White Horse Prophecy

63 Primary Sources

Date
Summary
Dec 16, 1833

Joseph Smith reveals that the US constitution was established by God and the US was redeemed by shedding blood.

Mar 22, 1839

Joseph Smith, in a letter, writes that the Constitution is a glorious standard and a heavenly banner.

Jul 19, 1840

In a sermon, Joseph Smith teaches that the Constitution will one day be on the "brink of ruin" and the Saints will help protect and save it.

Jul 19, 1840

In a sermon, Joseph Smith teaches that the Constitution will one day be on the "brink of ruin" and the Saints will help protect and save it.

Jul 19, 1840

In a sermon, Joseph Smith teaches that the Constitution will one day be on the "brink of ruin" and the Saints will help protect and save it.

Jul 19, 1840

In a sermon, Joseph Smith teaches that the Constitution will one day be on the "brink of ruin" and the Saints will help protect and save it.

Apr 8, 1843

Joseph Smith, in a sermon, interprets the symbolic language in Revelation differently than found in the WHP.

May 1843

James Burgess records Joseph Smith teaching that the Constitution will "hang by a brittle thread" but the Saints will save it.

1844

John Taylor recounts the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith on June 27, 1844.

Jul 4, 1854

Brigham Young teaches that the Constitution will never be destroyed but, based on the teachings of Joseph Smith, will hang upon a thread.

Jul 4, 1854

Brigham Young teaches that the Constitution will never be destroyed but, based on the teachings of Joseph Smith, will hang upon a thread.

Feb 18, 1855

Brigham Young, in a sermon, teaches that the Constitution will hang by a thread someday and will be saved by "the Mormon Elders."

Jan 3, 1858

In a sermon, Orson Hyde teaches that the Constitution and Government would one day be in danger of overthrow but the Elders will save it.

Jan 3, 1858

In a sermon, Orson Hyde teaches that the Constitution and Government would one day be in danger of overthrow but the Elders will save it.

Apr 13, 1862

In a sermon, John Taylor teaches that the Saints will one day be Saviors of the nations, both in a religious and political sense.

Jul 24, 1871

Eliza R. Snow recalls hearing Joseph teaching the Constitution will hang by a single hair and the Elders of the Church will save it.

Aug 31, 1879

John Taylor, in a sermon, teaches that the Constitution will one day be torn to shreds and only the Saints will be found holding it up as a standard.

Sep 7, 1879

Orson Pratt makes reference to the temple being built in Missouri and establishment of Zion—two important elements of the White Horse Prophecy.

Nov 20, 1881

George Q. Cannon claims that Joseph Smith taught that the constitution will one day only be upheld by the Latter-day Saints.

Dec 14, 1884

John Taylor teaches that the Constitution will one day be torn to shreds.

1887

Arnold Giauque owed debt for transportation to Utah in 1868.

1902

Edwin Rushton's account of the WHP.

1902

John Welch's reproduction of Edwin Rushton's account of the White Horse Prophecy.

1902

Edwin Rushton's account of Joseph Smith's purported White Horse Prophecy.

1902

Copy of an account of Joseph Smith's purported White Horse Prophecy in the "Joseph A. McRae" collection.

1902

Edwin Rushton's account of Joseph Smith's purported White Horse Prophecy.

1902

Copy of an account of Joseph Smith's purported White Horse Prophecy in the "Joseph A. McRae" collection.

1902

Edwin Rushton's account of the WHP.

1902

Edwin Rushton's account of Joseph Smith's purported White Horse Prophecy.

Mar 1902

John J. Roberts's report of Joseph's purported White Horse Prophecy.

Mar 1902

John J. Roberts's report of Joseph's purported White Horse Prophecy.

Dec 29, 1904

State of Utah Death Certificate for Edwin Rushton lists death date as December 27, 1904.

Dec 29, 1904

The Ogden Standard publishes death notice of Edwin Rushton; no mention of White Horse Prophecy mentioned.

Dec 30, 1904

Deseret Evening News publishes death notice of Edwin Rushton and makes no mention of the White Horse Prophecy.

Dec 31, 1904

Deseret Evening News prints a lengthier obituary for Edwin Rushton and does not mention White Horse Prophecy.

1906

C.C. Anderson reprints of a copy of Joseph Smith's purported White Horse Prophecy.

Oct 4, 1912

Joseph Fielding Smith writes that Joseph Smith was inspired to predict Constitution will one day hang by a thread and the Saints will protect it.

1916

The Messenger publishes a copy of Edwin Rushton's account of Joseph Smith's purported White Horse Prophecy.

Oct 5, 1918

Joseph F. Smith says that the White Horse Prophecy is a "ridiculous story" and is not an authentic prophecy of Joseph Smith's.

Oct 5, 1918

In a General Conference, Joseph Fielding Smith states the White Horse Prophecy is not a true prophecy from Joseph Smith.

Oct 5, 1918

In a General Conference, Joseph Fielding Smith states the White Horse Prophecy is not a true prophecy from Joseph Smith.

1921

Orson F. Whitney writes in Saturday Night Thoughts that the Constitution will hang by thread and Saints will save it.

Oct 6, 1922

Charles W. Nibley at General Conference says Constitution will one day hang by a thread.

Apr 9, 1933

In a General Conference, Melvin J. Ballard believes Joseph Smith did say Constitution would hang by a thread but that the Saints would play a pivotal role in its preservation.

1941

Edith Lenora Christensen writes that she heard her father relate the White Horse Prophecy and affirmed truthfulness to two Church officials.

Apr 5, 1948

Ezra Taft Benson teaches that Joseph Smith taught the Constitution was "a heavenly banner" but one day "hang as by a thread" with the Saints saving it.

Apr 9, 1950

According to Joseph Fielding Smith Joseph Smith did teach Constitution would hang by a thread.

Nov 20, 1954

Article in Salt Lake Telegram reports that Edith and Carl Christian Christensen were married November 16, 1904.

Feb 1956

In The Instructor David O. McKay teaches that, next to worshipping God, the most important thing is to be united in upholding and defending the U.S. Constitution.

Sep 30, 1961

In General Conference, Ezra Taft Benson teaches that Joseph Smith was told by the Lord that the Constitution would one day "hang, as it were, by a thread."

1963

Jess Stearn assumes the WHP to be a genuine prophecy of Joseph's and believes it contains many accurate predictions.

Apr 6, 1963

Ezra Taft Benson, in General Conference, teaches that Joseph Smith taught that the Constitution would "hang as it were by a thread."

1966

Bruce McConkie, in Mormon Doctrine, writes that the White Horse Prophecy is a false and deceptive document and not a true prophecy of Joseph Smith's.

Aug 23, 1967

George Romney addresses the Constitution "hanging by a thread" in a 1967 interview with Dialogue.

Dec 15, 1969

First Presidency (1969) affirming the Constitution being "inspired."

1971

Don L. Penrod gives an overview of White Horse Prophecy and concludes it should be rejected as apocryphal in light of historical and textual issues.

Jun 1976

D. Michael Stewart in Ensign writes that Joseph Smith did prophecy Constitution would be imperilled and the Elders would play a role in saving it.

1983

Webster's says the term "Jap" was not introduced into the English language until 1890.

1985

Bruce McConkie dismisses the White Horse Prophecy as spurious and not a true prophecy from Joseph Smith.

1988

Ezra Taft Benson teaches that Joseph Smith predicted the Constitution would hang by a thread and be saved by the Saints.

1992

According to the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Joseph Smith taught Constitution would "hang by a thread" and be rescued with the help of the Saints.

2001

Online Etymological Dictionary details that "Jap" was introduced into the English language in 1877.

Nov 3, 2006

Carrie Sheffield quotes Latter-day Saints who reject White Horse Prophecy in his Wall Street Journal article.

2009

Kraut presents an interpretation of, and defense of the authenticity of the White Horse Prophecy.

Dec 24, 2009

Rexburg Standard Journal quotes statement from Church spokesperson Kim Farah about the White Horse Prophecy.

2010

Study arguing that Edwin Rushton, not Joseph Smith, was the ultimate source of the White Horse Prophecy.

2010

Study arguing that Edwin Rushton, not Joseph Smith, was the ultimate source of the White Horse Prophecy.

Jan 6, 2010

Church Newsroom reproduces Church's Decemebr 2009 statement concerning the White Horse Prophecy.

Jun 4, 2010

Mitt Romney quoted as rejecting the White Horse Prophecy being authoritative Church teaching.

2011

George Cobabe argues that White Horse Prophecy is apocryphal; also discusses Constitution "hanging by a thread."

2013

Prediction of then-future temple in Missouri.

2015

Abraham Lincoln issued "The Emancipation Proclamation" in September 1862 and it became effective on January 1, 1863.

2020

Blythe argues that the White Horse Prophecy’s content is unobjectionable in contemporary apocalyptic expectations.

Jan 15, 2021

The Church condemns violence and lawless behavior and encourages members to honor democratic institutions.

Apr 2021

Dallin Oaks Addressing the U.S. Constitution and its "Inspiration" in April 2021 General Conference.