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Appendix C:
SAMPLES
OF PROPHECIES OF JOSEPH SMITH THAT HAVE BEEN FULFILLED
1.
"Hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers" (D&C
2:2).
This statement of Moroni was
first uttered to the Prophet Joseph Smith on September 22,1823. It is not only
being fulfilled by the genealogical activities of members of the LDS Church, but
by the fact that since April of 1836, when the keys of this work were returned
to earth under the hands of the prophet Elijah as prophesied (Malachi 4:5-6),
completely independent of any LDS church action a widespread interest in
genealogical research has developed. Genealogical societies have been organized
for the first time: for example, 1836 in England, 1844 in New England, and 1869
in New York. Today a new Roofs spirit is sweeping the land and many are becoming
interested in genealogy. The genealogical archives in Salt Lake City are now the
largest in the
world.
2.
Prediction of Three Witnesses to the Book of
Mormon
And in addition to your
testimony, the testimony of three of my servants, whom I shall call and ordain,
unto whom I will show these things, and they shall go forth with my words that
are given through you. Yea, they shall know of a surety that these things are
true, for from heaven will I declare it unto them. I will give them power that
they may behold and view these things as they are (D&C 5:11-13). The fact
that Joseph Smith was bold enough to predict the manner and nature of the
testimony of three witnesses before the event happened is
significant.
3.
Early hint of Joseph Smith's possible
murder
"And that you be firm in
keeping the commandments wherewith I have commanded you; and if you do this,
behold I grant unto you eternal life, even if you should be slain" (D&C
5:22). Some have argued that those predictions Joseph made a few days before his
death are not spectacular, because conditions had become so bad that it was
inevi- table that his enemies would kill him. This early hint, then, in March
1829, is significant. When Joseph voluntarily returned in June of 1844 to almost
predictable death, this revelation given fifteen years earlier was
fulfilled.
4.
Joseph reads Oliver's mind
Verily,
verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your know
concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind
concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God? And now,
behold, you have received a witness; for if I have told you things which no man
knoweth have you not received a witness? (D&C 6:22-24)
This
was a revelation received for Oliver shortly after he came to Harmony,
Pennsylvania, to become Joseph's scribe. It is remarkable that Joseph would dare
claim to know that Oliver, whom he had never met before, had already prayed and
received a spiritual witness from the Lord. Evidence that this was a true
statement is the fact that he became a follower of the
Prophet.
5.
Great
miracles
to
be
shown
And
it shall come to pass that there shall be a great work in the land, even among
the Gentiles. . . for I am God, and mine arm is not shortened, and I will show
miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name. And. . .
they shall cast out devils; they shall heal the sick; they shall cause the blind
to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak, and the
lame to walk. And the time speedily cometh that great things are to be shown
forth unto the children of men (D&C 35:7-10).
There
are publications that relate such events having happened in LDS history. In each
fast and testimony meeting of the LDS Church in meetings around the world, it is
not uncommon to hear firsthand accounts of such happenings. At a BYU assembly
Elder Matthew Cowley gave a talk entitled "Miracles," which gives examples of
modern-day wonders including raising the dead. This tape is available at the BYU
Audio Visual
Department.
6.
Jesus
to
suddenly
come
to
His
temple
"I
am Jesus Christ, the Son of God; wherefore, gird up your loins and I will
suddenly come to my temple. Even so. Amen" (D&C 36:8). This revelation given
in December of 1830 was literally fulfilled when the Savior appeared in the
Church's first temple a few days after its dedication, on April 3, 1836 (D&C
110).
7.
Destruction
on
the
Missouri
and
Mississippi
rivers
Nevertheless,
I suffered it that ye might bear record; behold, there are many dangers upon the
waters, and more especially hereafter; for I, the Lord, have decreed in mine
anger many destructions upon the waters; yea, and especially upon these waters
(D&C 61:4-5).
Much
has been written about the great destruction on the Missouri and Mississippi
rivers, and some of this material may be found in the September 1903 issue of
the
Improvement
Era
and in the writings of B. H. Roberts,
Comprehensive
History
of
the
Church
(Salt Lake City, Deseret News Press), Vol. I, p.
278.
8.
Rocky
Mountain
Prophecy
"Zion
shall flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be
assembled together unto the place which I have appointed" (D&C 49:25). It is
sometimes stated by critics that Joseph Smith's Rocky Mountain Prophecy was not
significant because trouble in Nauvoo would make it inevitable that the Mormons
could not stay there much longer. Nevertheless that prophecy
(HC
5:85) was specific and far- reaching on
those points. In any case the above revelation, given a year after the Church
was organized and over fifteen years prior to its fulfillment, is significant.
And it was February 1844 that Joseph stated that within five years the Church
would be out of the power of its old enemies
(HC
6:225).
9.
End
of
Kirtland
era
"I
will not that my servant Fredrick G. Williams should sell his farm, for I, the
Lord, will to retain a strong hold in the land of Kirtland, for the space of
five years" (D&C 64:21).
This
revelation was given September II, 1831. By 1837 loyal members of the Church had
to flee from Kirtland with the Prophet
(HC
3:1).
10.
Greatness
of
work
predicted
"Wherefore,
be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.
And out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C
64:33).
To make such a bold
prediction shortly after the Church was organized certainly took courage. The
Church's having grown so rapidly, already exerting significant results, is a
literal beginning to the fulfillment of this
assertion.
11.
Enemies
will
not
prosper
"Verily,
thus saith the Lord unto you—there is no weapon that is formed against you
shall prosper; and if any man lift his voice against you he shall be confounded
in mine own due time" (D&C 71:9-10). These words of the Lord were revealed
in December 1831. I cannot think of persons or groups who have turned against
the LDS Church that one could consider to be
prospering.
12.
A
challenge
to
duplicate
a
commandment
Now,
seek
ye
out of the Book of Commandments, even the least that is among them, and appoint
him that is the most wise among you; or, if there be any among you that shall
make one like unto it, then ye are justified in saying that ye do not know that
they are true; but if ye cannot make one like unto it, ye are under condemnation
if ye do not bear record that they are true (D&C 67:6-7).
The
occasion was that of a special conference which was considering the publication
of the first collection of Joseph Smith's revelations. Apparently some of the
discussion was critical of the language in some of the revelations. Joseph then
received and gave out the foregoing revelation. He was certainly taking a risk
if it wasn't a revelation. Under normal circumstances a learned man ought to be
able to write a few words and claim it to be a revelation. One of the men,
William M'Lellin, who was considered the wisest in the room, took up the
challenge and tried to write a "revelation." But M'Lellin failed
(HC
1:226).
13.
Civil
war
and
other
wars
Verily,
thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass,
beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in
the death and misery of many souls. And the time will come that war will be
poured out upon all nations, beginning at this place. For behold, the Southern
States shall be divided against the Northern States . . . and then war shall be
poured out upon all nations (D&C 87:1-3).
This
is perhaps the most famous of Joseph Smith's prophecies and therefore the one
most often attacked. The date given is December 25, 1832, and critics point out
that it was a common belief that war might begin any day and in South Carolina,
so Joseph was merely up on current events; he did not have to be a prophet to
say this. Although they were not as explicit as Section 87, it is interesting to
note that earlier Joseph had made similar predictions in 1831 (see D&C 38:29
and 45:63).
Also,
Joseph Smith again reaffirmed that this was a revelation from God on Sunday,
April 2, 1843, after the tense situation in South Carolina had cooled down and
the threat of civil war had temporarily subsided
(HC
5:324).
Another
criticism is that Section 87 did not appear in the Doctrine and Covenants until
after the Civil War. So naturally deception has been charged. However, these
critics are answered by the fact that the revelation did appear in print in 1851
in the Pearl of Great Price, which was published in England.
14.
"Slaves shall rise up against their masters" (D&C
87:4)
This verse requires special
comment since it is usually considered in connection with the Civil War. Critics
correctly point to the fact that few if any slaves rose up against their
masters. Since this phrase does not appear in context with the Civil War, but
follows the phrase "and then war shall be poured out upon all nations" (vs. 3)
it seems to have reference to our present day. The rise of anti-colonialism
throughout the world and rebellions in communist countries such as East Berlin
in 1951, Hungary in 1956, and Poland in the 1980s may well be at least a
beginning of the fulfillment of this
verse.
15.
Purpose of Word of Wisdom
In
February, 1833, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation that said in
part: "In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts
of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by
giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation" (D&C 89:4). The fact that
many millions of dollars are spent annually in deceptive advertising to induce
people to use harmful substances, even to counteract scientific and government
findings against them, amply fulfills this portion of the
revelation.
16.
"Strong drinks land] . . . tobacco [are] not for the body" (D&C
89:7-8)
The prophet Joseph was way
ahead of science on this point. The abundance of evidence presented by reputable
medical organizations, the Surgeon General of the United States, and governments
of other countries fulfills this
revelation.
17.
United States Constitution inspired of
God
The Constitution of the United
States was established under the influence of God (D&C 98:6, 101:80).
When
these revelations were given it was not expected to see the United States
achieve the power, prestige and leadership that it has enjoyed. This first
example of the separation of church and state in modern history has certainly
led to the greatest political accomplishments ever known by man. The
Constitution has survived wars and Watergates, while other governments are
frequently falling.
18.
A
prediction
of
the
gathering
"After
this vision dosed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses, appeared
before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the
four parts of the earth" (D&C 110:11).
That
this is literally being fulfilled cannot be disputed. The whole LDS movement is
one of gathering people in preparation for Christ's second
coming.
19.
The
twelve
apostles
to
start
on
missions
from
Far
West
"And
next spring let them depart to go over the great waters, and there promulgate my
gospel, the fullness thereof, and bear record of my name. Let them take leave of
my saints in the city of Far West, on the twenty-sixth day of April next . . . "
(D&C 118:4-5).
"This
is one prophecy of old 'Joe Smith's' that will not be fulfilled," : bragged
those who had driven the Mormons from the state of Missouri. In order to obey
the Lord's commandment the apostles returned to Missouri on the prescribed date.
Some might think this was an unfair way to fulfill a prophecy. But the fact that
the apostles were j willing to risk their lives to do so is significant
(HC
3:336). '
20.
Everything
consists
of
matter
'
"There
is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter" (D&C i 131:7;
see also HC
5:393). At the time of the revelation this
was a new
\
idea, but is in line with modern scientific thought on the permanence I of
matter.
'
21.
Motion
of
all
stars
'
At
the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith it was considered by science i that there
were certain fixed stars in the universe. Yet according to the • Prophet's
translation:
And
the Lord said unto me: Now, Abraham, these two facts exist, behold thine eyes
see it; it is given unto thee to know the times of reckoning, and
]
the set time, yea, the set time of the earth upon which thou standest, and the
set time of the greater light which is set to rule the day, and the set ! time
of the lesser light which is set to rule the night. ... And where these ; two
facts exist, there shall be another fact above them, that is, there shall I be
another planet whose reckoning of time shall be longer still; and thus - there
shall be the reckoning of the time of one planet above another until i thou come
nigh unto Kolob, which Kolob is after the reckoning of the j Lord's time (Abr.
3:6-9).
It
appears from these verses that every planet moves in some manner, with perhaps
the exception of Kolob, near the place where God dwells (Abr. 3:3). That the
whole universe and all we know of what lies beyond is in motion is today
maintained by almost all
scien-tists.
22.
Joseph predicts a widespread reputation
He
called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the
presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me
to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations,
kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among
all people (Joseph Smith — History 1:33).
Certainly
this is being literally fulfilled. In the Library of Congress in Washington,
D.C., there are 2,650 volumes on George Washington. In the Church offices in
Salt Lake City there are thousands of books or pamphlets that have been
published for or against Joseph Smith. Even the publication of
The
God
Makers
helps fulfill this
prophecy.
23.
Book
of
Mormon
to
go
to
the
Indians
(Moroni 10:1-7) Even though this
prophecy is in the Book of Mormon, it came to us through Joseph Smith and is an
interesting prediction when one considers how most Americans of his day
considered the Indians as some kind of a sub-species that could be hunted and
shot for sport. Significant numbers of these Lamanite people have accepted the
Book of Mormon, as
predicted.
24.
Joseph recognizes Newel Whitney and reads his
mind
When Joseph first went to
Kirtland, about February 1, 1831, he went to the store of Newel Whitney and
addressed him by name. Newel was surprised, and could not understand how Joseph
who had never met him could possibly recognize him. Joseph then told him he had
seen Newel and his wife in a dream, when they had been praying that the Prophet
would come to Kirtland
(HC
1:146). Certainly Newel Whitney would not
have become a loyal supporter if this had not been
true.
25. Joseph
predicts Newel Whitney's faithfulness
Blessed
of the Lord is Brother Whitney, even the Bishop of the Church of Latter-day
Saints, for the Bishopric shall never be taken away from him while he liveth.
And the time cometh that he shall, overcome all the narrow-mindedness of his
heart, and all his covetous desires that so easily beset him. . . . Therefore he
shall be preserved unto the utmost and his life shall be precious in the sight
of the Lord (HC
2:288).
Newel
Whitney died a faithful member of the Church in Salt Lake City in
1850.
26.
Prediction
of
Sidney
Rigdon's
character
Brother
Sidney is a man whom I love, but he is not capable of that pure and steadfast
love for those who are his benefactors that should characterize a President of
the Church of Jesus Christ. This, with some other little things, such as
selfishness and independence of mind, which too often manifested destroy the
confidence of those who would lay down their lives for him—these are his
faults
(HC
1:443).
Sidney's later apostasy and
the fact that he did not become President of the Church even though he tried
very hard are
significant.
27.
Brigham
Young
to
preside
over
the
Church
The
fact that when Joseph first met Brigham Young he made a prediction that Brigham
Young would one day preside over the Church is interesting. This was in
September, 1832 (B. H. Roberts,
Comprehensive
History
of
the
Church
1:289, footnote). Before Joseph's death, Brigham was only one of two of the
original apostles still alive who had not turned against the Prophet at least
temporarily. The other apostle was Heber C.
Kimball.
28.
Joseph
says
one
of
the
elders
will
preach
in
Jackson
County,
Missouri,
before
end
of
1838
When
the Prophet made this prediction a few months previously, it did not seem likely
to be fulfilled, because the Latter-day Saints had been expelled from Jackson
County years before. But now Joseph Smith and others had been arrested at Far
West, and while the prisoners were being transported to Independence, a group
gathered around the Prophet and asked him questions, and he was able to preach
to them
(HC
3:201).
29.
Zion's
Camp
scourge
The
Prophet Joseph predicted that a scourge would come upon the camp in consequence
of "the unruly spirits that appeared among them'"
(HC
2:80). Sixty-eight men were stricken with cholera and fourteen died. On July I
Joseph said if the remainder would covenant to keep the commandments the plague
would be lifted. It was
(Historical
Record,
p. 582)
30.
Joseph predicts escape from Missouri jails
When
the leaders of the Church were imprisoned in Missouri, General John dark of the
state militia had announced, "As for your lead- ers, . . . do not imagine for a
moment . . . that you will see their faces again, for their fate is fixed, their
die is cast, their doom is sealed" (Andrew Jenson,
Joseph
Smith
as
a
Prophet,
Salt Lake City: Deseret News, p. 8).
As we arose
and commenced our march on the morning of the third of November, Joseph spoke to
me and the other prisoners in a low, but cheerful and confidential tone. Said
he: "Be of good cheer, brethren, the word of the Lord came to me last night that
our lives should be given us . . . not one of our lives should be taken
(Autobiography
of
Parley
P.
Pratt, p. 192).
On
April II, 1839, the Prophet made the following comment: "During this night the
visions of the future were opened to my understanding, when I saw the ways and
means and near approach of my escape from imprisonment"
(HC
3:316). None of the LDS leaders who were arrested lost their lives at this
time.
31.
Destruction
in
Jackson
County
foretold
On
one occasion when the Missouri General Alexander Doniphan (who had refused to
carry out the order to have Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, and other Church leaders
shot at Far West) spoke with the LDS prophet, Joseph counseled him against the
purchase of lands in Jackson County because that area would receive much
destruction (B. H. Roberts,
Comprehensive
History
of
the
Church,
1:538). It is a known fact that Missouri suffered extensively during the Civil
War (Muzzey,
History
of
the
United
States,
p.
137).
32.
Stephen
A.
Douglas
prophecy
Judge, you
will aspire to the presidency of the United States; and if ever you turn your
hand against me or the Latter-day Saints, you will feel the weight of the hand
of Almighty upon you; and you will live to see and know that I have testified
the truth to you; for the conversation of this day will stick to you through
life (HC 5:394).
In
his election campaign Douglas did speak against the Church. It is interesting to
note that Abraham Lincoln received 180 electoral votes and Douglas only twelve
in the election of 1860. It was considered one of the biggest political upsets
in United States history. The two states that supported Douglas were New Jersey
and Missouri. Less than one year after that political contest, Stephen A.
Douglas, yet in the prime of manhood, died a broken-hearted man at home at age
forty-eight.
33.
Joseph
says
he
will
not
go
to
Missouri
On
one occasion when Joseph had been arrested by officers from Missouri and was
awaiting trial in Illinois, he made a statement that he "would not go to
Missouri dead or alive"
(HC
5:216). Shortly afterwards he was
released.
34.
Dedication
of
Palestine
for
the
return
of
the
Jews
As
instructed by Joseph Smith, the dedicatory prayer of Orson Hyde was given on
October 24, 1841, on the Mount of Olives
(HC
4:456). On December II, 1917, General Allenby of the British Army marched his
military forces into Jerusalem and wrested control of the land from the Turks.
And then England announced it would foster the return of the Jews to Palestine
(Berrett,
The
Restored
Church,
p. 210). A movement of Jews to Palestine has gone on continually. In 1948 the
United Nations officially created the State of Israel, which today is one of the
most powerful countries in the Near
East.
35.
An
adulterous
person
detected
When
I [Joseph Smith] was preaching in Philadelphia, a Quaker called out for a sign.
I told him to be still. After the sermon, he again asked for a sign. I told the
congregation the man was an adulterer; that a wicked and adulterous generation
seeketh after a sign; and that the Lord had said to me in a revelation, that any
man who wanted a sign was an adulterous person. "It is true," cried one, "for I
caught him in the very act," which the man afterwards confessed, when he was
baptized (HC 5:268).
36.
Joseph
senses
Bennett
is
plotting
to
have
him
killed
I
was solicited by General [John C. ] Bennett to take command of the first cohort
during the sham battle; this I declined. General Bennett next requested me to
take my station in the rear of the cavalry, without my staff, during the
engagement; but this was counteracted by Captain A. P. Rockwood, commander of my
life guards, who kept close to my side, and I chose my own position. And if
General Bennett's true feelings toward me are not made manifest to the world in
a very short time, then it may be possible that the gentle breathings of that
Spirit, which whispered to me on parade, that there was mischief concealed in
that sham battle, were false; a short time will determine the point. Let John C.
Bennett answer at the day of judgment, "Why did you request me to command one of
the cohorts, and also to take my position without my staff, during the sham
battle, on the 7th of May, 1842, where my life might have been forfeit, and no
man have known who did the deed?"
(HC
5:4)
Bennett's
later actions proved Joseph Smith's promptings by the Spirit were
correct.
37.
Rockwell
to
get
away
honorably
from
Missouri
When
someone shot Governor Boggs in Missouri, Joseph was suspected of having had
something to do with the attempted assassination. Since Joseph was known to have
been in Illinois at the time, Porter Rockwell, Joseph's bodyguard, was accused.
When Rockwell, returning from the East to Nauvoo, got off a steamer at St.
Louis, Missouri, he was recognized and arrested. At this time Joseph said:
"I
prophesied, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that Orrin Porter Rockwell
would get away honorably from the Missourians"
(HC
5:305). Rockwell was released after months in prison and returned to Nauvoo on
Christmas Day in 1843 (HC
6:134).
38.
Prediction
of
stakes
in
Boston
and
New
York
"In
the great cities, as Boston, New York, etc., there shall be stakes" (HC 6:319).
The New York Stake was organized December 9,1934, and the Boston Stake May 20,
1962.
39.
The
Prophet
predicts
his
death
The
following entry on Saturday, June 22, 1844, is the last item from the direct
narrative of the Prophet. The remainder of the
History
of
the
Church
is taken from other journals.
"I
told Stephen Markham that if I and Hyrum were ever taken again we should be
massacred, or I was not a prophet of God"
(HC
6:546).
40.
Willard
Richards
to
escape
Dr.
Richards' escape was miraculous; he being a very large man, and in the midst of
a shower of balls, yet he stood unscathed, with the exception of a ball which
grazed the tip end of the lower part of his left ear. His escape fulfilled
literally a prophecy which Joseph made over a year previously, that the time
would come that the balls would fly around him like hail, and he should see his
friends fall on the right and on the left, but that there should not be a hole
in his garment
(HC
6:619).
When
the mob attacked on June 27, 1844, Willard Richards was the only one of the four
brethren in Carthage Jail not killed or
wounded.
41. Dan
Jones would go on a mission to
Wales
This prophecy was given the
last night before the Prophet's death:
Soon
after Dr. Richards retired to the bed .. . and when all were apparently fast
asleep, Joseph whispered to Dan Jones, "are you afraid to die?" Dan said, "Has
that time come, think you? Engaged in such a cause I do not think that death
would have many terrors." Joseph replied, "You will yet see Wales, and fulfill
the mission appointed you before you die"
(HC
6:601).
Before
his death, Dan Jones fulfilled two missions to Wales, being the instrument in
converting nearly a thousand people to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints.
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