While I was talking with one of my family members, they mentioned that some Mormons were baffled with the fact that Romney had lost. Especially since signs had been pointing towards the fulfillment of some parts of the “White Horse Prophecy”. (For those of you not familiar with this prophecy, it is described in detail here). They felt our constitution is “hanging by a thread” (as do I in many respects) and all signs were leading towards Romney winning.
Since the “White Horse Prophecy” is so en grained into Mormon culture, it seems that any time a Mormon does anything significant in politics, many Mormons jump on the bandwagon of wondering if the prophecy is about to be fulfilled.
I feel that there are flaws with this way of thinking. First, the prophecy has not been cited as something definitely prophesied by Joseph Smith. Secondly, there is not a clear definition of what is meant by the “constitution hanging by a thread” and how the elders will participate in saving the constitution. I get a feeling that Mormons assume it means a Mormon in the White House, but the prophecy does not state this and is rather vague in defining exactly what role the elder will play.
Even though there are flaws in the prophecy, and LDS public affairs has even publicly denounced the prophecy, I’m sure that many Mormons will still hold this “prophecy” to be true merely based on the fact it has been told so many times and become a part of Mormon culture.
That being said, let’s have a little fun. Now that Mitt Romney is out, who do you think will be the next Mormon politician to be dubbed as the Elder who will fulfill the White Horse Prophecy?
I’m having a hard time coming up with anyone. Jon Huntsman is probably out of the picture. Marco Rubio was a Mormon in his youth, but is now a Catholic….is there anyone in the foreseeable future that you can think of?
Please share.
15 comments
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November 8, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Casey
I’m still not sure why Harry Reid gets no love 😛
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November 9, 2012 at 1:35 pm
graceforgrace
Hi Casey,
After I wrote this, I thought about that…I had totally dismissed good old Harry, but I guess he’s a Mormon elder as well. I think he was the one riding the dark horse in the prophecy though! 😉
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November 8, 2012 at 9:10 pm
ezra
Casey, you beat me to it.
Or are we surprised he’s even in the Senate, much less the head of that “august” body.
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November 8, 2012 at 10:27 pm
Jettboy
There is a difference between elder and elders. This distinction is why I think the interpretation of this psuedo prophecy is flawed. There will not be one elder, but many who will save the Constitution. The only singular savior is Jesus Christ.
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November 9, 2012 at 1:39 pm
graceforgrace
Hi Jettboy,
I think you’re right about that. Just think if Romney had been elected how this prophecy would have blown up and Mormons would have lumped it into one of Joseph Smith’s proven prophecies and Christians who oppose Joseph Smith would have been pushing back…would’ve been a mess.
I agree with you that it will be a collective effort on all of our parts.
Whether the prophecy is a legitimate one or not, we are in some pretty bad times right now. I really do feel our current leader views our constitution as something outdated that we don’t need to even reference.
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November 9, 2012 at 10:04 am
SilverRain
I suspect that this race was a very good way for the Lord to show that this is NOT how the prophecy will be fulfilled.
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November 9, 2012 at 1:40 pm
graceforgrace
Hi SilverRain,
Very well said. So…do you feel this is a legitimate prophecy then and that it will be fulfilled in a different way, or do you think the prophecy has no merit?
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November 11, 2012 at 4:18 am
SilverRain
Well, I think “the Prophecy“ (because there have been more than just this allusion to the priesthood saving the country) has some merit, but not the merit many people think.
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November 9, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Last Lemming
Arthur Watkins fulfilled the White Horse prophecy in 1954 when he chaired the committee that censured Joe McCarthy. Then, Wayne Owens fulfilled it again in 1974, when he voted to impeach Richard Nixon. That’s enough fulfillments for me.
In the meantime, I’m waiting for somebody to pick Mia Love as the next fulfillment.
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November 9, 2012 at 1:41 pm
graceforgrace
Last Lemming,
I’m completely ignorant to who Arthur Watkins and Wayne Owens are. Thanks for giving me something to research!
Heck, I don’t know Mia Love either so I’ll be back after I do my research.
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November 12, 2012 at 2:01 am
Ken
This from Wikipedia all but debunking the authenticity of the so-called “white horse” prophecy. “The authenticity of the White Horse Prophecy is debated. It was never made public during Smith’s lifetime, but was recorded many years after his death by one of his associates, Edwin Rushton. Although some elements of the statement were confirmed by contemporary LDS Church leaders as having been taught by Smith, the prophecy as a whole has never been officially acknowledged or accepted, and it has been repudiated by the LDS Church since 1918.The prophecy’s authenticity, on the other hand, has been defended by LDS scholar Duane Crowther, Mormon fundamentalist Ogden Kraut, and anti-Mormon writer Sandra Tanner.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Horse_Prophecy
I suggest we spend more time discussing the merits and meaning of core doctrinal principles including grace and less time debating the meaning of something Joseph Smith never said.
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November 13, 2012 at 7:03 pm
graceforgrace
Hi Ken,
You’re taking all the fun out of it, brother! : )
I agree with you. There are many more things to be concerned about and this really has nothing to do with our salvation! I think it’s just sort of fun to bring up.
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November 14, 2012 at 11:26 am
Ken
Introducing fact into an otherwise fiction filled discussionis what I do around here. Call me names. Declare war on me. Do whatever your hearts desires. I love the attention.
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November 12, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Repack Rider
People who believe in”prophecy” should not be allowed to hold public office. I wonder whether it hurts to be that crazy.
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November 15, 2012 at 6:49 am
Jettboy
It is actually refreshing and life affirming. You aren’t tied down to mundane expectations and social conventions. Its what rebellion used to be before everyone decided they were rebels with the same homogeneous views.
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