Eleanor Finch
The idea that the US Constitution will one day hang by a thread and be saved by the elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons, has been attributed to Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter-day Saint movement. This belief, known as the White Horse Prophecy, is based on statements made by Smith in the 1840s and recorded by his associates, including Edwin Rushton and James Burgess. According to the prophecy, the US Constitution will face a crisis, but it will be saved by the intervention of the Latter-day Saints, who will act as a 'white horse' savior. While the prophecy has been embraced by some Mormons, it has also faced criticism and has been dismissed by credible historians. The LDS Church officially discounted the White Horse Prophecy in 2010, stating that it is not a credible part of LDS doctrine.
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution will be saved by the Priesthood of the Mormon Church
The idea that the US Constitution will be saved by the Priesthood of the Mormon Church is known as the White Horse Prophecy. It is attributed to Joseph Smith, who is believed to have said in 1840 that when the Constitution was threatened with destruction, the Latter-Day Saint elders would step in "on the white horse" to save it.
The exact words of the prophecy are disputed, as they were not written down by Smith himself, but by others who heard him speak. One version, recorded by Edwin Rushton, predicts that the US Constitution will one day hang like a thread but be saved by the Latter-Day Saints, "by the efforts of the White Horse". Another version, recorded in a 1902 diary entry by John Roberts, states that Smith prophesied that the Mormons "will go to the Rocky Mountains and will be a great and mighty people... I shall never go there" and that they would be persecuted by enemies of the church. It also predicted that "You will see the Constitution of the United States almost destroyed. It will hang like a thread as fine as a silk fibre".
In 1855, Brigham Young, a contemporary of Smith, 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". Another contemporary of Smith, Orson Hyde, wrote in 1858 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 Church".
The White Horse Prophecy has been a source of controversy, with critics of Mormonism and enthusiasts of Mormon folklore doctrine arguing that it suggests Mormons should expect the US to become a theocracy dominated by the LDS Church. In 2010, the LDS Church officially stated that the prophecy is not a credible part of LDS doctrine. Despite this, the idea that the US Constitution will be saved by the Priesthood of the Mormon Church persists in Mormon culture and continues to influence the political views of many Latter-Day Saints.
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Latter-Day Saint elders will step in on the white horse
The White Horse Prophecy is a statement made by Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, in 1843. It was written down by Smith's follower, Edwin Rushton, in an undated document, possibly ten years after. According to Rushton's account, Smith prophesied that the US Constitution will one day "hang like a thread" but be saved by the Latter-Day Saints "by the efforts of the White Horse".
The prophecy predicts that the Latter-Day Saints will go to the Rocky Mountains and become a "great and mighty people". Smith is quoted as saying:
> You will see the Constitution of the United States almost destroyed. It will hang like a thread as fine as a silk fiber...
Smith's prophecy has been interpreted by some as a prediction that the US will become a theocracy dominated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church). However, others believe that the prophecy simply states that the Latter-Day Saints will support and uphold the government, not take it over.
Several sources attribute to Smith the idea that the US Constitution would one day hang by a thread, and Church leaders have issued similar warnings. In 1855, Brigham Young, a contemporary of Smith, wrote:
> 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 conclusion, the White Horse Prophecy, as recorded by Edwin Rushton, predicts that the Latter-Day Saint elders will step in "on the white horse" to save the country when the US Constitution hangs by a thread. While the prophecy has been disputed and disavowed by the LDS Church, it continues to be influential among some followers of Joseph Smith.
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The Constitution will be preserved by Mormons
The Constitution of the United States will one day hang by a thread, according to a prophecy attributed to Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). This prophecy, known as the White Horse Prophecy, suggests that when the Constitution is on the verge of destruction, the Latter-day Saints or "Mormons" will step in to save it.
The exact wording of the prophecy varies in different accounts, but the core idea remains consistent. Joseph Smith is believed to have made this prophecy as early as 1840, and it has been repeated and interpreted by various leaders and adherents of the LDS Church over the years. The prophecy suggests that the US Constitution will face a crisis, hanging by a thread, and the Mormons will play a crucial role in preserving it.
One version of the prophecy, recorded by Edwin Rushton, states that the Mormons "will go to the Rocky Mountains and will be a great and mighty people established there, which I will call the White Horse of peace and safety." This interpretation suggests that the Mormons will be a stabilizing force, bringing peace and safety to the nation when the Constitution is in danger.
Another interpretation, attributed to Orson Hyde, a contemporary of Smith, suggests 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." This interpretation emphasizes the role of the LDS Church leadership in preserving the Constitution during a time of national crisis.
In recent years, the LDS Church has distanced itself from the White Horse Prophecy, stating in 2010 that it is not a credible part of LDS doctrine. However, the idea that the Constitution will be preserved by Mormons continues to hold cultural significance for many Latter-day Saints, especially in the Utah region. It reflects their love for the American nation, the Constitution, and the ideals upon which America was built, while also acknowledging their history of persecution and marginalization within the country.
In conclusion, the prophecy of the Constitution hanging by a thread and being saved by Mormons has been a significant belief within the LDS Church. While the official stance on the prophecy has evolved, it continues to shape the cultural and political trajectory of many Latter-day Saints, influencing their views on the role of religion in preserving the nation's founding principles.
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The Constitution will be saved by citizens who love freedom
The Constitution of the United States is a revered document, outlining the rights and freedoms of its citizens. However, it has faced, and continues to face, threats to its existence. Several sources attribute to Joseph Smith the belief that the US Constitution would one day "hang by a thread". Smith, a religious leader, is said to have made this statement in 1843 while the Latter-day Saints were based in Illinois.
Smith's prophecy warns of a time when the Constitution would be in grave danger, hanging "by a thread as fine as a silk fibre". He foresaw a period of turmoil and crisis, where the nation would face external and internal threats, and the principles upon which the country was founded would be in jeopardy. During this critical juncture, Smith believed that the Latter-day Saints, or the Elders of Israel, would step forward and save the Constitution, ensuring its preservation.
The idea of the Constitution hanging by a thread has been a recurring theme in American political discourse, with some believing that the country is currently facing such a crisis. The prophecy has been interpreted in various ways, with critics and enthusiasts of Mormonism holding differing views on its implications. Some see it as a call for a Mormon saviour, while others view it as a reflection of the tension within Mormonism between their love for America and their frustration with its leaders.
Despite differing interpretations, the underlying message of the prophecy is clear: the Constitution will be saved by those who cherish freedom. As Ezra Taft Benson, then president of the LDS Church, stated: "I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. But it will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by the citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom."
The prophecy serves as a reminder that the preservation of the Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees is the responsibility of all citizens who value liberty and equality. It is a call to action for all Americans to defend the principles upon which their nation was founded, ensuring that the Constitution remains a resilient and enduring framework for their society.
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The Constitution will be saved by the Elders of Israel
The Constitution of the United States is a revered document, and its fate has been a topic of discussion and prophecy among religious groups, particularly the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). According to several sources, the LDS Church leader Joseph Smith prophesied that a time would come when the Constitution would "hang by a thread" or be in danger of destruction. Smith's exact words, as recorded by others, include references to the Constitution hanging "by a thread as fine as a silk fiber" and being saved by the "Elders of Israel".
The "White Horse Prophecy," attributed to Smith by his associate Edwin Rushton, suggests that the Latter-day Saints would be the saviors of the Constitution, riding "on the white horse" to rescue the nation. This prophecy has been a subject of fascination and interpretation within Mormonism and American politics. While the LDS Church officially discounted the White Horse Prophecy in 2010, the idea of the Constitution being in peril and needing rescue has persisted.
The Elders of Israel, as mentioned in Smith's prophecy, are believed to be the ones who will step forward to save the Constitution when it is at its most vulnerable. This belief is rooted in the idea that the Elders of Israel, as a righteous and faithful people, will rally around the Constitution and prevent its destruction. It should be noted that while Smith's prophecies have been widely circulated, they have also been scrutinized and debated by historians and critics.
The concept of the Constitution hanging by a thread reflects a tension within Mormonism. On the one hand, Mormons deeply love and value the American nation, its ideals, and the Constitution. On the other hand, they have often felt frustrated with American leaders and marginalized due to a history of persecution and being pushed from state to state before settling in Utah. This complex relationship has fueled the idea that the Constitution may need saving and that the Elders of Israel will play a pivotal role in its preservation.
In conclusion, the prophecy that "The Constitution will be saved by the Elders of Israel" is a significant belief within the context of the LDS Church and Mormonism. It reflects a tension between their love for America and their frustration with its leaders. While the exact nature of Smith's prophecies and their interpretations remain a subject of discussion, the underlying message of the Elders of Israel's role in safeguarding the Constitution has resonated within the LDS community and beyond.
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Frequently asked questions
It refers to a prophecy by Joseph Smith that the US Constitution would one day be "hanging by a thread" and that the Latter-day Saints would be the ones to save it.
There are several variations of the prophecy, but the most common version is: "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."
Joseph Smith made this prophecy in early May 1843 while the Latter-day Saints were headquartered in Nauvoo, Illinois.
The prophecy is significant in Mormonism because it suggests that the Latter-day Saints will play a crucial role in saving the nation at a time of crisis. It also reflects Smith's belief in the importance of upholding the law and the Constitution.
The interpretation of the prophecy is subjective and open to debate. Some believe that it has already come true, while others argue that it is yet to be fulfilled.
