Posted on 01/24/2010 4:54:22 PM PST by Colofornian
When the Mormon pioneers headed West under duress in 1847, they had reason to feel bitter at their treatment by the world's foremost liberal democracy. For years, Americans had chased, robbed, beaten and killed them.
Joseph Smith, seeking redress for his people, earlier had gone to Washington, D.C. The towering statesmen of the day who received him acted like, well, Washington politicians.
According to Smith, the legendary Henry Clay said, "You had better go to Oregon." The revered John C. Calhoun counseled, "It is a nice question, a critical question, but it will not do to agitate it." And the ultimate inside-the-beltway waffling came from President Martin Van Buren: "Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you."
Following Smith's death, and encouraged by belligerent neighbors with guns, the Saints turned their wagons west. They might have turned their backs forever on the United States of Hypocrisy. Instead, they considered themselves the last Real Americans, the legitimate heirs of the pilgrims and Founding Fathers.
And, they believed, the very survival of the Constitution depended on the Saints. From Smith on, LDS leaders prophesied the Constitution would one day hang by a thread, only to be saved by Mormons.
When (LDS) U.S. Sen. Hatch recently went on (LDS) talk radio host Glenn Beck's show and said the Constitution is hanging by a thread (threatened, one supposes, by President Barack Obama's "socialist agenda" like it never had been by slavery, the Civil War, the Great Depression, McCarthyism, or a president forced to resign for criminal conduct), Hatch was speaking "code" to those in the know. To others it still made for a rollicking right-wing, red meat sound bite.
If the rest of the country was going to hell, then the Saints would protect its sacred heart in their mountain fastness. Brigham Young famously said he loved the Constitution, but did not love "the damn rascals who administer the government."
This love/hate would define Mormon relations with America for a generation.
Polygamy was publicly acknowledged in 1852 and Mormons threw themselves into becoming experts on the Constitution, especially on the religious freedom bits. They were that era's civil libertarians. Curiously, their arguments defending non-traditional marriage are being echoed by gay marriage advocates this very week in a California courtroom. No matter. Moral outrage was fierce toward Mormons and polygamy.
Young plaintively observed, "There is not a territory in the Union that is looked upon with so suspicious an eye as is Utah, and yet it is the only part of the nation that cares anything about the Constitution."
America wasn't buying it. It was tautological nonsense to say one loved the Constitution but hated its government and laws. The United States wanted more than lip service to its institutions -- it demanded loyalty. The screws were applied and laws stripped The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of its property and turned its leadership into fugitives. To avoid destruction, the church finally cried, "Uncle Sam!"
The Manifesto, issued in 1890 by Wilford Woodruff, ended the practice of polygamy and paved the way for Utah's admission to the Union. Ever after, Woodruff took pains to connect the dots between love of the Constitution and fealty to its government. "We live in a government raised up by the God of heaven."
And if anyone missed the point, Woodruff prayed at the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple, "Confer abundant favors upon the president, his Cabinet and Congress ... Show them that we are their friends, that we love liberty ... and give unto us and our children an increased disposition to always be loyal."
However, old habits die hard. Recent polling found Mormons to be the most conservative of the conservative; the strictest of the strict constructionists. Inflexible in their devotion to the Constitution, apt to quote Young's hate of "the damn rascals who administer the government."
Another Young quote:
"The signers of the Declaration of Independence and the framers of the Constitution were inspired from on high to do that work. But was that which was given to them perfect, not admitting of any addition whatever? No; for if men know anything, they must know that the Almighty has never yet found a man in mortality that was capable, at the first intimation, at the first impulse, to receive anything in a state of entire perfection. They laid the foundation, and it was for after generations to rear the superstructure upon it. It is a progressive -- a gradual work."
Pat Bagley is The Salt Lake Tribune's political cartoonist.
My gf told me about him. I’m not mormon but, she is, or was. I often think of Glenn Beck too. If he would just study his own religion as closely as he has our countries history, don’t get me wrong I thank God for it, but, if he would do that, he would leave the mormon church. I pray for him often, for his protection and enlightenment, for him and his family.
Yes that’s the one I’m thinking of. But, as Nana said there is so much more horror about this religion.
Mountain Meadow Massacre
_____________________________________
About 140 unarmed men women, children and babies in arms were slaughtered after they had surrendered...
the ist 9/11...
Sept 11, 1857
That date is interesting isn’t it? Personally, I don’t believe in coincidence, interesting.
Only a fool fights in a burning house. [Alan2]
Alan, only a fool thinks the "brush fire" here on earth is the three-alarm, city-wide meltdown that hell represents in contrast to how Mormons diminish any real reality of hell.
CNN, don't we take our cultural cue from a certain "Lord" named Jesus Christ? Who are we to follow when it comes to setting cultural priorities? Jesus and the apostle Paul? or CNN?
Here's Jesus:
"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." (Luke 12:4-5)
So does Jesus say, "fear the Marxists/communists?" (No)
Does Jesus say "fear the enemies of our freedom loving republic within our borders?" (No)
Instead, does He say to exercise fear of the One who has authority to cast somebody into hell? (Yes)
So, indeed, our "fear" is on behalf of those who are placing their eternal spiritual lives at risk.
As for "uniting" behind an anti-Marxist cause, I could probably guess that the folks who the apostle Paul warned the church @ Ephesus about had the bulk in common with the sheep there. Both groups were "religious." So, did Paul play the "allies"-game-don't-divide-us-you're playing? (No)
As Paul was leaving the church of Ephesus, he warned them with this high-priority alert:
"I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears." (Acts 20:29-31)
Paul's cultural priority? (Defend against the false disciples who will proselytize the flock and draw away men unto themselves!)
Tell me something, CNN & Alan2: If you did something tearfully night and day for three years, do you think it's rather important? So what? We're just to conclude, "Oh, the man who contributed a good chunk to the New Testament -- what does he know about cultural priorities?"
I'll take Paul's and Jesus' already-revealed priorities to your guesswork based upon bashing those willing to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3)
Please point out my “bashing”.
The only bashing I do on this board is so-called free trade.
And Mitt Romney. Sometimes. :O)
This whole thing hinges on the LDS “white horse prophecy”. Truth is, Joseph Smith gave the prophecy when he was running for POTUS in 1844 and WANTED TO TURN AMERICA INTO AN LDS THEOCRACY.
It was NEVER about modern times, and ironically it keeps getting brought up over and over periodically (cold war, depression, Carter admin, Clinton years, now) at the same time the LDS deny the prophecy that states it.
Here are quotes about this “white horse prophecy”:
Now, these are the commandments of God, the principles contained in these commandments of the great Eternal are the principles that underly the Constitution of our country, and all just laws. Joseph Smith, the prophet, was inspired to affirm and ratify this truth, and he further predicted that the time would come, when the Constitution of our country would hang as it were by a thread, and that the Latter-day Saints, above all other people in the world, would come to the rescue of that great and glorious palladium of our liberty. We cannot brook the thought of it being torn into shreds, or destroyed, or trampled under foot and ignored by men. We cannot tolerate the sentiment, at one time expressed, by a man high in authority in the nation. He said: The constitution be damned; the popular sentiment of the people is the constitution! That is the sentiment of anarchism, and has spread to a certain extent, and is spreading over the land of liberty and the home of the brave. We do not tolerate it. Latter-day Saints cannot tolerate such a spirit as this. It is anarchy. It means destruction. It is the spirit of mobocracy, and the Lord knows we have suffered enough from mobocracy, and we do not want any more of it. Our people from Mexico are suffering from the effects of that same spirit. We do not want any more of it, and we cannot afford to yield to that spirit or contribute to it in the least degree. We should stand with a front like flint against every spirit or species of contempt or disrespect for the constitution of our country and the constitutional laws of our land. - Prophet Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 403
Now, these are the commandments of God, the principles contained in these commandments of the great Eternal are the principles that underly the Constitution of our country and all just laws. Joseph Smith, the prophet, was inspired to affirm and ratify this truth, and he further predicted that the time would come, when the Constitution of our country would hang as it were by a thread, and that the Latter-day Saints above all other people in the world would come to the rescue of that great and glorious palladium of our liberty. - Prophet Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p. 11
My brethren and sisters, I hope that we will go home from this conference determined as a great body of people, to stand for law, order, righteousness, justice and peace on earth and good will among all men. I believe as the Prophet Joseph has written, that the day would come when there would be so much of disorder, of secret combinations taking the law into their own hands, tramping upon Constitutional rights and the liberties of the people, that the Constitution would hang as by a thread. Yes, but it will still hang, and there will be enough of good people, many who may not belong to our Church at all, people who have respect for law and for order, and for Constitutional rights, who will rally around with us and save the Constitution. I have never read that that thread would be cut. It will hang; the Constitution will abide and this civilization, that the Lord has caused to be built up, will stand fortified through the power of God, by putting from our hearts all that is evil, or that is wrong in the sight of God, by our living as we should live, acceptable to him. - Apostle Charles W. Nibley, Conference Report, October 1922, p. 40
The Prophet Joseph told us that he saw the day when even the Constitution of the United States would be torn and hang as by a thread. But, thank the Lord, the thread did not break. He saw the day when this people would be a balance of power to come to its defense. The Book of Mormon prophecies concerning the future of America have been referred to in our hearing during this conference, wherein it is stated that this nation, though it becomes a mighty nation, still it can stand in security here only as it serves the God of this land. That conception was in the hearts of the men who founded America.
- Apostle Melvin J. Ballard, Conference Report, October 1928, p. 108
I believe that it is the destiny of the Latter-day Saints to support the Constitution of the United States. The Prophet Joseph Smith is alleged to have saidand I believe he did say itthat the day would come when the Constitution would hang as by a thread. But he saw that the thread did not break, thank the Lord, and that the Latter-day Saints would become a balance of power, with others, to preserve that Constitution. If there isand there is one part of the Constitution hanging as by a thread todaywhere do the Latter-day Saints belong? Their place is to rally to the support of that Constitution, and maintain it and defend it and support it by their lives and by their vote. Let us not disappoint God nor his prophet. Our place is fixed. - Apostle Melvin J. Ballard, Conference Report, April 1933, p. 127
The Prophet Joseph told us that he saw the day when even the Constitution of the United States would be torn and hang as by a thread.... He saw the day when this people would be a balance of power to come to its defense. - Apostle Melvin J. Ballard, Conference Report, October 1928, p. 108
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 balance. - Apostle J. Reuben Clark, Conference Report, October 1942, p. 58
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. 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. . . . if it is sustained on this land of Joseph, it will be done by us and our posterity. - Apostle Mark E. Peterson, Conference Report, April 1946, p. 171
[Joseph Smith] 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. 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.- Apostle Mark E. Peterson, Conference Report, April 1946, p. 171
Joseph Smith... [said] the time would come when the Constitution would hang as by a thread and at that time when it was thus in jeopardy, the elders of this Church would step forth and save it from destruction. Why the elders of this Church?... We alone know by revelation as to how the Constitution came into being, and we, alone, know by revelation the destiny of this nation. - Prophet Harold B. Lee, Conference Report, October 1952, p. 18
But beyond all that, the Latter-day Saints have a responsibility, that may be better understood when we recall the prophecy of Joseph Smith who declared that the time would come when ( the destiny and ) the Constitution of these United States would hang as it were by a thread, and that this people, the sons of Zion, would rise up and save it from threatened destruction. (J. of D., Vol. 7:15)
I want to ask you to consider the meaning of that prophecy, in the light of the declaration of the prophets of the Book of Mormon times, who declared that this land was a choice land above all other lands, and would be free from bondage and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of this land, even our Savior, Jesus Christ. (Ether 2:12) - Prophet Harold B. Lee, Conference Report, April 1942, p. 87
It was Joseph Smith who has been quoted as having said that the time would come when the Constitution would hang as by a thread and at that time when it was thus in jeopardy, the elders of this Church would step forth and save it from destruction.
Why the elders of this Church? Would it be sacrilegious to paraphrase the words of the Apostle Peter, and say that the Constitution of the United States could be saved by the elders of this Church because this Church and this Church alone has the words of eternal life? We alone know by revelation as to how the Constitution came into being, and we, alone, know by revelation the destiny of this nation. The preservation of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness can be guaranteed upon no other basis than upon a sincere faith and testimony of the divinity of these teachings. - Prophet Harold B. Lee, Conference Report, October 1952, p. 18
[Joseph Smith] said the time would come when this Constitution would hang as by a thread, and this is true.... Now I tell you it is time the people of the United States were waking up with the understanding that if they dont save the Constitution from the dangers that threaten it, we will have a change of government. - Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Conference Report, April 1950, p. 159
I must not take more time but to add this: The statement has been made that the Prophet said the time would come when this Constitution would hang as by a thread, and this is true. There has been some confusion, however, as to just what he said following this. I think that Elder Orson Hyde has given us a correct interpretation wherein he says that the Prophet said the Constitution would be in danger. Said Orson Hyde:
I believe he said something like this that the time would come when the Constitution and the country would be in danger of an overthrow; and said he: If the Constitution be saved at all, it will be by the Elders of this Church. I believe this is about the language, as nearly as I can recollect it. (Journal of Discourses, 6:152.)
Now I tell you it is time the people of the United States were waking up with the understanding that if they dont save the Constitution from the dangers that threaten it, we will have a change of government. - Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Conference Report, April 1950, p. 159
[Joseph Smith] foresaw the time when the destiny of the nation would be in danger and would hang as by a thread. Thank God he did not see the thread break. He also indicated the important part that this people should yet play in standing for the principles embodied in these sacred documents the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. - Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, April 1948, p. 85
[Joseph Smith] foresaw the time when the destiny of the nation would be in danger and would hang as by a thread. Thank God he did not see the thread break. He also indicated the important part that this people should yet play in standing for the principles embodied in these sacred documents the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. - Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, April 1948, p. 85
the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith there would be an attempt to overthrow the country by destroying the Constitution. Joseph Smith predicted that the time would come when the Constitution would hang, as it were, by a thread, and at that time this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction . 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. - Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, October 1961, p. 70
The Prophet Joseph Smith said the time would come when the Constitution would hang as it were by a thread. Modern-day prophets for the last thirty years have been warning us that we have been rapidly moving in that direction. Fortunately, the Prophet Joseph Smith saw the part the elders of Israel would play in this crisis. - Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, April 1963, p. 113
I would like to add this in conclusion. It is said that President Brigham Young, many years ago, made this statement:
When the Constitution of the United States hangs, as it were, upon a single thread, they will have to call for Mormon elders to save it from utter destruction: and they will step forth and do it. (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 2:182, Feb. 18, 1855.)
This is recorded in the Journal of Discourses and I presume it is accurate, but however it may be, is it not a possibility, that this Church, in its great leadership and in the power that will come to it in advocating the things that are divine and are right and true as for example the great welfare program, is not possible that when we as a nation shall have exhausted our resourcesand we can well do that if we do not turn aboutwhen we have we have reached that point is it not possible that to us will those who are not of us look for guidance and we will be held up as a people who are pointing an economic way that will mean for the economic and spiritual salvation and blessing of our people. - High Priest Clifford E. Young, Conference Report, April 1949, pp. 75-76
The Prophet Joseph Smith said the time would come when the Constitution would hang as it were by a thread. Modern-day prophets for the last thirty years have been warning us that we have been rapidly moving in that direction. Fortunately, the Prophet Joseph Smith saw the part the elders of Israel would play in this crisis. Will there be some of us who wont care about saving the Constitution, others who will be blinded by the craftiness of men, and some who will knowingly be working to destroy it? He that has ears to hear and eyes to see can discern by the Spirit and through the words of Gods mouthpiece that our liberties are being taken. - Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, April 1963, p. 113
It is no wonder that the Prophet Joseph saideven though he knew he would suffer martyrdom in this landThe Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner.
Yet, according to his contemporaries, he foresaw the time when the destiny of the nation would be in danger and would hang as by a thread. Thank God he did not see the thread break. He also indicated the important part that this people should yet play in standing for the principles embodied in these sacred documentsthe Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. - Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, April 1948, p. 85
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. - Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, October 1961, p. 70
Joseph Smith... predicted that the time would come, when the Constitution of our country would hang as it were by a thread, and that the Latter-day Saints above all other people in the world would come to the rescue. - Prophet Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1912, p. 11
Thank God for the Constitution. And may God bless the elders of Israel that when, as President John Taylor said, 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. - Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, Jesus Christ Gifts and Expectations, New Era, May 1975, p. 19
CONSTITUTION TO HANG BY A THREAD. The statement has been made that the Prophet said the time would come when this Constitution would hang as by a thread, and this is true. There has been some confusion, however, as to just what he said following this. I think that Elder Orson Hyde has given us a correct interpretation wherein he says that the Prophet said the Constitution would be in danger.
Said Orson Hyde: I believe he said something like thisthat the time would come when the Constitution and the country would be in danger of an overthrow and said he: If the Constitution be saved at all, it will be by the elders of this Church. I believe this is about the language, as nearly as I can recollect it. - Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, v. 3, p. 326
Joseph Smith predicted that the time would come when the Constitution would hang, as it were, by a thread, and at that time this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction.... [Then] the Elders of Israel [i.e., LDS leaders], 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. - Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 1988, p. 619
The Almighty has established this kingdom with order and laws and every thing pertaining thereto [so] that when the nations shall be convulsed, we may stand forth as saviours and finally redeem a ruined world, not only in a religious but in a political point of view. - Prophet John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, v. 9, p. 342, April 13, 1862
What the world calls Mormonism will rule every nation.... God has decreed it, and his own right arm will accomplish it. This will make the heathen rage. - Apostle Orson Hyde, n.d., Journal of Discourses, v. 7, p. 53
Saviors of the Nation.To escape the judgments hanging over the wicked, and find a place where they might worship God unmolested, the Latter-day Saints fled to the Rocky Mountains. Here, and here only, during the temporary isolation sought and found by them in the chambers of the everlasting hills, could they hope to be let alone long enough to become strong enough to accomplish their greater destiny. For in that enforced exodus and the rounding of this mountain-girt empire there was more than the surface facts reveal. If tradition can be relied upon, Joseph Smith prophesied that the Elders of Israel would save this Nation in the hour of its extremest peril. At a time when anarchy would threaten the life of the Government, and the Constitution be hanging as by a thread, the maligned and misunderstood Mormonsalways patriotic, and necessarily so from the very genius of their religionwould stand firm upon Freedoms rocky ramparts, and as champions of law and order, liberty and justice, call to their aid in the same grand cause kindred [p.61] spirits from every part of the nation and from every corner of the world.
All this preparatory to a mighty movement that would sweep every form of evil from off the face of the land, and build the Zion of God upon the spot consecrated for its erection. This traditional utterance of their martyred Seer is deeply imbedded in the heart and hope of the Mormon people. - Apostle Orson F. Whitney, Saturday Night Thoughts, pp. 60-61
... [Someday] there would be no stable government outside of the Latter-day Saints; and that it is their destiny as a people, to uphold constitutional government upon this land.- Apostle George Q. Cannon, Journal of Discourses, v. 25, p. 123, April 3, 1881
You will see the constitution of the United States almost destroyed. It will hang like a thread.... A terrible revolution will take place in the land of America.... [T]he land will be left without a Supreme Government,... [Mormonism] will have gathered strength, sending out Elders to gather the honest in heart... to stand by the Constitution of the United States.... In these days... God will set up a Kingdom, never to be thrown down.... [T]he whole of America will be made the Zion of God. - Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., May 6, 1843, in Roberts, Journal of John J. Roberts
I shall take it as a witness that God designs to cut the thread between us and the world, when an army undertakes to make their appearance in this Territory to chastise me or to destroy my life from the earth . I shall take a hostile movement by our enemies as evidence that it is time for the thread to be cut. - Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 5, pp. 256-257, September 20, 1857
Will the Constitution be destroyed? No: it will be held inviolate by this people; and, as Joseph Smith said, The time will come when the destiny of the nation will hang upon a single thread. At that critical juncture, this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction. It will be so. - Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 7, p. 15, July 4, 1854
[W]hen 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. - Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 2, p. 182, February 18, 1855
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. - Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 12, p. 204
The present Constitution, with a few alterations of a trifling nature, is just as good as we want; and if it is sustained on this land of Joseph, it will be done by us and our posterity.
- Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 8, p. 324
I expect to see the day when the Elders of Israel will protect and sustain civil and religious liberty and every Constitutional right bequeathed to us by our fathers, and spread these rights abroad in connection with the Gospel for the salvation of all nations. I shall see this whether I live or die. - Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 11, p. 262
The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith there would be an attempt to overthrow the country by destroying the Constitution. Joseph Smith predicted that the time would come when the Constitution would hang, as it were, by a thread, and at that time this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction (Journal of Discourses, 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.
If the Gentiles on this land reject the word of God and conspire to overthrow liberty and the Constitution, their doom is fixed, and they shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant (1 Nephi 14:6; 3 Nephi 21:11, 14, 21; D&C 84:114-15, 117). (God, Family, Country, p. 345.)
As we spread abroad in this land, bearers of this priesthood, men and women with high ideals and standards, our influence will spread as we take positions of leadership in the community, in the state, in the nation, in the world. We will be able to sit in counsel with others and we will be able to influence others in paths of righteousness. We will help to save this nation, because this nation can only be preserved on the basis of righteous living. - Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, pp. 618-619
Eleventh: In connection with attack on the United States, the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith there would be an attempt to overthrow the country by destroying the Constitution. Joseph Smith predicted that the time would come when the Constitution would hang, as it were, by a thread, and at that time this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction. (Journal History, Brigham Youngs Speech, July 4, 1854.)
[T]he kingdom of God... is to be a political institution that shall hold sway over all the earth; to which all other governments will be subordinate and by which they will be dominated. - LDS Historian and Seventy B.H. Roberts, The Rise and Fall of Nauvoo, 1900, p. 180
LDS attachment to the Constitution has been further encouraged by an important oral tradition deriving from a statement attributed to Joseph Smith, according to which the Constitution would hang by a thread and be rescued, if at all, only with the help of the Saints. Church President John Taylor seemed to go further when he prophesied, 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 the earth and proclaiming liberty and equal rights to all men (JD 21:8). To defend the principles of the Constitution under circumstances where the iniquity, or moral decay, of the people has torn it to shreds might well require wisdom at least equal to that of the men raised up to found it. In particular, it would require great insight into the relationship between freedom and virtue in a political embodiment of moral agency. - Encyclopedia of Mormonism, v. 1, p. 1992
We shall build the Zion of the Lord in peace untill the servants of that Lord shall begin to lay the foundation of a great and high watch Tower and then shall they begin to say within themselves, what need hath my Lord of this tower seeing this is a time of peace &c. Then the Enemy shall come as a thief in the night and scatter the servants abroad. When the seed of these 12 Olive trees are scattered abroad they will wake up the Nations of the whole Earth. Even this Nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground and when the constitution is upon the brink of ruin this people will be the Staff up[on] which the Nation shall lean and they shall bear the constitution away from the very verge of destruction. - The Historians Corner, BYU Studies, v. 19, no. 3, pp. 391-392
The History of the Church account is an amalgamation of the reports in the Joseph Smith Diary and the Nauvoo Neighbor. The report by Levi Richards is here published for the first time. A reminiscent account of this discourse by James Burgess contains the essential details found in the other three accounts published here, and adds that the Constitution and Government would hang by a brittle thread.
In the month of May 1843. Several miles east of Nauvoo. The Nauvoo Legion was on parade and review. At the close of which Joseph Smith made some remarks upon our condition as a people and upon our future prospects contrasting our present condition with our past trials and persecutions by the hands of our enemies. Also upon the constitution and government of the United States stating that the time would come when the Constitution and Government would hand by a brittle thread and would be ready to fall into other hands but this people the Latter day Saints will step forth and save it.
General Scott and part of his staff on the American Army was present on the occasion.
I James Burgess was present and testify to the above (James Burgess Notebook, Church Archives).- Ehat and Cook, Words of Joseph Smith, 6 May 1843 Note, p. 279
Our government, the best government in the world, is crumbling to pieces. Those who have it in their hands are the ones who are destroying it. 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. - Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 12, p. 204, April 8, 1868
In all the meetings that I have attended, not one word, not one prayer, has been uttered or offered up for the saving of our cause and for the restoration of peace, but on the contrary the God of the Saints has been implored to bring swift destruction on all nations, peoples, and institutions that stand in the way of the triumph of this people. - Steven Harding, Utah governor, in Eugene E. Campbell, Establishing Zion: The Mormon Church in the American West, 1847-1869, 1988, p. 292
[Brigham] taught followers that the governments of the earth were false and should be overthrown, that God had only delegated to the priesthood the right to set up a government. God would appoint a ruler, and all persons who otherwise pretended to have authority to govern were usurpers. Young was said to have asserted that although the Constitution of the United States was a revelation, it had fulfilled its purpose the formation of a government so that the Mormon church could be organized. According to Young, slavery had nothing to do with the present disturbances, which were in consequence of the persecution the Saints had suffered at the hands of the American people. - Eugene E. Campbell, Establishing Zion: The Mormon Church in the American West, 1847-1869, 1988, p. 292
Brigham Young and other preachers are constantly inculcating in the minds of the crowded audiences who sit beneath their teachings every Sabbath that the United States is of no consequence, that it lies in ruins, and that the prophecy of Joseph Smith is being fulfilled to the letter. According to the prophecy, the United States as a nation is to be destroyed. That the Gentiles, as they call all persons outside of their church, will continue to fight with each other until they perish and then the Saints are to step in and quietly enjoy the possession of the land and also what is left of the ruined cities and desolated places. And that Zion is to be built up, not only in the valleys and the mountains but the great center of their power and glory is to be in Missouri where the Saints under the lead of their prophet were expelled many years ago. - Steven Harding, Utah governor, in Eugene E. Campbell, Establishing Zion: The Mormon Church in the American West, 1847-1869, 1988, p. 292
... if I were to guess as to how the Constitution may hang by a thread it would be because of the immense powers given tot he President and his opportunity for their abuse. Let us... resolve that we will do all in our power to preserve these principles for our posterity. This is our duty as citizens of the United States, and pre-eminently our duty as Latter-day Saints. - Senator Wallace F. Bennett, Utah, BYU Speeches, February 15, 1961, p. 13
I gave the language and sources of the prophetic utterance made by the Prophet Joseph that the Constitution of the United States would hang by a single thread, but be saved by the elders of Israel. I hope you will read those sources so you will be well-informed as to this prophecy and be prepared to do your part in its fulfillment. - Ernest L. Wilkinson, BYU President (1951-1971), BYU Speeches, April 21, 1966, p. 7,)
LDS attachment to the Constitution has been further encouraged by an important oral tradition deriving from a statement attributed to Joseph Smith, according to which the Constitution would hang by a thread and be rescued, if at all, only with the help of the Saints. Church President John Taylor seemed to go further when he prophesied, 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 the earth.;: - Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Selections from Encyclopedia of MormonismS, 1995, The Church and Society, p. 122
[LDS TV weatherman Thom Spencer] at a Republican rally broke with tradition that a journalist should remain objective and spoke out at the rally because of a prophecy by Joseph Smith, who founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints more than 150 years ago. Smith predicted that the time would come when the Constitution and government would hang by a brittle thread and be ready to fall into other hands, but this people, the latter-day saints, will step forth and save it. - Weathermans Politics Cloud His Role on TV, Seattle Times, November 24, 2000
They tolerate everything thats bad, and theyre intolerant of everything thats good. Religious freedom is going to go down the drain, too. Ive never seen it worse than this, where the Constitution literally is hanging by a thread. - Orrin Hatch, Republican Mormon Senator of Utah, The Doug Wright Show, (KSL) November 9, 1999
The documents show that Joseph Smith did prophecy a number of times that the United States and the Constitution would be imperiled and that the elders would have a hand in saving them.- D. Michael Stewart, I Have A Question, Ensign, June 1976, p. 64
... the prophet Joseph Smith did make the marvelous prediction that it is the destiny of the Latter-day Saints to some day save the Constitution of the United States. - Preston Nibley, LDS church historian, Deseret News, December 15, 1948; quoted in The White Horse Prophecy, 1993, p. 65
Its a very common belief [among Mormons] that the Constitution will hang by a thread and the Church will save it. - Jan Shipps, quoted in Warchol and Heilprin, Mormon Myth Stalks Hatch to Presidential Race, Salt Lake Tribune, Junly 15, 1999
We have much in our national system that militates against the rise of a dictator. The Bill of Rights with its philosophy of individual rights against oppression is still a curb on a power-hungry President. But if I were to guess as to how the Constitution may hang by a thread it would be because of the immense powers given to the President and his opportunity for their abuse.
Let us delve once again into the great principles of the Constitution and resolve that we will do all in our power to preserve these principles for our posterity. This is our duty as citizens of the United States, and pre-eminently our duty as Latter-day Saints, because without the Constitution this glorious restoration would not have taken place in this land and might not have taken place at this point in history. - Senator Wallace F. Bennett, BYU Speeches, February 15, 1961, p. 13
Our government is an organization which was to, and since has, enacted, judged and enforced law through and by legislative, judicial and executive departments. It is encumbent on the American people to steadfastly maintain the historic balance of power by the three branches of government if our political system is to be preserved. If this is not done then the thread by which it has been predicted the Constitution will hang will be clipped and our form of government will disappear. We, the American people, must not become so internationally minded as to sell our birthright for a spurious promise of world peace. The most nationally-minded people are our enemies. We must remain faithful to our pledge, regardless of charges of chauvinism, to preserve America with our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor. - Judge Joseph E. Nelson, BYU Speeches, April 24, 1963, p. 3
I am concerned that in our worship of materialism in our country we now have an indebtedness of over $5,000 for every man, woman, and child in this country. (This includes obligations for goods already delivered and services already rendered to the government, although payable in the future.) I am concerned that we have in effect abandoned the Monroe Doctrine as our safeguard for ultimate protection of this hemisphere, and that as a result we are threatened with Communism not only in Cuba but in South America and now in Africa as well. If the Constitution is to hang by a thread in this country, I want to be one to help to preserve it. - Dr. Ernest L. Wilkinson, BYU Speeches, February 18, 1964, p. 9
In my commencement address I gave the language and sources of the prophetic utterance made by the Prophet Joseph that the Constitution of the United States would hang by a single thread, but be saved by the elders of Israel. I hope you will read those sources so you will be well-informed as to this prophecy and be prepared to do your part in its fulfillment. - Dr. Ernest L. Wilkinson, BYU Speeches, April 21, 1966, p. 7
Now what has happened in our country during the time we have been plunging toward socialism? Are we actually at that point where the Constitution may be hanging by a single thread and we need to step in to save it?- Dr. Ernest L. Wilkinson, BYU Speeches, April 21, 1966, p. 9
Anyone can look at the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith... Brigham Young and others.... I have always felt that they meant that sometime the question of whether we are going to proceed on the basis of the Constitution would arise and at this point government leaders who were Mormons would be involved in answering that question.- George Romney, interview in A Mans Religion and American Politics: An Interview with Governor Romney, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Autumn 1967, v. 2, p. 25
[T]here will be a complete change of government. Washington, D.C. will cease to be capital. The present national bureaucracy will have its end. The internal conflict will sweep away the current system of governments and will pave the way for the political kingdom of God and the millennial kingdom through which Jesus Christ will rule and reign.... A new government will be established among the saints and that political Kingdom of God will espouse and uphold the principles of Constitutional government.
- Duane S. Crowther, Prophetic Warnings to Modern America, 1979, pp. 315-316
Instead, they considered themselves the last Real Americans, the legitimate heirs of the pilgrims and Founding Fathers.
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Ironic they think that NOW, consider what their leaders have said in the past AGAINST the United States.
Let me provide some quotes:
... you do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God... that you will avenge the blood of Joseph Smith upon this nation, and so teach your children; that you will, from this day henceforth and forever, begin and carry out hostilities against this nation, and keep the same a profound secret now and forever. So help you God.
- Apostle William Smith, Arguments Before the Committee On Privileges and Elections of the United States Senate In the Matter of the Protests Against the Right of Hon. Reed Smoot, A Senator from the State of Utah, to Hold His Seat, 1905, p. 231
We will go to a land where there are at last no old settlers to quarrel with us . We will leave this wicked nation, to themselves, for they have rejected the gospel, and I hope and pray that the wicked will kill one another & save us the trouble of doing it.
- Prophet Brigham Young, quoted in Journal of Heber C. Kimball, under January 2, 1846; see Abanes, One Nation Under Gods, p. 216
Who goes to the White House these days?... A gambler and a drunkard. And the Vice-President is the same. And no man can get either office unless he is a gambler and a drunkard, or a thief. And who goes to Congress? You may hunt clear through the Senate and House, and if you can find any men that are not liars, thieves, whoremongers, gamblers, and drunkards, I tell you they are mighty few, for no other kind of men can get in there.
- Prophet Brigham Young, quoted in Hirshon, The Lion of the Lord: A Biography of the Mormon Leader, Brigham Young, 1969, pp. 278-279
[U.S. President] Zachary Taylor is dead, and in hell. And I am glad of it.
- Prophet Brigham Young, quoted in Perry Brocchus, Utah Officials Report to President Fillmore, Congressional Globe, new series, v. 25, p. 87; cited in B.H. Roberts, Comprehensive History of the Church, 1930, v. 3, p. 520, footnote #3
Joseph Smith escaped many conspiracies against his life . But the Lord said Now let my servant seal up his testimony with his blood; and that sealed up the damnation of the United States, not of individuals, but of the nation . I am prophet enough to prophesy the downfall of the government that has driven us out . Wo to the United States! I see them going to death and destruction.
- Prophet Brigham Young, in William S. Harwell, ed., Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1847-1850, 1997, pp. 221, 238
The people of the rest of the country are our enemies . When the government conflicts with heaven, we will be ranged under the banner of heaven and against the Government . I defy the United States. I will obey God.
- Prophet John Taylor, Salt Lake Tribune, January 6, 1880, quoted in Samuel W. Taylor, Rocky Mountain Empire, 1978, p. 29
The American Nation will be broken in pieces.... you live in the day and hour of the judgments of God Almighty.... the hour of Gods judgment is at the door.... I wish to warn all nations.... Thrones will be cast down, nations will be overturned, anarchy will reign, all legal barriers will be broken down, and the laws will be trampled in the dust. You are about to be visited with war, sword, famine, pestilence, plague, earthquakes, whirlwinds, tempests, and with the flame of devouring fire.... the slain of the Lord will be many.
- Prophet Wilford Woodruff, April 21, 1879, in Millennial Star, v. 41, p. 241
Brigham raised his hand and said, I swear by the eternal Heavens that I have unsheathed my sword, and I will never return it until the blood of the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum, and those who were slain in Missouri, is avenged. This whole nation is guilty of shedding their blood, by assenting to the deed, and holding its peace. ... Furthermore, every one who had passed through their endowments, in the Temple, were placed under the most sacred obligations to avenge the blood of the Prophet, whenever an opportunity offered, and to teach their children to do the same, thus making the entire Mormon people sworn and avowed enemies of the American nation.
- Elder John D. Lee, Mormonism Unveiled, 1877, p. 160, online at http://www.helpingmormons.org/Rare_Books.htm
These people [the Mormons] repudiate the authority of the United States in this country, and are in open rebellion against the general government . So strong have been my apprehensions of danger to the surveyors that I scarcely deemed it prudent to send any out . We are by no means sure that we will be permitted to leave, for it is boldly asserted we would not get away alive.
- David H. Burr, Surveyor-General for Utah, August 30, 1856, letter to Thomas A. Hendricks, General Land Office, March 28, 1857; see Abanes, One Nation Under Gods, p. 229
Mormon leaders consistently expressed their feelings that the war had been brought on by the wickedness of the United States, which had rejected Mormonism and permitted the death of the prophet of God and his servants . Although the waste of lives was lamentable, a war between states would avenge the death of Joseph Smith. The Saints seemed especially gratified that Jackson County was a war zone and that Missouri would suffer the penalty of its cruelties to the Mormons. Besides avenging the blood of the innocent, the Lord would also prepare the way before his coming, which Mormons believed would occur in Jackson County, Missouri . William Clayton wrote that such a spirit seemed to operate on Brigham Youngs mind: All Latter-day Saints will not stay here [in Utah] forever. He [Young] talks much and frequently about Jackson County, Missouri.
- Eugene E. Campbell, Establishing Zion: The Mormon Church in the American West, 1847-1869, 1988, p. 235
So as to make you realize the enormity of Mormonism suffice it that I found them a community of traitors, murderers, fanatics, and whores. The people publicly rejoice at the reverse to our arms and thank God that the American government is gone as they term it, while their prophet and bishops preach treason from the pulpit. Federal officers are entirely powerless and talk in whispers for fear of being overheard by Brighams spies. Brigham Young rules with despotic sway and death by assassination is the penalty of disobedience to his command.
- Colonel Patrick E. Conner, Union Army officer, letter dated September 14, 1862; see Abanes, One Nation Under Gods, p. 274
Anyone can look at the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith... Brigham Young and others.... I have always felt that they meant that sometime the question of whether we are going to proceed on the basis of the Constitution would arise and at this point government leaders who were Mormons would be involved in answering that question.- George Romney, interview in A Mans Religion and American Politics: An Interview with Governor Romney, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Autumn 1967, v. 2, p. 25
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Yes, old George Romney really believed the White Horse prophecy...
To the point of grooming his son, Willird Mitt to be president...as a cloned George Romney...
With the same political drive, friends, enemies, ambitions, deceit...
And making sure he didnt die or get wounded in Vietnam...a cosy so called mission in Paris was a safe nice place to be...with lots of food, a clean bed in a mansion and a Citreon to drive...
Everything George did was calculated towards Mitt’s future as president of the US for life and king of the world...
and of course the one to call in the mormons to “save the constitution”...
Even his wife, Ann, was hand picked by George when she was only 15 to be the future wife of Mitt...Ann was taken into the Romney household at that age and taught to be a good mormon wife...
The mormon beliefs are transparently hilarious. But they do collect some major tiding$ from the brainwashed anti-Christian sheep. But that must be changing, isn't it? C'mon, anyone with any brain cells realizes that Joe Smith was a con man & charlatan. Very sad. They are not Christian, but they want to be. How can they be? Not possible. Sad.
Hey, did you guys see this article was written by a "cartoonist"?
Appropriate enough.
Mormons believe that the Constitution is a God inspired document as do I.
Were you bit by a rabid Mormon dog ia your youth, my Pastor, a kind and loving Man, might help you deal with your delusions, I will ask him to pray for you.
My Mormon relatives came over in 1628, and we have Mayflower people, Richardson 1621, maybe you would like to compare genealogies. We also did the Wagons West in the 1840’s when half the emigrants died. I understand you are a recient emigrant.
Not till 1628 eh ???
Mine got here in 1623...
My Mormon relatives came over in 1628
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Your mormon relatives were mormons before Joey Smith did his “restoration” conjuring in 1828 ???
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I think they must have been part of the “abomination” for the first 200 years...
Meanwhile mine were mostly Christians...
Walloons and Huguenots...
We also did the Wagons West in the 1840s when half the emigrants died.
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Brigham Young’s fault...
You got all your proofs for your generational links back to that Richardson on the Mayflower guy ???
Lots of people say they are direct descendants of george Washington...
Sure does.
Somebody ought to read up on the Mormon War in NW Missouri ca. 1840 and the preaching of Sidney Rigdon, who called for the death of all non-Mormons (”gentiles”) in the area.
If I read your earlier posts correctly I got the feeling that you were a foreigner Yearning to be free, correct me if I am wrong.
Can you imagine being related to a fat Mexican Governor from New Mexico. How far they sink.
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