The following are two prophecies
from William A. Draves that he received from “The Messenger” (John the Baptist)
concerning (1) World War 2 and (2) social-cultural events of the late-1980s
(e.g., communism). I am reproducing them here as I hope to interact with
various prophecies like these in the near future and compare/contrast them
(e.g., their accuracy; prophetic horizon, etc) with D&C 87 and other
prophecies one finds on the revelations and other writings and sermons of
Joseph Smith:
[1] William A. Draves, Message 45, September 8, 1939, in The Word of the Lord Brought to Mankind by an Angel (Independence, Missouri: The Church of Christ with the Elijah Message The Assured Way of the Lord, Inc., 2020), 79-84 (note: Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939; England declared war on Germany on September 3):
1 On September 8th, 1939, the
Messenger of the Lord, John the Baptist, appeared in my room at 2:15 a.m. He
sat on my bed and awoke me. The room was lighter than day. I sat up in bed. He
said he had come to give instructions and to make known things soon to take
place and now in action.
2 For a short time we conversed as
two men on many subjects and he gave me some personal advice. One thing he said
was, famine and conditions would come that would cause many to go hungry. Let
the Church and the people know that they must supply themselves with foods and
place in store that they might not suffer in the day to come.
3 He bade me come with him and he
would show me the scene of disaster. He held out his hand. I took hold of it. I
seemed to forget all around me except to know we were floating eastward in
midair.
4 We traveled, it seemed, for
about half an hour, perhaps longer. We came to where there were large hills or
mountainous country. Here we sat down on a large flat rock on the top of a high
mountain. I could very plainly see the territories of various European nations;
their mountains, rivers, lakes, and plains. Large fields of growing grain were
clearly visible. They were farmsteads surrounded by neatly arranged gardens,
shrubbery and orchards. I could see cities and hamlets far and near. Most of
them presented a well kept and modern appearance, with paved and well lighted
streets. In the great cities were numerous large buildings of beautiful
architectural design.
5 To the northeast, I could see
Russia, to the east, Asia. To the southeast Palestine showed up plainly with
its green fields, and factories in a prosperous condition. To the south was
Italy and the Mediterranean Sea. It took me some time to view these many lands.
My attention was attracted almost at once by the great noise and sound of
battle. To the north and east were horrible scenes enacted.
6 I saw Germany fighting brutally
on Polish soil to take a spoil. I saw the smaller nations struggle, most of
them to lose, but from the distance came armies with many different colors,
some with red coats and some with blue, and fell upon the enemies, and great
was the slaughter thereof. I saw France press over upon German soil. I saw
Russia press southward and great was the spoil thereof. I saw that many nations
became involved in the war. I saw cities in great confusion, dark with the
blackness of wailing and mourning.
7 Armies of men were in battle
array. A great battle was going on. The noise of cannonading and bursting of
shells was terrific, like thunder in the heavens. There were clouds of black
smoke rising, rolling high in the sky. Men could be seen firing automatic
rifles and there were many great machines of war. There were two scenes of
battle. The one farthest to the northeast was the most terrible and the fighting
most brutal. A river divided the opposing armies on the greater part of the
battlefront in the nearer scene.
8 As we sat there looking to the
north and east I saw the most horrible scenes and woeful catastrophes of all
sorts. I saw a man that stood himself high in the midst of a hardened and
driven people. Their faces looked cold, some dark with fear and horror. They
faced him on all sides. They feared him. They trembled at his word.
9 The Messenger said, “See what
the might of man has done. The ruin of many nations.”
10 The scene was so terrible it
would sicken anyone to look upon it. I saw that this man had caused war and it
became worse and worse. Many changes seemed to take place. The thousands of
people I saw seemed worried; all eyes and minds were focused on the disaster to
come. The attention of the world was being turned toward the man of war. The
war evil lurked in every nation around the man who stood himself high.
11 I saw great armies come out in
mighty battle firing at the enemies in gray. Thousands upon thousands met death
yet the conflict became worse. Nations from afar rose up to press the man of
war and great ships ploughed the seas laden with supplies bringing deadly woe
to millions. Women and children crying, screaming in fear, ran in every
direction. The scene became terrible, a horrible disaster; the shameful result
of man’s selfishness through the hardness of heart of one man. He called a few
men around him and gave them counsel and sent them out to counsel many, only to
make the picture more black with the horrible smoke of war.
12 Ambassadors came from far,
crying peace, but no peace was considered. Many nations plead for peace but
those involved gave no thought of peace. There continued to be bloodshed in the
streets and on the fields of war.
13 The Messenger said, “See what
the sin of man has done. Broken homes, ruined nations, and many souls taken to
the beyonds, not knowing the will of God nor what the end will be. This shall
leave an impression upon many people bringing lasting desire to see justice
wrought and it shall linger on in the hearts of men to find their God.”
14 Great Britain and France were
together and had long tried to keep peace, but there was no peace, as all plans
for peace were ignored. Fighting continued.
15 I looked to the east and in the
sky, in the shape of a rainbow, appeared these words, “THE END OF SEVEN YEARS.”
16 As we turned to look toward the
south, the scene was terrible. As the man that sat upon the throne in the well
lighted city of Italy saw the greatness of the war, he sent out messages
purporting to make peace, but to no avail. Then he started war. This war
involved all nations . Then was the time when nations became divided and would
not obey the counsel coming from the man in Italy. The smoke became blacker and
blacker as it rose higher and higher in the sky as the thundering artillery
continued its firing. It seemed the earth did quake and tremble because of the
terrible battle that had been raging for some time. The smell of the deadly powders
and dead bodies was awful. The scene was sickening to the world. People as far
off as we could see staggered from the tales of woe and horror that reached
their ears . Blood and water flowed from the battlefields until the streams and
rivers became colored with the filth and blood. The fish in the streams died
and washed in large heaps along the edges and on small sandbars, only to fill
the air with greater stench. Norway and Sweden took little part at first. I saw
the American flag among others that came to the great battle. I looked and saw
America all in turmoil and distress, with fighting and bloodshed among
themselves. For a time it was horrible but I saw it change and I knew it would
not last long with such terrible distress. I thought that many were fighting to
keep from entering the war abroad and across the sea.
17 I saw that many of the
home-loving German people had turned against the Nazi government which in their
hearts they had never endorsed.
18 While we saw no more of the man
who stood himself high, other great men of evil caused the war to continue. The
cause seemingly came from Rome.
19 Millions and millions of homes
were broken, torn, with fatherless children crying at their mothers’ sides,
many with neither father nor mother, starving and in rags.
20 I saw many kneeling in prayer
and thousands uttering prayer to God as they struggled on their forced way. I
looked in the distance and only a few were left at peace with their fellow men.
21 Again I saw America, this time
in a better condition. Great peace was ruling and commerce was at kindly terms
within her borders.
22 From the broken fragments of
torn homes, near and far, rose up those that looked to the United States of
America and made haste to flee to be within her peaceful borders.
23 A voice rang out that filled
the heavens, “Where is he that rules?” Then as the world did quake and tremble,
many of those left alive turned their faces toward America.
24 “We must have peace,” declared
many nations. An army with shiny metal helmets and belongings came from the
north and west and pressed in the battle to bring a change in the scene. The
conflict lessened, the sky cleared of its smoke, and revealed the most horrible
heart-rending scene that eyes could ever behold. Many thought the struggle was
over.
25 As we looked to the east again
I saw those words in the sky in the shape of a bow across the heavens, “THE END
OF SEVEN YEARS.” This time as I looked the letters were red as blood, seeming
almost to drip drops of blood.
26 I became very sad and sick with
grieving for the people. I wept. The Messenger said, “Those that fear the Lord
and do His will, shall have eternal life with Him.” He was still holding my
hand and he said, “Blessed are the feet of them that seek to establish peace.
Many shall come, looking for peace. Let the kingdom and Church of Christ be
adorned in her righteous garments.”
27 Shortly the great war began to
rage again, this time more cruelly and brutally than before.
28 A great army came from the
north and east passing through what was German soil, going toward France. They
met no resistance until they came to the Rhine River. Here they paused; great
fortifications were before them and strong armies ready to give battle. After
some firing on each side, they swerved and went south toward Italy. This region
became the center of the great conflict.
29 We were carried to the field of
battle and amidst the thunder of war and the cries of the people, I looked upon
the saddest scene that could ever befall the human race. As I saw the men fall
by the thousands and death came to the millions, the destruction did not
lessen.
30 Then we came near the seashore
on the west of France. Here I was lifted so I could see far out over the great
deep waters that divided America from that land. Great ships ploughed the deep
and many met disaster on the way. Being fired upon by the enemy, they began to
unload their cargoes and the people fell into the water and thousands met
death. Some clung to pieces of wreckage upon the water and rescue ships came in
view to help, but again disaster came to them who came to help and their woe
was doubled. Many ships burned. The crying was heart-rending, ringing out in
space, only to add to the noise and thunder of the cause of death in war.
31 Italy was overrun and devastated.
Strong were the invading armies. The defenders were weakened by long bloody
battles. Siege was laid on the great city of Rome. She resisted mightily.
Suddenly she gave way. She was taken and burned and great was the burning
thereof.
32 The Messenger said, “And the
sea shall give up her dead, hell and the grave shall give up their dead, and on
that morn of the resurrection of the Lord’s, there shall be no more scenes like
this.”
33 We were carried again to the
place on the top of the high mountain. I saw that Germany was no more. She had
become divided, part of her going to America and part joining with the armies
of the man at Rome. Great Britain was also broken up never again to be united
as an empire. Many sad hearts of the broken fragments joined with the people on
American soil, becoming one nation in purpose, peaceful and full of justice,
equality, and love. They were of all colors and kinds but all acted alike. Many
of the Scandinavians came to the United States of America. Everyone called America
“The Standard Nation” because she had a righteous standard.
34 Then we looked to the east over
Palestine and the Messenger said, “The Lord shall set His feet on the mount and
a nation shall be born in a day. The Jews shall learn of their Lord.” At this I
saw them a peaceful people and wealthy in goods and homes . Their fields were
green and many factories were busy, with smoke ascending and the noise of
industry ringing out.
35 From the north and west of
Palestine came a large army and after they came on the scene, armies from the
north and east came with haste to take a spoil. Then many eyes were turned to
Jerusalem and a cry rang out, “Let us go to battle to Jerusalem for they have
the wealth of the world.” They camped near and the Jews came out to protect
their rights. The battle was on, the scenes became so horrible that I grew very
sick in body and faint from grief as we sat there and looked upon the things
taking place in that awful battle.
36 The lands in the north, east,
and south had been spoiled by the wars and all the fields that once were
beautiful were now a rugged waste. What a shame! What a pity! All the result of
sin.
37 The Messenger said, “Look,” and
I turned with him to look to the west and saw America, seemingly raised up, so
I could see the whole continent lifted out of the great waters. I saw people
gathered to worship the Lord. I saw peaceful fields, quiet homes, happy faces
and smiling mothers. The men were solemn and kind to each other as they worked
building the waste places and planning government. Discipline was in effect
everywhere. Justice, equality, and righteousness was the desire of every heart.
I saw that one had risen up, a noted man in righteousness, and had turned
ungodliness away from the people of the Lord and sin was no more among them.
38 The Messenger said, “The work
of a seer has been done. He has come from the election of the Lord.”
39 I saw the Temple in the
distance and we floated gently toward it. As we neared, I read these words over
the door, “THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD.”
40 I saw that millions had met
death and few remained when the indignation had passed over. Only one sixth of
the men were left.
41 I seemed well acquainted with
the Messenger and did not fear him. I listened to every word he spoke. He said,
“By the elect shall the cause be done.” I knew he meant the preparing of a
nation in righteousness.
42 We stopped at the door of the
Temple and it seemed I was lifted so I could see in every direction and many
saints were marching toward the Temple, while hosts were coming from the
seashores. Their eyes were focused on the Temple and the cloud that rested upon
it. I looked until the people approached the Temple grounds then the Messenger
took me home. I was tired, worn and weary.
43 The vision closed and I was
still sitting up in bed. The Messenger said, “Be at peace, be comforted, let
the Church continue on, that the standard might be raised. I will come again as
the Lord will direct.” He left at 5:05 a.m.
44 To all those who read these
lines, I want to say that they do not, nor can they portray half of the
horrible and bitter scenes as they really were. Such scenes of sadness,
suffering and disaster should quiet the step of any Godfearing soul. Woe upon
woe, weeping, suffering and death was the essence of the situation. May God
protect us.
[2] William A. Draves, Message 86:14-20, July 31, 1968, in The Word of the Lord Brought to Mankind by an Angel (Independence, Missouri: The Church of Christ with the Elijah Message The Assured Way of the Lord, Inc., 2020), 165
14
A peaceful solution and condition for the colored people will be underway by
1980.
15
The great powers, not of God’s will, will find their failing and end. This will
consummate in 1989.
16
Merchants will weep and howl because their future of craft making and
merchandising to get gain will be wounded and broken.
17
There will be a better way and some will join in the peace for peace to be set
up.
18
Warring powers will continue to conspire and a day of decision will come when
Armageddon will begin in the nineties (90’s) and when it ends—few men left in
battle alive. But God will appear to the delivering of the righteous and as
Christ places His feet on earth—there shall be a great trembling; terrible and
dreadful for the wicked, but great relief and deliverance for the righteous.
Then the saints of God shall know the days of trouble are over.
19
The binding of satan will be as a reign of peace shape into place.
20
Unless the servants of the Lord arise and be no more oppressed—arise to their
place and calling; cease their error of negligence and hindrances turn away
from, their choice and work will come to nothingness. The Lord will call others
to work and carry this work onward.
Further Reading:
Resources on Joseph Smith's Prophecies
