. . . a prophet looking down the stream
of time, sees with spiritual eyes the panorama of future history. Such
prophecies are general, in that they do not specify times, localize places,
though they occasionally name individuals. This is the most common entrance of
prophecy into the future. It began with Adam who “stood up in the midst of the
congregation; and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of
the Holy Ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest
generation.” (D&C 107:56). The prophecy of Enoch, the Patriarch, is an
excellent illustration of this type of prophecy. In answer to his request Enoch
was shown the future of mankind, “generation upon generation,” down to the
coming of Christ, and beyond to the last days. No time or place limits are set.
We may only recognize the periods by the events as they occur. (Moses 7:20-67.)
Likewise, the Prophet Joseph Smith was given visions of the Last days and the
events that will characterize them, but fixed time or places were seldom given.
(D&C 5:19; 29:14, 16, 18, 19, 20; 34:9; 43:22, 26, 33; 45:31, 40-42; 49:25;
63:34; 84:118; 88:87, 89, 90, 91, 97; 112:25.)
The full recognition of the
fulfillment of such prophecies comes as times proceeds and the precited events
appear, unless the interpretation is given earlier by divine revelation.
Sometimes foretold events actually occur without being recognized, by mankind.
As an illustration, when Moroni first appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith, he “quoted
part of the third chapter of Malachi; and he quoted also the fourth or last
chapter of the same prophecy,” and announced that the events there set forth
were about to be consummated.” (John A. Widtsoe, "To
What Extent May Prophecy Be Interpreted?" The Improvement Era
43, no. 12 [December 1940]: 737)