Saturday, January 6, 2024

Charles W. Penrose on the Death of Maximilian I of Mexico and the Fulfillment of 2 Nephi 10:11-13

  

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The downfall of the extended Mexican Empire was predicted from its first inauguration. Not from any great political foresight which they professed to enjoy, but in consequence of the word of the Lord contained in the Book of Mormon, page 77—"And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon this land who shall raise up unto the Gentiles; and I will fortify this land against all other nations, and he that fighteth against Zion shall perish, saith God; for he that raiseth up a king against me shall perish." This book the Saints know to be true, and to contain the word of the Lord delivered through the Prophets among the ancient inhabitants of Ameria; therefore, they looked for the fulfilment of this prediction, having already seen the fulfilment of many other prophecies contained in that sacred record.

 

The history of Louis Napoleon’s Mexican scheme adds another testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon. In 1864, Maximilian enters the city of Mexico proud and triumphant, his beautiful wife rejoicing at the realization of her own ambitious dreams; Napoleon III. from his Imperial throne looks with supreme satisfaction upon the rising kingdom which is to swell in his greatness. In 1867 Maximilian lies in a bloody grave on a foreign shore; his wife is a raging maniac at Miramar, and the awful news of Archduke's fate, comes light a blight upon Louis Napoleon in the hour of his pride, when surrounded by monarchs and princes in the midst of the great pageant which he had set up to attract and dazzle the world. The grand festivities he had arranged in honor of the Sultan had to set aside, and he and his court went into mourning. The lustre of his star was dimmed at its culmination, by the dark cloud of his great mistake.

 

As to the political complications which will grow out of this Mexican problem, like the results of all other things, they are in the hands of all other things, they are in the hands of the Lord, and we do not presume to lift the veil which he has drawn over them; but in watching the progress of events upon the continent of Europe, and the waning glory of the powers that be, we shall not forget the prediction we have quoted from the Book of Mormon. Charles W. Penrose, "The Fate of Maximilian," The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 29, no. 29 [July 20, 1867]: 455)

 

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