White Horse Prophecy

[cthulu2016]

Having seen several references on the internets to a Mormon prophecy of an LDS president, I googled around some. I think the "presidential prophecy" thing is a (somewhat distorted) take on the "White Horse Prophecy," which is something Joseph Smith is purported to have said in 1843.

Essentially, that one day the US Constitution would hang by a thread and the Mormon Elders would have to save it. I don't know that there was an explicit prophecy of an LDS president.

The current LDS church does not favor the White Horse prophecy, and some say it was never made. It was, however, taken seriously by a lot of major LDS figures at times, including Brigham Young.

This is my personal observation—Famous prophecies are often about things long past. It is important to note that in 1843 the US Constitution was already hanging by a thread. (Which would all but snap 17 years later) It was no secret the the United States was in danger of eventual dissolution over slavery. As to what the LDS elders would have done to resolve the slavery issue that was, at the time, endangering the Union, I do not know. But if Smith made the prophecy it's a good bet he wasn't thinking about 2012.

Mitt Romney has said he considers the White Horse Prophecy to be a matter of "speculation and discussion by [LDS] church members" and "not official [LDS] church doctrine."


As interpreted through the years, it has a very Tea Party ring to it:

In 1928, the LDS apostle Melvin J. Ballard remarked that "the prophet Joseph Smith said the time will come when, through secret organizations taking the law into their own hands ... the Constitution of the United States would be so torn and rent asunder, and life and property and peace and security would be held of so little value, that the Constitution would, as it were, hang by a thread. This Constitution will be preserved, but it will be preserved very largely in consequence of what the Lord has revealed and what [the Mormons], through listening to the Lord and being obedient, will help to bring about, to stabilize and give permanency and effect to the Constitution itself. That also is our mission."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Horse_Prophecy#United_States_Constitution

[msongs]

1. superstitious cults have all kinds of stories nt

[notadmblnd]

2. The Mormon church held much animosity towards the US government at one time.

They felt they were being persecuted. May be one of the reasons Rmoney's granddad fled to Mexico

[zeemike]

3. Well he was right about some of it.

The part about a secret organization taking the law into it's own hands and shredding the constitution...that was accomplished under Bush...the Bonesmen.
The patriot act did away with the bill of rights,

[Enrique]

4. religion is so depressing to me

I hear these stories and I want to groan. Thank God I dont live in a theocracy.

[Jayce Cox]

5. Church has Disavowed this "prophecy"

This has Utah folk lore written all over it! As a Mormon I have never heard this discussed in or out of Church, but I have read about members who buy into these "faith promoting rumors". I was not raised in Utah, so maybe my view is in the minority, but when Church HQ has publicly denounced this, we Mormons should listen. We do however believe the US Constitution was divinely inspired.
And if there is an elder who has to step in and save it, I pray it's good ole Brother Harry Reid!
Just my Mormon take
Jayce
Helena, Montana

[arely staircase]

6. already come to pass

[Jayce Cox]

8. Can I get an Amen

Clearly the prophecy has been fulfilled and laid to rest, bless you for the memo.
This made my day

[RedStateLiberal]

7. It's just as likely that...

...Gandalf will ride in at dawn on the fifth day to save us all.

[siligut]

9. Tell that to Mormon artist, Jon Naughton

To his website/artwork: http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/artwork/view_zoom/379


A video of his:

Colbert's take: http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/414028/may-09-2012/jon-mcnaughton-s--nation-under-socialism--artwork

I don't believe Joe Smith was a prophet, not one bit, but the Mormon people do and I do believe in self-fulfilling prophecies.

So I am not writing it off so easily.

[Jayce Cox]

11. Well ok maybe we have a few nuts in our Mormon Family Tree

Brother McNaughton needs to see a psychiatrist.
Oh Lord help us!
Jayce

[siligut]

12. More than a few, but I take it you are not in Utah

Utah is where the nuts can be themselves and are often encouraged to be, by the other nuts.

[dimbear]

10. There are a number of parts of Mormonism that are just as public as Mitt's tax returns.

Have a chat with your Mormon friends about the temple rituals. Next time you're in Salt Lake City, take the tour through the basement of the Temple.

NB not the Tabernacle. The Temple.

[Onlooker]

13. And Brigham Young great great granddaughter ...

... who heads an exMormon movement had this to say about it:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/08/07/exclusive-brigham-young-s-great-great-granddaughter-on-mormonism-and-mitt-romney.html

Regarding Romney and the presidency, Emmett cites a bit of Mormon lore called the White Horse Prophecy that has floated around since the time of Mormon founder Joseph Smith. It suggests that Mormons believe a time will come when the U.S. Constitution is eroding and Mormon leaders will save it and usher in a new theocracy with Mormons in charge. Emmett’s great-great-grandfather talked about it. In a discourse from 1855, Young wrote that "when the Constitution 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."