Reason #85
The famous Civil War prophecy of Section 87 of the Doctrine and Covenants has for years been touted by Mormons as proof positive of Joseph’s powers as a prophet. However, the force of this assertion is lessened considerably when one considers that “the rebellion of South Carolina” mentioned had occurred at least two weeks before it is claimed that Joseph Smith received a revelation concerning it. Even Mormons admit the “prophecy” was not put into print until 1851. Besides, a careful and objective reading of the entire “prophecy” would lead one to believe that the coming Civil War would mark the beginning of an era of continuous war on “all nations”—which has certainly not proven to be the case. (Not even by a great stretch can it be said that “the Northern states” and “the Southern states” had anything to do with the Spanish American War or World War I, for instance.)
For more information, see The Mormon Mirage 3rd Edition: A Former Member Looks at the Mormon Church Today (Zondervan, 2009). Also available as an audiobook and as an expanded-text E-book for Nook, Kindle and other reading devices.
