Rebellion of the Southern States
It is my opinion that the insight of Joseph Smith as evidenced in the revolutionary contributions he made to the modern theological world pale into significance such predictions as the prophecy of the rebellion.
The prophecy of the rebellion was published in the Pearl of Great Price in Liverpool, England, in 1851, nine years before the commencement of the Civil War given in 1832, it clearly and accurately described the events of the Civil War.
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 . . . for behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States.—History of the Church, Volume 1, page 262.
Other such prophetic predictions are on record also. But they do not compare favorably with those which reveal the mind of God and His will for man’s spiritual enlightenment. (Roy Weldon, “Restoration Witnesses: Part 14—Further Evidences from the Doctrine and Covenants that Joseph Smith was a True Prophet,” in Restoration Witnesses, 49)
Not found in the Doctrine and Covenants
is another of our restoration prophet’s warnings which has come to fulfillment
as recorded by history itself.
The context, as printed here, was copied
from the Pearl of Great Price, published at Liverpool, England, in 1851.
“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. The days will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning
at that place; for behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the
Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation
of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations,
in order to defend themselves against other nations; and thus war shall be poured
out upon all nations.
“And it shall come to pass, after many
days, slaves shall rise up against their masters, who shall be marshalled and disciplined
for war.
“And it shall come to pass also, that
the remnants who are left in the land will marshal themselves and shall become exceedingly
angry, and shall vex the Gentiles by bloodshed, the inhabitants of the earth
shall mourn . . .” (Norma Anne Holik, Prophecy and Today [Independence,
Miss.: Price Publishing Company, 1978], 25-26)
Further Reading:
Resources on Joseph Smith's Prophecies