Joseph Smith...Prophet, Seer and Revelator

On December 25, 1832, Joseph Smith received a revelation known today as D&C 87. This revelation foretold about wars and future destruction to come. "And the days shall come that war will be poured out upon all nations" and "will cause the death and misery of many souls." These wars were to begin in South Carolina when the "southern states shall be divided against the northern states" and "slaves who are held in bondage shall rise up against those who hold them in bondage." This predicted war occurred in 1861, almost 3 decades after the Prophet Joseph Smith was given the revelation. The Civil War was caused over divisive issues concerning slavery and remains one of the most destructive wars in American history. It is interesting to note that much of the persecution of the early Saints, especially in Missouri, was due to their abolitionary views which were in direct conflict with their slave owning neighbors.

Joseph Smith was more than a prophet. He was also a seer and revelator. What's the difference? According to the Bible dictionary a prophet acts as God's messenger and makes known God's will. Part of the prophetic office is to preserve and edit the records of the nation's history. Joseph Smith's translation of the Bible was in accordance to his prophetic calling. In Mosiah 8:16-17 we learn that a seer is a revelator and a prophet. A seer knows of things past and things of the future. Through seers "shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known."

Joseph Smith's revelation continues, "And then with the sword, and by bloodshed, the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn; and with famine and plague, and earthquakes, and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath and indignation and the chastening hand of an Almighty God.

Have these prophecies been fulfilled? Have we witnessed famine, plague, bloodshed, and earthquakes? Absolutely. The revelation Joseph received over 178 years ago describes current conditions today. This new year alone has witnessed massive destruction from earthquakes, and the year has just begun. Millions were killed during the past century because of warfare and plagues like the Spanish influenza which killed between 50 to 100 million people starting in 1918. World War One was supposed to be the war to "end all wars." Unfortunately it was just the beginning of warfare in the 21st century. What about plagues besides the Spanish Influenza? Aids has destroyed millions and continues to do so. It leaves a wake of destruction in it's path, especially on the African continent. These are just a few examples of Joseph's revelation being fulfilled, there are many, many more.

Through all this destruction the saints of God are admonished to stand in holy places. What are holy places? The temple is one, churches are another. Our homes need to be holy places too. They must be a haven and refuge from the worldly and perverse, from the onslaught of evil that is ever present. They need to be a safe place for all. There is another place that should be holy... our mind. Pure thoughts and speech can also buffer us and protect us from worldly influences.

Toward the end of this revelation we learn that we must "stand in holy places and be not moved until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord". If the second coming was "at the doors" 178 years ago, we must be close, very close.