Wednesday, July 6, 2022

April 6, 1874 Letter to the Salt Lake Daily Tribune: D&C 87 was Produced by Joseph Smith in Response to the Secession Crisis of 1832

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