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− | ==Criticism== | + | =={{Criticism label}}== |
*The "White Horse" prophecy predicts the "transformation of the U.S. government into a Mormon-ruled theocracy." | *The "White Horse" prophecy predicts the "transformation of the U.S. government into a Mormon-ruled theocracy." | ||
*The "White Horse" prophecy "continues to be a dominant element of the faith espoused by Joseph Smith's followers" because they believe that they will be "officers and administrators" during Christ's millennial reign. | *The "White Horse" prophecy "continues to be a dominant element of the faith espoused by Joseph Smith's followers" because they believe that they will be "officers and administrators" during Christ's millennial reign. | ||
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*"Mormons thereafter will reign with Christ, and every American citizen, along with the rest of the world, will be forced to recognize Mormonism as the one true religion." | *"Mormons thereafter will reign with Christ, and every American citizen, along with the rest of the world, will be forced to recognize Mormonism as the one true religion." | ||
− | === | + | ==={{Criticism source label English}}=== |
*{{CriticalWork:Abanes:One Nation|pages=xvii-xxi}} | *{{CriticalWork:Abanes:One Nation|pages=xvii-xxi}} | ||
− | ==Response== | + | =={{Response label}}== |
{{Epigraph|The so-called 'White Horse Prophecy' is based on accounts that have not been substantiated by historical research and is not embraced as Church doctrine.<br>- Kim Farrah, representative from Church Public Affairs{{ref|farrah.1}}}} | {{Epigraph|The so-called 'White Horse Prophecy' is based on accounts that have not been substantiated by historical research and is not embraced as Church doctrine.<br>- Kim Farrah, representative from Church Public Affairs{{ref|farrah.1}}}} | ||
As will be seen in the following sections there is absolutely no supportable reason for anyone to honestly make, and surely not to believe, the claims listed above. This so-called "prophecy" has been repeatedly disavowed by the authorities of the Church and it is not a common topic of discussion among the members today. | As will be seen in the following sections there is absolutely no supportable reason for anyone to honestly make, and surely not to believe, the claims listed above. This so-called "prophecy" has been repeatedly disavowed by the authorities of the Church and it is not a common topic of discussion among the members today. | ||
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It is clear that the text of the White Horse Prophecy as reported by Theodore Turley and Edwin Rushton and recorded in the diary of John J. Roberts is not accepted as verified, binding prophecy by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has never been accepted and it has been soundly denounced. The acceptability of the document should not be an issue with any commentator. ''No authority of the Church has ever spoken in support of this document—not once!'' This really is not an issue that can responsibly come up in any discussion regarding the Church of Jesus Christ. | It is clear that the text of the White Horse Prophecy as reported by Theodore Turley and Edwin Rushton and recorded in the diary of John J. Roberts is not accepted as verified, binding prophecy by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has never been accepted and it has been soundly denounced. The acceptability of the document should not be an issue with any commentator. ''No authority of the Church has ever spoken in support of this document—not once!'' This really is not an issue that can responsibly come up in any discussion regarding the Church of Jesus Christ. | ||
− | ==Conclusion== | + | =={{Conclusion label}}== |
Unfortunately, the only accounts of the alleged prophecy were provided second-hand years after the Prophet's death, and cannot be corroborated with other contemporary sources. However, based upon the information that is extant, one can see that the prediction is that Latter-day Saints would ''support and uphold'' the government, not ''take over'' the government. It is absolutely clear that this is not a prophecy that is considered in any way true or binding on the membership of the Church. Those who would try to hold the Church to their interpretation of this so-called prophecy do so improperly and without any verifiable reason to do so. | Unfortunately, the only accounts of the alleged prophecy were provided second-hand years after the Prophet's death, and cannot be corroborated with other contemporary sources. However, based upon the information that is extant, one can see that the prediction is that Latter-day Saints would ''support and uphold'' the government, not ''take over'' the government. It is absolutely clear that this is not a prophecy that is considered in any way true or binding on the membership of the Church. Those who would try to hold the Church to their interpretation of this so-called prophecy do so improperly and without any verifiable reason to do so. | ||
{{SeeAlso|Church involvement in politics/White Horse prophecy|l1=White Horse prophecy and Church involvement in politics}} | {{SeeAlso|Church involvement in politics/White Horse prophecy|l1=White Horse prophecy and Church involvement in politics}} | ||
− | ==Endnotes== | + | =={{Endnotes label}}== |
#{{note|farrah.1}} Kim Farrah, spokeswoman for LDS public affairs, cited in "[http://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/articles/2009/12/26/news/42.txt LDS Church issues statement on Rex Rammell]," ''Rexburg Standard Journal'' (17h21, 24 December 2009). | #{{note|farrah.1}} Kim Farrah, spokeswoman for LDS public affairs, cited in "[http://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/articles/2009/12/26/news/42.txt LDS Church issues statement on Rex Rammell]," ''Rexburg Standard Journal'' (17h21, 24 December 2009). | ||
#{{note|cobabe1}}George Cobabe, [http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/whitehorse.pdf The White Horse Prophecy], FAIR article. | #{{note|cobabe1}}George Cobabe, [http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/whitehorse.pdf The White Horse Prophecy], FAIR article. | ||
#{{note|mormondoctrine.835}} {{MD1|start=835}} | #{{note|mormondoctrine.835}} {{MD1|start=835}} | ||
− | ==Further reading== | + | =={{Further reading label}}== |
− | ===FAIR wiki articles=== | + | ==={{FAIR wiki articles label}}=== |
{{ProphecyWiki}} | {{ProphecyWiki}} | ||
− | ===FAIR web site=== | + | ==={{FAIR web site label}}=== |
− | ===External links=== | + | ==={{External links label}}=== |
*{{note|cobabe1}}George Cobabe, [http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/whitehorse.pdf The White Horse Prophecy] {{NB}} | *{{note|cobabe1}}George Cobabe, [http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/whitehorse.pdf The White Horse Prophecy] {{NB}} | ||
*[http://www.lifeongoldplates.com/2008/08/newell-g-bringhurst-white-horse.html Newell G. Bringhurst: The White Horse Prophecy], Blog entry, ''Life on Gold Plates''(Aug. 8, 2008) | *[http://www.lifeongoldplates.com/2008/08/newell-g-bringhurst-white-horse.html Newell G. Bringhurst: The White Horse Prophecy], Blog entry, ''Life on Gold Plates''(Aug. 8, 2008) | ||
− | ===Printed material=== | + | ==={{Printed material label}}=== |
Matthew B. Brown, ''Prophecies: Signs of the Times, Second Coming, Millennium'' (American Fork, UT: Covenant, 2006). | Matthew B. Brown, ''Prophecies: Signs of the Times, Second Coming, Millennium'' (American Fork, UT: Covenant, 2006). | ||
==
==
The so-called 'White Horse Prophecy' is based on accounts that have not been substantiated by historical research and is not embraced as Church doctrine.
- Kim Farrah, representative from Church Public Affairs[1]
As will be seen in the following sections there is absolutely no supportable reason for anyone to honestly make, and surely not to believe, the claims listed above. This so-called "prophecy" has been repeatedly disavowed by the authorities of the Church and it is not a common topic of discussion among the members today.
Joseph Smith is alleged to have uttered a prophecy in 1843 alluding to the four horses in the Book of Revelation. This was recorded by two Church members, Edwin Rushton and Theodore Turley approximately ten years after Joseph's death. There is no contemporary account that was recorded during the Prophet's lifetime. According to the Book of Revelation:
The following is an excerpt of the journal of Elder John J. Roberts:
Occasionally heard among Church members are references to the Constitution "hanging by a thread' during the last days. This concept of the Constitution "hanging by a thread" has been improperly, and sometimes uniquely, associated with the White Horse prophecy. The implication is that the Constitution will be close to destruction and that the "White Horse" and the "Red Horse" will step in to save it. This is often misinterpreted to mean that a man on a white horse will step in to save the Constitution. [2] This was the reference that was often applied to Mitt Romney by his detractors during his run for the U.S. Presidency in 2008.
So what references have Church leaders made to the Constitution "hanging by a thread?"
Brigham Young and Orson Hyde both clearly state that the Constitution will be in grave danger of being destroyed. If the constitution is to be preserved it will be because the "Elders" of the Church will step forward and provide the support that will help to preserve the Constitution. The Elders of the Church will always be in support of the constitution, and will not ever be in a position to replace or supplant the constitutional principles in that document. Note that this belief has nothing to do with the so-called "White Horse" prophecy, but in fact preceded the date claimed for that prophecy.
The concern for the Constitution of the United States of America is a real and valid concern of the authorities and membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because it was included as part of the White Horse does not give the White Horse any sort of credibility. It is an entirely separate concern.
The White Horse Prophecy has been used extensively by critics to imply that Latter-day Saints have a "secret agenda" to take over the United States government. These accusations have been made for years, particularly when a Latter-day Saint runs for president.
Some of the accusations have even bordered on the ridiculous. Consider this bit of absurdity from William Schnoebelen:
Authorities of the Church have denounced portions of the account. In General Conference in October 1918 Joseph Fielding Smith made the following comments:
The White Horse Prophecy, in any of its variant forms, has never been submitted, or even considered, for such a process that would be required to make it canon or binding on the Church membership. It simply has not occurred!
Joseph Fielding Smith's father and President of the Church, Joseph F. Smith, followed immediately after his speech and said:
Elder Bruce R McConkie also comments on the “prophecy” in his book Mormon Doctrine:
Note that the substance of the condemnation is that some thoughts or sentences from one source or another may have been put together to form this so-called revelation. The memory of the men involved may not have been sufficient to remember all that occurred in the short conversation they reportedly had with the Prophet. It is likely that they had parts from here and parts from there that formed the basis of their memory of the event. Note also that it is the descriptions of the various horses and what they represent that are condemned as false. In addition, the details of the last days are also declared false. It is clear that the text of the White Horse Prophecy as reported by Theodore Turley and Edwin Rushton and recorded in the diary of John J. Roberts is not accepted as verified, binding prophecy by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has never been accepted and it has been soundly denounced. The acceptability of the document should not be an issue with any commentator. No authority of the Church has ever spoken in support of this document—not once! This really is not an issue that can responsibly come up in any discussion regarding the Church of Jesus Christ.
==== Unfortunately, the only accounts of the alleged prophecy were provided second-hand years after the Prophet's death, and cannot be corroborated with other contemporary sources. However, based upon the information that is extant, one can see that the prediction is that Latter-day Saints would support and uphold the government, not take over the government. It is absolutely clear that this is not a prophecy that is considered in any way true or binding on the membership of the Church. Those who would try to hold the Church to their interpretation of this so-called prophecy do so improperly and without any verifiable reason to do so.
== Notes ==
Matthew B. Brown, Prophecies: Signs of the Times, Second Coming, Millennium (American Fork, UT: Covenant, 2006).
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