In his journal for June 30, 1843, Joseph Smith made the following prophecy concerning Governor Thomas Ford:
“I prophecy in the name of the Lord God that Governor [Thomas] ford by granting the writ—again[s]t me. has damned hims elf politically and eternally and his carcase will. stink on the face of the earth and be <as the careon is that to> food for the carrion crow & Turkey buzzard— (as
This can be understood as a fulfilled prophecy:
As Ford's
gubernatorial term ended in early 1847, his criticisms of the now-outmoded
Illinois Constitution led to a constitutional convention later in the year,
which drafted a new state constitution which took effect in 1848. Among the new
constitution's improvements was reducing the Illinois Supreme Court down to
three justices while ending circuit duties. Other provisions empowered future
governors over state affairs. However, Ford would not participate in the
constitutional convention because he left office nearly bankrupt. Both he and
his wife had contracted illnesses of which they would die in 1850. . . .
Ford initially moved back to the Hambaugh farm after his gubernatorial term
ended, but soon moved to Peoria, Illinois. There, he wrote his magnum opus of
early Illinois history, as well as attempted to care for his wife (who died
of stomach cancer on October 12, 1850; aged 38) and young children, as well
as his own tuberculosis. He died on November 3, 1850, about six weeks after
joining the local Methodist Church. (Thomas Ford
(politician), wikipedia, April 29, 2023)
Further Reading:
Andrew H. Hedges, "Thomas Ford and Joseph Smith, 1842-1844," Journal of Mormon History 42, no. 4 (October 2016): 97-124
Resources on Joseph Smith's Prophecies
