In a letter dated April 6, 1874, a critic, writing under the name “Old Timer,” charged Joseph Smith with producing D&C 87 in light of the 1832 secession crisis, a criticism that many continue to forward again Smith’s prophetic abilities:
In
the fall of 1832, a State Convention held in South Carolina, declared certain
acts of Congress imposing import duties on foreign goods unconstitutional, and
therefore null and void. It was furthermore declared that if Congress should
attempt to enforce such acts by the collection of duties upon foreign goods
imported into the sea-coast cities of South Carolina, that the State would
immediately pass an ordinance of secession, withdraw from the Union, and set up
an independent form of government. . . . a bright idea struck him. Here was a
splendid show to build up a cheap reputation as a Prophet. ("The Prophet Joe
Smith," The Salt Lake Daily Tribune 5, no. 141 [April 8, 1874]:
2)
Further Reading on D&C 87:
Resources
on Joseph Smith’s Prophecies