Joseph dines with 30-year-old Judge Stephen A. Douglas in Carthage and relates the details of his trip to Washington to gain redress for the Missouri persecutions. He says, "I prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, unless the United States redress the wrongs committed upon the Saints in the state of Missouri . . . the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be so much as a potsherd left. . . . Judge, you will aspire to the presidency of the United States; and if ever you turn your hand against me or the Latter-day Saints, you will feel the weight of the hand of Almighty upon you; and you will live to see and know that I have testified the truth to you; for the conversation of this day will stick to you through life." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 5:393-94. For the outcome of this prophecy, see Ivan J. Barrett, Joseph Smith and the Restoration 581-82; Brigham H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of
the Church (6 volumes) 2:183-92; HC 5:393-98.) (1)
[Joseph Smith Diary] Thursday, May 18th 1843 [Joseph] returned home in the P.M. Mr. Jackson, [a] Catholic Priest was at his house and called at the office with, for [James] Arlington Bennet's letter [at] 6 P.M. (2)
[Prophecy] Government Overthrown - "I prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, unless the United States redress the wrongs committed upon the Saints in the state of Missouri and punish the crimes committed by her officers that in a few years the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be so much as a potsherd left for their wickedness." History of the Church, v5, p 394 -- Critics claim this prophecy was not fulfilled. Some Mormons contend that Joseph Smith was not referring to the overthrow of the United States Constitutional government, because he had earlier prophesied that the constitution would be preserved. The prophecy may have been referring to the Whig political party, which did dissolve soon thereafter. (3)
[Prophecy] Stephen A. Douglas to run for president - That Stephen A. Douglas, a prominent politician at the time, would run for the presidency. He also predicted that if Stephen Douglas slandered the Church then he would feel the weight of the hand of the Almighty upon him. HC 5:394 -- candidate at the time of his death. (3)
-- May 18, 1843 (Thursday)
Returning to Nauvoo from his visit to Ramus, Joseph Smith dined with Judge Stephen A. Douglas, at Carthage, Hancock Co., Ill. During the conversation which took place Joseph prophesied that Judge Douglas would aspire to the Presidency of the United States, and added that if he ever turned his hand against the Latter-day Saints, he should feel the hand of the Almighty upon him, etc. (4)
-- May 18, 1843. Thursday.
[William Clayton Journal] We left Macedonia about 8 1/2 and arrived in Carthage at 10. I asked the President w[h]ether children who die in infancy will grow. He answered "no, we shall receive them precisely in the same state as they died i.e. no larger. They will have as much intelligence as we shall but shall always remain separate and single. They will have no increase. Children who are born dead will have full grown bodies being made up by the resurrection."28
At Carthage we paid some taxes &c. Dined at Backenstos's with Judge [Stephen A.] Douglas who is presiding at Court. After dinner the President and Judge had conversation concerning sundry matters. The President said "I prophecy in the name of the Lord God that in a few years this government will be utterly overthrown and wasted so that there will not be a potsherd left" for their wickedness in conniving at the Missouri mobocracy. The Judge appears very friendly and acknowledged the propriety of the Presidents remarks.
We left Carthage about 2 and arrived home at 5 1/2. My family all well. (5)
-- May 19, 1843
Richmond, Indiana. Joseph Smith wrote a letter to his wife, Emma Smith. (6)
[Joseph Smith Diary] Friday, May 19th 1843 Told Bro[ther] Phelps a dream that the history must go ahead before any thing 5 P.M. gave a warrant against Samuel Fuller for running a boat on the Ferry. (2)
-- May 19th 1843
[High Council Minutes]
Council met according to adjournment at Prest Marks house and adjourned till the 27th instant at 9'clock A.M.
Hosea Stout Clerk (7)
-- May 20, 1843
Joseph Smith writes for publication in the TIMES and SEASONS, "I may safely say that the word "Mormon" stands independent of the wisdom and learning of this generation. The word Mormon, means literally, more good." (8)
[High Council Minutes] Council met by appointment a trial was had between *** Stoker & ***** the minutes was mislaid (7)
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith sent an explanation of the word Mormon to the Church newspaper Times and Seasons in response to erroneous views held by men that profess to be learned. (6)
Footnotes:
1 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
2 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843
3 - Wikipedia, Prophesies of Joseph Smith, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecies_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.
4 - Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology
5 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995
6 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
7 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois
8 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
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