Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
"These are sobering times ... you won’t survive spiritually unless you know how to receive revelation ... I don’t know
whether you know how to receive revelation, but you won’t survivor without it." (Boyd K. Packer: BYU Hawaii
Commencement Address – December 17, 2005.)
“And I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall
dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” (Joel 2:28)
“Therefore, if ye will ask me you shall receive… put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good --- yea, to do
justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously, this is my Spirit. Verily… I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall
enlighten your mind… And then shall ye know, or by this shall ye know, all things whatsoever you desire of me
which are pertaining unto the things of righteousness… deny not the spirit of revelation nor the spirit of prophecy, for
woe unto him that denieth these things.”
(D&C 11:5, 11-25)
Acknowledgements
So many people need to be thanked for production of this book it’s hard to know where
to begin. But I must begin with my supportive and righteous husband, who has ever been
an encouragement and support. Next, the Lord, who inspired me and supported me with
his spirit, and sustained me with answers daily. Next, family and friends, teachers and
helpers, prophets of old, and latter-day prophets, artists who put their work on-line and
made it available to all to enjoy; and all who took the time to record their dreams and
visions and were courageous enough to share them with others. Thank you, thank you,
thank you, thank you. And to those who read this book from cover to cover, just
because…. Thank You. We love you, and pray your life will be good. God Bless You.
The
Prophet
Enoch
Note: Photos used in this document are there for visual interest, and are not necessarily what
was
seen by those who received the visions of The End
Note: Although the writings and teachings of many LDS authors have been included in
this book, responsibility for the organization of the content is the author’s. Views that
have been expressed are personal to the person who had the vision, and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the author; of all LDS members, or even of current Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saint Leaders. As one Bishop told me years ago, Sister Larson, you
have a very unique perspective about things. Therefore, as you read, it is hoped that you
will ask the Lord for spiritual confirmation and further light and knowledge about what
you read, that you might gain your own testimony of these things. If I have written
something here that offends you, I apologize, as it was certainly not my intent; my sole
intent is to present this information for the further spiritual growth and preparation of
close family and friends, to whom the book will be given, and for whom it was written.
God Bless you all in your pursuit to this end.
Self published by C.R. Larson, P.O. Box 3564, Chinle, AZ 86503 for extremely limited
circulation among my family and friends, August 2010. All Rights Are Reserved. The
book may be copied to share with friends or family for non-commercial use only. The
author retains all rights of publication for commercial use.
Table of Contents
The Prophet Joseph foresaw the upcoming struggles of the early saints – as they left Missouri, were cast
of other places, slowly making their way across the plains to the Rocky Mountains; and he saw them
became a very large group of people; prosperous and rich, just as we are today. Of his visions and
spiritual manifestations, he stated: “It is my meditation all the day… to know how I shall make the saints
of God to comprehend the visions that roll like an overflowing surge, before my mind.” Joseph Smith
was a man of dreams and visions; a direct relative of our ancient forefather, Joseph of Egypt; who was
also a visionary man who exhibited extreme faith in the things shown to him by the Lord.
As a young man, Joseph of Egypt endured chastisement from family members for his dreams; and later
endured being cast out of his family for sharing the dream of the sun, moon, and stars, which bowed
before him. When it later was fulfilled, with great humility he made peace with his brethren, establishing
forever the legacy of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh as the ruling and proper governing tribes of
Israel. His blood - that of Ephraim and Manasseh, now resides in many faithful latter-day saints. Is it any
wonder, then, that we also experience dreams and visions? That we pray for them, and faithfully seek
answers through them?
Church History documents that many events which helped the LDS Church to be what it is today were of
a visionary nature. Consider the testimony of one of the three witness of the Book of Mormon, for
instance: After having a strong visionary experience, seeing the plates he cried out:
"Tis enough, tis enough; mine eyes have beheld; mine eyes have beheld;" (Ibid, p. 55). Later, he
stated: "I never saw the gold plates, only in a visionary or entranced state. ...In about three days
I went into the woods to pray that I might see the plates. While praying I passed into a state of
entrancement, and in that state I saw the angel and the plates.1"
Brigham Young related that Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith walked right into the Hill Cumorah with
the gold plates of the Book of Mormon and put them back on a table. In this huge cave were piles of gold
plates and a sword with writing on it2. This experience was also of a deeply visionary nature, and was
called having “the gift of second sight," or "seeing with the eyes of understanding”.
Oliver Cowdery saw the gold plates in a vision before becoming Joseph's scribe3 and Martin Harris told
Joseph Smith, "Joseph, I know all about it. The Lord has showed me ten times more about it than you
know", even before he had his experience as one of the three witnesses 4. From the histories of the
founding fathers of the Church, it is clear they were men of vision and dreams.
1
Anthony Metcalf, Ten Years Before the Mast, n.d., microfilm copy, p. 70-71.
2
Journal of Discourses, Vol. 19, p. 38.
3
Dean C. Jessee, The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, p. 8.
4
Interview with Martin Harris in Tiffany's Monthly, 1859, p. 166.
Nephi, who was of the tribe of Manasseh, experienced many dreams and visions. In the Book of
Mormon, he lets us know of his visions and dreams from the very beginning of the record (he was still a
young man then). He stated that he ‘had a great knowledge of the goodness and mysteries of God5’; and
that his father was a man of dreams and visions; and that he was like his father6. As soon as Nephi prayed
to know of his father’s visions, the Lord sent him one that was more explanatory in nature, which made
him believe all the words of this father. His brothers did not seek understanding through the spirit and
therefore, they had hard hearts, and unbelieving minds, and eventually they strongly rebelled7. Jacob, his
younger brother, knew the Lord from his youth.
Many of the ancient prophets and kings of the Bible were also very young men when they had their first
encounters with the Lord. King David was a young shepherd boy; Samuel the Prophet was only a lad;
Joshua was but a young man when the Lord began showing him things; Jacob sought his wife among his
father’s people because of a vision, and later fought in combat with an angel as a young married man;
Jeremiah was told as a very young man that he would ever marry, as he was to serve the Lord as his
prophet all of his days; and that he would die young (which he did). Mary, the Lord’s mother, was just 14
when the Lord came to her and blessed her with child; and her child, the Lord and Savior was visited of
his Father from inception; and we know there were many others.
An understanding of these historical documents helps us understand that a person does not need to hold
the Priesthood; be a leader in the Church; the head of a family; or someone of importance before they are
entitled to have communication with our Lord. It lets us know that everyone, young and old, are entitled
and encouraged to develop a very personal relationship with their Lord and their Heavenly Father.
Today, we live in an age when humble followers of Christ, who receive visions, and courageously tell
others of their dreams and visions are often made fun of, and the visions discounted as being false; a time
when there is a fear of people who have dreams and visions (a psycho-phobic age). This is the state of
being ‘hard-hearted, close-minded, prideful, and haughty’, as Moroni had described of our age. When a
person is hard-hearted it means he has closed off his feelings against things of the spirit – has become an
apostate-in-action when it comes to listening and obeying the promptings of the Lord, and then goes
about his daily life doing only the things that his own thoughts, thoughts that his ‘own will’ tells him to
do; believing that his vain imaginations and thoughts were given him by spirit of God, but it simply isn’t
true or right.
We have entered the age of the ‘Modern man’, who is an atheist, who believes that mankind it
progressing steadily towards becoming an ‘Omega Man’, and that he needs freedom to explore and do all
things he warrants necessary, and that he can do so without the influence and direction of the holy spirit,
without the ‘restrictive’ rules of religion, nor does a ‘modern man’ have need of God or conversely belief
in the Dark One. These teachings are now prevalent in many non-LDS schools, colleges and institutions;
and thus are prevalent in our society. The idea of A One World Government is based upon these same
atheist beliefs; with only one leader at the head of a corrupt/atheist society, he will quickly become the
prophesied Anti-Christ. While they plan to form a one-world religion which supposedly encompasses all
religions, true worship and belief, as directed by the spirit, will be against the law.
Early pioneers came to America to obtain religious freedom from the same oppressive church that was
killing people for hundreds of years for not worshiping according to their acceptable practices
(inquisition). The same church that oppressed our forefathers has now positioned itself to sit comfortably
5
1 Nephi 1:1
6
1 Nephi 1:16; 1 Nephi 3:8
7
1 Nephi 2:16-17; 1 Nephi 1-22
at the head of the new World Order: the One World Church. Therefore, I believe we should
systematically fight against the rise of both a New World Order; and a One-World Church. How can we
best do this? By becoming aware of the prophesies, preparing in the manner the prophets have given us
advice to do so; and then drawing closer to the Lord; eliminating as much as possible; worldly things
from our lives.
The Lord has made it clear. He has asked us to ‘come unto Him’, and ‘turn our lives over to him’, and
‘let His will be done’. Have we done these things? Can we possible do them if we continually ignore our
own spiritual promptings? No, for we must learn one thing at a time; by obeying one prompting at a time:
‘line upon line, and precept upon precept’, for it is the way the Lord as made us to be. As we seek to do
this, at first, it will not be easy to discern between the promptings we receive. For we can receive them
from three sources, The Dark One (which causes us to be uptight, fearful, dark, angry, hurtful, intent to do
harm, murder, death, abortion, divorce, unhappiness); from Ourselves (vain imaginations that lead to long
hard days of work, and pain, much overwork and anxiety; always seeking for money, wealth, prestige,
good looks, always trying to have and be more than we are); or from the Lord (which fills us with a sense
of happiness, joy, excitement, peace, calm, love, helpfulness, warmth, friendliness, settled, thankful,
prayerful, and kindness).
As Latter-day saints it seems clear to me also that we must not discount the things we are shown by the
Lord in our dreams and visions, for they are valuable sources of information, showing us the truth of
things; foretelling events; and helping us make better choices. They can tell us important things about
ourselves and our family members. It is the right and privilege of every faithful LDS saint to receive
spiritual information about his life, and the lives of his loved ones. I believe it is also the duty and
privilege of each faithful Latter-day Saint to seek information through dreams and visions about
upcoming events in our lives; and have sought this spirit to help me understand the words of the prophets.
I also believe that when a person is close to the spirit, the Lord can give them a visual representation
about things that are written. Have you ever been reading something in the scriptures, and suddenly, you
are drawn into it – as if your mind and spirit were whisked very suddenly into the middle of the scene
written about? Well I have many times, and so has my husband. Specifically, it has been when we
studied the Book of Mormon and Isaiah.
Visions of the End is about things written in the scriptures by prophets; things we have seen in visions,
things that were seen by others. These visions and dreams are of a very sacred nature, and should be
treated with respect. Those who have shared them with us are anxious that we should know their
contents, but state they are very sacred. I gathered as many as I could, and added those I felt to share; but
I leave the contents of each up to your personal discretion - the truth of each of them can only be known
through the spirit.
Many ancient prophets wrote about what will happen in the End-times; just before the Lord appears for
the second time. The problem is that multiple interpretations are possible from some of their writings,
making the future seem about as clear as mud. Nephi, Book of Mormon Prophet promised “the words of
Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless, they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of
prophecy.8” Daniel H. Ludlow stated: “The only definite way the future can be illuminated is through the
spirit of prophecy, and this gift of the Holy Spirit should always be evident in the true church9.”
Therefore, to understand the writings of Isaiah and other prophets, we must pray for the spirit of
8
2nd Nephi 25:4
9
“The Future of the Holy Land”, Daniel H. Ludlow, Ensign, May 1972, 96.
prophecy. Isaiah’s writings are full of many events, themes, and lessons; but which ones, specifically
prophecy about the last days?
Much can be learned by studying the writings of latter-day scholars: Hugh Nibley, and Avraham Gileadi,
and several others. Both Nibley and Gileadi wrote much about ‘the learning of the Jews’, and how to
interpret the passages in Isaiah. I used many of their directives and keys when deciphering Isaiah - a few
of which I will share here.
Jewish prophets understood that all Hebrew prophecies were written to have a lesser and greater
fulfillment, therefore, when reading a prophecy, we must not say – ‘Oh, that happened when…’ and
dismiss the statement as though it doesn’t apply to us or have a future fulfillment. Rather, when reading a
prophecy, let us seek to discover the lesser fulfillment (which most likely, has happened) and then
identify portions of the prophecy that has yet to happen (the greater, more complete fulfillment) in our
time. Also, they understood that when Isaiah was writing, he used events in Israel’s past and near future
to prophecy about the latter-days; and he described latter-day events using ancient terminology. Thus, one
must consider various aspects of the event or subject he is discussing to discover their latter-day
counterpart.
Everything that he used has a likeness in the latter-days, for instance, the city Jerusalem, capital city of
Israel and Judah, headquarters of Zion, and the resting place of The House of the Lord, has a likeness in
the latter-day Zion, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. He also used composite ideas to form a
complete idea – for instance the Latter-day Prophet when the Lord Returns (a powerful End-Time
Prophet) will have characteristics of all prophets represented in Isaiah, including Isaiah, and the Lord
himself. A last-days Arch-tyrant is represented in composites of wicked, conquering Assyrian, Persian,
Babylon, and Egyptian Kings (the Assyrian); and their countries are also part of a composite latter-day
evil empire (Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, Persia).
Isaiah also used words to represent people; for instance Isaiah is the Mouth of the Lord; and the Lord
himself is the Word; the Light; the Salvation, Redeemer, Savior, Creator, Father, Prince of Peace etc. The
power End-times Prophet is represented as The Lord’s Hand or Arm, and also called the Rod, Staff,
Scepter, Etc. The Lord’s army is called The Sword of the Lord, or The Lord’s Hosts, but the Arch-
Tyrant’s and his army are also called the Rod, Staff of the Lord’s Anger, Axe, Razor, River, Arm, Hand,
etc.
Hugh Nibley explained that Isaiah’s writings are much like bullets of information, with meaning packed
into every word, and therefore, must be expanded to gain full understanding. For instance, when Isaiah
refers to the light that will break forth suddenly upon Zion, it is the Lord’s light (and presence) will
appear suddenly before the people of Zion, and when he calls Isaiah a light of the people, he is referring
to a prophet who shows them how to find the light of the Lord. When Isaiah wrote: ‘for the mouth of the
Lord has spoken it’, he means that as the Prophet of the Lord (he who has spoken for and on behalf of the
Lord), the Lord will honor every word, and not one word that is written will fall unfulfilled before the
world ends. When Isaiah writes about what he saw or about the vision, he is declaring that they were
visions/dreams sent to him by the Lord, and he as the receiver is one whose eyes are open, the Lord’s
chosen prophet/servant upon the earth.
Consider this passage, for instance: ‘Awake, and put on thy strength, O arm of the Lord, awaken, as in the
ancient day, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Art thou
not it which dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; that made the depths of the sea a way for the
ransomed to pass over?’ (Isaiah 51:9) This is a classic example of how Isaiah hid, inside of his writings,
references to a specific individual; in this case, the arm of the Lord being a specific right arm (powerful
servant) of the Lord. It was this same servant that formerly ‘cut Rahab, wounded the dragon, dried up the
seas, and made a path in sea for the ransomed of Israel to pass over’ (at the direction of the Lord, and
using the Lord’s power). Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord is calling a powerful End-Time Servant,
one who sat at His right arm (a former archangel), to arise; take on strength; and deliver all of Jacob/Israel
once again. Who will come, and what will He do when he comes?
Another thing Isaiah did was to use word-links to combine ideas. For instance, in one place, The Light of
the Lord will burn every thing up; and in another place, the Light of the Lord is in Heavenly Mount Zion,
where he lights up the temple – from this composite usage of the description, we get the idea that he is
quite capable of doing both: cleansing the earth, and at the same time - sitting on the throne in Mount
Zion. Isaiah’s writings alternate between benediction and malediction, and don’t seem to follow a smooth
flow, so I listed them in Outline Format and linked ideas that I feel fit well together.
We have seen some of the things that the powerful end-time servant will do; in dreams and visions, and
believe me, there are many clues given by the prophets about his mission. It is your privilege and duty to
familiarize yourself with the events that will happen just before the Lord appears – that ye may be
prepared. As you read these things, pray and ask the Lord if the vision that was received is of truth and
light. I firmly believe that if you are ready to receive the truth, the Lord will bear witness of the
truthfulness of these things to you. God bless you in your endeavor to find the truth. It is my fervent
hope this book helps you gain a stronger faith and trust in the Lord, Jesus Christ and the delivery that he
has prepared for righteous LDS saints. May God Bless You.
Chapter 1 – PROPHETIC VISIONS OF BIBLICAL PROPHETS
The Lord asks us to hear Him, at a time when the human race is
depleted spiritually; when mankind’s leaders tell their seers and
prophets to ‘see not, prophesy nothing correct, but speak only smooth
things, only speak peaceable things, and cause the Holy One of Israel
to cease from before us.10’ The people of Jacob/Israel fall under
condemnation because of this attitude (which is like unto unhealed
sores) because they despise his words, trust in oppression and
perverseness (iniquity), which will be unto them as a breach ready to
fall. (Isa. 1:5-6, 30:1, 9-13)
The people of Ephraim have become as drunkards, who will be trodden under feet, as a fading
flower (Isa. 28:1,4) Scornful men who reside in Jerusalem are told: Hear the word of the Lord,
ye men that rule this people which are in Jerusalem, hear the word of the Lord’, so it will be
during a time when they refuse to hear the word of God; having erred in vision, and gone out of
correct paths through wine consumption, and all are unclean: the priests, and prophets, and all
the people (28:7-14). The Lord has sent the Gospel to all the nations, and this call is to the
inhabitants of the whole world to hear and heed it (18:1-3). Then He asks us, whom will the
Lord teach, for the children of the Lord, must learn through precept built upon precept (28:16),
meaning that if the children haven’t learned the very basics and been weaned from the breasts
(28:9), He cannot teach them (nor will they be saved). From these words of Isaiah, we can
surmise that terrible things are about to happen to us, the human race. But what things,
specifically?
10
Paraphrased scriptural References: Isaiah 1-2, 18:1-3; 28:14; 30:1-9-13; 33:13:
Predictions that apply to the whole world; all that are living upon it at the time; the Lord is about to
completely empty the earth; scattering its inhabitants
Behold, the Lord will make the earth empty, a waste, turning it
upside down; and all the inhabitants thereof will be scattered
abroad. And the no one will be exempt – it will be the same with
all who are upon it [all people, priests; servants; masters; maids;
buyers; sellers; lenders; borrowers]. The land shall be utterly
emptied, and utterly spoiled; for the Lord hath spoken it! Isaiah
saw that the earth will mourn, languish [loose health, vigor;
becoming weak or feeble, exist in a miserable state; become dispirited, suffer neglect] and fade
away, the haughty people of the earth languish with it during this time. (24:1-4) [These
statements indicate a very thorough cleansing of the earth is necessary before the Lord will
return to reside here.]
The earth will be utterly broken down, cleanly dissolved, moved out of her place [in the heavens]
exceedingly; she shall reel to and fro like a drunkard; and be removed as a small building in an
earthquake; the transgression upon her shall be heavy; and she shall fall and not rise again
(24:19-20); and the sun, moon, and stars will not show their face (24:23). Isaiah lamented
because of the destruction, saying ‘the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously, very
treacherously’; indicating that the cause of this cleansing was because of rich dealers/merchants
of the earth which had performed wicked transactions and deeds (24:16). The light of the moon
will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as
the light of seven days (intensity); and in That Day the Lord will bind up the
breach of his people; and heal the stroke of their wound (30:26)
All who are upon the earth that flee, fearing the destruction will die
‘Fear, and the pit (hell), and the snare (Lucifer and his servants) are upon
thee, O inhabitants of the earth’, Isaiah said. And it will come to pass that
they who try to escape won’t be successful. They who flee from the noise
will fall into the pit; and he that comes up from the pit will be taken into the snare; for the
windows from heaven are open, and the foundations of the earth will shake. (24:17-18) And the
in That Day the Lord will punish the Host of the High Ones that are On High; and the Kings of
the earth, which are upon the earth during that time; and they will be gathered into the pit, and
will be shut up in prison; and after many days they shall be visited (by heavenly messenger).
(24:21-22)
The rich among them seek after riches, abandoning their needy and poor
Once their faithful city (Jerusalem, Ariel, City of David) was full of judgment, and righteousness
dwelt in it; now it has become as a harlot (seeking other Gods); and full of murderers. The
people, which once were pure as precious metal, or fine wine, and now are so corrupt they are
like dross, and of no use. The young men of the rich (princes – future leaders) are rebellious,
companions of thieves, everyone loving bribes, following after rewards; caring nothing for the
sick, poor, hungry, fatherless and widows among them (1:21-23).
If people help each other, and repent, they will be saved, if not they will be destroyed.
The Lord wants us to learn to do well; seek righteous judgment; relieve the oppressed; judge
correctly the condition of the fatherless; and plead for protection of the widows among them
(those who do this become part of the people of Zion). To the less wicked among them, He
states: Come, let us reason together; for even if your sins are red as crimson, I will make them as
white as snow – if you will be willing and obedient to my teachings, ye shall eat the good of the
land; but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured by the sword. (1:16-20)
Afterwards, the righteous among them will be able to rebuild their city
Afterwards, the Lord will restore unto them righteous judges, as they had at the first; counselors
that follow the Lord’s ways, as there was at the beginning (consider Melchizedek, King of Uru
Salem, King of Peace). And their new city will be called ‘The City of Righteousness, The
Faithful City’. (1:26)
The Lord’s House will be the hiding place during the earth’s burning
In the Last Days, the Lord will establish, in the top
of the mountains, the Mountain of the Lord’s house.
It will be exalted higher than all hills, and all
nations will flow unto it. (Many feel this refers to
the Lord’s Church and temples that have been
established world-wide today; and I agree that
earthly temples are a lesser fulfillment; but I see in
this prophecy the greater, more complete
fulfillment as being the established Heavenly City
of Zion (Enoch’s City) that floats above all the
highest mountains in the world, the place of the Lord’s physical residence - his house). And it is
to this place that all nations will flow; saying come – let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord,
the House of the God of Jacob; for there we will learn of His ways, and walk in His paths. And
they will go forth unto Zion (the gathering places of all the saints) where the Lord’s law shall go
forth; and from Jerusalem (rebuilt city) the word of the Lord shall go forth (2:1-3). See below
for more about the awesome power of Temple Covenants.
The Lord will cleanse the earth of all the earth, and destroy all weapons of war
The Lord will judge among all the nations; rebuke many people,
and they will repent or be destroyed. Those who remain will
destroy all their weapons of war, and turn them into agricultural
tools (2:4). Woes will fall upon all the wicked, for they will
receive the reward of their doings.
Therefore, the Lord will ‘smite with a scab the crown of the head’
and ‘discover their secret parts’; which may mean personal, forceful
inspections and forced subjection to the mark of the beast (which
will be put upon the foreheads of they who really don’t want it);
‘discovering their secret parts’ seem be refer to being subjected to
strip-searches; beatings; or molestations that are abusive and in-
humane. Using harlot analogy (women that have all types of jewelry on their bodies, and various
types of beautiful clothing to attract and beguile, as harlots do; indicate a people who are
obsessed about how their look; wealth; belongings), the Lord indicates that many LDS saints will
be serving many other masters: using their sex, looks, clothing, and jewelry
as harlots do to pursue beauty, wealth, or power; and that these actions cause
them to be punished; in a way that is directly opposite of what they hoped to
gain through their disobedience to the Lord’s commandments. Their bodies
will stink; their clothing will be turned into rags; and they will experience
burning instead of beauty; their men will fall by the sword - their mighty will
fall in the war; and Zion’s gates will laments and mourn; and the people,
being desolate will sit upon the ground. (3:16-26)
Many righteous women will remain, and need to take righteous husbands
After Zion’s people have been chastised (during which many of their men will die in the war)
then seven women will take hold of one righteous man; saying let us take care of our own
support, and raise our children; only let us be called by thy name – to take away our reproach.
After this the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, the fruit of the earth (children
born during the Millennium) will be excellent and comely. Then all they who are left in Zion,
even everyone written among the living will be called Holy; for the Lord will have washed away
the filth of all the daughters of Zion, and the blood of Jerusalem will be purged from among
them through the spirit of judgment and burning. (4:1-5)
The sinners in Zion will be afraid, saying who among us will dwell
with the devouring fire? The Lord tells us who: they who that
walk righteously; and speak uprightly; they who despise the gain
of oppression; that refuse to take bribes; that stops their ears from
hearing of blood; and shuts their eyes from seeing Evil. These are
they who will dwell on high; for their place of defense will be the
munitions of rocks; they will receive bread and water. These are
they whose eyes shall see the King in his beauty; and shall behold
the Land that is very far off. These shall not see a fierce people, whose speech is deeper than
thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou cannot understand (invaders that will
come upon the land?). For the righteous shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; and they will weep
(because of sickness, death, sorrow) no more; for the Lord will be very gracious unto them; when
they cry He will hear them, and answer them. And though they have tasted the bread of
adversity and the waters of affliction, yet their teachers (heavenly angels) will no longer be
hidden in a corner, but their eyes will behold them. And their ears will hear them, giving
directions saying; this is the way, walk ye in it (30:19-21).
These statements indicate that a strong protection/redemption has been prepared for the
righteous.
Some of the Saints will remain in their mortal state to repopulate the earth
And the saints shall receive the rain of their seed (thousands of children), and they shall sow the
ground with them (replant the human race upon the earth); and the bread of them shall increase
in the earth, and the crops thereof (food, necessary for survival) shall be healthy, plenteous, and
strong; and in that day their domesticated animals also will feed in large and beautiful pastures
(30:23-24). During the time of ‘the great slaughter’ the righteous will be safe upon ‘every high
mountain’ and upon ‘every high hill’ (may indicated heavenly cities), and there they will receive
pure water (spiritual food, as well as physical) (30:25).
The Lord will be exalted (elevated in rank, or status) in Judgment, and sanctified (made holy;
made spiritually productive) in Righteousness; then the Lambs will feed quietly after their
manner (protected by the Lord) (5:17). The Lord will judge with Righteousness the poor, and
reprove with Equity the meek of the earth; for Righteousness will be the girdle of his loins, and
Faithfulness the girdle of his reins. (11:4-5). In Mercy shall the throne be established, and he
shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking Judgment, and hasting
Righteousness (16:5). The spirit will be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness will be
a fruitful field; then Judgment will dwell in the wilderness; and Righteousness will remain in the
fruitful field. And the work of Righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of Righteousness
quietness and assurance forever. (32:15-17)
These statements seem to indicate specific powerful End-time Servants or Prophets, whose
characteristics cause them to be identified thus: Righteousness; Judgment; Faithfulness; Equity;
Mercy, and Truth. The Tabernacle of David is the new temple of rebuilt Jerusalem.
The Lord will lift up the Ensign to the nations from far, and call unto all from
the end of the earth; and they will come with speed swiftly; none of them
will stumble, nor sleep, nor shall they loosed the garments around their bodies; nor will they
remove their shoes. [Sounds like they have been transformed or resurrected.] Their arrows will
be sharps, their bows will be bent, their horses hooves will be like flint, and their wheels like a
whirlwind; and they will roar, like a lion; and shall lay hold of the prey, and carry it away safely,
and none shall deliver it. (5:26-30)
Predictions specifically about the Lord Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father.
The Lord is the one who allows Jacob/Israel to be chastised – for our own progression
The Lord told Isaiah to go forth and ‘make the hearts of the people fat, and their ears heavy, lest
they hear, see, and understand, and convert and be healed. And this curse was to last until all the
people experienced tremendous losses; until the Lord removed them far away from their
homeland, and there was a great forsaking in the land (which has happened and is about to be
completed); after that only a tenth of the people will return to help rebuild the new holy city of
Jerusalem. (6:8-13) In the times of trial, many people will say, come, let us go up to the
mountain of the Lord, the house of the God of Jacob; … and He will judge among many nations;
and shall rebuke many people; and afterward all people will beat their swords in to agricultural
tools; and none shall learn the art of war anymore (2:3-4).
Seems to indicate that some will try to hide their true intentions when attending temple
ceremonies, but it won’t work; and after they have been rebuked, they will happily turn to do
what they are told to do. The Lord will swallow up death in victory; and wipe away the tears
from all faces (remove death, sin, illness); and the rebuke of his people will he remove from all
the earth; and in that day it shall be said: behold and lo, here is our God, the one that we waited
for; and He will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for him; and we will rejoice in his
salvation and glory (25:8-9).
The righteous will know the Lord and walk with him and talk with him
My people shall know my name (the Lord’s); and they shall
know in that day that I am he that speaks; behold it is I. ‘How
beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth
good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of
good; that publishes salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God
reigneth!’ The watchmen of Zion will lift up their voices, and
together they shall sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when the
Lord brings Zion again. Break forth into singing, ye waste
places of Jerusalem for the Lord has comforted his people; he
has redeemed Jerusalem; he has made bare his holy arm in the
eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the
salvation of our God. (52:6-10) These statements seem to
indicate a lesser fulfillment, which has happened; and a greater
fulfillment; in which the Lord makes his arm bare in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends
of the earth see the salvation that awaits the righteous.
Predictions about the wicked people of the world
(Includes wicked Church members, wicked of those who are pure-blood of the House of Israel,
Gentiles of all nations, who have rejected the Gospel)
Those who live in Zion but are addicted to Babylon’s ways will die
The wicked among Zion are they who are addicted to Babylon’s ways, drunkards of Ephraim,
prideful, boastful, mighty, mean; they who draw out their iniquity with vanity, happily showing
all how long they can lengthen it (cords of vanity); and sinning continuously, without any
thought of repentance or change; who pridefully say, I wish the Lord would hurry up and come,
so that we can quit talking about it; believing they have no further need of chastisement or time
for repentance. These are they who call darkness light, and evil good, and put bitterness for
sweetness; they who are wise in their own eyes, prudent in their own opinion. (5:13-15; 18-21)
In this same classification are the mighty, and strong (enlisted soldiers) who frequently drink and
take drugs; justifying wickedness (of a sexual nature) for their reward, and trying to remove all
righteousness from the righteous (recruits) among them (5:22-23).
In spite of all their professed power, they are still mortals – and not to be trusted or believed
Jacob/Israel is told to ‘cease ye from man’ (not believe or trust in their plans, for it will not help
them, for these are men), whose breathe is in their nostrils (weak, mortal, humans); and cannot
be trusted to keep you safe. (2:10-22)
Two great nations will gather together in wickedness and come upon Zion’s land to destroy
Isaiah lived during a time when two great nations were about to invade and take over Jerusalem,
wherein resided the King and Prophet of God. These two nations were relatives of the Jews
(Damascus and Syria). As Israel’s king began to fear, Isaiah was sent to tell him, don’t worry,
their plan will be thwarted; for a much larger force will come and remove them. I believe Isaiah
used this story to help us understand what is about to happen to us. Two very large nations are
about to invade the US (China and Russia). We have seen in dreams and visions them coming
up on the east and west coast and working their way inwards, killing, raping, and taking over as
they go. They will be stopped just before entering into Salt Lake City; and the Navajo
Reservation on the West, and in the East just before they get to Missouri. There are others who
have seen similar things.
Note: Many of Isaiah’s Prophecies are discussed in greater detail in another book:
Finding Christ Through the Study of Isaiah, written by the same author.
* * * * * * * * * * *
c. He saw the last kingdom that arose from legs of iron; a kingdom that was part iron, part clay.
As clay doesn’t bond with iron, so the kingdom will be partly strong, and partly weak, the
iron kingdom will mingle themselves with clay (the seed of men); but they will not cleave
one to another and are thus a divided kingdom; yet with the strength of iron (2:40-43). It was
this last kingdom that the church and kingdom of God (a stone cut out without hands) that
will arise and smite; and break them into pieces. After this there was iron, clay, brass, silver
and gold; all broken into pieces together that became like the chaff of summer threshing
floors; and the wind carried them away, and no place was found for them ever upon the earth
again; and the stone that smote them arose to become a great mountain, which filled the
whole earth thereafter. (2:33-35; 44) As part of the kingdom of clay and iron, Daniel saw
that ten horns (like ten toes), representing ten kings symbolized the kingdoms that succeeded
the Roman Empire (7:7); but it seems clear they are all part of the beast
that serves Lucifer, and in need of destruction.
d. The little horn that had great power over the other ten most assuredly is
the Papal office held by the current Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
John the Revelator gave great detailed description of the fall of ‘the
great city’ (Vatican) that corrupts all other nations, and sits upon many
waters, and upon all nations; and corrupts them.
Daniel 9:27 prophesied that the Lord would ‘confirm the covenant with many for one week’
during which time ‘the sacrifice and oblation would cease’, and afterward ‘Jerusalem would
be made desolate’, ‘until the consummation was poured upon the desolate’. In a lesser
fulfillment; this seventh day week may represent the decades seven decades that the Church
(which was established by the Lord when upon the earth) would endure, led by living
apostles and prophets, which ended shortly after A.D. 100, following the ministry of John the
Apostle. The prophecy also notes that Jerusalem and its temple would be destroyed in the
‘midst of the week’, which it was in A.D. 70 (Mark 13:14). It is also possible that it is
speaking of a future fulfillment; a time when a document is signed for seven years; a new
temple erected, after which a terrible consumption comes upon Jerusalem; and then all are
destroyed, including the new temple.
f. Daniel Chapter 11 prophesies about the Anti-Christ that will rise to power in the last days.
He began the prophecy (1-4) by speaking of three kings in Persia that would arise (Camyses,
Smerdes, and Darius) and a fourth that would be richer (Xerxes); and
then a strong king that would rule with great power (Alexander); after
which his kingdom would be broken up and rent in pieces. Next, he
speaks of several more kings that would arise (5-11): The king of the
south (Ptolemeus, son of Lagus, king of Egypt); and a prince that
would prevail (Seleucus Nicator, king of Asia and Syria); whose
successors were called kings of the north (because their dominions lay
north of Jerusalem).
After the end of year, the league was made (the daughter of the king of the south, that is,
Berenice, daughter of Ptolemeus was given in marriage to Antiochus Theos, grandson of
Seleucus); and the plant of the bud of her roots stood up (Ptolemeus Evergetes, son of
Philadelphus); and he came with an army, and entered into the province of the king of the
north; and abused them, and prevailed. And he carried away captive their gods, and precious
vessels; and then returned to his own land; and his sons (Selecus Ceraunius, and Antiochus
the Great) were provoked, and joined with him in battle against the king of the north; a great
multitude were given into his hands. Next there is a continuing cycle of war (12-15): The
king of the north (Antiochus) returned with a great army; and with him many rose up against
the king of the south, and they fell.
And the king of the north came upon him, cast up a mount, and took the best
fenced cities; the arms of the south were not able to withstand, not having
enough strength; the northern king came and stood in the glorious land
(Judea), and it was consumed by his hand (16). Then he set his face to come
and possess all his kingdom (Ptolemeus Ephiphanes), and made conditions
with him, gave him a daughter of women to overthrow it; and she was not
for him (his daughter, Cleopatra) (17). After committing acts of war; one
will stand up in his place that is despised (Antiochus Ephiphanes); and he
will break down the fighter; and also the prince of the covenant (the king of Egypt, was
prince of the league/covenant/ his most powerful adversary). (21-22)
After becoming friends, the King of the North dealt deceitfully with the Southern King and
then went up, and overcome them with a small group of soldiers. Then his heart was stirred
up against the king of the south (Ptoplemeus Philometor) and with a great army, the south
was stirred up to battle with many, and did not stand. (24-25); and many fell down slain. The
heart of both kings were set to do evil; and they spoke lies at one table; and did not prosper;
because the end is not yet (26-27). Then he returned to his own land with great wealth, and
his heart was strongly set against the covenant; and later returned to fight against the South
(27-28)
Then they returned, and with strong indignation against the covenant of the sanctuary, he
planned destruction of all they that had forsaken the covenant of the sanctuary; and they
defiled the sanctuary of strength; and took away the continual sacrifice; and placed there the
‘abomination unto desolation’. Antiochus ordered the idol of Jupiter Olympus was set up in
the sanctuary of the temple; which is called ‘the sanctuary of strength’, removing the worship
of the Almighty God, that had once been there (29-31).
(32-35) And they that dealt wickedly against the covenant deceitfully dissembled (broke up)
many nations (but they that know their God prevail and succeed); and they that are educated
then taught many; and they fell by the sword, by fire, and by captivity, and by spoil for many
days; and they were joined to many deceitfully. This statement seems to reflect that these
devious men continue for some time; during which time alliances and deceitful covenants are
made.
(36-39) And a powerful king (of the North) will do according to his will,
and he will be lifted up; and shall magnify himself against every god; and he
shall speak great things against the God of gods, and shall prosper, until the
wrath of God be accomplished; for the determination has been made. And
he shall not speak of the God of his fathers; but will follow after the lust of
women; and shall not regard any gods; but shall instead rise up against all
things. He will worship the god Maozim (the God of forces or strong holds)
in his place (and a god whom his fathers knew not); and he will increase in
glory, and give them power over many, and shall divide the land as he
wishes; he bestows honors, riches and lands, upon they that worship his god.
(Note: Prince Bernard, a German Prince of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; which
is located far to the North - whose kingdom includes Belgium, Luxembourg, Antilles, and several
Caribbean Islands; was one of the original developers of the Jesuit/Knight of the Malta Freemason
Group; which later became the Bilderberg Group and later the Council for Foreign Relations, which
is a group of men who are powerful, and independently wealthy, and who now run the world as part
of the shadow government. He is also comes from a long line of very powerful kings that have played
a part in the world economy and events.)
(40-45) At a time that has been predetermined, the king of the south
will arise, and fight against the king of the north; who will retaliate
against him like a tempest, with chariots, horsemen, and a great and
strong navy, and he shall enter into countries, and shall destroy and
pass through; and shall enter into the glorious land (Jerusalem) and
many shall fall; and only they of Edom, Moab and Ammon (the Arabs)
will be saved out of his hand (most likely because they are partners to
the slaughter). And he will lay his hand upon lands; and Egypt shall
not escape. He will control all treasures of gold, silver, and all the
precious things of Egypt; and shall pass through Libya, and Ethiopia. And there will be news out
of the east and out of the north that will trouble him; and he will come with a great multitude to
destroy and slay many.
The King of the North will fix his tabernacle, Apadno, between the seas, upon a glorious and
holy mountains of Zabi, and he shall come to the top thereof, and none shall help him. Apadno
seems to be a proper name, or perhaps a description of his home. A careful Hebrew
transcriptionist11 informed his readers that the two words Apadno, and Zabi are not found in
11
The Little Book, or A Close and Brief Elucidation of the 13 through the 18th Chapters of Revelation, by Eden-
Ezer, High Peak, Derbyshire, England, 1881, Printed by C. Stower, London. Google Books on line. The name
hand-written next to the author’s name: Aldred Great Hackdon, Derbyshire.
ancient geography, having no comparison in Hebrew. He stated the Zabi may mean ‘the
mountain of the seas’ alluding to the other part of the verse, the mountain between the seas. He
also explained that there is considerable similarity in the names Apadno and Abadon, and may
actually mean the same person referred to by John the Revelator; Abaddon and Apollyon both
mean ‘destroyer’. He also stated that the words ‘none will help him’ when read in Hebrew
should be translated ‘not then being helped by any other power’. It should also be noted that
Prince Bernard and Wilhelm are Masons of the Highest ranking; their castle sits high upon a hill
between the seas, on an island far to the north, Saba.
The Prophet Zephaniah also saw the coming of the great and terrible
Day of the Lord. Consider these statements that reflect his vision:
"The day of the Lord is at hand," (1:7) "the day of the Lord's
sacrifice," (1:8) "the great day of the Lord is near," (1:14) "that day
is a day of wrath . . . trouble and distress . . . waste and desolation . .
. etc.," (1:15) "He will make an end, yea, a terrible end," (1:18) "the
day when one passeth as the chaff," (2:2) "the day that I rise up to
testify." (3:8). While his writings can be difficult to understand, his
writings carry much prophetic insight about our time. His concept
of the Day of the Lord is very similar to other prophetic writings,
Isaiah, Joel, Obadiah, Malachi, who understood that the Day of Lord is his second coming in the
last days, with its accompanying scenes of judgment and desolation. Malachi made known that
Elijah was to precede the ‘great and terrible day of the Lord’ (Mal 4:5), and that the Lord will
purify the sons of Levi (Mal. 3:3).
Zephaniah explained that that destruction of many people
during the Day of the Lord is brought about by the
wickedness of the people of Jacob/Israel and Judah. Their
behavior will cause stern rebuke. In his prophecy we learn
that the Lord plans to ‘utterly sweep away all things from off
of the face of the earth, including all men and beasts, fowls of
the heavens, fishes of the sea, and the offences with the
wicked – man will be cut off from the face of the earth (Zaph
1:2-3).
The Lord will stretch out his hand upon Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and cut off
the remnant of Baal from this place – their idol-priests, they who bow down upon roofs, and
swear by Malkam (Molech/Baal), who apostatized from the Lord; who no longer seek the Lord,
nor inquire of him. They are told to be ‘silent before the Lord Jehovah, for the day of the Lord is
near’; and he has prepared a sacrifice, and has consecrated his guests. And in the day of the
Lord’s sacrifice, the Lord will punish the princes, king’s sons, all who wear foreign apparel, and
they who leap over the threshold (national boundaries) in that day, who fill the house of their
Lord with violence and deceit (Zaph. 1:4-9)
During the Day of the Lord, mighty men will cry bitterly, it will be a day of anguish and stress,
destruction and desolation, darkness and gloom, clouds and obscurity, trumpets sounding and
battle-cries, a day when fortified cities and high battlements will fail.
Men’s blood will be poured out like dust; their flesh like dung
And the Lord will bring great distress upon men, and they shall walk
like the blind, and their blood poured out like dust, their flesh like
dung – and no amount of money or gold will save them. During the
day of the Lord’s wrath, the fire of His Zeal will consume the whole
earth, and he will make and end, yea terrible destruction, of all the
inhabitants of the earth (Zaph. 1:14-18). Zephaniah named all the
cities of the Philistines that will be forsaken, desolated, rooted up and
destroyed, which will become meadows and flocks for fields, to be inherited by the remnant of
Jacob/Israel after their return (2:4-7). Only a few of people (the more righteous) will be saved -
taken to refuge before the land is cleansed. He named all the land surrounding Jerusalem,
including Egypt, Ethiopia, Assyria, and others that will be cleansed. For the Lord of hosts will
be terrible to them, he will thin out all the gods of the earths, and then all the isles of the nations
will worship Him – everyone from it’s own place (2:8-12)
The meek have been warned; gather before the decree is executed!
Then Zephaniah gave strict warning to the meek of the earth: ‘gather yourselves together, before
the decree is executed (for the day will pass like chaff); before the burning anger of the Lord’s
wrath comes upon you’ (2:1,2). ‘Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, ye who have
wrought his judgment. Seek righteousness, and humility, and possibly you shall be hidden in the
day of the Lord’s wrath’ (2:3). The Lord himself spoke through Zephaniah saying to the
righteous: ‘therefore, wait ye for me, saith the Lord, until the Day that I rise up to testify.
The Lord’s wrath is about to fall upon all nations; the whole earth consumed.
For my determination is to gather all nations, assemble all kingdoms,
to pour out upon them Mine indignation, all the heat of my Wrath. For
with the Fire of My Zeal the whole earth shall be consumed (3:8).
Zephaniah gave strong consolation to the righteous (Ch 3:8-20), and
includes a better world in which ‘the King of Israel, even Jehovah’,
will reign. He described what will happen to the righteous remnant:
the Lord will give the people a pure language that they may call upon
the name of the Lord, and serve him as one; bringing before him his
suppliants – the daughter of Zion (young converts to the Church from
among the dispersed peoples of the earth), as a righteous offering.
Then the daughter of Zion will sing, and shout, and rejoice with
exultant heart. For the Lord is finished – he has taken away all his
judgments, cast out his enemies, and come into the midst of his people, and they shall no longer
fear evil.
* * * * * * * * * * *
The Prophet Nephi saw that the Lord would reveal to John the
Revelator what was going to happen to us in the end.12 The Prophet
Ether warned us when we removed our veil of unbelief, and called
upon the Father with a broken heart and contrite spirit that we will
realize that the Lord remembers the covenant that he made to our
ancient father, Enoch, and then the revelations of John the Revelator
be unfolded in the eyes of all the people, and when we saw the things
John revealed, then we would know that the time of the Lord’s return
is about to happen. 13
12
1 Nephi 14:19-27
13
Ether 4:15-16
Some people in our day have begun to question John’s revelations, saying that perhaps they
won’t happen literally, or he spoke rhetorically, poetically, or meant something else. The
Prophet Joseph Smith stated: “The plagues named in John’s revelations will take place literally –
‘The Lord will curse the waters of the great deep, and they shall be turned into blood’; The sea
will become as the blood of a dead man and every living thing in the sea shall be destroyed; and
the time will come, when ‘the seven angels having seven last trumps will sound their trumps
literally, and the sound thereof will be heard among the nations, just preparatory to the coming of
the Son of man’; and all the judgments foretold by John, which are to succeed the sound of each
of the seven trumpets, will be fulfilled literally upon the earth in their times and seasons.
“And the wicked will gnaw their tongues for peace, and will curse God, wishing to die because
of their pain. These are they who repented not when the gospel was preached to them, and who
became hardened in their iniquities, which are overflowing, in order that God might visit them
according to all that had been spoken of by the mouths of his ancient Prophets’.14”
John revealed the true Nature of our LORD, and what He will do (Rev. 1-
20)
(Rev. 1:8) Jesus Christ is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the
End, the LORD Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come; (1:13)
The Son of Man is the first and the last, he holds the keys to heaven
and hell. (2:20) The Lord will search all people's desires and
thoughts and give each according to their works. (3:7) The Lord is
holy and true, he has the Key of David; and what he opens no man
shuts; what he shuts no man opens. (3:12) God's holy city is in
heaven and is called the New Jerusalem; and it will come down out
of heaven; and it is where the righteous will be taken. (4:2) John
saw that the Lord sat on a throne in heaven; four seraphim stood
close by the Lord’s throne; there were beast like a lion, calf, man, and eagle, and an immense
host of righteous stood before him. (4:11) The LORD created all things, for his pleasure they are,
and were created. (5:5) The Lion of the tribe of Judah; the Root of David; the Lamb of God
prevailed to open the Book and loose the 7 seals thereof. (5:6-10) Christ has redeemed us and
made us kings and priests who will reign on the earth. (22:16) Jesus is the Root and the
Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star. (1:7) Every eye will see Christ at his second
return, and all will wail.
14
Prophecies of Joseph Smith, Discourse by Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, Volume 18, pg 227.
the morning star; (3:12) Those who overcome will be made as pillars in God's temple, and not go
out; the Lord's name will be written upon them; the name of God's city with is New Jerusalem
will be upon him; and they will be given a new name; and they will be allowed to sit with him in
his throne, which is in his house in heaven.
Who is Babylon, and her assistants, and what will happen to her?
(2:14) The Doctrine of Balaam who taught Balak to cast a stumbling
block before the Children of Israel; to commit fornication and eat
unclean things; the Lord hates those who follow this way – they are
Babylon; (2:20) The woman Jezebel [King Ahab's wife] caused many to
commit fornication and eat unclean things; the Lord will cast her into a
bed; and cause all who commit adultery with her into a great tribulation;
(3:10) The Hour of Temptation will come upon all the inhabitants of the
world; to try them who dwell therein. Those who built the ancient tower
of Babel caused the language of man to be changed because of improper
worship practices; and this has been a symbol for all who worship and
act according to the ways of Lucifer ever since.
John saw Christ being born of his mother Mary. She had
Lucifer, who is called ’a Great Red Dragon’ fighting against her,
who tried to devour her child as soon as he was born, but was
unsuccessful. It is the Dragon that caused the woman, and all
who were like her, to hide in the wilderness. (12:1-6) He
described the Dragon has being ‘a Great Red Dragon, who has 7
heads, and 10 horns, and 7 crowns upon his head, and his tail
drew one-third of the spirits of heaven, and cast them upon the earth’.
The Dragon (Lucifer/his Church) stood before the woman (Mary, mother of Christ), who was
ready to be delivered to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man
child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron (word of God), and her child (the Lord Jesus
Christ) was caught up unto God, and to his throne. Then the woman (Mary, and the Church) fled
into the wilderness, where a place was prepared of God for her to stay, and they feed her there
for 1260 days (3.45 years or 1260 years?).
The Lord Jehovah (Salvation and Strength) and his Kingdom will rise to power. The Lord’s
power comes from the sacrifice he made as our Savior (for it paid for all the sins of mankind - it
satisfied the eternal laws of justice). His prophets arose and testified and helped him. (12:10)
The inhabitants of the earth are under a dark curse of Lucifer. He will make war with the woman
and all her remaining remnant. Those who worship Christ, keep the commandments, and have a
testimony of Christ are they who will be persecuted. (12:12-17)
A kingdom of clay (man) and iron (?) will arise in our day
John saw the last kingdom of the beast which rose up out of
the sea (consisting of 7 heads; 10 horns which have 10
crowns) of clay and iron arise out of the sea: and the Beast’s
name was Blasphemy (13:1- 8). The beast had a body like
unto a leopard, feet as the feet of a bear, mouth as the mouth
of a lion, [represents three large earthly powers/nations] and
the dragon gave him his power, and his authority. One of his
heads gets wounded, and is healed, and all the world
worshipped the beast, saying: “Who is like unto the beast?” And there was given to him to speak
great things and power was given to him to continue for 42 months (3.5 years). During this time,
the two prophets will testify against him in Jerusalem.
Out of the Beast’s name proceeds great things and blasphemies against God, his name, his
tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the
saints, and to overcome them; and power was given him over all kindreds, tongues, and nations.
And they that dwell upon the earth will worship him, whose names are not written in the Lamb’s
book of Life.
Then the Last Destruction is brought by Horsemen; which ride upon four
horses. They come at the Beginning of the End after seals are broken.
Seal One: (6:1-2) A man on a white horse who had a crown given to
him, went forth conquering and to conquer; carried a bow and arrow.
Seal Two: (6:3-4) A man on a red horse went forth who was given
power to take peace from the earth; carried a great sword.
Seal Four: (6:7-8) A Pale Horse went forth, and the name of he that sat on the horse was
Death; and Hell followed with him; power was given over a fourth part of the earth; they
killed with the sword; hunger; death; and with the beasts of the earth. (Lucifer (Death; he
that controls Hell) and his powerful servants.
Seal Five: (6:9) The Righteous, where were slain for their testimony of Christ will then be
raised up and given white robes.
Seal Six: (6:12) Next, a Great and terrible earthquake will take place, after which the sun will
become black, the moon red as blood, the stars from heaven will fall down to the earth; the
heavens will depart as a scroll; all mountains and islands will be moved out of their places.
(6:14) The rich, great, and powerful men of the earth; mighty men, and bondsmen, freemen
will hide themselves in caves and rocks of the earth and in their terror, say to the rocks, fall
on us and hide us from the Lord that sits upon the throne - from His wrath, for the Great Day
of his Wrath is come, and who among us will be able to stand? This is an indication that
hiding in the rocks is NOT what the righteous should do. I believe this will happen when a
dark Star (called Planet X) will approach the earth, and begin to pass between the earth and
Saturn.
These are they of great tribulation who have washed their robes and made them white in the
Blood of the Lamb; they serve day and night in his temple; and the Lord will dwell among them.
(7:16) These are they who will hunger no more; neither will sun light or heat be upon them; for
the Lamb will feed them with living fountains of waters; and wipe away all tears from their eyes.
So, it is at this point that the righteous who are still alive
will be sealed up to the Lord, and will be brought before
the Lamb who sits on a throne in heaven. They will
receive changed bodies, for they will no longer hunger,
or be affected by the heat or cold, and all tears will be
wiped from their eyes, and during this early judgment
and sealing time, there will be silence in heaven for about
half an hour.
First Angel: (8:7) Sounds of a trumpet are heard; and then falling
upon the earth, John saw hail and fire, mingled with blood.
(Seems like smaller asteroids (hail and fire) burning bright red
with chemicals, entering the atmosphere.) These cause a third part
of the trees to burn up, and all green grass will be burned up
(causes the earth to start on fire in various places).
Third Angel: (8:10) Sounds a trumpet, and a Great Star fell from heaven, burning as it were
a lamp; and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; and the
name of the star was called Wormwood; and a third part of
the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the
waters, because they were made bitter. After the sound of a
trumpet is heard a small planet (a great star) will fall from
heaven, burning as a lamp, falling upon a third of the rivers,
fountains of water. And the star will be called Wormwood
(bitter), and many people will die because of the poisoned
waters. The use of the name wormwood, an herbal plant
useful in expelling worms, parasites, pests, and insects; as
well as being a powerful healing agent for the bowels of the
human body may mean that it has a secondary purpose (to cleanse the inner bowels of the
earth).
(The Prophet Jeremiah stated: “Who is the wise man, that may understand this?... for the land
perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness… Because they have forsaken my law…
walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim…; Behold, I will feed
them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink…: and I will
send a sword after them, till I have consumed them. -Jer. 9:12-16)
Fourth Angel: (8:12) Sounds a trumpet, and a third part of the sun
was smitten; and a third part of the moon, and a third part of the
stars; so as the their part of them was darkened, and the day shone
not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. Then an angel flew
through heaven, warning the inhabitants of the earth: woe, woe,
woe to those who inhabit the earth because of the next three
trumpets of the angels which are yet to sound! (The sun gets hit with asteroids, and also the
moon, and many of the stars are no longer seen, so that the days and nights are darkened.
And an angel flew over the earth warning all who could hear: Woe, woe, woe to those who
are still inhabitants of the earth, because of the next three woes.
Fifth Angel: Next, comes the bottomless pit dwellers upon the land. First, locust-looking
creatures, are given power to harm mankind for five months, if they don’t have the mark of
the Lord on their foreheads (9:1). The sound of a trumpet is again heard, and a star (heavenly
spirit) shot down from heaven, and to him was given the key to the bottomless pit, and he
opened it, and a smoke arose out of the pit, and the sun and air were darkened because of the
smoke from the pit. And out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth; and to them was
given power (as scorpions of the earth have power) to sting the sons of mankind; and they
were commanded to not hurt any green thing, trees or grass; but to hurt only those who have
not the seal of God on their foreheads. To them it was given to torment mankind for five
months. And they will sting with poison, striking mankind.
And in those days men will seek death, and not find it; desiring
to die, and yet death will flee from them. The locusts are
strong, large, and prepared into battle, large like horses; and
their faces were as the faces of men. They have long hair, and
strong, sharp teeth - as the teeth of lions; they have on
breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the
sound of many horses running into battle. They have tails like
unto scorpions, and they sting with their tails, and they had a
king over them, the angel of the bottomless pit: Abaddon (Hebrew) or Apollyon (Greek).
(Note: To me, this description seems to indicate a genetically altered creature who in now
residing deep in the center of our earth. Since they are told not to harm those who have the
mark of the Lord, there must be some righteous saints still upon the earth. Perhaps they
were not taken at first because they weren‘t ready, but due to the stinging of mankind and
fear of the Lord, they repented, and have since have become ready, but will have to live
through this much of the tribulations. But since the next plague brings a greater misery, and
those who are living refuse to repent, we can assume that those who are righteous, who
weren’t rescued before, will be taken up into Zion at this point.)
Next, Strangers with horses or beasts of a mechanical nature will invade the world
And the rest of mankind which had not been killed will NOT repent of their wickedness,
even with the plagues sent upon them by God. Instead, they continue to worship devils, and
idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood; nor did
they repent of their murders, sorceries, fornications or
thefts.
The end of Time; and completion of the Lord’s work will be declared
After that, an angel comes down and declares the end of time, and the mystery of the Lord’s
work will be finished (10:1-11). This mighty angel will be clothed with a cloud, will have a
rainbow radiating from his head; his face will shine
like the sun; his feet will be as pillars of fire. And in
his hand will be little book, which he will open, and
setting one foot upon the earth, and one upon the sea,
he will cry with a loud voice, as when a lion roars;
and seven thunders will utter their voices, and he will
swear by him who lives forever and ever (who
created heaven, earth, and sea and all that are
therein), that there should be time no more. And
when the seventh angel begins to sound, then the mystery of God will be finished, as he
declared to his prophets.
John saw the leader of the Beast’s Kingdom arise at the end.
The Beast causes all to worship Lucifer, and kills any who won’t.
All remaining people are forced to receive the mark upon their
foreheads, and in their right hands. (13:11-18) Then John saw
another beast, the False Prophet, come out of the earth; who had two
small horns, and spake as a Dragon. He exercised all the power of
the first beast before him, and caused the earth, and all which dwell
therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
And he did great wonders (miracles), so that he made fire come down from heaven on the earth,
in the sight of mankind. And he deceived all those who dwell on the earth by those miracles,
saying that they should make an image of the beast, and he gave life to the image of the beast,
that it should both speak, and also cause those who would not worship it to be killed. [Sounds like
our television monitors, wherein the images are put out, become two-way viewing stations so that they
can monitor whether we actually do the worship services or not.]
And the False Prophet caused all who lived, small and great, rich and poor, bond and free to
receive a mark in their right hand or in their foreheads; and after that, no man is able to buy or
sell, save those who have the mark, or the name or number of the beast on them. The number of
the beast was 666.
Then an angel tells all the inhabitants to worship the Lord, and come into the gospel of Christ.
(14:6-7) Then another angel flew in the midst of heaven, who had the everlasting gospel of
Christ to preach to them that dwell upon the earth. John saw that is will be preached to every
nation, kindred, tongue, and people. And a loud voice declared: fear God, and give glory to him,
for the hour of his judgment is come; worship him that made heaven, the earth, the sea, and all
fountains of waters.
Next, Babylon will fall, and all who receive the mark of the beast will
be tormented.
(14:8-11) Then another angel followed saying: Babylon is fallen,
that great city, which made all nations of the earth drink of the
wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel
followed saying with a loud voice: If any man worship the beast
and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or hand, the
same will drink of the wrath of God, which will be poured out
without mixture into the cup of his indignation, and he will be
tormented with fire, and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and the Lamb. And the
smoke of their torment will ascend up for ever and ever: and they will have no rest day or night.
Then the patience of the saints will be tested greatly as those who keep the commandments of
God, and faith in Jesus will be persecuted horribly. (14:12-13) They who keep the
commandments of God, and faith in Jesus will be tested unto death. But the Lord promised
them: blessed are they which die in the Lord from henceforth forward.
For they will rest from their labors, and their works will follow them.
Four destroying angels go forth. Two reap while the other two monitor
All the rest of the wicked among mankind are destroyed. (14:14-20)
And a white cloud arose, and upon the cloud one sat one who was like
unto the Son of man, and he had on his head a golden crown, and in his
hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, and
cried to him on the cloud with a loud voice saying: Thrust in thy sickle
and reap; for the time is come, the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he (one who was like unto
the Lord) thrust in his sickle and reaped. And another angel came out of the temple, and he also
had a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the altar of God having power over fire, and
cried to him with the second sickle saying: Thrust in thy sharp sickle and reap, for the grapes are
fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and cast it upon the winepress of the
wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden, and blood came out, and laid upon the earth unto
the horse bridles, for the space of 6600 furlongs.
Next, the last seven plagues will be administered upon the earth
Preparation: (15:5-8) And after that, John saw that the temple of
the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened and seven
angels came out having the last seven plagues; which carry the wrath
of God in them. And one of the four beasts gave the seven angels
seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who lives for ever and
ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God,
and from his power, and no man was able to enter into the temple,
until the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. And the Lord uttered his voice out of
the temple, saying to the 7 angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God
upon the earth.
First Vial: (16:2) And the first angel went forth and poured his vial out upon the earth; and
there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and
upon all who worshipped his image.
Second Vial: (16:3) And the second angel poured his vial
out upon the sea, and it became as the blood of a dead man;
and every living soul died in the sea.
Third Vial: (16:4) And the third poured out his vial upon
the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
And the angel of the waters glorified the Lord, which is,
was, and shall be, for his righteous judgment. And another angel of the altar said, even so,
Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. For those who remained upon the
earth are they who have shed the blood of the saints and prophets, and it is right they should
have blood to drink, for they have earned it.
Fourth Vial: (16:8) And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was
given unto him to scorch men with fire. And mankind was scorched with great heat, and
they blasphemed the name of God, and repented not, nor gave him glory.
Fifth Vial: (16:10) And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his
Kingdom was full of darkness, and they gnawed their tongues for pain, and blasphemed the
God of Heaven, and repented not.
Sixth Vial: (16:12) And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the
great river Euphrates, and the water was dried up, that the way of the
kings of the east might be prepared. And three unclean spirits came
out of the mouth of the dragon, and the beast, and false prophet.
They are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which gather the
kings of the earth to the battle of that Great Day of God Almighty.
The Lord stated then: Behold, I come as a thief in the night. Blessed is he that watches for
me, and keeps his garments clean, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And He
gathered them together into a place which in Hebrew is called Armageddon [i.e., the plain of
Estralon or Megiddo is located near the Sea of Galilee].
Seventh Vial: (16:17) Then the seventh angel poured out his
vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple
of heaven, saying: It is done. And there were voices, thunders,
lightenings; and a great earthquake, such as there was not since
men were upon the earth, so mighty and great. And the great
city was divided into three parts; and the cities of the nations
fell; and great Babylon came into remembrance before God, as
she was given the cup of the wine of his wrath. And every
island ‘fled away’, and the mountains ‘were not found’. And
there fell a great hail out of heaven, every stone the weight of a
talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the
hail, for it was exceedingly great.
(17:1-7) John saw the entity, Babylon, being judged. The angel calls her:
‘the great whore that sits upon many waters, with whom all kings of the earth
have committed fornication, and all the inhabitants of the earth have been
made drunk with the wine of her fornication.’ John saw the woman/entity
sitting upon a scarlet colored beast [the red dragon], full of names of
blasphemy [false gods], having seven heads, and ten horns. The woman was
arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold, and precious gems.
In her hand was a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. Upon her
head was the name: Mystery, Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots and abominations of the
earth. And the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints who were martyrs for Christ.
Then John marveled, and the angel asked, why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the
woman, and of the beast which carries her.
The Beast will ascend out of the Bottomless Pit and make war with The Lord
(17:8-14) The beast thou saw, was, and is not; will ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into
perdition, and the wicked will wonder, when they behold the beast who was, and is not, and yet
is. The seven heads are seven mountains on whom the woman sits. And there are seven kings;
five are fallen, and one is and the other is not yet come, and when he comes, he will continue for
a short time. And the beast is of the seven, and goes into perdition. The ten horns are ten kings,
which have received no kingdom yet; but receive power as kings for one hour with the beast.
These will have one mind, and give their power and strength to the beast. They will make war
with the Lamb, and he will overcome them: for he is Lord of Lords and King of kings; and they
that are with him are called, chosen and faithful.
(17:15-18) And the waters which John saw where the whore sits, are peoples, and multitudes,
and nations, and tongues. And the ten kings who sit upon the beast, will hate the whore, and
make her desolate and naked, and eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God put it into their
hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom to the beast, until his words shall all
be fulfilled. And the woman which John saw is that Great City, which reigns over the kings of
the earth.
(18:1-3) After these things, John saw another angel come down
from heaven have great power, and the earth was lightened by
his glory. And he cried with a loud voice saying: Babylon is
fallen, is fallen, and has become the habitation of devils, the
holding place of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean
and hateful bird. All nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath
of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have sinned with
her, and the merchants of the earth are rich through the
abundance of her delicacies.
(18:4-7) Then John heard another voice calling from heaven: Come out of her, my people,
partake not of her sins, that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven,
and God has remembered her iniquities. She will be rewarded even as she rewarded the saints,
and her punishment will be doubled according to her works. She has glorified herself, and lived
deliciously, and so will receive much torment and sorrow. For she
says in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no
sorrow.
In one hour so great riches have come to naught; what city was like unto her! And heaven, the
holy apostles, and prophets will rejoice over her destruction, for God hath avenged them. And a
mighty angel took up a giant millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying; Thus with violence shall
that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all! And the voice of
musicians shall no more be heard in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be
found any more in thee; and no light shall shine in thee; nor shall the voice of the those who are
being married be heard; for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; and by thy sorceries
were all nations deceived. In her is found the blood of the prophets, of all the saints, and all that
were slain upon the earth.
(19:5-6) And John heard a voice come out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his
servants! And he heard the voice of a great multitude, as a voice of thunderous waters or mighty
thunders, saying (as one voice): Alleluia, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth!
The Marriage of the Lord and His Bride, the Elect of God
(19:7-10) Next, The angel said, ‘Let us be glad for the marriage of
the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.’ And to
her (the Saints) was granted that she should be arrayed in fine
linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of the
saints. And the angel said unto John: “Write, Bless are they who
are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And John fell at
his feet to worship, and he said, “See that thou do it not, John, for I
am thy fellow servant, and one of thy brethren that have the
testimony of Jesus; Worship the Lord your God, for the testimony
of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” The Elect have the testimony of
Christ, and are therefore, a part of the Bride of the Lamb or Church of God.
(19:11-16) Then the Lord was revealed to John in his glory. John saw the heavens opened, and
the Lord sitting upon a white horse. And he was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness
he does judge and make war. His eyes were as flames of fire, on his head were many crowns,
and he had a name written that no man knew, but he
himself. He was clothed with vesture dipped in
blood, and his name was called ‘The Word of God’.
The armies of heaven followed him upon white
horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. Out
of his mouth goes a sharp sword, and with it, he
smites the nations, and will rule them with a rod of
iron; and He treads the winepress of the fierceness
and wrath of the Almighty God. On his vesture and
his thigh are written the name: KING of KINGS,
and LORD of LORDS.
(19:19-21) And John saw the Beast, his False Prophet, and
his armies, with the Kings of the earth, gathered together to
make war upon the Lord, and his heavenly hosts. And the
beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that had
wrought miracles before him, with whom he deceived
those who had received the mark of the beast, and who had
worshipped the image. These were both cast into a lake of
fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant of the
people was slain with the sword of the Lord, which sword
proceeded out of his mouth; and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
The Current Heaven and Earth Will Disappear While All are Judged
(20:12-15) And John saw a Great White Throne, and the
Lord sat upon it, and from Him the earth and heavens fled
away, and there was found no place for them. And he saw
the dead, small and great, stand before the Lord; for the
books were opened, and the Book of Life was opened; and
the dead were judged out of those things which were
written in the books, according to their works. The dead
were raised from the earth and the sea, from death and hell,
and all souls came before Him to be judged. And Death
and Hell were destroyed; cast into a lake of fire; or the second death. And whomsoever names
were not written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (21:8) The fearful,
unbelieving, abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, have their
part in the second death.
(21:4-5) And God will heal the Elect, and there will be nor more death, nor sorrow, nor crying,
nor pain; for all former things shall pass away. And the Lord said, Behold I make all things new.
And he told John to write the words, declaring that the vision was finished, and that the Lord is
Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
(21:6-7, 22:17) The Lord will give those who thirst to drink of the
fountain of the water of life freely, and he that overcomes will
inherit all things, and the Lord will be their God, and they his
Sons. (22:1-5) John saw the River of Water of Life, which is clear
as crystal, which proceeds from the throne of God and the Lamb.
In the midst of the street of the river, and on either side of the
river, grows the Tree of Life, which bears twelve types of fruits,
and yields her fruit every month; and the leaves of the trees are for
the healing of the nations. And he saw that there will be no curse
(death, sickness) in the holy city of God; but the throne of God and
the Lamb are in it, and his servants will serve him; and they shall see his face, and his name will
be written upon their foreheads. And there is no night there, and no one uses artificial light; for
the Lord God gives them light. And the righteous shall reign there forever and ever. (22:14-15)
John blessed they who keep the Lord’s commandments, for they will have the right to the Tree of
Life, and will enter into the gates of the holy city.
(21:16-17) Heavenly New Jerusalem City lies foursquare (the length is as long as the breadth);
and the angel showed that it is 12,000 furlongs squared. And the wall thereof was 144 cubits.
(A furlong is about 1/8th of a mile; the earth is about 200,000 furlongs; so the heavenly city is
about 16% the size of the earth is right now; but the new heaven and earth may be smaller since
there is no water/sea upon it).
(21:22-27) The Heavenly City has no temple therein; for the Lord
God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. The city needs
no sun, neither moon to shine in it; for the glory of God lights it.
And nations of Elect, who have been saved, walk in the light of it; and kings of the earth will
bring their glory and honor it. And the gates of the city are shut at all by day; and there is no
night there. And the glory and honor of all nations will be brought into it. And no unwise thing
enters into it; neither anything that defiles; neither they who work abomination, or make a lie;
but only they whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
* * * * * * * *
The Olivet Prophecy - The Lord’s Teachings found in Matthew, Luke, and D&C 45.
The disciples asked, ‘tell us, Lord, when will these thing be; and what will be the sign of thy
return; and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered them saying, Take heed that no man
deceive you, for many will come in my name and deceive many (Matthew (M) 24:3-5). Key 1
And there will be wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled; for
all these things must come to pass; but the end is not yet. For nation will
rise up against nation, kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famine
and pestilences, and earthquakes in many places. These are the beginning
of sorrows (M 24:6-8). Key 2
And you will be delivered up and afflicted, and killed, and hated of all
nations for my names sake; and many will take offense; and betray one
another; and hate one another. The love of mankind will become cold
because of iniquity and sin, but those who endure to the end will be saved
(M 24:9-12). Key 3
The gospel of the kingdom will be preached unto the entire world for a witness unto all nations,
and then the end shall come. When we see the abomination of desolation, as described by Daniel
the Prophet (the rise of the beast to power, and wars), then we are to stand in holy places. (M
24:14-15) Key 4
When war comes to their country, let they who are in Judea
flee and hide in the mountains, taking only the bare
necessities with them; nor should they who are in the fields
(away from home) return to collect his belongings. And
they who are expecting child or nursing during that time
will suffer the most; and they are to pray that their flight is
not during winter; or on the sabbath; for then shall be the
greatest tribulation; such as has not happened since the
beginning of the world, nor will there ever be such
tribulations again. Except those days are shortened, no flesh will be saved, but for the elect’s
sake those days will be shortened. (M24:16-22) Luke recorded that all the suffering that is
endured for the Lord’s sake will be for their testimony of Christ (Luke 21:12-13). Key 5
During that time, many will come saying Look there is Christ, or here is Christ; believe it not!
For there will arise many false Christs, and false prophets, and they will shew great signs and
wonders; insomuch that if it is possible, they will deceive the very elect. As a said before, be
aware; for they will say behold, he is in the desert; but go not forth; or behold, he is found in a
certain place in secret chambers; but believe it not! For as lightening comes from the east and
shines to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of man be. And as eagles gather where a
carcass is, so let my people gather in places of refuge to await my arrival (M24:23-28). Key 6
D&C 43:40 states that signs and wonders will be shown forth in the heavens above and the earth
below; blood, fire, vapors of smoke, darkened moon and sun, and stars falling from heaven. The
Lord also taught that He will utter his voice, and all the ends of the earth will hear it, and then the
nations will mourn, and they that have mocked will see their folly; and calamity will cover the
mocker/scorners and consume them; and they will be cast into the fire; and the Jews will look at
the wounds in the Savior’s hands and feet and weep. (D&C 45:49-53) Key 7
Parable of the Fig Tree
Next, the Lord gave the parable of the fig tree. He stated: as a
farmer knows that summer is near when he sees a branch begin to
put forth leaves; so also when you see all these things happening,
know that the time of my second coming is near, even knocking at
the door. ‘And I say unto you that that generation will not pass until
all these things have been fulfilled. For heaven and earth will pass
away but my words will stand’ (M24:32-35; see also Luke 21; D&C
45:36) Key 8
Of that day and hour no man knoweth, nor do the angels in heaven,
only my Father knows. But as the days of Noah were, so shall it be
during my second coming; for as in the days of the flood people
were doing normal things until Noah entered the ark and the did not
know about their destruction until the flood came, so will it be
during the second coming. Then two people will be in a field, and one will be taken and the
other left; two woman will be grinding at the mill; and one will be taken and the other left.
Watch ye therefore; for ye will not know the hour that your Lord will come (M36-42) Key 9
Be watchful
Know this, if the caretaker of the home had known when the
thief was coming, he would have watched, and not suffered
his house to be broken up. Be ye therefore ready, for in such
an hour as ye think not, the Son of man will come. The wise
steward, whom the Lord has made ruler of his household,
will prepare meat in due season; blessed is that servant,
whom the lord, when he comes find him so doing. Verily,
the Lord will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that
evil servant says in his heart, the Lord delays his coming,
therefore I will do as I please, he will be cast down. (M
24:43-51) Luke also recorded that the Lord taught that his
kingdom was nigh at hand when we saw these things; and
that this generation will not pass away until all is fulfilled.
(Luke 21:31-38) The Lord also taught that the heathen
nations (they that do not know the law) will be redeemed, taking part in the first resurrection; for
it will be tolerable for them. (D&C 45:54) Key 10
After the Lord’s return, Satan will be bound, and find no place in the hearts of man. The earth
will be given to the elect for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their
children will grow up without sin unto salvation; and the Lord will be in their midst, his glory
will be upon them, and he will be their lawgiver and king. And the land given to them will be
called the New Jerusalem and Zion, a land of peace, city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints
of God. And no man will take up his sword against his neighbor. (D&C 45:58-59; 66-69) Key
12
And they will answer him saying, Lord, when did we help
thee? And he will say to them, ‘Verily I say unto you,
inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my
brethren, ye have done it unto me’. And those on his left
will be told to depart, and proceed to everlasting fire prepared for Lucifer and his angels. And
they will say, when did we not serve you Lord. And he will tell them ‘Verily I say unto you,
inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these, the least of my brethren, ye did it not unto me’. He
further taught ‘he that is greatest among you shall be your servant; and whosever exalts himself
will be thrown down, and he that humbles himself will be exalted. (M25:31-46; 23:11) Key 14
From the Savior’s teachings we learned these key things:
Key 1: We must take care not to be deceived by false teachers who declare themselves to
represent the Lord.
Key 2: We must ‘be not troubled’, although there will be war and rumor of war, for the end is not
yet. We will witness famine, pestilence, and earthquakes in many places, and these are the
beginning of the sorrows.
Key 3: The righteous will be delivered up to their enemies, afflicted, and some killed because
they believe in the Lord’s words and prophecies. But these things cannot truly harm us, for if we
stay faithful, we will be saved.
Key 4: We are to stand in holy places as taught by the Gospel; and most especially as the beast
rises to power and causes many wars and rumors of wars.
Key 5: When the war comes to Judea, there are terrible times ahead of us, we can watch for this
signal and make sure we are ready.
Key 7: Shortly after the sun and moon are darkened, and the
stars fall from heaven, and heaven is shaken, the Lord will
appear, and with a loud trumpet sound collect the Elect from
the four quarters of the earth; and after that, the wicked will be
destroyed. We need to prepare for, and make ourselves ready
for this amazing and wonderful event.
Key 8: We must pay attention to the things that are happening around us, to recognize that the
Lord’s return in near; the events of our times are the indicator.
Key 9: When the Lord returns those who are ready and righteous will
mysteriously disappear (taken to be with the Savior in Zion).
Key 10: The watchman of the house of the Lord are the living prophets,
and to be ready as saints, we must follow their example; draw closer to the
Lord.
Key 11 They who reject Lucifer, and take the Holy Spirit to be their
companion and guide will abide the day; they who seem prepared, but only partially prepare,
won’t make it to the Lamb’s supper; when he appears to the Elect or the Church of Christ, who
represent the bride. This seems to indicate physical as well as spiritual preparation is needed for
a long waiting period.
Key 12: They who prepared and were thus able to ‘abide the day’ of the Lord will be placed
upon the earth where they will produce offspring (as mortals) which will be strong and faithful.
The Lord will be in their midst, as their lawgiver and king; and they will abide together in peace
and safety.
Key 13: The Lord gave each of us our lives, and all that is included in them; and he expects us to
put those gifts into his service; instead of using them to slothfully serve ourselves and our own
desires.
Key 14 We must serving our fellow brethren in the gospel; those who belong to the Lord. If we
serve them, it is the same as serving the Lord; we are to use all of our resources to help them to
the best of our abilities.
Chapter 2 - LATTER-DAY PROPHETIC VISIONS
In the revelation Joseph and Sidney related what they saw, things
which were from before the world was, what it is, and what it will be,
as well as many other things. When Joseph Smith was upon the earth,
he received many prophecies, but one in particular began with “Hear
the Word of the Lord!”, and was first published in The Evening and
Morning Star in July 1832. This revelation that is now D&C 76 was
received in Ohio, Jan. 1832, was related in the Juvenile Instructor by
Philo Dibble May 15, 189215, thus:
“Joseph and Sidney were in the spirit and saw the heavens open, there
were other men in the room, perhaps twelve, among whom I was one
during a part of the time—probably two-thirds of the time,—I saw the
glory and felt the power, but did not see the vision. The events and conversation, while they
were seeing what is written (and many things were seen and related that are not written,) I will
relate as minutely as is necessary.
“Joseph would, at intervals, say: "What do I see?" as one might say while looking out the
window and beholding what all in the room could not see. Then he would relate what he had
seen or what he was looking at. Then Sidney replied, "I see the same." Presently Sidney would
say "what do I see?" and would repeat what he had seen or was seeing, and Joseph would reply,
"I see the same.16"
“This manner of conversation was repeated at short intervals to the end of the vision, and
during the whole time not a word was spoken by any other person. Not a sound nor motion
made by anyone but Joseph and Sidney, and it seemed to me that they never moved a joint or
limb during the time I was there, which I think was over an hour, and to the end of the vision.
Joseph sat firmly and calmly all the time in the midst of a magnificent glory, but Sidney sat limp
and pale, apparently as limber as a rag, observing which, Joseph remarked, smilingly, "Sidney is
not used to it as I am.17"
15
Juvenile Instructor, vol. 27, pp. 303-4.
16
"Early Scenes in Church History," Four Faith Promoting Classics (Salt Lake City, Ut.: Bookcraft, 1968), p. 81.
17
Juvenile Instructor, vol. 27, pp. 303-4.
“On a subsequent visit to Hiram, I arrived at Father Johnson's just as Joseph and Sidney were
coming out of the vision alluded to in the book of Doctrine and Covenants, in which mention is
made of the three glories. Joseph wore black clothes, but at this time seemed to be dressed in
an element of glorious white, and his face shone as if it were transparent, but I did not see the
same glory attending Sidney.18" Here is part of the vision:
Joseph Smith was one prophet who saw much about the earth, including the end, so we need to
study the Doctrine and Covenants, and his other writings and teachings. It is also important to
note that the Lord honors those who serve him by revealing things to come. Here are some
statements about the end that were made by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Joseph Smith’s Vision about the Earth’s Destruction and the Savior’s Return
(Received in Kirtland, Ohio March 7, 1831-D&C 45) “Hearken ye and give ear to
him who laid the foundation of the earth… hearken unto my voice, lest death shall
overtake you; in an hour when ye think not the summer shall be past….; Hearken,
O ye people of my church … hear my voice while it is called today…. (1-2, 6)”
“I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not; but unto to as many as
receive me gave I power to do many miracles, and to become the Sons of God; and
… the power to obtain eternal life. (8) … Let me show unto you even my wisdom –
the wisdom of him who ye say is the God of Enoch, and his brethren, who were
separated from the earth, and were received unto myself – a city reserved until a
day of righteousness shall come – a day which was sought for by all holy men, and
they found it not… but obtained a promise that they should find it and see it in
their flesh. (11-12)… And I will show it plainly … concerning the signs of my coming, in the day when
I shall come in my glory in the clouds of heaven, to fulfill the promises that I have made unto your
fathers. (16)”
“And … concerning Jerusalem; and when that day shall come, shall a remnant be scattered among
all nations. But they shall be gathered again; but they shall remain until the times of the Gentiles be
fulfilled. And in that day shall be heard wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in
18
Juvenile Instructor, vol. 27, pp. 303-4.
commotion, and men’s hearts will fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until
the end of the earth (24-26).”
“And the love of men will wax cold, and iniquity shall
abound. And when the times of the Gentiles is come
in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in
darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel. But
they receive it not; for they perceive not the light… And in that generation shall the times of the
Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be men standing in that generation that shall not pass until
they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land. But my
disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men will lift
up their voices and curse God and die (27-32).”
Note: In 1977, President Kimball stated, ‘the times of the Gentiles is fulfilled’ (see further
description below), which means that many people of our current generation will live to see this
terrible sickness come upon the human race.
And men will take up arms and go to war, but the righteous are to fear
not, for promised things will be fulfilled.
In that day when they see all these things, they will know that the hour is nigh for the Lord’s return,
and they will be looking forth.
“… In that day when they shall see all these things, then shall they know that the hour is nigh.
And it shall come to pass that he that feareth me shall be looking forth for the great day of the
Lord to come….And they shall see signs and wonders, for they shall be shown forth in the
heavens above, and in the earth beneath. And they shall behold blood, and fire, and vapors of
smoke [television/news]. And before the day of the Lord shall come, the sun shall be darkened
[eclipsed], and the moon be turned into blood [fire burning upon the moon?], and the stars fall
down from heaven [asteroid showers] (38-42).”
And the remnant will be gathered to places of safety, and be looking for the Lord, and he will come; and
be seen in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great glory.
“And the remnant shall be gathered unto this place [Zion]. And then they shall look for me and
behold, I will come; and they shall see me in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great
glory with all the holy angels; and he that watches not for me shall be cut off (43-44).”
Before the arm of destruction falls upon the earth, the saint will sound his
trump, and all the saints that have slept in the Lord will arise to meet him,
and then the Lord will set his foot upon the mount, and cleave it in two, and
the earth will tremble, and the heavens shake. And all they upon the earth
will mourn.
“But before the arm of the Lord shall fall, an angel shall sound his
trump, and the saints that slept shall come forth to meet me in the
cloud… and the saints shall come forth from the four quarters of the
earth [be brought to the safety of Zion]. Then shall the arm of the Lord
fall upon all nations. And then shall the Lord set his foot upon this
mount, and it shall cleave in twain, and the earth shall tremble, and
reel to and fro, and heavens also shall shake. And the Lord shall utter
his voice, and all the ends of the earth shall hear it; and then nations of the earth shall mourn,
and they that have laughed shall see their folly (45-39).”
“And calamity shall cover the mocker, and the scorner shall be consumed; and they that have
watched for iniquity shall be hewn down and cast into the fire. And then shall the Jews look upon
me and… know that I am the Lord… the Son of God… And then shall the heathen nations be
redeemed, and they that knew no law shall have part in the first resurrection; and it shall be
tolerable for them (50-54)”.
And Lucifer will be bound, and no more find a place in the hearts of mankind; and that day wil l be
parable of the ten virgins be fulfilled; they who have taken the Holy Spirit as their guide will be taken,
and not cast down, but shall abide the day of destruction. And the earth will be theirs.
(D&C 101:10-12, 16-17; 43-62; 85-91): “I have sworn, and the decree hath gone forth by a former
commandment which I have given unto you, that I would let fall the sword of mine indignation in
behalf of my people; and even as I have said, it shall come to pass. Mine indignation is soon to be
poured out without measure upon all nations; and this will I do when the cup of their iniquity is full.
And in that day all who are found upon the watch-tower, or in other words, all mine Israel, shall be
saved . . . let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for… Zion shall not be moved out of her
place, notwithstanding her children are scattered.”
“Now, the servants of the nobleman went and did as their lord commanded them, and planted the
olive-trees, and built a hedge round about, and set watchmen, and began to build a tower. And
while they were yet laying the foundation thereof, they began to say among themselves: And what
need hath my lord of this tower? And consulted for a long time, saying among themselves: What
need hath my lord of this tower, seeing this is a time of peace? Might not this money be given to the
exchangers? For there is no need of these things.”
“Now, behold, the nobleman, the lord of the vineyard, called upon his servants, and said unto
them, Why! what is the cause of this great evil? Ought ye not to have done even as I commanded
you, and - after ye had planted the vineyard, and built the hedge round about, and set watchmen
upon the walls thereof - built the tower also, and set a watchman upon the tower, and watched for
my vineyard, and not have fallen asleep, lest the enemy should come upon you?”
“And behold, the watchman upon the tower would have seen the enemy
while he was yet afar off; and then ye could have made ready and kept the
enemy from breaking down the hedge thereof, and saved my vineyard from
the hands of the destroyer. [Indicates that the early Church wasn’t
supposed to fall into apostasy.]
“And the lord of the vineyard said unto one of his servants: Go and gather
together the residue of my servants, and take all the strength of mine
house, which are my warriors, my young men, and they that are of middle
age also among all my servants, who are the strength of mine house, save those only whom I have
appointed to tarry [those who have been transformed]; And go ye straightway unto the land of my
vineyard, and redeem my vineyard; for it is mine; I have bought it with payment. Therefore, get ye
straightway unto my land; break down the walls of mine enemies [incorrect churches and
governments]; throw down their tower, and scatter their watchmen.”
“And inasmuch as they gather together against you, avenge me of mine enemies, that by and by I
may come with the residue of mine house and possess the land [second coming]. And the servant
said unto his lord: When shall these things be? And he said unto his servant: When I will; go ye
straightway, and do all things whatsoever I have commanded you [they set the gospel upon the
earth again restoring it through Joseph Smith]; And this shall be my seal and blessing upon you - a
faithful and wise steward in the midst of mine house, a ruler in my kingdom. And his servant went
straightway, and did all things whatsoever his lord commanded him; and after many days all things
were fulfilled . . .”
“Thus will I liken the children of Zion [the parable]. Let them importune
at the feet of the judge;… governor; and if the governor heed them not,
let them importune at the feet of the president; And if the president
heed them not, then will the Lord arise and come forth out of his hiding
place, and in his fury vex the nation; And in his hot displeasure, and in
his fierce anger, in his time, will cut off those wicked, unfaithful, and
unjust stewards, and appoint them their portion among hypocrites, and
unbelievers; Even in outer darkness, where there is weeping, and
wailing, and gnashing of teeth.”
Joseph Smith’s Visions and Statements about the Government and World War III
(Received July 17, 1831): “Verily, I say unto you, that the day
of vexation and vengeance is nigh at the doors of this nation,
when wicked, ungodly, and daring men will rise up in wrath
and might, and go forth in anger, like as the dust is driven by a
terrible wind; and they will be the means of the destruction of
the government and cause the death and misery of many
souls; but the faithful among my people shall be preserved in
holy places during all these tribulations.19”
(January 4, 1833): “I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ, that not many years shall
pass away before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel
in the history of our nation; pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake will sweep the wicked of
this generation from off the face of the land, to open and prepare the way for the return of the
lost tribes of Israel from the north country.20”
19
Revelation given to Joseph Smith, July 17, 1831, west of Jackson County, Missouri, contained in a letter from W. W. Phelps
to Brigham Young, dated August 12, 1861, Joseph Smith Collection, Church Historian's Office.
20
Documentary History of the Church, Vol.1, p. 315-316, January 4, 1833.
(February 6, 1840): “My heart faints within me when I see, by the visions of the Almighty, the end of
this nation, if she continues to disregard the cries and petitions of her virtuous citizens, as she
has done, and is now doing.21”
(May 18, 1843): “I prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, unless the
United States redress the wrongs committed upon the Saints in the state of
Missouri and punish the crimes committed by her officers that in a few years
the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be
so much as a potsherd left. 22”
(March 10, 1844): “Even this nation will be on the verge of crumbling to pieces
and tumbling to the ground and when the Constitution is on the brink of ruin this people will be
the staff upon which the nation shall lean and they shall bear the Constitution away from the
very verge of destruction23.”
(Prophecy of 1843): When Joseph Smith was standing by his south wicket gate in triangle with
Edwin Rushton and Theodore Turley in 1843 he spoke his vision for our future24.
“You will see the Constitution of the United States hang like a thread as fine as a silk fiber…; and it
will be preserved by the efforts of the White Horse, and by the Red Horse who will combine in its
defense. The White Horse will find the mountains full of minerals and
they will become rich … You will see silver piled up in the streets… gold
shoveled up like sand. Gold will be of little value then, even in a
mercantile capacity; for the people of the world will have something else
to do in seeking for salvation. The time will come when banks of every
21
Documentary History of the Church, Vol. 4, p. 89.
22
Documentary History of the Church, Vol. 5, p. 394.
23
Joseph Smith Papers, LDS Church Historical Archives, Box 1, March 10, 1844; D. Michael Stewart, Ensign, Vol. 6, No. 6,
June 1976, pp. 64-65.
24
Note: This vision, which has been called ‘The White Horse Prophecy’, has not been made official LDS Church doctrine.
However, the character and personal integrity of both of the men who recorded the prophecy are not in question. The
problems with it are these: the original text was never corroborated by the Prophet (for he was dead by the time it was
written down, ten years later); the content was taken from the memories of the two men that were there, and may have
some things incorrectly recorded; it was given to only the two men, and may not be for the knowledge of the entire church
or the world; and it has not gone through the acceptance process by the Church as a whole.
nation will fall and only two places will be safe where people can deposit their gold and treasure.
This place will be the White Horse and England’s vaults. (This hasn’t happened.)
“A terrible revolution will take place in the land of America, such as has
never been seen before; for the land will be left without a Supreme
Government, and every species of wickedness will be practices
rampantly in the land … The most terrible scenes of bloodshed,
murder and rape that have ever been imagined or looked upon will
take place. People will be taken from the earth and there will be
peace and love only in the Rocky Mountains. This will cause many
hundreds of thousands of the honest in heart of the world to gather
there, not because they would be Saints, but for safety and because
they will so numerous that you will be in danger of famine, but not for
want of seed, time and harvest, but because of so many to be fed. Many will come with bundles
under their arms to escape the calamities for there will be not escape only by … fleeing to Zion.
Those that come to you will try to keep the laws to be one with you for they will see your unity and
the greatness of your organization. (This hasn’t happened yet – we had a revolution, but the
Government didn’t fall).
“The Turkish Empire of the Crescent (Iran/Iraq) will be the first power to be disputed, for freedom
must be given for the Gospel to be preached in the Holy Land. The Lord took of the best blood of
the nations and planted them on the small island now called England and Great Britain and gave
them power in the nations for a thousand years, and their power will continue with them that they
may keep the balance of power; and that they will keep Russia from sweeping her power over the
world. England and France are now bitter enemies, but they will be allied together and be united to
keep Russia from conquering the world. (This has happened).
“One of the peculiar features in England is the established Red-coat; a uniform making so
remarkable a target to shoot at, and yet they have conquered wherever they have gone. The reason
for this will be known to them some day as red is seen a different color threading through under all
history. The lion and the unicorn of England comes from there being so much blood of Israel in the
nation. While the terrible things of which I have mentioned are going on, England will be neutral
until it becomes so inhuman that she will interfere to stop the shedding of blood and history will
more properly understood. England and France will unite together to
make peace, not to subdue the nations. (This has happened in the
formation of the Euro-Union).
“She (Euro-Union) will find this nation (America) so broken up and so many claiming government, till
there will no reasonable government. Then it will appear to the other nations, or powers, as though
England had taken possession of the country. (Merging of the US with Euro-Union hasn’t happened,
but we are on the verge of a World Government now.)
“The Black Horse (those with dark skins?, or filled with fear
and darkness) will flee to the invaders and will join them for
they have fear of becoming slaves again; knowing that
England did not believe in slavery, they will flee to them that
they believe will make them safe. Armed with British
bayonets, the doings of the Black Horse will be terrible…”
(Indicates that a large group of dark skinned people will
defect to the Euro-Union, and use Britain manufactured
weapons to destroy many in the US and other places. This
hasn’t happened yet.)
“During this time the White Horse (LDS Church) will have gathered strength, sending out elders to
gather the honest in heart from among the Pale Horse, or people of the United States, to stand by
the Constitution of the United States as it was given by the inspiration of the God. In these days
which are yet to come, God will set up a Kingdom never to be thrown down, but other Kingdoms to
come into it, and those Kingdoms that will not let the Gospel be preached in their lands will be
humbled until they will.” (The Church has gathered strength, sent out many elders to teach the
people of the US. But they haven’t been encouraging them to stand by the Constitution. The
Kingdom of God was set up (the Church and Priesthood); and other lands have been humbled; so
section this has been partially fulfilled).
“Peace and safety in the Rocky Mountains will be protected by the Guardians, the White and Red
Horses. The coming of the Messiah among his people will be natural that only those who see him
will know that he has come, but he will come and give his laws unto Zion and minister unto his
people. This will not be his coming in the clouds of Heaven to take vengeance on the wicked of the
world.” (These things are yet to happen, although the Lord did appear to the Prophet in the Temple,
and has appeared privately to various individuals upon the earth since then.)
“The temple in Jackson county, Missouri, will be built in that
generation. The saints will think there is not time to build it, but with
all the help you can receive, you can put up a great temple quickly. You
will have all the gold, silver, and precious stones you need, for these
things will only be for the beautifying of the temple. Also, all the skilled
mechanics you want and the Ten Tribes of Israel will help build it.
When you see this land bound with iron, you may look forward to
Jackson county.” (Our lands are not yet bound in chains of iron, but we
do look forward to the new city of Zion in Missouri to be built.)
“At this point, he made a pause, and looking up, as though the vision were still in view, he said:
“There is a land beyond the Rocky Mountains that will be invaded by the heathen Chinese unless
great care and protection be given.” Speaking of the heathen nations, he said: “Where there is no
law there is no condemnation: this will apply to them. Power will be given to the White Horse to
rebuke the nations afar off, and you obey it, for the laws go forth from Zion.” (We have seen in
vision that California will be part of the invasion of the Chinese and Russian army.)
“The last great struggle that Zion will ever to have to contend with
will be when the whole of America will be made the Zion of God.
Those opposing will be called Gog and Magog. The nations of the
earth will be led by the Russian Czar and his power will be great, but
all opposition will be overcome and this land will be the Zion of our
God. Amen.” (Yet to happen; we have seen how it will be saved.)
Both Edwin Rushton and Theodore Turley were supporters of the Prophet Joseph Smith. They both
immigrated to the Salt Lake Valley, and were active supporters of the Church until their respective
deaths. The Prophet’s vision was recorded in the journals of both men and passed to their
children’s children. This version, which is from John Robert’s diary is remarkably similar to the one
in the other family’s diary. John Robert gave these additional clarifications in his entry:
- The Great White Horse is the Church and Kingdom of God (LDS Saints) who is established Zion
in the Rock Mountains.
- The Pale Horse is all the people of the United States (of various races).
- The Red Horse is a powerful group that will play a significant role in the last days, the Guardians;
may indicate a group of LDS Lamanites who hold the priesthood and use it with much power.
- The Black Horse are not identified by race although it seems to indicate African Americans
(who were slaves before); they will defect to England that have a strong fear of being enslaved
by the invading armies; will be take up arms to defend their country.
- These things happen at a time when the Constitution hangs by a thread,
a time of war.
So we can suppose that at least a portion of the prophecy was recorded correctly, and that it was
in fact, a vision of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s. Because it wasn’t recorded by the official
Church Historian, confirmed by the Prophet, or presented to the membership as a whole; as the
other revelations were, may mean that a portion of it may be incorrect; and it is also possible,
that if the world realized the words of the prophecy as being truth, the Church would be
destroyed, simply because it threatens a large, wicked empire; so one can see why it is ‘hidden’
among the documents in the archives of the LDS Church.26
Note: The dreams and visions we have seen of the Salt Lake Area and
world-wide conditions in the few moments before the Lord returns
have been consistent with all of the things that were recorded in the
Prophet Joseph Smith’s vision, listed previously, (and usually much
more graphic than he or anyone ever described). That said if you will
pray about it, I believe the Lord can tell you of the truth its authenticity
or falsehood. The prophecy is coming true before our eyes, if we will
but see.
25
Joseph Fielding Smith, Conference Report, Oct 1912, pg. 10.
26
You can read the entire vision and fair comments by George Cababe at www.fairlds.org/pubs/whitehorse.pdf
27
Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p. 15, July 4, 1854.
In 1855, President Brigham Young declared in the Salt Lake Tabernacle that:
“When the Constitution of the United States hangs, as it were, upon a single thread, they will
have to call for the ‘Mormon Elders to save it from utter destruction; and they will step forth
and do it” (JOD 2:182). In 1868, he again referred to the White Horse Prophecy when he said,
“How long will it be before the words of the prophet Joseph will be fulfilled? He said if the
Constitution of the United States were saved at all it must be done by this people. It will not be
many years before these words come to pass”28.
In an October 1942 conference message, J. Reuben Clark, at that time a Mormon apostle, said:
“You and I have heard all our lives that the time may come when the Constitution may hang by a
thread. I do not know whether it is a thread, or a small rope by which it now hangs, but I do
know that whether it shall live or die is now in the balance32”
28
Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 12, pg 204.
29
As quoted by Brigham Young in the Deseret News, Vol II. No. 9, May 1, 1861.
30
Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p. 15, July 4, 1854
31
Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 12:284.
32
Conference Report, October 1942, p.58.
33
Church Historian's Office, Salt Lake City, July 19, 1840) (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 623 - 624
President Benson also stated:
“The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith there would be an attempt to overthrow the country
by destroying the Constitution… and at that time ‘this people will step forth and save it from the
threatened destruction’ (JOD 7:15). It is my conviction that the elders of Israel, widely spread
over the nation, will at that crucial time successfully rally the righteous of our country and
provide the necessary balance of strength to save the institutions of constitutional
government.34”
In his bid for the U.S. presidency in 2000, Utah Senator Orrin Hatch made reference to the White
Horse prophecy while complaining about the Democrats tolerating everything that is bad. Said
Hatch, “I've never seen it worse than this, where the Constitution literally is hanging by a
thread” (“Did Hatch Allude To LDS Prophecy?” Salt Lake Tribune, Nov. 11, 1999).
President Harold B. Lee felt there was cause for optimism about our country’s future
“Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave
beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship,
but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised
up, will never fail. This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this earth
began in the Garden of Eden. This is the place of the New Jerusalem. . . .
This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple. We are living in
a time of great crisis. The Country is torn with scandal and with criticism,
with faultfinding and condemnation. There are those who have
downgraded the image of this nation as probably never before in the
history of the country.
“I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the
world. . . . It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass
through. We must be on the optimistic side. This is a great nation; this is a great country; this is
the most favored of all lands. While it is true that there are dangers and difficulties that lie
34
Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 618-619.
35
Conference Report, April 1963, p.113.
ahead of us, we must not assume that we are going to stand by and watch the country go to
ruin. We should not be heard to predict ills and calamities for the nation. On the contrary, we
should be providing optimistic support for the nation.
“You must remember . . . that this church is one of the most powerful agencies for the progress
of the world, and we should . . . all sound with one voice. We must tell the world how we feel
about this land and this nation and should bear our testimonies about the great mission and
destiny that it has. If we do this, we will help turn the tide of this great country and lessen the
influence of the pessimists… negative, pessimistic comments about the nation that do as much
harm as anything to the country today. We who carry these sacred responsibilities must preach
the gospel of peace, and peace can only come by overcoming the things of the world. Now, we
must be the dynamic force that will help turn the tide of fear and pessimism.36”
Bruce R. McConkie stated that the United States would still be here at the Lord’s return
“It is our firm conviction as a people that the stars and stripes will be waving
triumphantly in the breeze, as a symbol of the greatness and stability of the
United States of America, when the Lord comes. This nation was established
to be the Lord’s base of operations in this final gospel dispensation. From it
the gospel is to go to every other nation and people. The greater its
influence among the nations of the world, the more rapidly the gospel
spreads. But the Lord has told us that all nations, the United States included,
shall cease to be when he comes” (The Millennial Messiah, 491).
* * * * * * * *
John Taylor taught that the nation would be shaken, and many would flee to Zion for safety
“And they will come, saying, we do not know anything of the principles of your religion, but we
perceive that you are an honest community…; but as for your religion we will talk about that
36
Excerpts from a talk given at Ricks College Devotional Assembly, "Have Faith in America,"
October 26, 1973, and printed in two sources: Ye Are the Light of the World: Selected Sermons
and Writings of Harold B. Lee, 340, 350-351, and The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, edited by
Clyde J. Williams, 365-366.
some other time. Will we protect such people? Yes, all honorable men. When the people shall
have torn to shreds the Constitution of the United States the Elders of Israel will be found
holding it up to the nations of earth and proclaiming liberty and equal rights to all men, and
extending the hand of fellowship to the oppressed of all nations. This is part of the program, and
as long as we do what is right and fear God, he will help us and stand by us under all
circumstances37.”
Wilford Woodruff taught that the acts of 1862-1879 caused the United
States to be weak
“The Congress of 1862, and the Supreme Judges of 1879, in their acts and
decisions, have taken a dangerous and fearful step; their acts will sap the
very foundation of our government, and it will rent asunder, and the God
of heaven will hold them responsible for these things, for 'what men sow
they will reap, and the measure they mete unto others will be meted
unto them', saith the Lord. The Constitution once broken by the rulers of
the land, there will be no stopping place until the nation is broken in
pieces, and no power beneath the heavens can save this nation from the
consequences thereof38.
Erastus Snow taught that the undermining of the Constitution would cause the nation to fall
“We were told by the prophet Joseph Smith, that the United States Government and people
would undermine one principle of the Constitution after another, until its whole fabric would be
torn away, and that it would become the duty of the Latter-day Saints and those in sympathy
with them to rescue it from destruction, and to maintain and sustain the principles of human
freedom for which our fathers fought and bled. We look for these things to come in quick
succession39.”
* * * * * * * *
Heber C. Kimball taught that LDS Saints would need to endure The Test
“I feel to say, brethren and sisters…. [that] there will also be a day when
you will be brought to the test--when your very hearts and your inmost
souls will melt within you because of the scenes that many of you will
witness. Yes, you will be brought to that test, when you will feel as if
everything within you would dissolve. Then will be the time you will be
tried whether you will stand the test or fall away. I have not a doubt but
there will be hundreds who will leave us and go away to our enemies… for
if men turn traitors to God and His servants, their blood will surely be shed,
or else they will be damned, and that too according to their covenants.
37
John Taylor, 1879, Journal of Discourses, 21:8.
38
Wilford Woodruff, The Millennial Star, 41:243
39
Erastus Snow, Journal of Discourses, vol. 26, p. 226, May 31, 1885.
“Brother Brigham would rather go to battle against the whole world with three hundred men
filled with the Holy Ghost, than to have the whole of you, except you are united with us; and I
am sure I would. The day is to come when one shall chase a thousand, and two put ten
thousand to flight. When that day comes, the Lord will make the enemies of His people flee as if
there were thousands after them, when there is only one; and that is the way that God will deal
with our enemies. The day of God Almighty is at hand, when He will show forth His power, and
when He will deliver His people from all their enemies…
“Let me say to all of you: Learn to be true and faithful; and, instead of laying out your means for
fine bonnets and fine shoes, and for coffee and tea, my advice to
you is, if you can five or ten dollars, go and buy a good blanket, a
gun, or a sword. And we want you, ladies, to provide yourselves
with weapons, and with all that is necessary and be ready to defend
yourselves; for you won't always have your husbands to defend
you. I have often told you that you would look upon this day, and
say it was the best day you had ever seen… And I will say to you
that, if you will live you religion … God shall bless you40.”
“This Church has before it many close places through which it will have to
pass before the work of God is crowned with victory. To meet the
difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge
of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a
character that the man or woman who does not posses this personal
knowledge or witness will fall. . .The time will come when no man or
woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be
guided by the light within himself. . .
“You will have all the persecution you want and more too, and all the opportunity to show your
integrity to God and truth that you could desire. . . Then, brethren, look out for the great sieve,
40
Remarks by Heber C. Kimball, Aug. 16, 1857, Delivered in the Bowery, Salt Lake City, Sun. Morning, 4:374
41
Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, 4:106.
for there will be a great sifting time, and many will fall; for I say unto you there is a test, a TEST,
a TEST is coming, and who will be able to stand? . .
“All true Latter-day Saints will be tested to the limit; many will apostatize and others will stand
still, not knowing what to do. Darkness will cover the earth and gross darkness the minds of the
people. . . The Saints will be put to tests that will try the integrity of the best of them. The
pressure will become so great that the more righteous among them will cry unto the Lord day
and night until deliverance comes. The time will come when the government will stop the Saints
from holding meetings. When this is done the Lord will pour out His judgments. 42“
“I will tell you a dream which Brother Kesler had lately. He dreamed that there was a sack of
gold and a cat placed before him, and that he had the privilege of taking which he pleased,
whereupon he took the cat, and walked off with her. Why did he take the cat in preference to
the gold? Because he could eat the cat, but not eat the gold. You may see about such times
before you die44.
We have done well in many things; in teaching faith, repentance, baptism; having made covenants
before the Lord that we would keep the commandments according to the best of our abilities. We
were faithful in gathering the saints to the west; and we have been faithful in doing work for our
dead. But a great reformation is needed among the people of God - the Book of Mormon gives the
sample of how we should live.
42
Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, p.446-451
43
Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, 5:10.
44
Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, 3:262.
When the Lord came to the Americas he
established the highest order and law of the
kingdom of God in regard to temporal things; and
the ancient Saints upon this continent entered into
that order with all their hearts; and they were not a
small handful of people like the Latter-day Saints,
but were spread over the whole of North and South
America. Millions upon millions of people dwelt in
large and populous cities in the four quarters of the
Western Hemisphere; and they all entered into this heavenly order with God had established, and
continued therein for 167 years.
The order they entered into was the Law of Consecration; they had all things in common; not just a
few individuals, but after the twelve apostles were chosen, they were sent forth upon all the land,
and so great were the evidences given of the Lord’s appearance, that the whole people were
converted unto the Lord, and they were willingly guided by those servants who were called and
ordained by the Lord. Prior to that time, there were rich and poor among the people – some were
very prideful because of great wealth, and others bowed down to the dust because of their poverty;
and class distinctions prevailed until this new order of things was established.
What a blessed people they were! How happy they must have been! There were no poor in North
or South America; not a single poor person, no beggars in their great cities; but all things that were
calculated to make life happy were in the possession of, and enjoyed by all people; there was no
inequality as all things were patterned after heavenly things.
Now let me ask you a question - Has God ever revealed to the Latter-day
Saints the necessity of entering into this heavenly order in regard to their
wealth? He has. When? When we were gathered in Jackson County,
Missouri in 1831; the land was consecrated, and set apart by revelation for
the erection of a great and glorious city to the Most High God. Not the old
Jerusalem, but a new Jerusalem, a city of Zion. The Lord, through his
prophet, Joseph, revealed the law of consecration, not the law of tithing,
but consecration. Let me repeat, LDS Saints, that this is a law that will come
in force at some future period of our history, and it will not be amiss for us
to understand its nature and to prepare to approximate to its requirements,
so that when it is introduced amongst us we may take hold of it with all our hearts.
In 1831, we consecrated all that we had; not just a tenth, but all that we had, including gold, silver,
household furniture, clothing, jewelry, horses, cattle, wagons, tools, machinery, or whatever wealth
we possessed; it was delivered to the Bishop, the Lord’s Judge in Zion. In those days, we were a
small people, and our Bishop in Zion was being guided and inspired by the Holy Ghost to take charge
of all the consecrations of the people to the Most High; and this made them
all equal, every person stood upon the same platform, possessing nothing to
begin with; all property became the common property of the Church.
Now how was this property to be used? First the Saints needed land, a
means to build habitations; they needed farming implements; flocks and
herds; manufacturing businesses; and mercantile stores; and all kinds of mechanical businesses to
be introduced in their midst, just as fast as they procured means sufficient. By whom were the
stewardships for the Saints laid out? The Lord’s Bishop in Zion purchased lands from the U.S. and
then divided a portion to each man as a stewardship, according to the number of people in his
family. Mechanics received mechanics tools; and all were called upon to engage in some healthy
enterprise; and were given capital needed to get that started. It was the intention that as common
property of the Church; all the people’s property should increase.
Perhaps the question may be asked, can this equality be maintained through time and forever? If
there had been no law given how this equality could be maintained among the people, before
twelve months had passed away there would have been inequality again. Why? Because some
people might, through mismanagement; and less talent; have his stewardship decrease; whereas
others, possessing good management skills and much talent would have gained more; and in a short
time his thousands would have turned to ten-thousands, and then millions; and thus in the course of
a year, we would again have rich and poor if God had not provided against it. What provisions were
given?
Did the people carry out this law? No. Why? Because they had engrained deeply the notions which
have prevailed among the people of the whole earth for thousands of years (to get gain, for power
and to take glory unto themselves); which order was in direct opposition to the order of heaven.
Worldly notions that every man must work for himself, and for their families, that they must labor
with all their strength, might, mind to gain all they possibly can, to use it only for themselves and
their generations after them, caring nothing for their starving and poor neighbors, are incorrect.
This is what some of the people did, and God saw this, and then reproved us by revelation, and said
unto the people of Jackson County, that if they didn’t repent he would pluck them up and send
them out of Zion, for said he “The rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim, wherefore they will be
plucked up, and sent away out of the land.” Then when the people didn’t repent and change, God
fulfilled his promise – He plucked up the people, and cast them away out of the rich, plenteous land
in 1833; and he sent us to live in the desert and wilderness of Utah; and it was because of our sins
and covetousness that we were sent away.
Did the Lord then forsake us? No. He had compassion upon us, as
he did ancient Israel. When he aw that that the traditions of the
world had too strong of a hold upon our hearts, he revoked for a
time, the Law of Consecration, reducing it to the Law of Tithing.
Says one, “What, did God revoke a commandment?” Yes, that is
the way he did it in ancient times, and he is the same God still.
He did it for our good; for if that law had continued in full force,
we as a people would never have complied. and we would have
been overcome and ruined; but owing to it being revoked, we
were rescued from completed destruction.
But let me tell speak of the fullness of the Law of Tithing, although an inferior
law, as a people we have not kept it; as the first part of it requires that every
person, when they first come into the midst of the people of God, consecrates
all his surplus property, retaining only that portion that he needed. Have we
kept this inferior law? Have the wealthy among us, when they first came here
and numbered themselves among the people of God, consecrated all their
surplus property, and afterwards a tenth of all their income?
I will tell you what we have done; as a general thing, rich or poor, with only a
few exceptions; every person has thought he has no surplus, when he come
here. If he had $100,000 dollars or more, he made his calculations, and said or thought, “O I wish to
do thus and such, and therefore I will need all this to set me up. I want to make 30, 40, or 50
percent of these poor people, and that will enable me to do what I want to do; and so I don’t think
any of the money or things I now have can be called surplus property. I need it all, or I do not think I
can set up my merchandising business.
Others who have much wealth make their calculations so as to cover up the true value of his
property, believing that he need all of it to carry out his branch
of business. When they thus do this, where is the man who is
honest enough to say, “I think I can spare 50, 20, 10, or 5
thousand dollars as surplus property”? In my opinion, this is
wrong; they should not be their own judges; but should submit
to the will of the Lord through their Bishop; who has been
called and appointed in Zion, and in whom the Holy Ghost
resides. They should bring all they have and present it to their
Bishop, saying: “Here, I have thus much means, and property; judge ye, how much of this shall be
considered to be surplus, and how much I shall retain.”
-
“The reason I make these remarks is that I want this people to fully
understand that there is a law given, a law inferior to that of full
consecration, and for every man to enquire whether he has carried out
this law according to the letter thereof. Perhaps the time has not come
even for this law to be fulfilled in all its exactness. At any rate we are
drifting along in about the same channel that the world does, so far as
our property is concerned, with the exception of paying one-tenth of
our annual income into the Lord's store-house, and the consequence is,
there have become rich and poor in Zion, some possessing their hundreds of thousands, and others
digging, in the dust, as it were, from year's end to year's end.”
If we wish to go see Zion arise, then we must be willing to receive and live her laws; for "Zion can
not be built up only according to the law of the celestial kingdom, otherwise I can not receive her
unto myself." We have got to come to that, and it is well for us in my opinion, that we begin to
approximate as fast as possible, that when the time shall come, we shall be prepared for full
consecration.
From Elder Orson Pratt’s remarks it seems clear that each of us must carefully consider how we
will better fulfill all of our temple covenants, especially as it pertains to the Law of Consecration,
that is. if we plan to be part of the building up of the latter-day City of New Jerusalem, or Zion in
Jackson County, Missouri that has yet to happen.
Elder William J. Critchlow Jr, taught about God’s Plan or Great Act
(Assistant to the Council of the Twelve; gave the talk in conference in 1967).
“Yes, the world is truly a huge stage, and upon it the greatest drama ever
conceived and produced is still coursing 6,000 years after the curtains were
opened to unveil a beautiful scene in Act 1 called the Garden of Eden. In a
single sentence the author of this great drama set forth concisely a purpose, a
motive, and an objective for his marvelous work. He said: "For behold, this is
my work and my glory -- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of
man." (Moses 1:39.) In that simple sentence, I find a fitting title: "The Eternal
Life of Man." You who like brevity may shorten it to Eternal Life. I like it either
way. I hope the author will approve.
“The theme of the great drama is free agency, meaning man's agency or freedom to choose. The
script is divided into seven acts, each 1,000 years in length. The play has advanced far into the
sixth act. Soon the curtain will rise for the seventh or millennial act. To stage and direct the
drama, the author needed a director. Bidding for it, a talented and ambitious character known
as Lucifer, frequently called Satan, offended and insulted the author.
“The author awarded the Directing job to his son Jehovah, who agreed
to go down" and prepare the world stage and to direct the play
according to the author's script. Lucifer's rebellion escalated into a war
in heaven. It spread to earth, a fierce struggle between Lucifer and
Jehovah. Battles are still raging on the stage here in the sixth act.
Approximately one third of the cast selected for the great drama
defected and sided with Lucifer. For so doing, they were dropped from
the cast and thus denied physical appearances on the stage. This
infuriated them. They vowed to make the play flop, and to that end
they have used freedom… One thing we are forced to admit: Despite
the fact that Lucifer's spirit followers were eliminated from the cast and
thus deprived of physical appearances on the stage, their power to tempt and adversely
influence the cast has been tremendous.
“God in his infinite wisdom undoubtedly appointed his son Jehovah to be the drama director
because of the Son's vast experience in building stages or worlds… By the time the stage was
readied, the cast was ready, the leading roles filled by a process or doctrine called
foreordination.
[Paraphrased]
Act 1, Morning Stars sang, and Adam and Eve came to the earth, soon
followed by Cain, Abel, Seth and two daughters. Many others followed after
them; and great wickedness came upon the earth. Closing out the scene was
Enoch.
Act 2, Noah opens the scene resides upon the earth, and builds the ark and
then the flood happen. Ham, Shem, Japheth, and their families spread out
upon the earth, and closing the act is wicked king Nehor.
Act 3, Began with Abraham played the leading role, with Isaac, Jacob,
Joseph, and Moses soon appearing. The people of Israel wander in the desert for 40 years, and
Jericho falls with Joshua in the Lead. The Judges and then Samuel the Prophet appear, and after
a while King Saul arises to power, and began fighting the surrounding nations; and then the act
closes.
Act 4, Began with King David on the throne, Solomon soon followed to build a
great temple. Then arises his son, Rehoboam, and soon the kingdom of Israel
splits into Ten Tribes known as ‘Israel’, and Judah and Benjamin are known as
‘Judah’. Judah and Israel go to war with each other, opening the way for
wicked King of Assyria to enter and carry away captive the Ten Tribes,
sequestering them on an island far to the north. About 50 years later, Israel is
taken captive to Babylon. After a time period of 80 years they are released, and return to
Jerusalem; rebuild their temple, and restore the city and people to power as a nation. Then
they ware invaded again, and taken over by Roman Generals and placed into slavery.
Act 5, The Director appears upon the scene in the opening as the Son of God, and after his
ministry unto Judah he is killed and then nailed to the cross, and is put into a stone tomb; but
isn’t there long as he then appears in the western hemisphere, where he heals many, teaches
the people, and then ordains Twelve Lamanite Apostles to carry forth the work; and then he
goes and appears to the Ten Lost Tribes and teaches them, restoring the Church among them;
and after three days the Director reappears in Jerusalem to finish his work in setting up the
church in the Eastern Hemisphere with the original Twelve Apostles. He walks and talks among
them as a Resurrected being, but doesn’t stay as a resident upon the stage. The ending of act
five shows John the Revelator in Patamos receiving the vision of the Last Great Drama, and
recording it; and shortly thereafter the light of the world dims out as the people fall away from
the true church.
[Quote continued]
“One other hope I'd like to tuck in -- I hope I haven't offended by calling
this world a stage. God never intended his great work to be accepted as
a play. Life is not simulated. It is real; the scenes are real; the characters
are real; the acting is "for keeps." The drama analogy is mine. I like it. I
like the title, "Eternal Life." I like the worthy purpose it serves. It is our
Father's way of providing his billions of spirit children with mortal, flesh
and bone bodies. It is a course designed to give his children a fullness of
joy, like unto our Heavenly Father.
“It provides his children with powers of procreation for the first time. It provides a period of
probationary testing. It is designed to condition his children forever against rebellion and
sedition. It prepares his children for citizenship in a theocratic kingdom, the kingdom of God. I
like the author's objective: ". . . this is my work, and my glory -- to bring to pass the immortality
and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39.)
“When the drama runs its 7,000-year course, what, at its close, happens to the cast? Will the
players be unemployed? How were they employed before the
play began? My answer must be brief. This world drama is but
a small part, a very brief act, in a great, grandiose drama that
has been coursing through time and will continue to course
through time for millions of years, without end. It is a drama
within a drama, both by the same author. May he pardon me
for the liberty I take in calling it Act 2 -- the mortal act --
involving the cast in their mortal, flesh and bone, state. Act 1 I would call the pre-mortal act,
involving the cast in their spirit state. The future, Act 3, will later involve the cast in their
immortal state. I must call it the postmortal or immortal act.
“God, the great Author, lives. He is in his heaven dispatching his spirit children to this mortal
stage. Jesus Christ is the director, the very Son of God. Joseph Smith was a prophet. He played
an important role in the great drama, "Eternal Life." David O. McKay is another prophet, our
prophet, in another important role in that great drama. To this I bear my humble witness, in the
name of Jesus Christ. Amen.45” - Elder William J. Critchlow, Jr. Assistant to the Council of the
Twelve
“For without Zion, and a place of deliverance, we must fall; because the
time is near when the sun will be darkened, and the moon turn to
blood, and the stars fall from the heaven, and the earth reel to and fro.
Then, if this is the case, and if we are not sanctified and gathered to the
places God has appointed, with all our former professions and our great
love for the Bible, we must fall; we cannot stand; we cannot be saved;
for God will gather out his Saints from the Gentiles, and then comes
desolation and destruction, and none can escape except the pure in
heart who are gathered.” (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, selected and arranged by Joseph Fielding Smith, p.70)
“Plan to build a good storehouse, every man who has a farm, and never cease until you have
accomplished it. And do not forget to pay your tithing before you put the grain into the storehouse. Lay
up enough for seven years, at a calculation for from five to ten in each family; and then calculate that
there will be in your families from five to ten persons to where you now have one, because you are on
the increase…
“Where a family now requires only a hundred bushels a year, let the
head of that family lay up a hundred bushels the first year, two
hundred the next, and increase the amount every year in proportion
to their probable requirements. When we have stored away our grain
we are safe, independent of the world, in case of famine, are we not?
Yes, we are; for, in that case, we will have the means for subsistence
in our own hands. When the famines begin upon the earth, we shall
be very apt to feel them first.
“If judgments must need begin at the house of God, and if the righteous scarcely are saved, how will it
be with the wicked? Am I looking for famines? Yes, the most terrible and severe that have ever come
upon the nations of the earth. These things are right before us, and some of this people are not thinking
anything about them; they do not enter their hearts. Still there is not an Elder here who has read the
revelation which says, Go forth and warn the inhabitants of this land of the sickness, the death, and
46
Dallin H. Oaks, “Preparation for the Second Coming,” Liahona, May 2004, 7–10
47
Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 5, pg 18.
disasters that are coming upon this nation, but what must be satisfied of the truth of what I am saying.
You have done according to the instruction given in that revelation; and now reflect upon the things that
I am declaring in your hearing, and lift up your voices unitedly as a people to the God of Heaven that He
will be merciful unto us and favour Zion.
“Be wise, listen to counsel, and obey the voice of the head, and you will prosper and never want
for bread; but, as the Lord liveth, you will feel it, if you do not continue in the line of duty.
[President Brigham Young said: That is true.] Yes, it is as true as it is that God ever spake to this
generation. I consider that carefully storing our surplus grain against a time of need is of the
greatest importance to this people, in connection with
building the Temple. You may build that Temple, and at the
same time neglect those things that I am speaking of, and you
will perish temporally. Do you suppose that God would give
revelations and tell us to warn the inhabitants of the earth of
things which were coming speedily upon them, if He did not
intend that those things should come? He said that they
should feel them, and I know that they are bound to feel
them; for they will not repent. Let us go to work and prepare
for the thousands upon thousands who will come unto us.
“Our Carrying Company is only in its infancy, but it will prepare the way; and the day will come
when people will gather here by hundreds and by thousands,—yea, fifty thousand in a year; and
very many will come trudging along with their bundles under their arms. I have heard brother
Joseph, brother Brigham, and several other men say that it will be so; and I know it will, because
they have said it. Many of you will venture to say that you believe it; but I know that it is true,
and it will surely come to pass.”
“Today, I emphasize a most basic principle: home production and storage. .. An almost forgotten
means of economic self-reliance is the home production of food. We are too accustomed to
going to stores and purchasing what we need. By producing some of our food we… learn how to
produce our own food and involve all family members in a beneficial project… repeated
emphasis to grow our own gardens… “We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly
can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees—plant them if your climate is
right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard.”. . .
“We encourage you to be more self-reliant so that, as the Lord has declared, “notwithstanding
the tribulation which shall descend upon you, … the church may stand independent above all
other creatures beneath the celestial world”. The Lord wants us to be independent and self-
reliant because these will be days of tribulation. He has warned and forewarned us of the
eventuality. .. how much wisdom can you boast… if you cannot procure for yourselves and save
against a day of scarcity those substances designed to sustain your natural lives?” …
“We wouldn’t get fat on it, but we would live; and if you think in terms of that kind of annual
storage rather than a whole year’s supply of everything that you are accustomed to eat which…
There are blessings in being close to the soil, in raising your own food even if it is only a garden
in your yard and a fruit tree or two. Those families will be fortunate who, in the last days, have
an adequate supply of food because of their foresight and ability to produce their own.
“The counsel from Church authorities has been consistent over the
years and is well summarized in these words: (1) First, and above
and beyond everything else, let us live righteously. … (2) Let us
avoid debt as we would avoid a plague; where we are now in debt,
let us get out of debt; if not today, then tomorrow. (3) Let us
straightly and strictly live within our incomes, and save a little. (4)
Let every head of every household see to it that he has on hand
enough food and clothing, and, where possible, fuel also, for at
least a year ahead. ..; (5) put your money in foodstuffs and wearing apparel, not in stocks and
bonds; (6) Let every head of every household aim to own his own home, free from mortgage. (6)
Let every man who has a garden spot, garden it; every man who owns a farm, farm it.”
“I speak with a feeling of great urgency. I have seen what the days of tribulation can do to
people. I have seen hunger stalk the streets of Europe. I have witnessed the appalling,
emaciated shadows of human figures. I have seen women and children scavenge army garbage
dumps for scraps of food. Those scenes and nameless faces cannot be erased from my memory.
…
“Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize
that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake
cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not
acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe
them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen,
that they somehow will be set aside because of the righteousness
of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such
a delusion. The Lord has warned and forewarned us against a day
of great tribulation and given us counsel, through His servants, on
how we can be prepared for these difficult times. Have we heeded His counsel?
“Be faithful, my brothers and sisters, to this counsel and you will be blessed—yes, the most
blessed people in all the earth… May God bless us to be prepared for the days which lie ahead,
which may be the most severe yet...”48
48
Ezra Taft Benson, “Prepare for the Days of Tribulation,” Ensign, Nov 1980, 32
time of President John Taylor’s death on July 25, 1887, until he was sustained as President of the
Church on April 7, 1889. By way of explanation, in March 17, 1857, he wrote: “I have never
spent any of my time more profitably for the benefit of mankind than in my journal writing…
Some of the most glorious gospel sermons, truths, and revelations that were ever given through
the mouth of the prophets Joseph, Brigham, Heber and the Twelve could not be found upon the
earth on record, only in my journals, and they are compiled in the Church history and transmitted
to the Saints of God in all future generations. Does this not pay me for my trouble? It does.”
(Wilford Woodruff’s Journal (WWJ), 5:37)
He further warned the saints to give heed to these visions in his July
5, 1877 entry: “God has inspired me to keep a journal and history of
this Church, and I warn the future historians to give credence to my
history of this Church and kingdom, for my testimony is true, and
the truth of its record will be manifest in the world to come. (WWJ,
7:359) In Nov 1, 1891, he stated of the Church leaders: “And
whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost
shall be Scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the voice of
the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.” [D&C 68:4] I feel
that since he thought it was important enough to include it in his journal, it is important enough
for us to study.
Here is the vision (recorded Dec 16, 1877) for your review.
“It seemed strange to me that I saw no person in the streets in all my wandering around the
country. They seemed to be in their houses with the sick, but saw no funeral procession, nor
anything of the kind, but the city looking still and as though the people were praying. And it
seemed that they had controlled the disease, but what the disease was I did not learn; it was
not made known to me. I then looked over the country, north, east, south, and west, and the
same mourning was in every land and in every place.
I continued east by the way of Omaha and Council Bluffs, which were full of disease. There were
women everywhere. The state of Illinois and Missouri were in a tumult, men killing one another,
women joining the fighting, family against family in the most horrid manner.
I imagined next that I was in Washington and I found desolation there. The
White House was empty and the Halls of Congress the same, and everything
in ruins. The people seemed to have left the city and left it to take care of
itself.
Next I found myself in Broadway, in the city of New York, and there it seemed the people had
done the best they could to overcome the disease, but in wandering down Broadway I saw the
bodies of beautiful women lying, some dead and others in a dying condition, on the sidewalks. I
saw men come out of cellars and ravish the persons of some that were yet alive and then kill
them and rob their bodies of all the valuables they had upon them. Then before they could get
back to the cellar they would roll over a time or two and die in agony. In some of the back
streets I saw them kill some of their own offspring and eat their raw flesh, and in a few minutes
die themselves. Everywhere I went I saw the same scene of horror and destruction and death
and rapine.
I supposed this was the end; but it was not. I was given to
understand the same horror was being enacted all over the
country, east, west, north, and south. Few were left alive, still
there were some.
I saw people coming from the river and from the desert places a long way off to help build the
temple and it seemed that hosts of angels all helped to get material to build with and I saw
some of them who wore temple clothes come and build the temple and the city, and all the time
I saw the great pillar of clouds hovering over the place.
Instantly, however, I found myself again in the
tabernacle at Ogden. And yet, I could still see the
building go on and I got quite animated in calling
on the people in the tabernacle to listen to the
beautiful music, for the angels were singing the
same music I had heard before. “Now is
established the Kingdom of God and his Christ,
which shall never more be thrown down.”
Isaiah also prophesied of the ‘great consumption’ that the Lord will allow to come upon the
land in order to cleanse it of the inhabitants; and of the burning of the earth. Here the
Prophet seems to have seen a similar vision as he did, but it was recorded in much greater
detail.
Brother Packard wrote of the Prophet’s words about a great war that was to commence that
would greater than the Civil War of 1861.
"My brother, Noah Packard, says that he heard the Prophet Joseph say that the
next great (U.S. civil) war after the war of the rebellion (the Civil War of the
1860's between the North and the South) would commence in a little town
now called Chicago but at that time it would have grown to be a very large city.
And another brother told me that the Prophet said that the cause of the next
great trouble of the United States would be the depreciation of the currency of
the United States. I believe I have given you all the facts in as short and concise
manner as possible." [A. Milton Musser papers, LDS Church Archives, letter
from Nephi Packard to A. Milton Musser, July 24, 1896].
Dr. P. Wilhelm Poulson interviewed David Whitmer, who spoke of a bloodier Civil War that is
coming than the Civil War of 1861. Here are some excerpts from the interview he called
Remembering Joseph49:
After a self introduction to David Whitmer and some general conversation, I remarked to
him:
Q: You are one of the Three Witnesses? A: I am one of them….
Q: When will the temple be built at Independence? A: Right after the great tribulation is over.
Q: What do you mean by that? A: A civil war more bloody and cruel than the rebellion. It will be
49
Interview of David Whitmer, Remembering Joseph, by Dr. P. Wilhelm Poulsen, www.ldsavow.com/forum; also
found at: http://www.mormonapologetics.org/index.php?showtopic=41663
a smashing up of this nation, about which time the second great work has to be done, a work like
Joseph did, and the translation of the sealed plates, and peace all over.”
[This conversation was mostly written down word for word half an hour after the interview with
David Whitmer, Esquire, who will recognize it as his words, and I send it that the public may
form a better idea about this truly remarkable man. Yours truly, P. Wilhelm Poulson, M.D.]
Orson Pratt taught that the Saints would definitely be leaving Utah, not
eastward directly
“These are some of the grand events spoken of in this Bible… we are not …
required to go to old Jerusalem, but we are required to build up a Zion… Zion is
to be built up in the mountains in the last days… before that great and terrible
day of the Lord Zion is required to get up into the high mountains…. You ….
are building up some two hundred towns, cities and villages in the mountains
of the great American desert, fulfilling the prophecies of the holy Prophets.
“By and by you will leave this country. Says one--"What, are the Mormons going to leave Utah?"
Oh yes, most of us; we are going to leave, but we shall disappoint some of you. You want to
know which way we are going? We are going by and by
eastward. I do not say that we shall go directly from this city
eastward, but we shall after a while, be in Jackson County, in
the western borders of Missouri… Why are we going there?
Because it is the great central gathering place for the Saints of
latter days… will be gathered …. in Jackson County, in the State
of Missouri… and build up the central city of Zion, and that, too,
long before this gathering from the distant nations shall cease.
“I do not know how much before the ten tribes will come from the north; but after Zion is built
in Jackson County, and after the Temple is built upon that spot of ground where the corner
stone was laid in 1831, after the glory of God in the form of a cloud by day shall rest upon that
Temple, and by night the shining of a flaming fire will fill the whole heavens round about; after
every dwelling place upon Mount Zion shall be clothed upon as with a pillar of fire by night, and
a cloud by day, about that period of time, the ten tribes will be heard of, away in the north, a
great company, as Jeremiah says, coming down from the northern regions, coming to sing in the
height of the latter-day Zion.
President John Taylor saw in vision that the saints of Salt Lake will need to
exit to the South
50
Journal of Discourses, Vol.18, p.67, Orson Pratt, July 25, 1875.
“The following incident occurred at my father's home in Cedar City, at the time a stake
conference was being held in that city, at which President John Taylor and George A. Smith were
present. Apostle Smith was asked to conduct the conference, as President Taylor wished to rest
after his having held meetings in the different wards and stakes between Salt Lake City and
Cedar City. President Taylor asked Elder George A. Smith to
start the conference, as he wished to rest until the afternoon
meeting. President Taylor, with some of the authorities, was
staying at the home of my parents during this conference.
President Taylor wished to go to his room and lie down. He
asked my mother to awaken him in time for the afternoon
conference, as he feared he might oversleep and thus fail to
arrive at the conference in time. My mother was busy
preparing dinner for the visitors but was surprised to see
President Taylor come into the kitchen so soon after retiring for his much needed rest. He
immediately started telling mother of a most remarkable vision that he had just had while in his
room.
“He stated that he saw that Salt Lake City would become a great city with many beautiful paved
roads and streets of cement construction, and that the people had become wealthy. He saw
that the city extended almost to the point of the mountain south of the new State prison. The
people, he saw, had become quite indifferent to the counsel and advice of the authorities of the
church, and were more interested in the accumulation of wealth than they were in living their
religion.
“He told mother that he saw that war had been started, and that so great was the destruction of
life within the city that blood ran down the gutter as though it were streams of water, and the
violence was such that it would cause the destruction of the beautiful city. The people were
fighting among themselves until it became necessary to remove the church records across the
Colorado river.
“President Taylor said to mother: If you are alive at that time, be sure
that you are not behind the Church records, because after the
Church records leave and are made secure, the very powers of hell
would be turned loose, and there will be such destruction that there
will be but little life remain, ---not only in Salt Lake City, but in
adjoining cities also. And in Jackson County, Missouri civilization will
become entirely extinct, and all means of transportation such as rail
roads and highways will be destroyed, and the only means of travel
will be on foot.
“He said that faithful Latter-day Saints would go to the south and would form a circle something
like a horseshoe, before they return to Jackson County, Missouri. Said he, “Those only will be
privileged to help build Jackson County who will be found willing and glad to obey the counsel
and advice of the authorities who will be placed over them, and who will seek counsel that they
may be guided and protected from dire want and distress.
“President Taylor also said that we will assist the Lamanites in building the New Jerusalem in
Jackson county. He said that the vision to him appeared so terrible that he besought the Lord to
close it up, but he saw that those who would keep the commandments and adhere to the
authorities of the church would be the ones who would survive and not be destroyed. And that
the lord would protect them as he did the children of Israel.
“The above experience my mother told to me many, many times; and she held this great
experience very sacred. Subscribed and sworn to this 28th day of June, 1951.” /signed/ Edward
Lunt. (The Social Selection Library at BYU, File No. M184, has the original copy of this document,
sometimes called The Horse Shoe Prophecy. It has not been made part of accepted/mainstream
Church doctrine.)
“We call upon priesthood bearers to store sufficient so that you and your
family can weather the vicissitudes of life… The doctrine of the Second
Coming of the Messiah provides one of the great incentives to prepare and
live right. Heavenly Father knows that promised rewards encourage His children to do works of
righteousness…. Such are the revelations pertaining to the Second Coming of our Lord. These
revelations speak of signs and wonders on earth and in the heavens. They point to troublesome
times and pending events vast in scope and duration. And most important, we receive these
supernal promises: “The Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst.”
“Through my providence, notwithstanding the tribulation which shall descend upon you, … the
church may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world.” And “if ye
are prepared ye shall not fear.”
Lay up in store. Wives are instrumental in this work, but they need husbands who lead out in
family preparedness. Children need parents who instill in them this righteous tradition. They will
then do likewise with their children, and their stores will not fail. A cardinal principle of the
gospel is to prepare for the day of scarcity. Work, industry, frugality are part of the royal order
of life. Remember these words from Paul: “If any provide not for his own, and specially for those
of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
“Seated before us are the three presiding high priests who constitute the First Presidency of the
Church. From President James E. Faust, Second Counselor, we hear: “Every father and mother
are the family’s storekeepers. They should store whatever their own family would like to have in
the case of an emergency … [and] God will sustain us through our trials.”
“From President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor, we hear: “Many more people could ride
out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their year’s supply of food … and
were debt-free… From President Gordon B. Hinckley, the Lord’s prophet, we hear: “The best
place to have some food set aside is within our homes. … “We can begin ever so modestly. We
can begin with a one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three
months. … I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that
they make no effort at all. “Begin in a small way, … and gradually build toward a reasonable
objective.”
“Priesthood leaders, enlist the Relief Society in promoting family preparedness and
homemaking. The women of the Church need your backing and will respond to your leadership.
Encourage our members to regularly put into their home storage a few wholesome, basic food
items and some water that is safe to drink. They should save some money, if only a few coins
each week. This modest approach will soon enable them to have several months’ reserve. Over
time they can expand these modest efforts into a longer-term supply by adding such essentials
as grains, legumes, and other staples that will keep them alive in case they do not have anything
else to eat.
As we do our very best, we can be confident that “the barrel of meal shall not waste, neither
shall the cruse of oil fail.” We shall enjoy greater wisdom, security, peace of mind, and personal
well-being. We shall be prepared, and because we are prepared, we “shall not fear.”51
“At times we may be tempted to think the Savior is oblivious to our trials. In
fact, the reverse is true; it is we who need to be awakened in our hearts to His
teachings. Use your ingenuity, your strength, your might to resolve your
52
challenges. Do all you can do and then leave the rest to the Lord .”
51
Keith B. McMullin, “Lay Up in Store,” Ensign, May 2007, 51–53
52
Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Finding a Safe Harbor”, Ensign, May 2000, pg 59.
Chapter 3 – THE LAMANITES IN PROPHECY
According to several witnesses that were in the room at the time, President
Spencer W. Kimball announced that the ‘day of the Gentiles was over’ and
the ‘day of the Lamanite’ had begun. According to several eye-witness
accounts:
“He simply came to the podum and said "The day of the Gentile is over! This begins the day of
the Lamanite" and turned away and walked back into the office behind him. He didn't answer
any questions nor give any other information then simply that.53”
Why was this announcement such a shocking surprise to those who witnessed it? Because it
marks the beginning of a series of events; and also gives a clear indication that the end is
upon us.
"The Doctrine and Covenants says the Lamanites will blossom as a rose, and there is every
evidence that this prophecy is being fulfilled today," Elder Madsen said during the
rededication of the Ciudad Juarez, Mexico temple Feb 25, 1992. [Church News, The Church
of JC of LDS, Nov 7, 1992] In 1997-98 the LDS Members of the Church from South
America outnumbered the member of the Church in North America.
Why is the blossoming of the Lamanites such an important part of our End-time prophecies?
Why have the prophets and apostles taken such a great interest in their progress, and just who are
they anyway?
Joseph Smith’s and Brigham Young’s Teachings about the Native American People
53
Carol MaKetta was one of the reporters there who reported the incident as happening Oct. 1977 newsrelease. He
became the Prophet in Dec. 1973. Einer Ericksen mentioned the incident in one of his tapes. He mentioned how
significant the announcement was.
the blessings of God being finally withdrawn from them as a people, was made known
unto me…54”
In several sections of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord revealed through the Prophet how
the fate of the Saints lies closely associated with the Lamanites. In various visions he taught
these subjects.
(1) The saints will take their journey into the west, unto
the borders of the Lamanites. (D&C 54:8) According to
the Book of Mormon, the Lamanites were relatives of
Lehi’s and Ishmael’s family (Ephraim/Manasseh);
Mulech (Jewish) and his servants (mixed Israelites);
relatives of others who escaped from Jerusalem during
the Jewish captivity (Omni 1:14) plus other native tribes
they encountered who joined them over the years (mixed
– all races) Mosiah . It was a mixed ethnic group of
people that were taught by the Lord during his visit (3
Nephi 1:1-3); and relatives of these that remained at the time Columbus arrived and began to
claim and explore North and South America. Thus the Native Americans living upon North
and South America when Columbus arrive, the Lamanites, were a mixture of all the tribes of
Israel, which Alma considered to be ‘wanderers in a strange land’. (Alma 26:36) This is what
the European explorers found when they first came here.
(2) The saints will go unto the Lamanites and preach my gospel unto them; ‘and inasmuch as
they receive thy teachings thou shalt cause my church to be established among them…
behold I say unto you that is it not revealed, and no man knoweth where the city Zion shall
be built, but it shall be given hereafter. Behold, I say unto you that it shall be on the borders
by the Lamanites. And thou shall assist to settle all these things… before thou shalt take thy
journey among the Lamanites. (28:8-9, 14); to build up my church among the Lamanites
(30:6)
54
Wentworth Letter, [“Church History,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1842, 706
55
Annodated History of the Church, Vol. 1, Chapter 15 (June 1831 – Aug 1831) The Important Conference of June
3,-6th; Arrival of the Elders in Western Missouri.
met with three different tribal elders in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, seeking to build a
mission there, which was agreed upon, and lumber obtained and the building erected. The
men then went to work giving daily missionary lessons, and reported back to the Prophet:
“The Lamanites …. [show] great anxiety to receive the Gospel and the Book of Mormon …
[saying] give us an understanding of your doctrine and principles, for we perceive that your
ways are equal, and your righteousness far exceeds the righteousness of all the missionaries
that we have yet become acquainted with… and that your feasts and attendant ceremonies
are like ours.56”
When Levi was about two years old his family removed to Massachusetts to
Ohio settling in Chagrin Cayahoga county not far from Kirtland. Here Levi
grew to manhood, occupied chiefly in farming with his father… in the
extreme northeast part of Ohio. He was directly in the pathway of Elders
Cowdery, Pratt, Whitmer and Peterson, when journeying westward on their
mission to the Lamanites, and shortly after they passed through his
neighborhood he followed them to Kirtland where he was baptized on the 16th of
November, 1830, by Elder Parley P. Pratt, and was soon afterwards ordained an Elder under
the hands of Oliver Cowdery.
As a young man, he heard the Prophet tell about the participation of the Lamanites in the
West. He recorded in his journal:
“The next day the Prophet came to our home and stopped in our
carpenter shop and stood by the turning lathe. I went and got my map
for him. "Now", he said, "I will show you the travels of this people".
He then showed our travels through Iowa, and said, "Here you will
make a place for the winter; and here you will travel west until you
come to the valley of the Great Salt Lake. You will build cities to the
North and to the South, and to the East and to the West; and you will
become a great and wealthy people in that land. But, the United
States will not receive you with the laws which God desires you to
live, and you will have to go to where the Nephites lost their power.
They worked in the United Order for 166 years, and the Saints have
got to become proficient in the laws of God before they can meet the
Lord Jesus Christ, or even the city of Enoch". He said we will not travel the shape of the horse
shoe for there we will await the action of the government.
56
Letter from Lyman Wight to President Joseph Smith, Feb 15, 1844.
“Placing his finger on the map, I should think about where Snowflake, Arizona is situated, or it
could have been Mexico, he said, "The government will not receive you with the laws that God
designed you to live, and those who are desirous to live the laws of God will have to go South.
You will live to see men arise in power in the Church who will seek to put down your friends
and the friends of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Many will be hoisted because of their
money and the worldly learning which they seem to be in possession of; and many who are
the true followers of our Lord and Savior will be cast down because of their poverty…
“The United States will spend her strength and means warring in foreign lands until other
nations will say, "Let's divide up the lands of the United States", then the people of the U. S.
will unite and swear by the blood of their fore-fathers, that the land shall not be divided. Then
the country will go to war, and they will fight until one half of the U. S. army will give up, and
the rest will continue to struggle. They will keep on until they are very ragged and
discouraged, and almost ready to give up--when the boys from the mountains will rush forth
in time to save the American Army from defeat and ruin. And they will say, 'Brethren, we are
glad you have come; give us men, henceforth, who can talk with God'. Then you will have
friends, but you will save the country when its liberty hangs by a hair, as it were57".
Cleon Skousen has put this prophecy of Joseph Smith’s on a video that
you can watch on YouTube.com called: Joseph Smith A Prophecy and
Vision. Obviously this well known member of the Church felt it was
important enough to put into video form. On the same website, he
discusses the Vision of John Taylor, recorded by Wilford Woodruff, in his
7th volume (included in this document under prophecies of Wilford
Woodruff). Wilford Woodruff didn’t record who the author of the vision
was, but at the very beginning of the document (which was studiously
copied into the journal); the author (John Taylor) stated that he had been
studying the Book of Mormon in French; which John Taylor had worked
studiously to translated for some prior to the vision, which lets us know
who the author of the vision is (WW did not speak French). I believe these prophetic writings
should not be ignored. On the same website at this link:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cIA3UEDzAt8, you can listen the testimony of several LDS
Prophets. President George Albert Smith stated (0:40-:46) that we have a particular obligation to
preach the gospel to our Lamanite brethren.
57
Autobiography of Levi Ward Hancock, Family Possession, copies available from Orson Wells Book Store, SLC.
Shortly after the first missionaries returned in 1834, the Saints headed west, settling in the
present state of Iowa; where Joseph and some of the Twelve met with Pottawattamie chiefs in
July 1843. Their spokesman stated:
“We as a people have long been distressed and oppressed…; and the Great Spirit has told us
that he had raised up a Prophet, chief, and friend, who would do us great good and tell us
what to do; and the Great Spirit has told us that you are the man (pointing to the Prophet
Joseph). We have now come to see you, and hear your words, and to have you tell us what
to do…” “Wilford Woodruff then commented: ‘The Spirit of God rested upon the Lamanites,
especially the orator. Joseph was much affected and shed tears. He arose and said unto
them: ‘I have heard your words. They are true. The Great Spirit has told you the truth. I am
your friend and brother, and I wish to do you good.’” (History of the Church 5:480-481)
Many Church members have always felt as if they belonged with the Lamanite people
The History of the Church, Volume 3 states: “The interest of the Saints in
the American Indians grows out the knowledge they have of their
forefathers, revealed through the Book Mormon… It was a mission to the
Lamanites or Indians which first brought several of the Elders of the Church
of Jesus Christ to western Missouri. When the people of Missouri learned in
what esteem the Saints held the forefathers of the Indians…, it was but
reasonable that they should conclude there was – as indeed there is – a
strong sympathy on the part of the Saints toward the Indians; and there was
great reason to believe that this sympathy might become mutual.” This
conclusion created a panic on the part of the non-church Missourians, and
later their expulsion from the state. It should be remembered that during this time [1829-
1837], the Native Americans residing East of the Missouri river (North & South Carolina,
Georgia, Atlanta, etc.) were in the middle of a massive forced relocation to the West.
“The treaties given to the Cherokees and other tribes included lands west of Missouri; but the
Native people were not at all happy about the relocation, and it was supposed they were
ready to follow any leader that would promise regaining of their lost lands, or hope of
revenge upon their despoilers. Thus the tender feelings of the early Mormons towards the
Native Americans caused them to find themselves on the wrong side of many US citizens;
and later to be expelled from Missouri. Part of the charge of extradition from Clay County,
Missouri read: “in addition to all this, they are charged… with keeping up a constant
communication with our Indian tribes on the frontiers, with declaring, even from the pulpit,
that the Indians are a part of God’s chosen people, and are destined by heaven to inherit this
land, in common with themselves…” Charges of trying to create a small war were denied by
the saints to no avail.
(The original root that the Gentiles are to merge with; according to Jacob,
the BOM Prophet who wrote the Olive Tree Allegory, which is happening
now). The Book of Mormon shall come to the knowledge of the Lamanites,
and the Ishmaelites, who dwindled in unbelief … for this very purpose the
plates were preserved… that the Lamanites might come the knowledge of their fathers,
and know the promises of the Lord, and that they may believe the gospel and rely upon
the merits of Jesus Christ, and be glorified through faith in his name. (D&C 3:18-20) The
Prophet gave this explanation to the people:
“Much has been said and done of late by
the general government in relation to the
Indians (Lamanites) within the territorial
limits of the United States. One of the most
important points in the faith of the Church
of the Latter-day Saints, through the
fullness of the everlasting Gospel, is the
gathering of Israel (of whom the Lamanites
constitute a part) that happy time when
Jacob shall go up to the house of the Lord,
to worship Him in spirit and in truth, . . .
when He will turn to them a pure language, and the earth will be filled with sacred knowledge
. . . The Book of Mormon has made known who Israel is, upon this continent. And while we
behold the government of the United States gathering the Indians, and locating them upon
lands to be their own, how sweet it is to think that they may one day be gathered by the
Gospel! (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Deseret Book, 1979, pp. 92-93).
(3) Before the Great Day of the Lord will come, Jacob (the whole House of Israel) shall
flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose. Zion shall
flourish upon the hills and … the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the
place that I have appointed. (D&C 49:24-25) [This has happened - Zion has been
assembled world-wide, with headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah; next door to the
many tribes of Native Americans living in the four-corners area.]
58
Journal of Discourses (JD) 1:106-7 pg 107, Brigham Young, May 8, 1853.
During his lifetime, Brigham Young continued to take a very strong position towards the
teaching and fellowshipping of the Lamanite peoples.
He stated: "… the Lamanites… the curse will be removed from them before it
will be removed from the children of Judah; and they will become 'a white
and delightsome people.'… I would rather undertake to convert five
thousand Lamanites, than to convert one of those poor miserable creatures
whose fathers killed the Savior [Jews], and who say, 'Amen to the deed,' to
this day;….[of the missionaries in Europe] let them alone, and come home,
and preach to the Lamanites.59"
“In the summer of 1862, President Brigham Young came through Dixie. The people were
so glad to see him that they took every means in their power to make everything as
comfortable for him as possible… The President stopped with us. He sat at the head of the
table and had me sit down at his right. The President, when everything was ready, asked a
blessing, then all began to eat…
“He conversed freely on the situation of the Saints in the mountains, and said that he
dreaded the time when the Saints would become popular with the world; for he had seen
in sorrow, in a dream, or in dreams, this people clothed in the fashions of Babylon and
drinking in the spirit of Babylon until one could hardly tell a Saint from a black-leg. And he
felt like shouting, "To your tents, Oh Israel!" because it was the only thing that could keep
the people pure.
"I know that my families court the ways of the world too much," said he,
"And our hope lies in the Lamanites. I hope that you brethren who labor
among the Indians will be kind to them. Remember that someday they
will take their position as the rightful heir to the principles of life and
59
Brigham Young, Dec. 3, 1854, Journal of Discourses 2:142-3
salvation, for they never will give up the principles of this Gospel. Many of this people for
the sake of riches and popularity, will sell themselves for that which will canker their souls
and lead them down to misery and despair. It would be better for them to dwell in
wigwams among the Indians than to dwell with the gentiles and miss the glories which
God wishes them to obtain.
The LDS Church has consistently proclaimed their solemn duty to teach the Lamanite People
(4) In May 1831, Oliver Cowdery wrote to the Church Presidency of the Lamanite mission:
“We also bear testimony that the "Indians" (so called) of North and South America are a
remnant of the tribes of Israel, as is now made manifest by the discovery and revelation of
their ancient oracles and records. And that they are about to be gathered, civilized, and
made one nation in this glorious land. . . . For be it known unto them that we now hold the
keys of the priesthood and kingdom which is soon to be restored unto them. . . . The city
of Zion… will constitute a standard… uniting the … nations, tribes, kindred, tongues,
people, and sects of North and South America in one great and common bond of
brotherhood. . . .
60
Annodated History of the Church; pg 182.
61
Ibid, pg. 189.
revealed the origin and the Records of the aboriginal tribes of America, and their future
destiny- and we know it62.”
The Lamanites in North and South America have been increasing in numbers, and now represent a large
percentage of the LDS members
In the early 1800’s the Native Americans of the West [Navajo, Apache, Hopi,
Zuni, Pueblo] were greatly reduced in numbers during The Long Walk (Federal
Government ordered expulsion from their lands, and in 1848 their return to
them) but have since made a strong come-back. Cherokee Nation members
[five tribes] (also had their numbers greatly reduced by the suffering
experienced in the early 1800’s; when a complete relocation from lands along
the eastern coast to reservations west of the Missouri river was forced upon
them); now represent about 16% of all Native American people (the Cherokee
Nation includes several tribes); with the Navajos as the second largest Native American tribe in
North America (1990 US Census); representing about 12% of the total Native American
population of the US. South of Utah lies Arizona, which has the nation’s greatest expanse of
Indian lands - now home to 22 federally recognized Native American Tribes - home to over
255,000 Native Americans (2000 Census), or about 6% of the total state population; with
Reservation lands now covering more than 19 million acres - comprising over a quarter of the
state’s land. It also has the largest single tribe, the Navajo Nation, whose population is over
104,000 (2000); and whose lands extend to southern Utah, lower Colorado, and northern
Arizona.
62
(Proclamation of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-day Saints, New York, April 6th, 1845, sixteen
page pamphlet).
Zapotec, Maya, and Aztec. These native peoples became mixed through marriage with their
Spanish invaders (after 1521, when Spain conquered and colonized the territory; and about 300
years later, Mexico fought for and won it’s independence from Spain, becoming an independent
nation. Today Mexico is a multi-cultural nation with the majority of citizens being Mestizo
(meaning of mixed race), specifically Spanish and Native American ancestors. The number of
converts in South America are the fastest growing sector of the Church today.
The Dark Green areas show where the Native Americans are living in the United States
(2000 US Census) Arizona is by far the largest population center of Native Americans.
Demographics of the Church Today Reflect Considerable Native Peoples Are Now Members
Worldwide, there are over 13 million members of the LDS Church; in the US alone are over 5.5 million
members. About 12% of all Mormons live in Utah; but more than half of the members of the Church are
of an ethnicity that is not Caucasian. After the US, the other populations with a significant number of
members is South America (3 Million members); Asia and Mexico (1 million members each); Central
America and Europe (about .5 million members each). After Catholicism, the LDS Church is the largest
sect in 10 US states; and is the 15th largest religious alliance in the world; and the fifth most likely to have
a meeting place nearby.
Faithful LDS Saints will help Native Americans Build the Temple in Zion
After Zion has been redeemed, and after the time of the
Gentiles has been fulfilled. Orson Pratt taught:
“Zion must be redeemed before that day; the temple must
be built upon the consecrated spot, the cloud and glory of the
Lord rest upon it, and the Lamanites, many of them, brought
in, and they must build up the New Jerusalem! It is true, so
says the Book of Mormon, that inasmuch as the Gentiles
receive the Gospel, they shall assist my people the remnant
of Jacob, saith the Lord, to build the New Jerusalem. And
when they have got it built, then we are told that they shall assist my people who are of Jacob to
be gathered in unto the New Jerusalem.” (JOD 3:18-9) “These Lamanites, or American Indians…
are to be lifted up by the power of the Almighty when the day shall come for Israel to be
restored, for God will not forget them. They are descendants of the tribe of Joseph, and
consequently they are numbered with the people of the covenant.”
“God will remember the covenant which he made with our ancient fathers. These Lamanites,
these American Indians, will come to the knowledge of the covenant, and they will arise and will
build upon the face of this land a magnificent city called Jerusalem, after the pattern and in the
same manner that the Jews will build old Jerusalem. That is what the Lamanites will do, and we
will go and help them too, for it is predicted in the Book of Mormon that when this work should
come forth, when the time fully arrives for the redemption of this small remnant of the house of
Joseph, "As many of the Gentiles as will believe, they shall assist my people, who are a remnant
of the house of Israel, that they may build up on the face of this land a city that shall be called
the New Jerusalem, and then, behold, the powers of heaven shall come down and be in the
midst of this people, and I also will be in your midst." (Journal Of Discourses Vol. 14; pg. 334)
In 1887-1898 he stated:
“The Lamanites will blossom as the rose on the mountains. I am willing
to say here that, though I believe this, when I see the power of the
nation destroying them from the face of the earth, the fulfillment of
that prophecy is perhaps harder for me to believe than any revelation
of God that I ever read. It looks as though there would not be enough
left to receive the Gospel; but notwithstanding this dark picture, every
63
Obtained from: www.LDS.org/ Church Demographics (May 2010).
word that God has ever said of them will have its fulfillment, and they, by and by, will receive
the Gospel. It will be a day of God's power among them, and a nation will be born in a day. Their
chiefs will be filled with the power of God and receive the Gospel, and they will go forth and
build the new Jerusalem, and we shall help them. They are branches of the house of Israel, and
when the fullness of the Gentiles has come in and the work ceases among them, then it will go
in power to the seed of Abraham.” (Journal Of Discourses 15:283)
President Kimball’s valiant efforts toward improving the lot of the Native American peoples
President Kimball took great interest in the Native America people, and
desired they become one with the Church, and the Lord. He was born in
Mexico, had lived with a Navajo family, and considered many Navajos
in Salt Lake and on the Navajo Reservation, close respected friends. It
was clear from his many activities with the Native people that he felt
strongly driven to bring as many as possible into the Church. During his
Presidency, BYU grew in the number of American Indians attending to
be ranked number 1 or 2 in the nation; having between 900 to 1800
American Indians attending each academic year. During his Presidency
a formal education became available through the Lamanite Placement
Program, where young Native American Church members (8-18) could
be sent to live with more prosperous LDS families in Utah, Idaho and Arizona; where they went
to school while receiving full boarding privileges, and family relationships with foster families;
having the option of returning to their families at Christmas, and summer times, if they desired
to.
Since we live and teach at the High School among the Dine’, my husband often gets to meet
Placement participants who are now parents of enterprising young men and women, now in high
school. He is always amazed at the difference in their demeanor, educational levels, self-
confidence, and determination, and how those differences are often reflected in the habits,
behavior, and attitudes of their children, his students. These are things that will continue to
radiate throughout all aspects of the Navajo Nation for many years. Therefore, we consider the
Placement Program to be a roaring success.
Some of President Kimball’s comments and statements strongly resonate with the directives
given by earlier prophets. In General Conference 1960, he stated: ‘The day of the Lamanites is
nigh. For years they have been growing delightsome… as they were promised.” In April 1954,
he stated: “Do not prate your power of speech or your fearlessness unless you too could stand
with the Prophet Samuel on the city wall… The very descendants of this great prophet are with
us. They may be Navajos or Cherokee… Mayas or Pimas… Piutes or Mohicans… And in these
living descendants… will be redeemed, will rise and become a blessed people. God has said
it.64”
He also pointed out the mountain upon which the Chinle Stake Temple will
be built; and stated that in every town there would be a chapel, and the
reservation would need to have several stakes. (The current stake covers the
entire Navajo Reservation, with only a few outlying areas in other stakes, but
the fully active number of people in each of the nine wards is from 40-90
people each; so there is much room for improvement, and many more people
that need to be reached.) Through prayer, we also have seen part of his
vision for the area, and as we are part of the Chinle Stake, we pray for this
day to come soon, and work diligently to continue his fine efforts.
Some of President Kimball’s comments about the Native Americans were recorded in Teachings
of Spencer W. Kimball, Chapter 22, Redemption of the Lamanites, pg 594-596.
“God will redeem the Lamanites. Long ago, an elderly Navajo brother told
me something that I have reflected upon many times in the years that
have intervened. He said: "This gospel is something we have been trying all
our lives to remember; now all at once it comes back. Our fathers used to
be with your fathers in the long ago, but then we came to a division in the
road with a great stone in the middle. We went one way and you went the
other. We went around that big rock for a long time, but now we are back
together and we will always walk together from now on."
64
Apostle Spencer W. Kimball, Conference Report, April 1954, pg. 106-108.
“There is great understanding in this view of the history of the Lord's dealings with his people.
Many times I have tried in my mind to span the long centuries that link us to our common fathers,
this Lamanite brother and I, and my soul is stirred when I remember that in our veins flows the
blood of the Lord's elect-the great patriarchs of the Old Testament, such as Adam, and Enoch, and
Noah. I am humbled to know that our common father was Abraham, of whom it is said there were
no greater ones and through whose seed the Lord has chosen to carry out his holy purposes on the
earth. Isaac, one of the great prophets of all time, and Jacob, the father of all the house of Israel, are
our ancestors. Joseph who was sold into Egypt, a man of constant virtue who was in his day a savior
to his father's house, is also the father of most members of the Church today, including the
descendants of Lehi, Ishmael, and Zoram…
“When I was a young man living among the Lamanites more than seventy years ago, the
destruction of the Lamanites was a stark reality. It seemed impossible to me that this
broken people could ever rise from the destruction and become a mighty people once
more, as the Lord had promised. Yet the Lord's promises with regard to the Lamanites
began to be fulfilled with the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in this dispensation
(see Ether 4:17), and I have lived to see them begin to flourish once more
and to put on their beautiful garments…
“Who are the Lamanites? The term Lamanite includes all Indians and
Indian mixtures, such as the Polynesians, the Guatemalans, the Peruvians,
as well as the Sioux, the Apache, the Mohawk, the Navajo, and others. It is
a large group of great people. There are no blessings, of all the imaginable
ones, to which you are not entitled-you, the Lamanites-when you are
righteous, You are of royal blood, the children of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,
Joseph, and Lehi.”
“The Lord calls you Lamanites, a name which has a pleasant ring, for many of the
grandest people ever to live upon the earth were so called... The name Lamanite
distinguishes you from other peoples. It is not a name of derision or embarrassment,
but one of which to be very proud.”
I believe the key to seeing the City of Enoch and its people lies in taking upon oneself the gift of
prophecy, the gift of second sight, or the gift of beholding and communicating with gifts.
Moroni promised this gift would be available to all Latter-day Saints in our time.
In order to qualify for the Holy Ghost – and to increase their spiritual
abilities; so that these gifts would be made manifest.
“One of the dangers of the times we are passing into is that we might be tempted to lower our
expectations for ourselves and for those young people we serve. As the world darkens, even a partial
conversion and a few spiritual experiences may seem more and more remarkable, compared to the
world. We might be tempted to expect less.
The Lord has given another signal, clear and powerful. It is that we can expect more, not less, of youth.
One example is the raising of the bar for the qualification to serve in the mission field… And that is only
an example and just a beginning of the Lord's rising expectations for spiritual power. The prophets saw
this part of our day… from that prophecy we can see what to do. You have read it and heard it many
times. But you may not have recognized that it is for us and in these times and that it is a call to
courage… words from Joel. It is a promise of an outpouring of the Spirit. It was quoted by Peter and by
Moroni. And these words and this prophecy are before every young person… and they are for you and
for me.
"And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and
my people shall never be ashamed. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit
upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, [and] your old
men shall dream dreams, [and] your young men shall see visions: And also
upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my
spirit.
"And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and
pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into
blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. And it shall
come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion
and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall
call" (Joel 2:27–32).
“This is not poetry, nor is it allegory; it is description of reality as it will be. Some of it will happen so
gradually that you may not notice it. Some has already begun across the Church and we may not have
seen the blessing developing, or at least we may not have done what we must to help the Lord with
these miracles. That scripture does not say that your sons and your daughters may claim the gift of
prophecy by the Spirit. It says that they will. It doesn't say that your young men may see visions. It says
that they will. And it will come because the Lord will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. Not only will the
youth … have the Spirit poured out on them, but so will the people around them and those who lead
them.
“The Spirit will be poured out, but it will wash over some and fall to the ground and fail to make a
difference. The Spirit will be poured out, but choices must be made in faith to receive spiritual power.
That is how we can and must make a difference. Whether or not that outpouring of the Spirit on all flesh
brings prophecies and visions and safety to the young people we love will depend upon their choices.
And you know the choices they must make that matter most. So you can make it far more likely that
they will choose what will let them claim a constant companion-ship of the Spirit. That is what they can
have. That is what they must have.
“The first choice they must make is to pray with faith that the gift of the Spirit will come beyond
their human capacities. You will have opportunities, many opportunities, to show them you
have not just the hope but the expectation that they can and will pray with that faith and that
revelation will come. You will give a child or a student the chance to choose to pray in faith for
that inspiration. You will find many opportunities to do that if you try and if you really believe
they can do it…
“There is a second choice we can help them make which will move
them along the path to the companionship of the Spirit. It is to
choose to trust the scriptures which speak of spiritual gifts with the
simple faith of a child. When we do it, it will set an unspoken
expectation that they will read scripture that way, too. If we, on the
other hand, qualify and shade the meaning of the words, we will
miss the chance to help them… The accounts of remarkable spiritual
gifts in the scriptures are almost endless. We can choose to speak of
them and teach about them as simple facts, always expressing
gratitude, never surprise, and never the need to qualify them. That
will communicate to them your expectation that such spiritual experiences are expected when
we qualify for them. And that will lift their expectations for themselves.
“The third choice we can help them make is to be obedient to the impressions of the Spirit when
they come. When the Spirit confirms eternal truth, there is always something to be done about
it. We can show that we always act upon revelation. And they will see that when we go and do,
the revelation comes more often and more clearly. And when they see that in us, they will be
more likely to be obedient to the inspiration when it comes to them…
“The fourth and perhaps most important choice anyone can make to
invite the Spirit is to testify of the Savior and His Restoration of His
true Church through His prophet Joseph Smith. When we set that
example we set an expectation that others will be blessed by. This is
how it works. One of the offices of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the
Savior and His work. There are many true things you can choose to say
to your child or to your student. The Spirit testifies of all truth. And yet
the surest way I know to have the Spirit come to verify what you say is
to testify of the Savior. So, when the person you love and serve feels
the Spirit as you testify of the Savior, it strengthens their faith. They
then are more likely to choose to testify of their growing faith in Him
and His works. And when they do, the Spirit will confirm what they say
to those who hear them. And it will reinforce their own faith…
“I am confident that the words from Joel are true. In the days ahead, the Lord will raise the
spiritual bar again and again. And our youth will rise higher and higher to more than clear that
rising expectation. They will make the choices to receive the promised spiritual outpouring deep
in their hearts. Our sons and daughters will prophesy, and our young men shall see visions. The
questions for us are these: Will those young people feel by what we have said and done that we
expected it? And will the Lord say that we rose to the best we could be and that He expected of
us to show them how? I have an assurance that we will rise to that expectation.
“I leave you my love, to you and your families… I know that because of
our faith in His Beloved Son, the Father can and will grant to us every
righteous desire of our hearts. I testify that Joseph had his humble prayer
to find the true Church of Jesus Christ answered. The Father and the Son
appeared to him. And I know that he rose to their high expectations. And
because of that, we and all the children of our Heavenly Father can have
the full fruit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to live in eternal life in families
forever. I so testify, in gratitude, and in the sacred name of Jesus Christ,
amen.”
When President Joseph F. Smith was in a vision he was able to visit the
heavenly place that awaits faithful saints. This vision is recorded as D&C
138, Oct 3, 1918. He saw the righteous dead assembled in paradise and
Christ’s ministry among them (11-24). He saw that all they who had
departed from mortal life, firm in the hope of the resurrection, and trust in the
Lord were filled with joy and gladness to the Lord’s resurrection; because the
day of their deliverance was at hand; when the Lord appeared their sleeping dust was to be
restored to it perfect frame, bone to bone, and the sinews and flesh upon them, the spirit and
body to be united again never to be divided that they might receive a fulness of joy. The saints
rejoiced in their redemption, and acknowledged the Son of God as their Redeemer and Deliverer;
and their countenances shone with radiance from the presence of the Lord, which rested upon
them (14-24). He saw how the gospel was preached among the spirits that had not had the
gospel while living (38-52). He saw Adam, Eve, and many holy prophets in the spirit world,
including the Prophet Joseph Smith, Hyrum, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff,
and many others (38-53). The righteous dead of our day will continue their labors in the world of
spirits (57). He saw that the wicked were held in captivity; in a place where darkness reigned
(20-22, 28-29).
Many prophets and writers have spoken of the Heavenly City of Enoch. From them we can
obtain much hope in its return and safety.
“Before we can discuss the success of Enoch’s mission, we must first consider
more closely the marvelous visions which prepared him for it, and which are
the most significant part of the Enoch literature; astrological teachings of the
stars and planets. In apocalyptic literature the greatest emphasis is placed
upon Enoch as the conveyor of cosmic knowledge. Enoch saw in vision, the
world from beginning to end – all the works of many generations (there was
not a soul which he beheld not, even who had not yet been born, a
numberless host of people); and many other creations done by the hand of the Lord – he was
shown everything. Abraham also looked and beheld the six heavens and all that is in them, the
earth and her people, and her spirit, and the power of men, and the lower regions, the sea,
island, animals and fishes. And a mighty host of men, women and children65.”
Key: The Lord teaches his faithful Elect through visions of his works; his great and mighty
works.
65
A Strange Thing in the Land: The Return of the Book of Enoch, Part 10, Hugh Nibley, also The Apocalypse of Abraham 21:1;
1 Enoch 19:1-4.
him Na’ar [the Lad], son of Jared”66.
Key: Enoch, the father of human transformation is able to show us how to obtain
transformation for ourselves.
The society of Enoch was called Zion “because they were of one heart
and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor
among them67.” But Zion is also a place; Enoch and his people built a
city that was called “City of Holiness, even Zion”. After the Lord came
and dwelt with Zion his people in the city of Zion, they were taken up
into heaven that is, they were translated. But Enoch’s people were not
the only ones; the Holy Ghost fell on many, and they were caught up by
the powers of heaven into Zion. Those who achieved purity in their
hearts were received into the city of Enoch to enjoy fellowship with
other righteous people. After the flood righteous men, sought an
inheritance into Enoch’s Zion, but began the process of building their own City of Holiness.
Melchizedek and his people were among those who were taken.68”
Key: When we are pure in heart, and righteous enough, we are ready to be translated, that
is, ready to be taken up into the City of Zion.
“When Enoch climbed Mount Simeon, he was “clothed upon with glory”
and was privileged to see and converse with the Lord face to face.
Following that experience, Enoch and the people of God “were blessed
upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish”. In the
ancient world, mountains were associated with sacred space, specifically
with temple experiences69. Franklin D. Richards said, I expect that in the
city of Enoch, there are temples; and when Enoch and his people come
back, they will come back with their city, their temples, blessings, and
powers. This order has been passed down to us. If a couple today is true to their temple
covenants, taken through the proper authority, they are entitled to the blessings of the highest
degree of the celestial kingdom. Adam gave us the pattern, and Enoch followed this pattern and
brought his people into the presence of God while still living. If we follow the pattern, we too
can be taken to the city of Enoch while living, for God does not change70.”
Key: Keeping temple covenants entitles and prepares us to go to the City of Enoch.
“And so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, and
their enemies came to battle against them; and he spake the word of the
Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his
command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the
roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared
66
Nibley, Ricks; Enoch the Prophet, pg 19-20
67
Moses 7:18
68
Melchizedek: Seeking after the Zion of Enoch, Frank F. Judd, Jr.
69
Moses 7:3-17
70
Melchizedek: Seeking after the Zion of Enoch, Frank F. Judd, Jr.
greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which
God had given him… And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and
one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them. And Enoch
continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his
days, that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion… And lo, Zion, in process
of time was taken up into heaven71.”
Key – Zion exists; and great is the power of God working through a righteous man.
Key: People who follow the pattern of righteous living, a pattern first given by Enoch,
which has been restored, now live upon the earth in preparation for return of Enoch’s city.
Key: by following the example of Enoch and Melchizedek, other too can be taken to
heavenly Zion.
71
Moses 7:13, 18-21
72
Melchizedek: Seeking after the Zion of Enoch, Frank F. Judd, Jr.
73
Sidney B. Sperry, Thy People Shall be My People, pg 36-7.
“The Melchizedek or higher priesthood provides the means whereby
the righteous may “commune with the general assembly and church
of the Firstborn74”. More specifically, those who receive and keep
sacred covenants relating to the priesthood of Melchizedek become
part of ‘the great assembly and church of Enoch, and of the
Firstborn’ (D&C 76:67). Thus, the king of Salem, and greater
priesthood, which currently bears his name, has a very close
connection with Enoch that may go unnoticed. The Lord made a
covenant with Enoch that he, as well as everyone who received the
greater priesthood would be given power, if faithful, to perform
75
great miracles . Enoch city was a city of righteous, faithful, peaceful, protected people, as was
Melchizedek’s holy city76.”
Key – when it becomes philosophically impossible for us to remain here we will be taken up
to the City of Enoch.
“What does it mean to say that the people of the City of
Enoch “were taken up”? Not only were they separated
physically from this earth without experiencing death, but
they also underwent a physical change in which their bodies
were raised to a terrestrial order. They were no longer
subject to death or disease and were then in the same
status later granted to John the Beloved and the Three
74
D&C 107:19.
75
JST, Gen. 14:30-31
76
Melchizedek: Seeking after the Zion of Enoch, Frank F. Judd, Jr.
77
Hoyt W. Brewster, Behold I Come Quickly… Return of the City of Enoch, Ch 18, pg 156. [Enoch, Brewster,
165]; see also Deseret News, 1878, p. 11.
Nephites78 .. Enoch and his people are no longer in a state of translation but and resurrection
when Jesus Christ rose from the tomb… risen to a resurrected status went through the change
of instantaneous death79.”
Key: when we are taken up to the city of Enoch, we will be translated as John the
Revelator, and will await instantaneous resurrection at the Lord’s Second Coming.
“…The people of the City of Enoch were taken from this earth.
These people had raised themselves to a higher order of living
that was incompatible with the other residents of this world. In
the words of President Joseph Fielding Smith, they "were as …
strangers on the earth . . . due to the fact that they were living
the celestial law in a telestial world." (CHMR, 1:195.) What does
it mean to say that the people of the City of Enoch were "taken up"? Not only were they
separated physically from this earth without experiencing death, but they also underwent a
physical change in which their bodies were raised to a terrestrial order. They were no longer
subject to death or disease [as]… John the Beloved and the Three Nephites80.
Key: When we fully live a celestial law, then we are eligible go to the City, where we will
experience physical change [transformation]; no longer subject to death.
Key – The people who visit us from the City of Enoch will be resurrected beings (if they
weren’t born there).
“And the bow shall be in the cloud… that I may remember the
everlasting covenant, which I made unto thy father Enoch; that
when men should keep all my commandments, Zion should
again come on the earth, the city of Enoch which I have caught
up unto myself. And this is mine everlasting covenant, that
when thy posterity shall embrace the truth, and look upward,
78
See John 21; D&C 7: and Nephi 28.
79
Brewster, Behold, I Come Quickly, pg 166.
80
See John 21:20-23; D&C 7; 3 Nephi 28:1-10.
81
See Matthew 27:52-53; 3 Nephi 23:9.
82
MM, p. 636. Enoch, Brewster, 166
then shall Zion look downward, and all the heavens rejoice with gladness, and the earth shall
tremble with joy; and the general assembly of the church of the first-born shall come down out
of heaven, and possess the earth, and shall have place until the end come. And this is mine
everlasting covenant, which I made with thy father Enoch83.”
Key: The Lord promised the return of the Holy City, so it will happen, we just need to
prepare for it, and look upward.
“And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy
city meet them there, and we shall receive them into our
bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their
necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss
each other; and there shall be mine abode, and it shall be
Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I
have made; and for the space of a thousand years, the earth
shall rest. And it came to pass that Enoch saw the day of
the coming of the Son of Man, in the last days, to dwell on
the earth in righteousness for the space of the thousand years… the Lord showed Enoch all
things, even unto the end of the world, and he saw the day of the righteous, the hour of their
redemption84.”
Key: The Elect will be redeemed, meet with Enoch’s city residents in a physical experience;
and then reside with them, and the Lord. At some point we will return to the earth with
them, and we and our children will reside upon it in peace for 1000 years.
Key: Fulfillment of the New & Everlasting Covenant is when Enoch’s City returns to
possess the earth. In order for them to appear to us, we must first look upward toward
them.
83
JST, Genesis 9:21-23.
84
Moses 7:63-65.
85
D&C 45:12.
86
JST Genesis 9:21-23. Brewster, Enoch 167,8
“A hymn to be sung when the Savior returns to earth includes these
words: "The Lord hath brought down Zion from above. The Lord
hath brought up Zion from beneath." (D&C 84:100; see verses 98-
102.) … President John Taylor, said the following regarding the
Zion…: "And Zion that is on the earth will rise, and the Zion above
will descend… and we will meet and fall on each other's necks and
embrace…" (JD, 21:253.) Elder Orson Pratt suggested that this city
of holiness will return to the earth "at the commencement of the
Millennium to meet the Zion… here." (JD, 2:103.) In a revelation given anciently to Enoch, the
Lord declared that these righteous inhabitants of "Zion, a New Jerusalem," would meet with
Enoch and his city in a glorious reunion accompanying the Second Coming87.
Key: Enoch’s City coming to merge with the people of earthly Zion causes the Millennium
to begin.
“The thing that will make it possible for these two cities of
holiness [Zion below, Enoch above] to intermingle… will be
their common ground of celestial living. Those who will
inhabit the New Jerusalem will be of the same character as
those of the ancient City of Zion. Orson Pratt [stated]…: "The
Latter-Day Zion will resemble, in most particulars, the Zion of
Enoch: it will be established upon the same celestial laws—be
built upon the same gospel, and be guided by continued
revelation. Its inhabitants, like those of the antediluvian Zion,
will be the righteous gathered out from all nations: the glory of God will be seen upon it; and His
power will be manifested there, even as in Zion of old. All the blessings and grand characteristics
which were exhibited in ancient Zion will be shown forth in the Latter-Day Zion88."
Key – In order to qualify for residence of the City of Enoch, we must live Celestial Laws.
87
Moses 7:62-65. Enoch, Brewster 168.
88
The Seer, May 1854, p. 265. Brewster, Enoch 168-9.
Key: It is not clear if the city of Elect mortals (New Jerusalem) wherein was the tabernacle
of the Lord, would be upon the earth at the time of the return of the Lord, but rather, that
there would be a gathering of all the Elect into a righteous city, directed by two powerful
latter-day servants, righteousness and truth.
Key – The commencement of the Millennium is set, but the building of the city of New
Jerusalem can be hastened by the progression of the people living Celestial Laws; we must
become ‘pure in heart’, with ‘no poor among us’, and becoming ‘one in heart, mind, and
purpose’.
Key – The earth is now in a telestial state, but will be upgraded to be at least terrestrial,
and people will live a lot longer; even the young will die older than 100 years old.
89
EM, s.v. "Enoch." Brewster, Enoch p.170.
90
Isaiah 65:20 Brewster, Enoch 207.
Jerusalem, and a new city of Jerusalem which had not yet been built. The New Jerusalem would
descend down to a new earth. The Lamb’s bride, the holy city Jerusalem will descend from
heaven91.”
Key: At least two earthly and two heavenly cities of Zion will exist during the
Millennium.
“While every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is
the Christ (see Philippians 2:10-11), according to Brigham Young not
all who remain on the millennial earth will be members of His true
church: "In the millennium men will have the privilege of being
Presbyterians, Methodists or Infidels, but they will not have the
privilege of treating the name and character of Deity as they have
done heretofore. No, but every knee shall bow and every tongue
confess to the glory of God the Father that Jesus is the Christ92."
Key: There will be those who are not members of the LDS Church, but all who live during
that time will honor and be obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ during the Millennium, or
they will be destroyed.
Key- Missionary work will be done during the Millennium; and all will repent and make
covenants with the Lord. False worship practices will leave.
“Two Old Testament prophets foresaw two world capitals during the Millennium: "for out of
Zion [the New Jerusalem] shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from [old]
Jerusalem.94" Thus, there will be two world capitals during the millennial era, one in the western
hemisphere and one in the eastern hemisphere. "There will be no conflict," declared President
Joseph Fielding Smith, "for each city shall be headquarters for the Redeemer of the world, and
from each he shall send forth his proclamations as occasion may require95."
91
Tate, Nyman, From Zion to Destruction, 219. Answers to Gospel Questions 2:105. See also Enoch 4:6-8; Ether 13:2-11; Rev.
21:9-27.
92
JD, 12:274. Brewster, Enoch 207.
93
D&C 1:30; NWAF, p. 643. Brewster, Enoch 209
94
Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2
95
DS, 3:70. Brewster, Enoch 209.
Key – There will be two world capital cities during the millennium, Zion (new Jerusalem)
and Old Jerusalem.
George Q. Cannon [stated]: ‘We are asked, Is the Church of God and the Kingdom of
God the same organization? and we are informed that some of the brethren hold
that they are separate. This is the correct view to take. The Kingdom of God is a
separate organization from the Church of God. There may be men acting as officers
in the Kingdom of God who will not be members of the Church… The Kingdom of
God when established will not be for the protection of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints alone, but for the protection of all men… Under its rule, no one will
be permitted to … interfere with the rights of others97’.
Key – Members of the Church must develop a love for all men; including those non-
members who are good people of the world.
96
DS, 1:229-30. Brewster, Enoch 209,10.
97
Juvenile Instructor, 1 March 1896, p. 140; see also HC, 7:382. Brewster, Enoch 209, 210.
98
HC, 7:382. Brewster, Enoch 211.
Key- The Kingdom of God maintains the rights of all mankind, as the Lord ordained that
agency should be given them.
“A major effort during the Millennium will be the focus on temple work. This will
be "the great work of the millennium," said President Joseph Fielding Smith, who
then explained: "The work of the millennium will be largely work for the dead
who did not have an opportunity when living to obtain the blessings, but who
would have accepted the blessings if they had lived. Justice demands this. We
need not worry, therefore, because young men or young women die without
being married. All who are worthy will be blessed just the same as if they had
lived and obtained the blessings99."
Key- The great work of the Millennium will be to do the work for those who died without
obtaining the blessings of the gospel ordinances.
Key: The 144,000 High Priests will be ordained to bring, as many as will come, to the
Church and General Assembly of the Firstborn. These are they who received the
testimony of Christ, believed on his name, were baptized, kept the commandments, were
washed clean, overcome all things, and were sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.
“Those who receive patriarchal promises that they shall be raised in the "morning
of the first resurrection" are those who are worthy to be "first caught up to meet
him" in the heavens prior to His earthly descent. (D&C 88:97-98.) When Christ
returns at His second coming, He will be accompanied by a specially designated
group of 144,000 High Priests, as well as an innumerable company of resurrected
Saints who have qualified for celestial glory. In addition, "the saints that are upon
the earth, who are alive shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him101."
99
DS, 2:167, 177. Brewster, Enoch 211.
100
D&C 77:11; 76:51-69; 77:102
101
Brewster, Enoch 206. See D&C 88:96; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 14:1; D&C 133:18; 76:50-70.
Key: There will be those who are alive still upon the earth at the time of the Lord’s Second
Coming – they will be caught up to meet him. He will be accompanied by 144,000 worthy
High Priests.
“While the worthy Saints among the living are "quickened and . . . caught
up to meet him," it seems reasonable to believe that not all will pass
through death and resurrection at this time. In order for mortal children to
be born during the Millennium, they must be begotten by mortal parents.
Much is yet to be revealed regarding these matters. Those who are
resurrected after the morning of the first resurrection are "those who are
Christ's at his coming." President Joseph Fielding Smith explained their
status: "In this resurrection will come forth those of the terrestrial order…
who are worthy to come forth to enjoy the millennial reign102."
Key: Some worthy saints need to maintain a mortal status in order to bear mortal children
during the Millennium.
Key: Only those who are worthy to reside in a celestial or terrestrial glory will inhabit the
earth during the Millennium; therefore we must help as many souls as possible ascend to at
least the Terrestrial Glory level of progression before the Lord arrives.
102
DS, 2:296-97; D&C 88:99.
103
DS, 3:60. See TPJS, pp. 188-89. Brewster, Enoch 207.
104
Brewster, pg. 167.
Key: The Doctrine of Translation is one of mortals having their bodies and spirits changed,
or translated [to no longer suffer death or disease, or temptation by the Devil], to be held as
ministering angels to serve according to the Lord’s desires.
“With few exceptions, all who have died from the time of Christ to the
present await the day when their spirits shall be reunited with the flesh.
To the righteous, this resurrection—the resurrection of the just—will
come at the beginning of the Millennium. ‘While there was a general
resurrection of the righteous at the time Christ arose from the dead’,
declared President Joseph Fielding Smith, ‘it is customary for us to speak
of the resurrection of the righteous at the Second Coming of Christ as the
first resurrection. It is the first to us, for we have little thought or concern
over that which is past. The Lord has promised that at the time of his
Second Advent the graves will be opened, and the just shall come forth to
reign with him on the earth for a thousand years105’. “
Key – Those who have died since Christ await to be resurrected, therefore, the End-time
Prophet, [with whom the Lord will make a New and Everlasting Covenant with before he
comes] must be either still living or translated prior to his arrival.
“Elijah and Moses were preserved from death: because they had a mission to
perform, and it had to be performed before the crucifixion of the Son of God,
and it could not be done in the spirit. They had to have tangible bodies... The
Lord preserved [Moses], so that he could come at the proper time and restore
his keys, on the heads of Peter, James, and John, who stood at the head of the
dispensation of the meridian of time. He reserved Elijah from death that he
might also come and bestow his keys upon the heads of Peter, James, and
John and prepare them for their ministry106.
Key- Moses and Elijah were reserved with tangible bodies until they had performed
earthly ordinances necessary, but were resurrected after Christ was.
Key – the former prophets, Moses and Elijah have been resurrected, and therefore have
taken up residence upon a Celestial planet. So the Elijah that was to come and prepare a
people for the Lord’s return must be acting in the capacity of Elijah as a fore-runner to
Christ, but would need to be a person who is still in human form (Terrestrial inhabitant);
so that he is able to reside here.
105
DS, 2:295. Brewster, Enoch 206.
106
DS, 2:110-11. Brewster, Enoch, pg 204.
107
See D&C 110. Brewster, Enoch, 205.
“Since the time of the first resurrection, there have been others who
have been granted translated bodies in order to continue their
ministry upon this earth, notably the Apostle John (see D&C 7) and
the Three Nephite Disciples (see 3 Nephi 28). There have also been
individuals resurrected since the time of Christ who had special
missions to perform in the flesh, namely Peter, James, and Moroni.
The former two joined with the Apostle John in restoring the keys of
the Melchizedek Priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in
1829. Moroni appeared to the Prophet as a resurrected angel to instruct him regarding the
translation of the Book of Mormon108.
Key – there may be no need for people to remain in the earthly form as translated beings,
when the resurrected one is just as able to perform earthly ordinances.
“As to where resurrected beings now reside, we turn again to the writings of
Elder Parley P. Pratt: "Those raised left the earth and ascended, or were
transplanted far on high, with the risen Jesus, to the glorified mansions of His
Father, or to some planetary system already redeemed and glorified. The
reasons for thus leaving the earth are obvious. Our planet was still in its
rudimental state, and therefore subject to the rule of sin and death. It was
necessary that it should continue thus, until the full time of redemption should
arrive; it was, therefore, entirely unfitted for the residence of immortal man109."
Consider the present status of three ancient prophets: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have entered
into their exaltation, and sit upon thrones, and are now gods110.
Key – Resurrected beings do not reside in a Terrestrial world, as it is unfitted for the
residence of immortal men.
“The gospel was preached from the beginning, having been declared by holy
angels sent forth from the presence of God, and by his own voice, and by the
gift of the Holy Ghost111. And a book of remembrance was kept, in which was
recorded, in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called
upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration; And by them their children were
taught to read and write, having a language which was pure and undefiled.
Now this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of
the world also… and a genealogy was kept of the children of God. And this was
the book of the generations of Adam… and they were preachers of
righteousness, and … and faith was taught unto the children of men112.”
108
See JS-H 1:27-54. Brewster, Enoch, 204. See D&C 27:12.
109
Pratt, Key to Theology, p. 139.
110
D&C 132:37. Brewster, Enoch 205.
111
Moses 5:58.
112
Moses 6:5-7, 22-23.
Key – The same Priesthood power and blessings Enoch has is still available to us today.
Key: Those who are translated beings are not taken to reside in the presence of God, but
will continue laboring as ministering angels to the people of earths of a terrestrial order,
perhaps many planets. They will be resurrected at a later point.
Key - When the Spirit of God is upon us - when we walk with God - all the blessings of the
Priesthood are available – uttering God’s words, commanding the earth & elements, seeing
spirits and invisible things.
“It would appear that the translated residents of Enoch’s city are under the
direction of Jesus who… holding the keys of the government of other worlds,
could, in his administrations to them, select the translated people of Enoch’s
Zion, if He thought proper, to perform a mission to these various planets, and
as death had not passed upon them, they could be prepared by Him, and
made use of through the medium of the Holy Priesthood to act as
ambassadors, teachers, or messengers to these worlds over which Jesus holds
the authority…”
113
TPJS, p. 170. Enoch, Brewster 167.
114
Moses 6:35-36.
Key: The City of Enoch’s people nearby, and may appear to us, if needed, to teach,
administer ordinances, or bring messages from God to us. We may learn how to do this for
others after we are translated.
Key: The people of Enoch’s City are familiar with other planetary systems, and in fact may
be ministers to them; which we may be called to do also, if transformed early.
Ministry of the Three Nephites is happening now, in preparation of the Lord’s Returns
Clyde J. Williams wrote in The Three Nephites and the Doctrine of Translation, pg 237:
- Joseph Smith taught that the habitation of translated being was a planet of
terrestrial order, which place was prepared for those the Lord had held in
reserve to be ministering angels. (TPJS 170)
- The Lord revealed to Joseph that John the Beloved has been permitted to
remain on the earth to do ‘a greater work yet among men that what he had
before done.’ (D&C 7:5)
- The account of the Savior’s formal minister among the Lamanites included
the appointment of three Nephites (3 Nephi 26:6). In that account, we are
told that the Book of Mormon does not contain even 100th part of the
‘greater things’ that would be made known to the believers (v. 8-10).
115
Pres. John Taylor. The Mediation and Atonement, reprint of 1882 edition, Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press,
1964, pp. 76-77. Brewster, Enoch 167.
- The Savior granted the twelve Nephite disciples the same privilege as that afforded the twelve
Apostles in Jerusalem. It stimulates one’s mind to consider the prospect of having the Lord grant us
whatever we may desire, but the choices are limited to the Savior’s discretion. The condition of our
heart manifests the gift we desire; so the Savior offers it to those whom he knew would not ask
amiss. He knew the thoughts of John the Revelator, and the Three Nephites before they asked; as
he also knew the thoughts of the others. (3 Nephi 28:6)
- Mormon identified the five major groups the Three Nephites would minister
to. (1) Faithful Nephites and Lamanites who remained after the Lord’s
appearance in America, as Apostles to their race; (2) The Gentiles; (3) the
Jews; (4) the scattered tribes of Israel; and (5) all nations, kindreds, tongues,
and people. (3 Nephi 28:27-29)
- For nearly two thousand years the Three Nephites disciples and John the
Revelator have been ministering upon this earth. The record of their labors
will be one of the most interesting accounts unfolded after the Savior returns.
(D&C 88:108-110).
- The Prophet Joseph taught that many districts were being prepared for the Elders even before they
arrived, by these men with power over death. They are able to penetrate even the most war-ridden
countries; to reach the most oppressed of the Lord’s people. They work to prepare the hearts of
men to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ; just as a farmer works to prepare the soil to receive the
good seed.
“A portion of Israel is now gathered… but in a little while you will find another prophecy will be
fulfilled, and that is the prophecy that Jesus made to the three Nephites who… are still living
upon this continent. He spoke to them of a time when they would perform a great and mighty
work… and that has not yet been fulfilled, but it will be. You will find that many districts where
the Elders… cannot read will be penetrated by these men… and when the honest in heart see
the power… that is with them they will …[trust them]. These three men are going to perform a
great work in the program of the last days, as is the beloved disciple John [the Revelator]. My
testimony is that these men are going abroad in the nations… before the face of your sons, and
they are preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive the Gospel… The Lord has
promised that He would send His angels before the face of His servants, and he does so.” John
W. Taylor, Conference Report, October 6, 1902, pg. 75.
Chapter 5 – LDS MEMBER VISIONS OF END-TIME DESTRUCTION
Yohani Wolfgramm 1989 dream of the future of America as told to a close friend
* The Big economic collapse which leads to chaos will occur in the third year of the second term of
the son of George Bush who will become president.
* There will be a great drought at about this same time all over the country.
* Many in the Church will become unrighteous and apostatize
* There will be a nuclear bomb or bombs go off in Northern Utah that will affect as far south as the
Salt Lake Valley.
* Hundreds of millions of foreign troops will invade America.
* The main foreign force in the Utah area will be Chinese or Chinese-looking troops mixed with
Latin American troops.
* Great upheavals all over. In the Wasatch front area a tremendous earthquake will occur. The
mountains and the valleys will be rearranged.
* The righteous will be spared while the unrighteous will be cleansed from the land by
earthquake, flood, and plague.
* The rocky mountain area will then become a sacred, fruitful place where the righteous will
gather.
“It begins in Salt Lake City right at the Salt Lake Temple. Oddly, there
was little damage to the temple. This reminds me of the scripture
where it says: 'And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house
shall it go forth, saith the Lord..." (D&C 125:l -2) This earthquake
causes massive damage and death along the Wasatch Front. I think it
happens in the fall, October or November as the lawns are yellow. In
Provo I saw that large rocks, behind the temple in Rock canyon, were
rolling everywhere. . . I saw that streets were broken up, there were
fires all over the city along with broken water pipes and natural gas mains. People died from the
large shards of glass from the Nuskin building as its windows broke. I also saw the Jordon River
Temple. They quickly got the people out of the temple in an orderly fashion and they gathered
outside on the lawn.
“The entire north wing of a hospital made of red brick on the east
bench of SLC collapsed. [prob LDS Hospital] At the Delta center I saw
the north end of this structure collapse into rubble. There was a really
tall building near Main and Third South, the Wells Fargo Bank building
which is almost as big as the church office building that went down.
The Church Office Building just swayed really bad. I did see the LDS
Conference Center intact after the quake, with just some clean up
needed. The Salt Lake Temple had only minor damage.
“I saw a crack on one of the walls of the temple which was due to the
crack in the ground from the earthquake which went through temple square and that was the
extent of the damage I could detect there. At first there was an armed contingent of men
surrounding the temple to protect it but later I saw them replaced by an angelic army. I saw the
mall across from Temple Square. Gangs were everywhere, with people living
in the mall's parking garage with little fires to keep warm. I saw that people
were dying in the streets. I saw one doctor with tears in his eyes look up from
his work in the street. He was completely overwhelmed at the mass of dead
and dying. On the freeway the west end of the spaghetti bowl went down along with several
overpasses.
“After this first quake I saw a lot of the people on the Wasatch
Front evacuate southward to the valley by Manti. It was completely
full of mostly green army tents with an odd color mixed in here and
there. That area was full of people with some people finding shelter
in the turkey barns they have there. The government provided a lot
of supplies at that time. The people there were able to have what
they needed and it was a safe place.
“I saw a young man in the back of a pick up truck in Spanish Fork. He was talking to crowds of
people and convinced them to move southward to safety. This young man wasn't a general
authority but truly had the spirit of prophecy. He told several groups of people to move south to
safety and a lot of people followed him and went to the Nephi Valley. There they began to settle
and got along well. He had an older man helping him that was retired military with grey hair.
This man was good at organizing the people. Some families went to Sanpete while others went
to Carbon County. The gas stations had long lines where they had power. I saw a long line of
military vehicles along with other cars and trucks headed up Spanish Fork canyon.
“The president called in U.N. forces to take over and keep the peace. We had relatively no
government left except for the military and they kind of did things their own way.
“The people in Sanpete Valley had food and supplies that the
military had helped bring in with the first earthquake evacuation
but now the military wanted what was left but FEMA had already
come around and taken almost everything they could. Now the
military set up camp in the Nephi Valley just below the canyon at
Nephi and they were planning an attack on the poor righteous
people of Sanpete. Now I saw huge boulders flying off the
mountain as well as new rock structures come jutting out of the ground. The mouth of the
canyon was completely blocked by the debris.
The Jews build a new temple where the Dome of the Rock now stands.
“The next part that I was shown I have rarely been able to share but
with only a handful. I have prayed a lot about it and the Spirit is
testifying that I need to share it. Please know this is very sacred to me. I
was taken to Jerusalem, there in the land of Israel. I saw the Jews
building a temple on the area where the dome of the rock now stands.
It was made of a yellowish type of stone and reminded me of the style
of Solomon’s Temple. I then saw another temple there, south of the
Jerusalem Center, built by the LDS church. This temple was made of
grey stone and I think it was where the Orson Hyde Garden’s are.
An Evil Council and Anti-Christ attack Jerusalem
“Next I saw a council of men gathered who were very evil. The anti-
Christ stood at the head of the table. He wore military clothes that were
tan and had dark hair and a somewhat stalky build. The group he was
talking to represented nations from all over the world and they were
planning an attack on Jerusalem. I saw them gather their forces and
weaponry in a valley just below the Mount of Olives. I have been told it
was the Kidron Valley. I then saw life within the city of Jerusalem. The
people had already been under attack and small portions had held their
ground and were protected by what looked like domes of clear light
over them.
“One of the prophets raised his hand and diverted the missiles. They
could not be hurt. I then saw a clear dome of protection over the whole
city. I again saw all the nations meet with their evil leader, who was being
directed expressly by the adversary himself. These dark forces gathered
together everything they could at his point in one grand push against
these two small men and Jerusalem. It was odd to see the whole world
attacking two young men. This time they succeeded.
Two prophets lay dead in Jerusalem streets for three and a half days.
“I feel prompted not to say how, but these evil forces killed them
both. I saw them lying in the streets among broken stones and
rubble. The world rejoiced at this. The evil ones then began to take
over the city as little pockets of resistance held out. No one touched
the bodies of these two prophets as I was shown it was because they were still terrified of the power
these two held so they just left them there. The area was blocked off by those in charge and to go near
the bodies was forbidden. The people would not touch them for God’s promise was upon them. The evil
forces now had their guard down and wasted the time they had left. Three and a half days later I saw
the bodies of the two prophets begin to stir and then everything was completely silent.
“The Lord is wearing red, a deep purplish red like the color of blood. His
light is so bright that it fills everything as he is coming in His full glory.
Now the people can’t deny His glory any longer. The Lord commands
and all obey. I heard Him command for all to repent. It was a great voice
of thunder and it shook the entire earth. All people world wide know He
is here. I saw every living soul kneel. Many whimpered and cried. They
knew they were doomed. Others rejoiced with their arms and eyes held
high towards their Lord. I saw the Lord's arm extended and those who
were righteous were called up and met him in the cloud of beings and
they then stood behind Him.
“The Lord then extended his left arm and made a sweeping motion with
it over those who were left on the earth. He protected those in the sky
behind Him. I watched as all of the forces of destruction were then
brought upon the evil ones. The Lord commanded the earth also and it
obeyed. The land masses were moved and everything was restored to
its former place.
“I must tell all who read this I do not know the time or the hour but I do know He is coming in all
His glory. He will return. But before he does, this earth will be cleansed and everything upon it.
He is the only begotten Son of the Father. It is only by Him and though Him, that we are
redeemed. I want all of you to know that I love Him beyond all expression. I know we must
prepare now! He atoned for all of us, if we will just accept. He has great Love for each of us.
--------------------------------
Chapter 7 - A VOICE OF WARNING TO THE CURRENT LATTER-DAY
SAINTS
“Brethren and sisters, let us go to our homes. If our houses are not in order, let
us set them in order. Let us renew our determination to honor God and keep
his commandments, to love one another, to make our homes the abiding place
of peace. Each of us can contribute to that in the homes in which we live. It will
not be long until calamities will overtake the human family unless there is
speedy repentance. It will not be long before those who are scattered over the
face of the earth by millions will die like flies because of what will come117. “
116
3 Nephi 16:10, 13-15
117
George Albert Smith, Conference Report, April 9, 1950, p. 169.
President Thomas S. Monson gave us good advice about how to deal with change
"... as I speak about those things which have been on my mind and which I
have felt impressed to share with you. I begin by mentioning one of the
most inevitable aspects of our lives here upon the earth, and that is change.
Throughout our lives, we must deal with change. Day by day, minute by
minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are
now. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the
marching come the changes.
"Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our
hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May
we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed. Brothers and
sisters, my sincere prayer is that we may adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize
what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the
journey. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.118"
The People of Zion will be lulled into a sense of security and peace that isn’t real
“And others he (the Devil) will pacify and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say:
All is well, all is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well – thus the devil cheateth their souls
and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.119”
118
Thomas S. Monson - October 2008 General Conference - Nov 6, 2008.
119
2 Nephi 28:21
120
Wilford Woodruff, Journal of Discourses 21:122.
Ezra Taft Benson warned us that ‘all in NOT well in Zion” in his address entitled Stand Up For
Freedom121 in 1966:
“I’m sorry to say that all is NOT well, in so-called prosperous, wealthy, and
powerful America. We have moved a long ways, and are now moving
further and more rapidly, down the soul-destroying road of Socialism. The
evidence is clear, shockingly clear, for all to see. With our national prestige
at, or near, an embarrassing all-time low, we continue to weaken our
domestic economy by unsound fiscal, economic, and foreign-aid policies, which corrupt our
national currency. With a crass unconstitutional usurpation of power by the executive branch of
the federal government; anti-spiritual decisions of the Supreme Court; all apparently approved
by a weakly submissive rubber-stamped congress; the days ahead are ominously frightening.
“It is imperative that American citizens become alerted and informed regarding the threat to
our welfare, happiness, and freedom. No American is worthy of citizenship in our land, who
refuses to take an active interest in these important matters. Stand up for freedom no matter
what the cost; it can help to save your soul, and maybe your country. May God give us the
wisdom to recognize the danger, the dangers of complacency, the threat to our freedom; and
the strength to meet this danger courageously.”
“The devil cheateth their souls and leadeth them away carefully to hell;
and that’s exactly the way he does it. He does not come and grab you and
take you into his territory, but he whispers, ‘do this little evil’, and when
he succeeds in that, another little evil, and then another. He makes you
believe you are gaining something when you are loosing. So every time
we fail to observe a law of God, or keep a commandment, we are being
cheated, because there is no gain in this world or the world to come, but
by obedience to the laws of our Heavenly Father. Men and women in the
world today are subject to that influence, and they are being drawn here
and there, and they do not understand what the Lord desires them to do,
but they continue in the territory of the evil one, subject to his power
where the spirit of the Lord will not go122.”
Zion: Bible dictionary – “The word is defined in latter-day revelation as those who are ‘pure in
heart’. (D&C 97:21); and can also be used to mean a specific location or place as in Enoch’s city
called Zion; Solomon’s Mount Zion; Jackson County, MO called Zion where the New Jerusalem
will be built. .. In a wider sense all of North and South America are Zion (HC 6:318-19)
121
Stand Up for Freedom, address given to Utah Forum for the American Idea, Ezra Taft Benson, Feb 11, 1966,
SLC, Utah.
122
George Albert Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, pg. 40.
Moses 7:18 says:
“…and the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart
and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor
among them.” It goes on to say: Enoch built a city of holiness, called
Zion; and (27) the holy ghost fell on many, and they were caught up by
the powers of heaven into Zion (after Zion (23) was taken up into
heaven; taken up into the bosom of God (31). Enoch said “through faith
(37) I am in the bosom of the Father, and Zion is with me.”
2. After the Lord had called his people Zion, Enoch build a city that was called City of Holiness, even
Zion, which was taken up into heaven after 365 years. Between that time and the flood ‘many
persons were caught up by the powers of heaven into Zion.” It is this city which is to return in
the last days, shortly after the ushering in of the millennium era.
Moses 7:53: “Jesus said, I am Messiah, the King of Zion, the Rock of Heaven. (He is the King
of earthly Zion, as well as Heavenly Zion.)
(63) “And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we
(meaning himself, Enoch, and all the members of his city) will receive them into our bosom, and
they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks and we will
kiss each other.”
(64) “And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be called Zion… and for the space of a 1000
years the earth shall rest.”
It is safe to assume that in 2 Nephi 28:21, the Lord’s warning is to all the members of the Lord’s
earthly church; since the Lord personally walks and talks and interacts with Heavenly Zion.
Let us finish looking by up a few definitions. (OD)
appease: v. 1. make calm or quiet, esp. conciliate by making suggestions; 2. satisfy; 3. reconcile; make
compatible. carnal: adj. 1. of the body of flesh; worldly; 2. sensual; sexual.
lull: n & v. 1. to soothe or send to sleep gently; 2. deceive (a person) into confidence (lulled into a false
sense of security. pacify: v. 1. appease; 2. bring to a state of peace:
security: n. 1. a secure condition or feeling; 2. a thing that guards.
sense: n & v. 1. any of the bodily functions by which sensation is roused; 2. sensitivity to any of these.
Based upon this information and definitions, we can now restate 2 Nephi 28:21 to read:
“And others, the devil will bring the saints to a state of peace, (making them calm and
compatible to himself), and soothe gently to sleep, and deceive them into his confidence,
providing them with worldly possessions and sensual attractions to the point of obtaining a
false sense of security about the condition of their lives. And they will say: All is well, all is well
in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; yea the members of the Church prosper, all is
well; and thus the devil cheats their souls, and leads them away; by making them believe that it
is okay to sin a little here and a little there, and by making them believe they are gaining
something by daily pursuing worldly pleasures and possessions when they are actually loosing
their souls and their salvation to the devil and hell.”
Roger K. Young states in his book Dreams and Visions of the Last Days pg 189 that many LDS
saints have ascribed to a false assumption:
“The False Assumption which particularly plagues us today is this: many Church members have
assumed (or are assuming) that they will never have to flee their current homes; that they are
already living in a place of safety, especially those living the Wasatch Front area, and that the
wicked will be cleansed from among them while they live in peace. After all, their ancestors had
been brought to this place of safety by the hand of the Lord. The problem with this assumption
is simple: Nowhere in sacred history does such a scenario ever present itself. In fact, the
opposite seems to be true, as outlined previously. The righteous gather to a place of peace and
safety and are blessed. After a period of time, the people began to be divided into two groups –
those who still keep the commandments, and those who don’t. The longer the time period, the
greater the division and the more those who have become wicked dominate the once righteous
society. They take over control of the government and pass laws to help them in their quest for
power and riches. While the true humble followers of Christ become the very small (and
diminishing) minority of the society.”
“It is important to note that in almost all past examples, the once righteous who are now
wicked, go around pretending and loudly proclaiming that they are still righteous and still the
chosen of the Lord. Many, if not all, of them are still members of the Church. However, upon
close scrutiny, their actions point to the fact that they have started to become
hypocrites/apostates-in-heart. ‘By their fruits, ye shall know them’, said the Savior.”
These people do not want to hear what is wrong in Zion, only what is right with it. Anyone who
spoke of repentance among them was silenced by excommunication or threatened. This
principle is taught clearly in the Book of Mormon as being the reason why the Lord’s saints were
chastened. Usually, at the bottom of it is a desire to gain more riches. Samuel the Lamanite told
the people of Zarahemla, ‘ye will not remember your Lord, but you do always remember your
riches!’ (Hel. 13:22). Latter day saints need to liken these things unto themselves.