Joseph Smith's prophecy of the Civil War

Answers portal
Joseph Smith, Jr.
RESOURCES
Martyrdom Healings and miracles Priesthood restore date Alleged false prophecies
Legal trials 1826 trial Kirtland Safety Society Nauvoo city charter Nauvoo Expositor The Council of Fifty The Hurlbut affidavits Politics
"Amusing recitals"/Tall Tales? Occultism and magic Jupiter talisman Masonic distress cry Treasure seeking Seer stones
As Holy Ghost? Personal failings Boastful about the Church? Role in LDS belief
PERSPECTIVES
Joseph Smith’s Visions: His Style and his Record
MEDIA
OTHER PORTALS
First Vision Book of Mormon Plural marriage Temples

Criticism

Joseph Smith made an 1832 prophecy of the Civil War. Critics scramble to dismiss this prophetic "hit" by various tactics, including:

1. claiming a rebellion was already going on in South Carolina in 1832
2. claiming a civil war was "inevitable," and "anyone" could have predicted it
3. claiming the Church did not publicize the prophecy until after the Civil War started

Source(s) of the Criticism

• Richard Abanes, One Nation Under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church (New York: Four Walls Eight Windows, 2003), 267-276 ( Index of claims )
• Fawn M. Brodie, No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1945), 124. ( Index of claims )
• Ed Decker and Dave Hunt, The God Makers (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1984),, 244. (Detailed review)
• Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson, Mormonism 101. Examining the Religion of the Latter-day Saints (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 2000), Chapter 9. ( Index of claims )