In a discourse delivered to the Nauvoo Relief Society on April 28, 1842, Joseph Smith was recorded by Eliza R. Snow as teaching that
females, if they are pure and
innocent can come into the presence of God; for what is more pleasing to God
than innocence; you must be innocent or you cannot come up before God. If ye
<we> would come before God let us be pure ourselves. The devil has great
power— he will so transform things as to make one gape at those who are doing
the will of God— You need not be tearing men for their deeds, but let the
weight of innocence be felt; which is more mighty than a millstone hung about
the neck. Not war, not jangle, not contradiction, but meekness, love, purity,
these are the things that should magnify us.— Achan must be brought to light—iniquity
must be purged out— then the vail will be rent and the blessings of
heaven will flow down — they will roll down like the Missisippi river. This
Society shall have power to command Queens in their midst— I now deliver it
as a prophecy that before ten years shall roll round, the queens of the
earth shall come and pay their respects to this Society— they shall come with
their millions and shall contribute of their abundance for the relief of the
poor— If you will be pure, nothing can hinder.
After this instruction, you will
be responsible for your own sins. It is an honor to save yourself
yourselves— all are responsible to save themselves.
Often one finds this prophecy but rarely is it presented in its
context and it being presented as being contingent upon the free-will actions
of the members of the Relief Society. For example:
28 Apr. At a Relief Society
meeting Smith says, "I now deliver it as a prophecy that before ten years
shall roll round, the queens of the earth shall come and pay their respects to
this Society—they shall come with their millions and shall contribute of their
abundance for the relief of the poor." He also warns: "Do not indulge
too much in the gift of tongues, or the devil will take advantage of the
innocent." Then he tells the women that "the keys of the kingdom are
about to be given to them that they may be able to detect everything false, as
well as to the Elders….I now turn the key to you in the name of God." (D.
Michael Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power [Salt Lake City:
Signature Books, 1994], 634)
As with many biblical prophecies, including those without any
contingencies mentioned (e.g. Mic 3:12; cf. Jer 26:18-19]), this prophecy did
not take place due to the failure of the Relief Society (as a whole) not
remaining “pure” enough for Queens to pay homage to them.
FAIR,
in their discussion of allegedly false prophecies of Joseph Smith, offers
the following as evidence that perhaps this was fulfilled:
One might ask, "What would it
otherwise have taken to fulfill the prophecy? Was the Queen of England supposed
to come to Nauvoo?" One could argue that the prophecy was in fact
fulfilled. The queens in their midst were anointed as part of the endowment,
revealed by Joseph at Nauvoo, and some had their election made sure before
leaving for Utah. Joseph's speech to the Relief Society could be a
foreshadowing of the temple ordinances they would later receive and that would
qualify and prepare them to receive such.
Further Reading:
Resources
on Joseph Smith’s Prophecies
