but Lutherans at once recognized their value as a statement of pure evangelical doctrine, and they were therefore included in The Book of Concord." [Emphasis added]

While it is true, as indicated, that the Elector did request articles where compromise was possible ("though, doubtless, they will be few in number"), what Luther provided in the Smalcald Articles was only those articles on which he would never compromise. Bente states (pp. 242-243):

"The Elector had spoken also of points in which a concession might be possible. In the discussion at Wittenberg, Spalatin mentioned as such the question whether the Evangelicals, in case the Pope would concede the cup to them, should cease preaching against the continuance of the one kind among the Papists; furthermore, what was to be done with respect to ordination and the adiaphora. Luther had not entered upon a discussion of these questions, chiefly, perhaps, because he was convinced that the council would condemn even the essential articles."