Skip to content
  • Give me access to SECRET EPISODES
  • Episodes
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Subscribe
Menu
  • Episodes
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Subscribe
  • Give me access to SECRET EPISODES
PrevPrevious EpisodeMormon History of Apocalypse (Part 2 of 7)
Next ExpisodeApocalyptic World Wars (Part 4 of 7)Next

Civil War Prophecy & Joseph’s Apocalyptic Death

Table of Contents: Civil War Prophecy & Joseph’s Apocalyptic Death

Click to Support
Gospel Tangents

One of the most famous prophecies of Joseph Smith is the Civil War prophecy, in which Joseph predicted the Civil War would start in South Carolina.  When that happened two decades later, how did that affect LDS apocalyptic thought?  Dr. Christopher Blythe will let us know the answer.

YouTube player

Christopher:  When the Saints first get to Nauvoo, Joseph’s in Liberty Jail, and the Apostles write to the saints and say, “We know we’re going to be persecuted, guys. This is part of the plan, and eventually, your murderers will be brought to justice.” So, there’s this expectation that the saints have to be martyred, that there should be widespread persecution, and it’s part of bringing to pass the Second Coming. Joseph’s death, one of the key things here that changes all that, allegedly, one story is that Joseph as right before he goes to Liberty Jail, sends out a message for the saints to read that specific chapter about these martyrs, as he’s on his way there, that he wants them to be very aware of this idea of a last martyr. Now, after his death–this is something that Sam Brown points out, Joseph is recognized in this role as last martyr. Now, all these events can happen.

Brigham Young will give a discourse to say, “You don’t understand what’s happened here with Joseph’s death. But because Joseph has died, there’ll be much less blood demanded of us.”  This sort of message to say, “We once expected vast martyrdom, but Joseph’s actually been sort of a Savior to us physically, because the nation is sort of, can be sated by taking his life, they’re not going to come after us in the same way. That doesn’t mean we don’t want to leave town. But it’s not demanded in the same way to fulfill these events.” So, when I discovered that I thought, “This is incredible. What a sort of interesting idea of how martyrology plays here.”

…

GT:  When we look at the LDS Church’s view that martyrdom is to be expected, trials are to be expected, but it’s also interesting in that same time period, you have the Community of Christ, well, I guess I should call it The RLDS Church, because they weren’t the Community of Christ back then. The RLDS Church is saying, “Well, look. The reason why they’re suffering so bad is because God’s putting his punishments on them.”  William Bickerton is basically [saying] the same thing.  It’s funny, inside the church, we look at it as, “Oh, we’re martyrs.” Outside the church they’re looking at it, “No, God’s punishing you.”

Christopher:  Oh, isn’t that fascinating? Yeah. The one thing I do mention with that is Strang’s curse. Strang writes this curse on the Saints in Nauvoo, predicting, that they’re going to get these same diseases and things that the Saints believe are being put on Joseph’s persecutors and others, the idea of a curse.  So, Strang, in 1845, is the first one to kind of turn that on his fellow Latter-day Saints of how this is going to happen, “You guys are, are in trouble.” So, absolutely.

GT:  It’s interesting to see how people interpret the same event.

Christopher:  I think, one thing I didn’t read about here is, for several these small groups, Brigham Young becomes the Antichrist figure. He’s the one that’s taken over the temple and done these evil things to lead astray the church. So, forget the United States government, they’re not even part of it. They’re looking at the tyrant of Brigham.

We also talk about how Joseph’s death affected LDS apocalypticism.  Check out our conversation….

By the way, here is a link to Dr. Blythe’s book, Terrible Revolution.  It’s currently over 40% off, here’s your chance to get a good deal!  https://amzn.to/35hud6K

civil war prophecy - Civil War Prophecy & Joseph's Apocalyptic Death - Mormon History Podcast
The Civil War Prophecy is probably Joseph’s most famous revelation.

Don’t miss our previous conversations with Dr. Christopher Blythe.

461: Mormon History of Apocalypse

460: Maxwell Institute: A Religious Thinktank

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:14 — 18.7MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Email | RSS | More

Love this? Donate or Subscribe

Do you love the friendly, non-bashing interviews about Mormonism here on Gospel Tangents? 
Please show your support for Gospel Tangents by becoming a donor or subscriber:

Make me a Donor
Make me a Subscriber
No related products found.

More Podcasts with these Guests:

  • White Horse Prophecy
  • Chad Daybell & Zombie Apocalypse
  • Bo, Rowe, & Pontius: LDS Apocalypticists
  • Apocalyptic World Wars (Part 4 of 7)
  • Mormon History of Apocalypse (Part 2 of 7)

Get more information on the people and things discussed in this episode:

  • Guest: Christopher Blythe
  • Theology: Apocalypse
  • Martyrdom of Joseph Smith
  • Historical Mentions Mormon History
  • Tags: Church History, Civil War Prophecy, GT Podcast, iTunes

Tell me when the next episode drops!

PrevPrevious EpisodeMormon History of Apocalypse (Part 2 of 7)
Next ExpisodeApocalyptic World Wars (Part 4 of 7)Next
  • Date: November 18, 2020
  • Guest: Christopher Blythe
  • Theology: Apocalypse
  • Martyrdom of Joseph Smith
  • Historical Mentions Mormon History
  • Tags: Church History, Civil War Prophecy, GT Podcast, iTunes
  • Posted By: RickB

Subscribe

Rick Bennett, Host

Rick Bennett is the friendly host of Gospel Tangents LDS Podcast: The Best Source for Mormon History, Science, and Theology. Book Rick for your fireside or conference.

More Interviews

  • Ben Spackman
  • David Ostler
  • Denver Snuffer
  • Lachlan McKay
  • Lindsay Hansen Park
  • Margaret Toscano
  • Richard Bushman
  • Sally Gordon
  • Terryl Givens
  • Ugo Perego...
View all 100+ Interviewees

Proud to be an Amazon Associate

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Subscribe

Go ad-free, get written transcripts, and talk to Rick one-on-one!
Stop Seeing Ads

Rick Bennett, Host of Gospel Tangents

Rick Bennett is the friendly, independent historian at the heart of Gospel Tangents LDS Podcast: The Best Source for Mormon History, Science, and Theology. When he isn't interviewing Mormon scholars, prophets, and others, he is teaching math and statistics at Utah Valley University. He also freelances as a research biostatistician in the fields of Dermatology and Traumatic Brian Injuries, as well as in the network television/cable T.V. industries as a sports statistician. Rick holds a Master of Statistics Degree from the University of Utah.

Contact Rick
Book Rick for your Event
0 +
Podcast Episodes
0 +
People Interviewed
  • Home
  • About
  • Episodes
  • Subscribe
  • Fan Shop
  • Book Rick
  • Contact Us
Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Episodes
  • Subscribe
  • Fan Shop
  • Book Rick
  • Contact Us
Copyright 2023, Gospel Tangents. All Rights Reserved.