Vision Theme: Persecution & Apostasy
White Horse Prophecy, attributed to Joseph Smith
The oft disputed White Horse Prophecy (1843) states “a man who had heard the Prophet give the toast returned to visit the mansion of the Prophet, and so abused him with bad language, that the man was ordered out by the Prophet. It was while the two were out that my attention was attracted to them and hearing the man speaking in a loud tone of voice, I went toward them; the man finally leaving. There were present the Prophet Joseph Smith, Theodore Turley and myself. The prophet began talking to us of the mobbings and drivings and persecutions we as a people have endured, but, said he, “We will have worse things to see; our persecutors will have all the mobbings they want. Don’t wish them any harm, for when you see their sufferings you will shed bitter tears for them.”
The Vision of Amanda Wilcox (1868)
“After a while the Gentiles will gather to this place by the thousands, and Salt Lake will be classed among the wicked cities of the world. A spirit of speculation and extravagance will take possession of the Saints, and the result will be financial bondage.
“Persecution comes next, and all true Latter-day Saints will be tested to the limit. Many will apostatize, and others will stand still, not knowing what to do. `Darkness will cover the earth and gross darkness the minds of the people.”
Vision of Return to Jackson County by President John Taylor
“President Taylor and other authorities were in Cedar City holding conference. They were staying at the home of Bishop Lunt. President Taylor had stayed home from the morning session to rest. In mid-morning he came into the kitchen where sister Lunt was preparing dinner, and related the vision to her that he had while in his room. He said, “I saw Salt Lake City become a great and beautiful city, cement sidewalks and streets, wealthy people, beautiful homes, extending almost to the top of the mountain south of the state prison. People became indifferent. War began among the people. I saw blood running down
The gutters of Salt Lake City as if it were water. People fighting so much among themselves until it became so serious that the entire church records were taken across the Colorado River.
If you are alive at that time, be sure you are not far behind the records because after the church records leave and are secure, the very powers of hell will be turned loose, and there will be such a destruction that but very little life will remain.
Not only Salt Lake City, but other adjoining cities will be destroyed, and in the East, in Jackson county, Missouri, civilization will become entirely extinct. All means of transportation such as railroads and highways will be destroyed. The only means of travel will be on foot.
And manufacturing of all kinds will be destroyed. Be sure when you see these things come that you will have buttons, needles, and things to work with in order to make clothing. Thread and cloth as much as possible because all tools and things to work with will be destroyed such as machinery.
It will become such a destructive war that the sufferings and drivings of the people from Nauvoo will only be as a drip in the bucket compared with the sufferings that will take place at that time. Until half the people will not follow the church leaders at that time and half the others will die or turn away because of the sufferings that they will have to go through.
But the Lord will bless those who stay with the authorities and they shall not be destroyed.”
Cardston Temple Vision, Sols Caurdisto
I saw that the opposing forces were roughly divided by so-called, Christianity on the one side, and by the so-called followers of Mohammed and Buddha on the other. I saw that the great driving power within these so-called Christian nations, was the Great Apostasy of Rome, in all its political, social and religious aspects. I saw the worldwide dislocation and devastation of production and slaughter of people occur more swiftly and upon a larger scale than ever before. I saw an antagonism begin to express itself from those so-called Christian nations against your people. I saw those with a similar faith to yours in the far east begin to look toward Palestine for safety….
I saw the other officials obeying the inspired instructions, carrying their message and exhorting the people to carry out, from time to time the revelation given them, whilst all around throughout the Gentile world the chaos developed in its varying stages, faction against faction, nation against nation, but all in open or secret hostility to your people and their faith. I saw your people draw closer and closer together, as this became more tense and as the spiritual forces warned them through the mouth of your elders and your other officers. I saw the spiritual forces influencing those members who had drifted away, to re-enter the fold. I saw a greater tithing than ever before.
Vision of Alma D. Erickson (1930s)
I see our church represented by a high building, and we are in the top thereof, or the most recently constructed portion, which is very shakey; and I perceive that this last constructed portion is going to fall, and we must get down to the lower part of this great structure, which rests solidly upon its foundations. And while I am thus viewing it, the top, or last part built, does crash with a loud and fearful crash.
