A critic of the prophetic character of D&C 87, writing in 1927, argued that:
It is claimed by Mormons that this prophecy was made December 25, 1832; but there is no substantial evidence of its existence at the time. The General Assembly of the Mormon church in 1835 had no knowledge of it, and does not mention it. (Bates Morris, Joe Smith's Prophecy on the Rebellion Examined and Found Wanting [Chicago: Bates Morris, 1927], 4, Church History Library, M231.73 M875j)
While D&C 87 (the so-called “Civil War Prophecy”) was known pre-1835
is well-established, which is perhaps why modern critics do not repeat this ‘argument.’
For example, the following are definitely pre-1835 copies of D&C 87:
Copy
of the prophecy in Revelation Book 1 (ca. March 1831-July 1835)
Copy
of the prophecy in Revelation Book 2 (copied in the handwriting of
Frederick G. Williams sometime between January 22 to February 27, 1833)
Revelation,
25 December 1832, Unidentified Scribe Copy [D&C 87] (copied "Not
before 4 Jan. 1833")
There is also the following which is dated between mid-January 1833 and
May 27, 1840
Revelation,
25 December 1832, Edward Partridge Copy [D&C 87]
Further Reading:
Resources
on Joseph Smith’s Prophecies
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