Civil war, world war, and the end of all nations (85-87)

Episode 99: Civil war, world war, and the end of all nations (85-87)

Doctrine and Covenants

Section 85

Revelation given through Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, November 27, 1832

Their genealogy won’t be kept

¹ It's the duty of the Lord's clerk to keep a record of everything that happens in Zion, including those who consecrate properties and receive an inheritance from the bishop. ² The clerk also must keep a record of those who apostatize after receiving their inheritance. ³ Those who belong to the church and pay the tithe will be protected on the day of vengeance and burning. ⁴ But the genealogy of those who don't will not be kept.

One mighty and strong

⁷ I will send one mighty and strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand. He will be clothed with light, will say eternal words, and his bowels will be a fountain of truth. He'll clean up God's house and distribute by lot the inheritances among church members.

⁸ The man who was appointed by God to steady God's ship will die like a tree that is stuck by lightning. ⁹ Those who aren't listed in the book of remembrance will get no inheritance and will be cast out among the unbelievers, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. ¹² It will be done as was in Ezra 2:61-62.

Section 86

Revelation given through Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, December 6, 1832

The parable of the tares

¹ This is what the Lord says about the parable of the wheat and tares. ³ The apostate whore, Babylon, that makes everyone drink from her cup – even Satan, sowed the weed seeds. ^4-54-5 But now, in the last days, the angels are crying, day and night, begging God to let them harvest the fields. ^6-7 But the Lord says to them, “Your faith is weak. Wait until the wheat is ripe, then gather the wheat. After gathering the wheat put the tares in bundles to be burned. ¹¹ Amen.

Section 87

Revelation given through Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, December 6, 1832

Civil war, world war, and the end of all nations

¹ This is what the Lord says about the wars that will soon come. There will be a rebellion in South Carolina, which will cause much death and misery. ² Sometime in the future, a world war will begin in this place. ³ The southern and northern states will divide, and the southern states will ally with other nations, including Great Britain, to cause a world war. ⁴ Slaves will rebel against their masters. ⁵ Those who survive the war will vex the Gentiles with a sore vexation. ⁶ Along with the war, there will be famine, plague, earthquake, thunder, and lightning. Everyone on earth will feel God's wrath and all nations will be destroyed. ⁷ Until the Lord no longer hears the cry of the saints. ⁸ So stand in holy places, and don't move, until the day of the Lord comes. And it will come quickly. Amen.

A few more words about this episode

I will send one mighty and strong. (85:7): This prophecy by Joseph Smith has caused more trouble in the Mormon church than any other, with the possible exception of Section 135 - the prophecy on polygamy and celestial marriage.; Dozens of church members have claimed to be, or were believed to be by others, the "one mighty and strong" that God said (through his prophet Joseph Smith) would straighten out the church. Most of them were (and are) polygamist Mormon fundamentalists.; Here's a list of 32 at Wikipedia.
The man who was appointed by God to steady God's ship will die like a tree that is stuck by lightning. (85:8): This verse doesn't say who is going to be killed, which has caused much speculation among Mormons. But whoever it is, he will be killed by God like Uzzah who tried to steady the ark when it was falling. (See 1 Chronicles 13:10 and 2 Samuel 6:6-7)
It will be done as was in Ezra 2:61-62 (85:12): And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. Ezra 2:61-62
The parable of the wheat and tares (86:1): Matthew 13:24-30
The apostate whore, Babylon (86:3): The whore is, of course, the Catholic church. See 1 Nephi 13:1-9.
There will be a rebellion in South Carolina. (87:1): This is often cited by Mormons as a clear and fulfilled prophecy of the American Civil War. But, of course, it wasn't. Everyone at the time (1832) knew that such a war was likely to happen, and feared that it would "shortly come to pass." It was surprising that it took so long - almost 30 years before it happened.
A world war will begin in this place. (87:2): The Lord says that a world war will start, "beginning at this place."; What "place" will the world war start? South Carolina; Kirtland, Ohio; Jackson County, Missouri?; Whichever place the Lord was referring to in this "prophecy" - it was completely wrong.
The southern states will ally with other nations, including Great Britain, to cause a world war. (87:3): Great Britain and other nations did not enter the Civil War, as this verse prophesies.
All nations will be destroyed. (87:6): The Lord says that after the gentiles are vexed with a sore vexation, there will be worldwide thunder, lightning, earthquakes, famines, and plagues, causing all nations to be destroyed.; Apparently this was all supposed to happen after the world war that was to grow out of the Civil War.; I guess the historians completely missed it.