White Horse Prophecy
Timeline of the White Horse Prophecy
December 1833 | Joseph Smith[BIO] receives a revelation that the U.S. Constitution was established by God.[1] |
July 1840 | Martha Jane Knowlton Coray[BIO] recorded that Joseph Smith said that the U.S. Constitution will be "on the brink of ruin" and be saved by the Latter-day Saint people.[2] |
June 27, 1844 | Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith[BIO] are murdered in Carthage Jail, Illinois.[3] |
July 1854 | Brigham Young[BIO] recalls that Joseph Smith taught "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."[4] |
circa 1848–1904 | James Burgess[BIO] appends a May 1843 entry to his journal that states that Joseph Smith taught the U.S. Constitution "would hang by a brittle thread."[5] |
circa 1898–1902 | John J. Roberts[BIO] copies Edwin Rushton's account of the "White Horse Prophecy" which Rushton claims he witnessed in May of 1843.[6] |
December 1904 | Edwin Rushton dies in Salt Lake City.[7] |
1906 | C. C. Anderson[BIO] reprints John J. Roberts's journal entry in a book.[8] |
October 1912 | President Joseph F. Smith,[BIO] in the October 1912 General Conference, says Joseph Smith taught that "the Constitution of our country would hang as it were by a thread."[9] |
October 1918 | In the October 1918 General Conference, Joseph F. Smith condemned the White Horse Prophecy as a "ridiculous story" and not a true prophecy of Joseph Smith.[10] |
What is the White Horse Prophecy?
It's a prophecy Joseph Smith[BIO] allegedly gave on or about May 7, 1843.[11] The prophecy was an elaborate apocalyptic vision that describes global turmoil and war and used symbolic colored horses (white, pale, red, and black) to represent different elements of the vision.[12]
It also referenced the idea that the U.S. Constitution will "hang by a thread"[13] though Joseph Smith reportedly taught this idea several years before the appearance of the White Horse Prophecy.[14]
Did Joseph Smith actually give the White Horse Prophecy?
Probably not. Researchers have dismissed the authenticity of the prophecy,[15] as have Church leaders,[16] although there are some elements of the prophecy that are teachings from Joseph Smith.[17]
There are no corroborating historical records referencing the prophecy from pioneer-era or early Utah publications or journals[18] nor any record contemporary with Joseph Smith.
Sources for the White Horse Prophecy
Date | Source Name | Source Information |
Undated but estimated to be no earlier than 1885 and no later than 1902.[19] | "original source" or "Manuscript 3771"[20] | |
Undated but estimated to be no earlier than 1868 and no later than 1902.[24] | "revised source" or "Manuscript 7897"[25] | |
March 2, 1902 [27] | "hearsay source" found in John J. Roberts, Reminiscences and Diaries, 1898-1902.[28] |
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What are the actual contents of the White Horse Prophecy?
The White Horse Prophecy gave multiple predictions,[30] from a "terrible revolution" to the Messiah coming.[31][32] Some of the other predictions included:
Did the belief that the U.S. Constitution would one day "hang by a thread" originate with the White Horse Prophecy?
No. James Burgess recalled Joseph Smith predicting the Constitution would hang by a "brittle thread."[36] This teaching from Joseph Smith was corroborated by Brigham Young,[37] Orson Hyde,[38] and Eliza R. Snow.[39]
Why is the prophecy so well known despite it probably being fake?
The press has brought the White Horse Prophecy up on several occasions when Latter-day Saints have run for political office.[40]
Church leaders have referenced the teaching that the U.S. Constitution would be in danger,[41][42] which Joseph probably did teach.[43]
Does the White Horse Prophecy mean that a Mormon is going to run for president and take over the United States?
No. There's nothing in the prophecy that says anything like that.[44]
Do members of the Church plan on some sort of political revolution? Does the "constitution hanging by a thread" mean that Church members think the government needs to be overthrown?
No. The Church affirms only peaceful political activities, not violent activities such as overthrowing a democratically elected government.[45]
Does the prophecy promote violence?
No, not really. The prophecy is about war and destruction, and refers to warring countries (France, England, Russia, and others) but does not call Latter-day Saints to be violent.[46]
The "white horse" (Latter-day Saints) is said to draw people from all nations because "they would not <take up> the sword against their neighbors."[47]
Have any other prophets or apostles referenced the White Horse Prophecy?
Yes, but only to denounce it.[48]
However, Church leaders have referenced the teaching that the U.S. Constitution will "hang by a thread."[49] This teaching is included in the prophecy, but Joseph Smith also taught it several years before.[50]
