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Home / Joseph Smith Quote About Seeing His Horse Again

Joseph Smith Quote About Seeing His Horse Again

Possible prophetic argument made by Mormonism founder Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith, Jr., kickoff leader of the Latter-day Saints (Mormons), made an 1843 statement, an patently-embellished version of which, in around 1900, would become known as the White Horse Prophecy.

The White Equus caballus Prophecy is the pop name of an influential just disputed version of a statement on the future of the Latter Twenty-four hour period Saints (popularly chosen Mormons) and the U.s.a.. It was given by Edwin Rushton in most 1900, and supposedly made in 1843 by Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter 24-hour interval Saint movement.[1]

The Latter Day Saints, co-ordinate to Rushton'south version, would "go to the Rocky Mountains and... be a peachy and mighty people," associated in the prophecy's figurative language, with one of the biblical four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in the Book of Revelation.

Smith's supposed original statement predicts that the US Constitution volition i twenty-four hours "hang like a thread" but be saved by Latter-day Saints. The embellished version portrays it to be "past the efforts of the White Horse."[ii]

On the basis of either Rushton's version or Smith's original statement, some critics of Mormonism and some Mormon folk doctrine enthusiasts hold that Mormons should wait that the US will eventually become a theocracy dominated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).[3] [iv]

The thought that members of the LDS Church will at one or more times have action to relieve an imperiled US Constitution has been referenced by numerous LDS Church building leaders, but equally to the Rushton version of the Prophecy, the LDS Church has stated that "the and then-chosen 'White Horse Prophecy'... is not embraced as Church doctrine; while numerous Mormon fundamentalists continue to preach the doctrine."[v]

Background [edit]

"Expiry on a Pale Equus caballus" by the artist Benjamin West. Joseph Smith, June 15, 1844: "[the steamboat] Maid of Iowa come downwardly the river about 2 or three o'clock While I was examining Benj Wests painting of Decease on the Stake Horse which has been exhibiting in my reading room for 3 days."[6]

Latter Day Saint Church founder Joseph Smith went to Washington, DC, in November 1839 in an unsuccessful try to obtain help for his persecuted followers.[vii] Pat Bagley of the Salt Lake Tribune wrote that from then on, Smith and his followers "considered themselves the concluding Real Americans" and "the legitimate heirs of the pilgrims and Founding Fathers," who would exist called upon 1 mean solar day to save the US Constitution.[eight] [ix] Smith is believed to have said in 1840 that when the Constitution hung past a thread, Latter Twenty-four hours Saint elders would step in "on the white horse" to save the country.[9]

Joseph Smith is said to have fabricated his statement in early May 1843, while the Latter Twenty-four hours Saints were headquartered in Nauvoo, Illinois. 1 of Smith's associates who heard the statement was Edwin Rushton. The most complete re-create of Rushton'southward version of Joseph Smith's statement is contained in a 1902 diary entry made past John Roberts of Paradise, Utah. That rendering asserted that in his statement, Smith had prophesied that the Mormons "will get to the Rocky Mountains and volition be a keen and mighty people established at that place, which I volition phone call the White Horse of peace and safety." Smith added "I shall never become there" and predicted connected persecution by enemies of the church, and he reportedly said, "You will see the Constitution of the United States virtually destroyed. It will hang like a thread every bit fine every bit a silk fiber.... I love the Constitution; it was made by the inspiration of God; and it will be preserved and saved by the efforts of the White Horse, and by the Cerise Equus caballus[10] who will combine in its defense." Co-ordinate to the diary, Smith also said that Mormons would ship missionaries to "gather the honest in centre from among the Pale Horse, or people of the United States, to stand by the Constitution of the U.s.a. as it was given by the inspiration of God." The account quotes Smith every bit predicting numerous wars involving Great United kingdom, French republic, Russia, China, and other countries, and maxim that the European nobility "knows that [Mormonism] is true, but it has not pomp enough, and grandeur and influence for them to yet embrace it." He is also reported to have said that a temple that the Latter 24-hour interval Saints had planned to build in Jackson County, Missouri "will be built in this generation."[2] [11]

Edwin Rushton, half a century after Joseph Smith's expiry, described what would become known every bit the White Equus caballus Prophecy.

In 1844, Smith rejected the platforms of the major candidates for president of the United States and decided to conduct his own third-party campaign[4] [12] which was cut short by his murder on June 27 that year. After a succession crunch in which Brigham Young was accepted as Smith's successor by the majority of the Latter 24-hour interval Saints, the Mormon migration to the Intermountain Westward began, under Young'due south management, in February 1846.[13]

Disputed authenticity [edit]

The authenticity of the White Equus caballus Prophecy is much disputed. Most of its symbolistic content was non attested to during Smith's lifetime but was instead asserted past Rushton many years afterwards Smith's expiry.[2] Whereas a philosophical kernel in Rushton'southward version is confirmed past contemporary LDS Church leaders as having been taught past Smith, Rushton'southward formulation, as a whole, has often been repudiated past the LDS Church building over the years since as early every bit 1918.[xiv] An analysis of the White Horse Prophesy was included, along with mentions of its questioned authenticity, as an appendix within Prophecy: Cardinal to the Future, by scriptural scholar and lay theologian Duane Crowther in 1962;[15] and, more recently, the Prophecy has been referenced in the writings of speculative theology by the Mormon fundamentalist Ogden Kraut.[16]

In 1918, LDS president Joseph F. Smith dismissed the White Horse Prophecy equally a "ridiculous story... and a lot of trash that has been circulated most... by two of our brethren who put together some broken sentences from [Joseph Smith] that they may have heard from fourth dimension to time."[17] In his 1966 book Mormon Doctrine, LDS theologian (and after campaigner) Bruce R. McConkie wrote, "From time to time, accounts of diverse supposed visions, revelations, and prophecies are spread forth past and among the Latter-day Saints, who should know meliorate than to believe or spread such false data. One of these false and deceptive documents that has cropped upwardly over again and over again for over a century is the so-chosen White Horse Prophecy."[xviii]

In early 2010, the LDS Church issued a statement stating that "the so-chosen 'White Horse Prophecy' is based on accounts that have not been substantiated by historical research and is not embraced as Church doctrine."[5] Also in 2010, LDS historian Don L. Penrod examined significant differences in two early handwritten accounts of the prophecy, noted some words and phrases that were not characteristic of Joseph Smith's speaking style or current in his fourth dimension, and speculated that Rushton had "in his elderly years recorded some things that [Smith] actually said, mixing in words of his ain creation." Information technology additionally noted that "memories of words and events, especially many years later on, are oft faulty."[fourteen]

Like statements [edit]

Several sources aspect to Smith the idea that the Us Constitution would one day hang by a thread, and LDS Church leaders have issued similar warnings about the Constitution.[9] [19]

Brigham Young [edit]

Brigham Immature, who assumed the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-twenty-four hour period Saints after the death of Joseph Smith

In 1855, Brigham Young reportedly wrote that "when the Constitution of the United States hangs, every bit it were, upon a unmarried thread, they will accept to telephone call for the 'Mormon' Elders to save it from utter destruction; and they will step forth and do information technology."[9] [twenty]

Orson Hyde [edit]

In 1858, Orson Hyde, another contemporary of Smith, wrote that Smith believed "the time would come when the Constitution and the country would be in danger of an overthrow; and... if the Constitution exist saved at all, it will exist by the elders of [the LDS] Church building."[9] [21]

Charles W. Nibley [edit]

In 1922, the LDS Church building's fifth presiding bishop, Charles West. Nibley, stated that "the day would come up when there would exist and so much of disorder, of secret combinations taking the law into their own hands, tramping upon Ramble rights and the liberties of the people, that the Constitution would hang as by a thread. Yes, but it will still hang, and there volition be enough of skillful people, many who may not belong to our Church building at all, people who take respect for constabulary and for order, and for Ramble rights, who volition rally around with the states and save the Constitution."[22]

Melvin J. Ballard [edit]

In 1928, the LDS apostle Melvin J. Ballard remarked that "the prophet Joseph Smith said the time will come when, through secret organizations taking the law into their own hands... the Constitution of the U.s.a. would be then torn and hire disconnected, and life and property and peace and security would be held of so footling value, that the Constitution would, as it were, hang by a thread. This Constitution will be preserved, but it will exist preserved very largely in result of what the Lord has revealed and what [the Mormons], through listening to the Lord and being obedient, volition help to bring well-nigh, to stabilize and requite permanency and effect to the Constitution itself. That likewise is our mission."[22]

J. Reuben Clark [edit]

In 1942, J. Reuben Clark, an LDS campaigner and a member of the church'due south Starting time Presidency, said that "You and I have heard all our lives that the time may come when the Constitution may hang by a thread.... I practice know that whether it shall live or die is now in the residuum." On the Constitution, Clark went on to cite its "gratuitous institutions," separation of powers, and the Beak of Rights. He added that "if we are to live as a Church building, and progress, and accept the right to worship... nosotros must take the great guarantees that are set upwards by our Constitution."[23]

Ezra Taft Benson [edit]

In a 1986 Brigham Young University speech, LDS president Ezra Taft Benson stated, "I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. But information technology will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by the citizens of this nation who honey and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church – men and women who will subscribe to and bide by the principles of the Constitution."[24]

Dallin H. Oaks [edit]

In 2010, Elder Dallin H. Oaks spoke at a Constitution 24-hour interval Celebration and warned nearly the importance of preserving the United states of america Constitution. To that end, he claimed that "all citizens—any their religious or philosophical persuasion" should maintain several responsibilities regarding the Constitution: understand it, support the police force, practice civic virtue, maintain civility in political discourse, and promote patriotism.[25]

Interpretation [edit]

Questions on LDS attitudes towards the United States government, whether they are considered on their own or as parts of the White Horse Prophecy, have arisen from fourth dimension to time equally prominent Latter-day Saints take get involved in American politics. The White Horse Prophecy has been characterized every bit "effectively plac[ing] believers on perpetual Red Alarm for the Constitution'southward possible demise"[26] and as admonishing Mormons to "come to the rescue and restore the true Constitution by any means necessary."[27]

Writers such as Richard Abanes and Elaine Wolff have speculated, on the basis of the prophecy, that Mormons expect that the United states of america will somewhen get a "Mormon-ruled theocracy divinely ordained to 'non only directly the political affairs of the Mormon community, but eventually those of the United States and ultimately the world'"[three] and that "a Mormon, if he were elected president, would take his orders from Common salt Lake City."[iv]

Besides many LDS members of the Republican Political party, some LDS Democrats have also been inspired to run for function by the White Equus caballus Prophecy.[nineteen]

Romney family [edit]

In 1967, US presidential candidate George W. Romney said the following on the White Horse Prophecy: "I have always felt that they meant that onetime the question of whether we are going to continue on the ground of the Constitution would arise and at this point government leaders who were Mormons would be involved in answering that question."[28] In 2007, US presidential candidate Mitt Romney, George's son, told the Salt Lake Tribune, "I oasis't heard my proper noun associated with [the White Horse Prophecy] or anything of that nature. That'due south not official church doctrine.... I don't put that at the eye of my religious belief."[29] [28]

Glenn Beck [edit]

Conservative media figure Glenn Beck, who joined the LDS Church in 1999, has alleged that President Barack Obama "is going to bring us to the verge of shredding the Constitution, of massive socialism."[nine] On November 14, 2008, afterwards Obama'due south election, Brook appeared on Pecker O'Reilly's show The O'Reilly Factor and said that "nosotros are at the identify where the Constitution hangs in the balance, I feel the Constitution is hanging in the residual right at present, hanging by a thread unless the good Americans wake up."[9] Earlier in November, while interviewing US Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, also a Mormon, Beck had remarked, "I heard Barack Obama talk about the Constitution and I thought, we are at the point or we are very almost the point where our Constitution is hanging past a thread."[9] [30] [31] Hatch appeared on Beck's Fox News testify in Jan 2009, and Beck prompted him past declaring, "I believe our Constitution hangs by a thread."[ix]

LDS blogger and religious commentator Joanna Brooks has said that "it is probable that Beck owes his brand of Founding Father–worship to Mormonism.... Many Mormons besides believe that Joseph Smith prophesied in 1843 that the United states Constitution would one solar day 'hang by a thread' and be saved by faithful Mormons."[32] Washington Post journalist Dana Milbank has described Beck's views as essentially "White Equus caballus Prophecy meets horsemen of the apocalypse,"[9] merely Milbank has also observed that the White Horse Prophecy is "actually a fairly benign prophecy. They're talking about restoring law and order and peace and tranquility. It doesn't sound like a vehement affair."[33]

Rex Rammell [edit]

Rex Rammell at Campbell County League of Women Voters' General Election Candidates' Forum in Gillette, Wyoming

In 2009, Idaho gubernatorial candidate King Rammell announced plans to hold a series of meetings with assertive Mormon men, which were to include discussion of the White Horse Prophecy.[34] [35] In response, LDS Church officials issued a argument that said that the church is "politically neutral" and hoped that "the campaign practices of political candidates would not suggest that their candidacy is supported by or connected to the church."[36] [37]

Rammell subsequently retracted his original plan to limit his meetings to LDS men and apologized to "all those citizens who are not members of the LDS faith, who have expressed a sincere interest in attending my meetings and discussing this prophecy and how we can step forward and save the United states of america Constitution."[38]

See as well [edit]

  • List of prophecies of Joseph Smith
  • Mormon folklore
  • Theodemocracy

References [edit]

  1. ^ Don Fifty. Penrod (2010). "Edwin Rushton as the Source of the White Horse Prophecy". BYU Studies. 49 (3): 75–115.
  2. ^ a b c "The White Horse Prophecy", George Cobabe, Foundation for Apologetic Information & Inquiry (2004). Retrieved Baronial 25, 2011.
  3. ^ a b One Nation Under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church, Richard Abanes, Basic Books (2003), p. xvii.
  4. ^ a b c Wolff, Elaine (October 17, 2007). "An American president". San Antonio Electric current. p. 8.
  5. ^ a b "Church Statement on 'White Horse Prophecy' and Political Neutrality", Public Affairs Department, LDS Church, January 6, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  6. ^ Noel A. Carmack (Fall 1996). "Of Prophets and Pale Horses: Joseph Smith, Benjamin West, and the American Millenarian Tradition". Dialogue: A Periodical of Mormon Idea: 173.
  7. ^ Bushman, Richard L. (2005). Joseph Smith: Rough Rock Rolling. New York: Knopf. pp. 392–394. ISBNi-4000-4270-4.
  8. ^ Stewart, D. Michael (June 1976). "I Accept a Question". Ensign . Retrieved 17 August 2015. The documents show that Joseph Smith did prophesy a number of times that the Usa and the Constitution would exist imperiled and that the elders would have a hand in saving them.
  9. ^ a b c d eastward f g h i j Mormon Prophecy Behind Glenn Beck's Message past Dana Milbank, The Huffington Post, Oct five, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  10. ^ The identity of the "Red Horse" is not stated in the prophecy.
  11. ^ Anderson, Wing (1946). Prophetic Years 1947–1953. Kessinger Publishing. pp. 33–37. ISBN978-1-4286-3588-3.
  12. ^ Smith, Joseph, Jr. (1844). "Full general Smith'due south Views on the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United states". Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  13. ^ Bennett, Richard E. (1997). Nosotros'll Observe the Place: The Mormon Exodus, 1846–1848. Deseret Book Company. p. 3. ISBN978-0-8061-3838-ane.
  14. ^ a b Don L. Penrod (2010). "Edwin Rushton as the Source of the White Horse Prophecy". BYU Studies. 49 (3): 75–131. Retrieved November 2, 2010.
  15. ^ Crowther, Duane S. (1962). Prophecy, Key to the Futurity. Horizon Publishers. pp. 301–322. ISBN0-88290-781-6.
  16. ^ Kraut, Ogden (1993). The White Horse Prophecy. Pioneer Publishing. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  17. ^ Cobabe, George (December 2011). "The White Horse Prophecy" (PDF). FairMormon. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  18. ^ McConkie, Bruce R. (1966). Mormon Doctrine (2nd ed.). Bookcraft. p. 835.
  19. ^ a b Sheffield, Carrie (November 3, 2006). "Houses of Worship: White Horse in the White Business firm". Wall Street Journal. p. 13. Notwithstanding, the prophecy continues to inspire Mormons to run for part, on both sides of the alley.
  20. ^ A discourse by President Brigham Young, delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake Metropolis, February 18, 1855. Periodical of Discourses, vol. ii, p. 182.
  21. ^ A sermon past Elder Orson Hyde, delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Common salt Lake Metropolis, January 3, 1858. Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 152.
  22. ^ a b Milbank, Dana (2010). Tears of a Clown: Glenn Beck and the Tea Bagging of America. Doubleday. p. 48. ISBN978-0-385-53388-ane.
  23. ^ "Private Ownership...nether the United Lodge". Conference Report. October 1942. pp. 54–59. Retrieved 17 Baronial 2015.
  24. ^ Ezra Taft Benson, The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner, Latter Mean solar day Conservative, (xvi September 1986).
  25. ^ Oaks, Dallin H. "Fundamentals of Our Constitutions." Utah's Constitution Mean solar day Celebration. Tabernacle, Common salt Lake City, Utah. September 17, 2010. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/fundamentals-of-our-constitutions-elder-dallin-h-oaks
  26. ^ Reilly, Adam (October xiv, 2009). "Latterday Taint". Boise Weekly.
  27. ^ Wurth, Michael (Jan 19, 2011). "Teabooking 101: Tears of a Clown: Glenn Brook and the Tea Bagging of America". San Antonio Current. p. 11.
  28. ^ a b "Romney candidacy has resurrected last days prophecy of Mormon saving the Constitution". Salt Lake Tribune. June 4, 2007. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  29. ^ "Is Glenn Brook Attempting to Fulfill the Mormon 'White Horse Prophecy'?". AOL News. October v, 2010. Archived from the original on Baronial 24, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  30. ^ Reilly, Adam (December 3, 2009). "Latter-Day Taint". Salt Lake City Weekly. pp. 20–22.
  31. ^ Glenn Beck with Sen. Hatch: 'Constitution is hanging by a thread', GlennBeck.com, November 4, 2008. Retrieved Baronial 25, 2011.
  32. ^ Brooks, Joanna (October vii, 2009). "How Mormonism Built Glenn Brook". Religion Dispatches. Archived from the original on July 6, 2010. Retrieved Baronial 25, 2011.
  33. ^ "Glenn Beck: Reading between the Coded Lines". National Public Radio. October x, 2010. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  34. ^ "Rammell unapologetic about meeting with LDS elders". Rexburg Standard Journal. Rexburg, Idaho. December 23, 2009. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  35. ^ "Idaho candidate Rammell holding LDS meetings". Deseret News. Dec 22, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  36. ^ "LDS Church responds to Idaho candidate's 'elders just' meetings". Deseret News. December 26, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  37. ^ "LDS Church building issues statement on Rex Rammell". Rexburg Standard Journal. December 24, 2009. Retrieved December iv, 2011.
  38. ^ "Rammell apologizes for LDS elders only meetings". Rexburg Standard Journal. January 9, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2011.

Further reading [edit]

  • Judith Freeman (October 19, 2019). "Will Hand Romney fulfill a Mormon 'prophecy' and save the Constitution?". Los Angeles Times (op-ed).
  • Lee Hale (Oct 22, 2019). "Latter-day: White Horse Prophecy, Romney And The Constitution Hanging By A Thread" (interview with historian Benjamin Due east. Park – sound with transcript). KUER.
  • Kyle Mantyla (January 17, 2020). "Perry Stone: Mitt Romney Might Support Impeachment to Fulfill 'The White Horse Prophecy'". Correct Fly Lookout man.

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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Horse_Prophecy