Mormons invoking the ‘White Horse Prophecy’
Jan. 6 witness Rusty Bowers says Constitution “hanging by a thread” after election loss https://t.co/6kbN7NiVQo pic.twitter.com/Jz5jejqTRK
— The Hill (@thehill) August 22, 2022
Some are concerned about the use to the expression ‘”the Constitution hanging by a thread” by some members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly called the Mormons:
August 27, 2022
In an interview with Ed Pilkington of the Guardian former Arizona House of Representatives Speaker Rusty Bowers claimed that “the Constitution is hanging by a thread.” … Bowers also happens to be a member of the Church of Latter-day Saints.
The White Horse Prophecy supposedly spoken by church founder Prophet Joseph Smith in 1843 to two adherents, the English born Edwin Rushton and Theodore Turley is part of LDS theology. Rushton gave over the prophecy in 1900 and it became a controversial topic among LDS adherents, both because of the dubious nature of his witness claim and its contents.
The prophecy held that the United States Constitution would one day be “hanging by a thread as fine as silk” and that members of the Church of LDS would step in during this time of great turmoil and chaos and bring about the Final Salvation. …
The modern Church of Latter-day Saints eschews the White Horse Prophecy, seeing it as a discredited tall tale as well as a bugaboo that encourages suspicion and scorn by outsiders. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t been used for political purposes among LDS political activists. In 2019 during the first impeachment trial of Donald Trump several major daily newspapers published an op-ed by Mormon memoirist Judith Freeman in praise of Mitt Romney’s would-be savior (“white horse”) role in being the person to break the Republican wall of resistance against a conviction vote, and asserted that in her own family the White Horse Prophecy had been repeated including the phrase stating “the Constitution would be left hanging by a thread.”
Republican LDS politicians in the past also used it in order to convey their own righteous indignation (or more than that), and have been called out by Democrats and the media for religious demagoguery, while in the context of fighting Trump, however, they are praised for inspiring Mormon courage.
Ahead of the 2000 election Mormon Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) invoked the same language: “They tolerate everything that’s bad, and they’re intolerant of everything that’s good. Religious freedom is going to go down the drain, too. I’ve never seen it worse than this, where the Constitution literally is hanging by a thread.” Critics pointed at this statement as a dangerous indication that he saw himself filling the role of a Mormon savior.
The Blaze founder and LDS convert Glenn Beck has used the phrase many times throughout his career, leading Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank to write a book in 2010 exploring it as a dangerous extremist phenomenon.
The late Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) was reported by the LDS-oriented Deseret News of Utah to have invoked the White Horse Prophecy to friends and family and then point at Democrat colleague and personal friend Harry Reid, claiming that he would be the person to save the Constitution.
During the first Trump impeachment the Salt Lake Tribune published a guest column titled “Imagine you’re Mitt Romney” which gushed about how special the senator must feel that he could be in the vanguard of 20 GOP senators voting to removing Trump from office. The author was a direct descendant of two former church presidents of the LDS.
If the expression didn’t have such deep resonance, LDS politicians would not keep using it. …
Rusty Bowers’ statement “the Constitution is hanging by a thread” is by no means an original thought, and its timing is ironic given that he was unceremoniously retired against his will in a party internal primary. What comes after the events of the White Horse Prophecy? It’s hard to say whether instant salvation is achieved or the world goes through a violent cataclysm. But with frequent talk of a national divorce or even new civil war in the media and among partisan activists, Bowers’ use of the terminology shows how callous the Left, the media, and the NeverTrumpers are when their own standard-bearers use inciting language that they would never accept from the other side. https://en-volve.com/2022/08/27/rustys-sunday-morning-apocalypse-thread/
The fact is that some have wondered may have applicability to Mitt Romney.
Other than the fact that Mitt Romney is a member of the LDS church, there were other reasons that Mormons were often quite interested in him possibly becoming the President of the United States:
Mitt is a high priest in the Church priesthood hierarchy…the “White Horse Prophecy” or the prophecy of the “One mighty and strong.” Now, this is not public, formal LDS doctrine, but it was taught by many leaders of the Church and is still taught today. It is said by LDS leadership that when the Constitution is in dire peril, one will come who is mighty and strong. He will come riding (figuratively perhaps) on a white horse and will wield awesome political and spiritual power.
This mysterious priesthood elder would somehow seize control of the US government to prevent the total abrogation of the Constitution. He would assume total power and create an LDS “Kingdom” in America. At that time, this “one mighty and strong” would be proclaimed the new “Prophet “ (First President) of the LDS church and would also be president of the United States. Thus, he would wield both supreme political power of the most powerful nation on earth and also be the “Prophet, Seer and Revelator” of the LDS Church. (Schnoebelen W. Republican Mitt Romney and the “Mormon Plan for America.” Cutting Edge Ministries, 2007 http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n2226.cfm)
White Horse Prophecy,” … describes as “a belief ingrained in Mormon culture and passed down through generations by church leaders.”
Former candidate for Nevada governor Michael Moody writes in his memoir that the prophecy “motivated me to seek a career in government and politics” because he felt he had been divinely directed to “expand our kingdom” and help Romney “lead the world into the Millennium.” Now a critic of the Mormon church, Moody says he was indoctrinated with the White Horse Prophecy.
“We were taught that America is the Promised Land,” he said in an interview. “The Mormons are the Chosen People. And the time is now for a Mormon leader to usher in the second coming of Christ and install the political Kingdom of God in Washington, D.C.” (Kerby R. Are “unacceptable religions” fatal for U.S. presidential candidates? BeliefNet, http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2012/05/are-unacceptable-religions-fatal-for-u-s-presidential-candidates.php#ixzz1wDiR2U6g)
Apparently there is a Mormon prophecy that when the US CONSTITUTION IS HANGING BY A THREAD, that a Mormon or American would come along and probably be President or a leader to help the nation so that the US CONSTITUTION would not be destroyed. Apparently a lot of Mormons consider Barack Obama to be the anitchirst (Lolly. Is Romney Fulfilling the Mormon White Horse Prophecy? The Daily Paul, March 19, 2012 http://www.dailypaul.com/221808/is-romney-fulfilling-the-mormon-white-horse-prophecy)
While it could be argued that the US Constitution is hanging by a thread, as I wrote when he was in office, there was no way that US President Barack Obama could be the final Antichrist (see Some Doctrines of Antichrist and Prophecies of Barack Obama?). We in the Continuing Church of God believe that the final Antichrist is primarily a religious, not political leader.
As far as this “White Horse” LDS prophecy, although it is questioned as whether or not LDS founder Joseph Smith said it or not, the reality is that parts of it are found in various LDS records.
Here is some of Wikipedia reported:
Though there are doubts about the authenticity of the White Horse Prophecy as a whole, several sources attribute to Smith the idea that the United States Constitution would one day hang by the thread, and LDS Church leaders have issued similar warnings with regard to the Constitution.
In 1855, Brigham Young reportedly wrote 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.”
In 1858, Orson Hyde (another contemporary of Smith) wrote that Smith believed “the time would come when the Constitution and the country would be in danger of an overthrow; and … if the Constitution be saved at all, it will be by the elders of [the LDS] Church”.
In 1922, the LDS Church’s fifth presiding bishop, Charles W. Nibley, stated that “the day would come when there would be so much of disorder, of secret combinations taking the law into their own hands, tramping [sic] 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.”
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.”
An LDS member suggested that I include some of the following:
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is politically neutral and does not endorse or promote any candidate, party or platform. Accordingly, we hope that the campaign practices of political candidates would not suggest that their candidacy is supported by or connected to the church.
“The so-called ‘White Horse Prophecy’ is based on accounts that have not been substantiated by historical research and is not embraced as Church doctrine.”(http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/blog/church-statement-on-white-horse-prophecy-and-political-neutrality)
Although Mitt Romney did not become USA president in the 2012 election, much of this White Horse prophecy may be less relevant than perhaps it was when he ran.
However, it is consistent with the view on how the Continuing Church of God and the LDS see the future of the USA. And, there is also always a possibility that Mitt Romney or another Mormon will run for the Office of President again.
Now here is more on that White Horse prophecy:
Another of Smith’s predictions, the “White Horse Prophecy,” gets its name from the biblical book of Revelation. The prophecy has been given a dubious distinction since there is no evidence that Smith ever gave it in a public setting. Instead, its pedigree goes back to two Mormons, Edwin Rushton and Theodore Turley, who said they personally heard Joseph Smith give this prediction at Smith’s home on or about May 6, 1843. Smith allegedly gave numerous predictions in this prophecy, but the portion that is most repeated speaks of a day when the Constitution of the United States will “hang by a thread.” It will be “preserved and saved” by a White Horse, A.K.A. the Mormon Church.
Mormon apologists find it necessary to place doubt on the prophecy since it contains information that is certainly spurious. For instance, it speaks of a revolution that “will take place in America,” leaving it “without a supreme government.” There will be no peace except “in the Rocky Mountains.” England, for a time, will be neutral during this conflict and will only intervene to “stop the shedding of blood.” It also states that “the two Popes, Greek and Catholic, will come together and be united.” This has not prohibited LDS leaders from picking out the portions they feel are still appropriate…
Speaking in general conference in 1961, Mormon Apostle Ezra Taft Benson (he would become Mormonism’s 13th President in 1985) stated, “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” (Conference Report, October 1961, p.70).
In 1963 Benson again mentioned this prophecy in a conference message: “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 won’t 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 God’s mouthpiece that our liberties are being taken” (Conference Report, April 1963, p.113)…
On January 6, 2010 the LDS Church issued the following statement on its Newsroom blogsite: “The so-called ‘White Horse Prophecy’ is based on accounts that have not been substantiated by historical research and is not embraced as Church doctrine.” The claim that it is not “embraced as Church doctrine” does not explain why so many LDS leaders have referred to it. Would these leaders even bother to speak of the prophecy if they really didn’t believe at least portions were true? Words like “doctrine” and “official” have little meaning given the fact that many aspects of Mormonism are believed to be true by members even though a particular teaching may never be described as “binding” or “official.” (McKeever B. When the Constitution “Hangs by a Thread” – The White Horse Prophecy in Modern Mormonism. Mormon Research Ministries. http://www.mrm.org/white-horse-prophecy viewed 08/26/12)
It does not seem likely that this prediction, no matter who may have originally made it, is based upon the Book of Revelation.
The rider of the White Horse in Revelation 6 represents the final Antichrist. The other rider of a white horse, this time in Revelation 19:11, is Jesus Revelation 19:12-16.
1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Revelation 6:1-2)
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:11-16)
The Bible IS NOT predicting that a Mormon will save the U.S.A. while riding a white horse.
It may be of interest to note that LDS prophecy absolutely has a USA focus. Mitt Romney went so far as to claim in the third presidential debate on October 22, 2012, “This nation is the hope of the earth.” Jesus, not the USA, is the only hope for the world.
As cited before, notice the following from the official LDS website that is one of the 13 LDS Articles of Faith:
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. (Articles of Faith Thirteen basic points of belief to which Mormons subscribe. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. http://mormon.org/articles-of-faith viewed 10/23/12)
This is not what the Bible teaches.
Perhaps I should also add that according to a revelation that Joseph Smith Jr. claimed to receive in July 1831, Zion is to be located in the U.S.A. state of Missouri. Here is part of that ‘revelation’:
1 a.Hearken, O ye elders of my church saith the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together according to my commandments, in this land which is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints:
b. wherefore this is the land of promise, and the place of the city of Zion. (Smith J Jr. Book of Doctrines and Covenants, Section 57. Price Publishing Company, Independence, Missouri, 1996, p. 246)
The New Jerusalem that the Bible tells of comes down from heaven (Revelation 21:1-3) and there is no indication that it ends up in Missouri.
Those in the CCOG believe that God built New Jerusalem, that it is in heaven, that it will come down from heaven.
The following are the two passages in the New Testament that specifically mention “New Jerusalem” by name:
12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name (Revelation 3:12).
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God (Revelation 21:1-3).
Since it is called NEW Jerusalem the center of it will likely be where physical Jerusalem currently is.
And as far the USA and end time prophecy goes, the CCOG teaches that the USA will be destroyed (cf. Daniel 11:39; see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses) unless it has national repentance soon. Jesus and His kingdom, not a Mormon or other similar leader, will solve what needs to happen in the USA–even if someone like Mitt Romney becomes USA president.
Mitt Romney himself has claimed to not believe in this White Horse prophecy (Turner LR, Field K. Mitt Romney: The Man, His Values, and His Vision. Mapletree Publishing, 2007, p. 94).
Mitt Romney, it should be noted, unlike his church, favored allowing homosexuals becoming Boy Scouts (see Romney and Obama Agree on Having ‘Gay’ Boy Scouts). Later, the LDS decided to pull out of the Boy Scout organization (see Mormons announce decision to pull out of Boy Scouts).
Even the LDS should have had some moral concerns about Mitt Romney (his prior support of abortion would be another pause for concern).
That said, as far as end time prophecy goes, the Bible indicates that the U.S.A. will be destroyed unless it has national repentance soon. Jesus and His kingdom, not a Mormon or other similar leader, will solve what needs to happen in the USA–even if someone like Mitt Romney becomes USA president.
Without national repentance, the U.S.A. is doomed (Daniel 11:39). The nation itself will not be saved by a possible White Horse prophecy.
Neither the current US President Biden nor Mitt Romney has called for national repentance and, even if either did, it is not likely that they would call for repentance for Americans to go to the faith of the original Church of God of the New Testament. But personal repentance still remains an option–and all should decide that is the direction now to go.
Some articles of possibly related interest may include:
Teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and the Continuing Church of God The genuine Church of God is not related to the Mormons and this article explains some differences and a couple of similarities. Also, might certain LDS prophecies apply to Mitt Romney? A sermon of related interest is available: Mormon vs. Church of God Teachings.
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. Two related sermon are available: Identifying the USA and its Destruction in Prophecy and Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here are links to two related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For and The Future King of the North.
Might the U.S.A. Be Gone by 2028?Could the USA be gone by the end of 2028 or earlier? There is a tradition attributed to the Hebrew prophet Elijah that humanity had 6,000 years to live before being replaced by God’s Kingdom. There are scriptures, writings in the Talmud, early Christian teachings that support this. Also, even certain Hindu writings support it. Here is a link to a related video: Is the USA prophesied to be destroyed by 2028? In Spanish: Seran los Estados Unidos Destruidos en el 2028?
Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is are links to related sermons: Christian Election: Is God Calling YOU? and Predestination and Your Selection; here is a message in Spanish: Me Está Llamando Dios Hoy? A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? Two related sermons about this are also available: Real Repentance and Real Christian Repentance.
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