Mitt Romney and the Mormon white horse prophecy

An alert reader wanted to know about the Mormon so-called "White Horse Prophecy" and whether this prophecy should impact a voter's decision regarding Mr Mitt Romney this November 6th one way or another.

The White Horse Prophecy is a prophecy that was allegedly made by Mormon "prophet" Joseph Smith.

It is a belief ingrained in Mormon culture and passed down through generations by church leaders that the day would come when the U.S. Constitution would “hang like a thread as fine as a silk fiber” and the Mormon priesthood would save it, as Salon.com described it, and the Salt Lake Tribune wrote in 2007 when Romney first ran, "In the latter days, the story goes, the U.S. Constitution will hang by a thread and a Mormon will ride in on a metaphorical white horse to save it."

The prophecy was claimed to have been taught by Joseph Smith in 1840-43 but not revealed until a diary entry by John Roberts was discovered that had been written in 1902, more than 60 years after the fact. Due to the difficulty in authenticating the prophecy and its origins, the LDS church rejects it as doctrine and most Mormons do not believe in it. As they say.

Salon.com's most interesting article about Mitt Romney and the alleged White Horse prophecy is from earlier this year. Here are some excerpts, but I suggest you read the entire article. It discusses one of the reasons Mormonism was founded, which was to take the government back and institute Mormons in government offices. The goal was the White House. Joseph Smith was shot and killed in Washington DC as he campaigned on this platform.

"Romney avoids mentioning it, but [Joseph] Smith ran for president in 1844 as an independent commander in chief of an “army of God” advocating the overthrow of the U.S. government in favor of a Mormon-ruled theocracy. Challenging Democrat James Polk and Whig Henry Clay, Smith prophesied that if the U.S. Congress did not accede to his demands that “they shall be broken up as a government and God shall damn them.” Smith viewed capturing the presidency as part of the mission of the church. He had predicted the emergence of “the one Mighty and Strong” — a leader who would “set in order the house of God” — and became the first of many prominent Mormon men to claim the mantle."

"Smith’s insertion of religion into politics and his call for a “theodemocracy where God and people hold the power to conduct the affairs of men in righteous matters” created a sensation and drew hostility from the outside world. But his candidacy was cut short when he was shot to death by an anti-Mormon vigilante mob. Out of Smith’s national political ambitions grew what would become known in Mormon circles as the “White Horse Prophecy” — a belief ingrained in Mormon culture and passed down through generations by church leaders that the day would come when the U.S. Constitution would “hang like a thread as fine as a silk fiber” and the Mormon priesthood would save it.

"Moody is a seventh-generation Mormon, steeped in the same intellectual and theological milieu [as Romney, who is also 7th generation Mormon].

“We were taught that America is the Promised Land,” Moody said in an interview.” The Mormons are the Chosen People. And the time is now for a Mormon leader to usher in the second coming of Christ and install the political Kingdom of God in Washington, D.C.”

"In this scenario, Romney’s candidacy is part of the eternal plan and the candidate himself is fulfilling the destiny begun in what the church calls the “pre-existence.”

"Several prominent Mormons, including conservative talk-show host Glenn Beck, have alluded to this apocalyptic prophecy. The controversial myth is not an official church doctrine, but it has also arisen in the national dialogue with the presidential candidacies of Mormons George Romney, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and now Mitt Romney."

The question is, does Mitt Romney view the American presidency as a theological office? He says no. He says he does not believe in the White Horse Prophecy.

The Salt Lake Tribune covered the Romney campaign in 2007. Once again, these are excerpts only.

(2007) Romney candidacy has resurrected last days prophecy of Mormon saving the Constitution

WASHINGTON - It's Mormon lore, a story passed along by some old-timers about the importance of their faith and their country. In the latter days, the story goes, the U.S. Constitution will hang by a thread and a Mormon will ride in on a metaphorical white horse to save it. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says it does not accept the legend - commonly referred to as the "White Horse Prophecy" - as doctrine.

The issue, however, has been raised on those occasions when Mormons have sought the Oval Office: George Romney was asked about it during his bid in 1968, Sen. Orrin Hatch discussed it when he ran in 2000, and now Mitt Romney. "It is being raised," says Phil Barlow, a professor of Mormon history and culture at Utah State University. "I've heard it a bit lately."
Romney says he doesn't believe in the supposed prophecy, nor did his father when he ran.
"I haven't heard my name associated with it or anything of that nature," Mitt Romney told The Salt Lake Tribune during an interview earlier this year. "That's not official church doctrine. There are a lot of things that are speculation and discussion by church members and even church leaders that aren't official church doctrine. I don't put that at the heart of my religious belief."

The disputed prophecy was recorded in a diary entry of a Mormon who had heard the tale from two men who were with Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, Ill. when he supposedly declared the prophecy.

"You will see the Constitution of the United States almost destroyed," the diary entry quotes Smith as saying. "It will hang like a thread as fine as a silk fiber."

Not only will the Mormons save the Constitution, under the prediction, but the prophecy goes further, insinuating that Mormons will control the government. "Power will be given to the White Horse to rebuke the nations afar off, and you obey it, for the laws go forth from Zion," the prophecy says.

So, what are Christians to make of this? Will we be putting America at risk by voting for Romney? Is there anything to this prophecy? The Washington Post published an article on October 9th which clearly shows that evangelicals are mighty skittish about Mr Romney:

"Evangelical leaders worried that Mitt Romney’s Mormonism could suppress conservative turnout on Election Day are intensifying appeals for Christians to vote. In poll after poll, evangelicals have overwhelmingly said they would back the Republican presidential nominee despite theological differences with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But what had been thought of as a hypothetical question for American evangelicals for years, Southern Baptist leader Al Mohler said recently, is now a reality with this election and is being tested in a contest that will likely be decided by slim margins. “The fact is that Mitt Romney is a Mormon, and many of our people are very, very uncomfortable about voting for a Mormon, as I am. I supported somebody else in the primary. But, hey, we have no option,” said Steve Strang, an influential Pentecostal publisher, in a conference call with pastors last week."

Personally I believe not. First of all, Mormonism is not a Christian religion, so any prophecies coming from their leaders is not from Jesus. Jeremiah 28:9 gives the barometer of true versus false prophets: "But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the Lord only if his prediction comes true” (Jer. 28:9)." Ezekiel 33:33 says the same. Since Mr Smith has many failed prophesies then we can confidently say that his words are not from the Lord.

Deuteronomy 13:3 warns us not to listen to the false prophets.

But it does seem that the Constitution IS hanging by a thread...and if Romney gets in to the White House that the Mormons will seize on the moment and institute a false...something. Maybe so, maybe that will exactly happen. Or not.

We can be sure that whoever gets in to the White House, if we are not raptured by then or of Obama doesn't institute martial law and simply stop the election, or refuses to vacate the White House in January, or any other scenario, GOD IS IN CONTROL.

There are many prophecies in the world. Will the world end in December 2012 as the Mayan Long Count prophecy seems to indicate? Do we change our routine or decisions based on the Mayan Doom prophecy? Of course not. We know there will be 7 years of Tribulation and then 1000 years of peace before the world passes away, so again the Mayan prophecy is false and the Lord is true. It is the same with the Mormon White Horse prophecy. Do we alter our decision making based on a false prophecy? Of course not. We look to the bible and see what it may say about choosing leaders, or about our participation in government, but we don't do or not do something because of what a false prophet has said.

(Personally I resent any comparison of anyone or anything to the White Horse of Rev 19:11 that Jesus rides to smite the sinners and save the world. NONE but Jesus will ride a White Horse to the world's rescue!!!)

Daniel 2:21 assures us that "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding). We are not citizens of this world. If God chooses to judge America by removing our liberties, then He will do so. He may use the vehicle of Obama to do it. If He wants to judge us by allowing a harlot religion to flourish, then He may do so, using the vehicle of Romney to do it. We don't know, but we love the LORD and His ways. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

All we have to do is remember our accountability to Him. We need to vote for the man or woman who best will fulfill their job, ethically and morally. We are on the road to serious, destructive, damning sin. Do we vote for a man who exemplifies sin and has done so for the last four years in everything he says and does? Or do we vote for a man who has a track record of selfless service, generosity, charity, and morals? Or do we want to vote for another person who is not of the main parties who more closely aligns with your own doctrines or political ideology? It is for each individual Christian to decide, but in all, we give an account to God for our decision. Make it wisely, prayerfully.

He will work ALL to His good and glory. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28). False prophesies are just that, false. Read Ezekiel 13:1-16 for the word on how God will deal with false prophets who spout false prophecies. We need not worry about that. All we need do is remember that God will set up in His government whom He wants, regardless of our vote. What we are voting for is not the outcome but the opportunity to make a good account to the Lord.