The
Mormons were already cognizant of the 1832 “Revelation and Prophecy” of Joseph
Smith, which was used to show the mystic powers of Joseph as a “Seer and
Revelator.” “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,” began Smith’s
prophecy. While South Carolina was the first state to secede and was a
leader in secession, it should be remembered that at the time of Smith’s
prognostication, South Carolina was deeply involved in the “nullification
crisis” which generated threats of civil war. South Carolina was already marked
for radical action when Smith put forth his revelation. [25] Smith
continued: “the days will come that war will be poured out upon all nations,
beginning at that place; for behold, the Southern States will call on other
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.” Smith
was correct about the division of states, that was already fairly easy to be
seen. But there were never any major slave uprisings in the 1860-61 secession
crisis. [26] Smith continued to forecast that the remnants left after this
war would gather themselves together and there would be more bloodshed. After
this, people would turn to the Saints; the day of the Lord would come for the
Mormons. [27] Like all prophecies it was broad enough to be accurate in some
details, and general enough to cover quite a spread of events.
[25]
Joseph Smith, “A Revelation and Prophecy: By the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator,”
given December 25, 1832, in Pearl of Great Price (Liverpool: n.p.,
1851).
[26]
Ibid.
[27]
Ibid.
Everette B. Long, The Saints
and the Union: Utah Territory During the Civil War (Champaign, Ill.:
University of Illinois Press, 1981), 25-26
Further Reading:
