2/21/2018 - Section 87:1-8

February 21, 2018

Section 87:1-8

Civil War, Obedience Rewards Of, Follow the Prophet, Pray for Faith,

I find it very interesting that this section that prophesied conflict that would come to be known as the Civil War in the United States came at a time when “the brethren were reflecting and reasoning upon African slavery on the American continent and the slavery of the children of men throughout the world.” I also find it very interesting that it was received on December 25 of 1832. I don’t know if I would have spent my Christmas holiday in such prayerful thought and discussion—even though in reality, what better thing could you do on Christmas than celebrate Christ’s birth by trying to understand and help make the world a better place.

V 1 begins: “Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls;”  This was December 1832, and the phrase ‘shortly come to pass’ was speaking of an event 30 years in the future. The US Civil War occurred 1861-8165.

After telling of conflict that will eventually involve all the nations of the earth, the Lord closes this frightening section with comforting words—words of protection: v 8 “Wherefore, stand ye in holy places and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord.” The Latter-Day Saints who followed the prophet’s direction to cross the plains, were far away from the horrors of the Civil War in the early 1860’s. Their one-more-move (New York to Kirkland to Jackson County Mo to Nauvoo and finally to Salt Lake) was neither quick nor easy, but by following the prophets they were most surely protected from the greater sorrows. I find that I never lose by following the Lord’s commandment, the directions of His prophets, and when I am in tune, the promptings of the Holy Ghost. My prayer is that I may continue to do just that.

8/4/2021 – D&C 87

From Joseph Smith on Christmas day in 1832: “Appearances of troubles among the nations became more visible, this season, than they had previously done since the church began her journey out of the wilderness. The ravages of the cholera were frightful, in almost all the large cities on the globe; and the plague broke out in India; while the United States, amid all her pomp and greatness, was threatened with immediate dissolution. The people of South Carolina, in convention assembled, (in November,) passed ordinances, declaring their state, a free and Independent Nation. …President [Andrew] Jackson issued his proclamation against this rebellion; called out a force sufficient to quell it, and implored the blessings of God to assist the Nation to extricate itself from the horrors of the approaching and Solemn Crisis. On Christmas day [1832] I received the following [revelation]” (in Manuscript History of the Church, vol. A-1, page 244, josephsmithpapers.org).

This particular agitation between South Carolina and federal government was solved by a compromise between the South Carolina and Washington DC. The Civil War did not occur for another 30 years. By that time, Joseph Smith had been martyred and the Saints had moved west. 

The things the Lord warns us of are important. He is helping us prepare for that which is to come. It’s just that we don’t know the real timing of all things. We know that Christ will come to the earth once again…but we have no idea when that will really happen. I would think that the important thing to the Lord---because it’s very important to our learning and growth---is that we prepare ourselves for that which is to come. As we try to live in such a way that when Christ does come, He will open his arms to us—we are simply making improvements in our lives that lead to our self-improvement, our happiness, and our feeling of peace. 

The same was true for the church at this time. And though their travels across the plains into what became Utah were strenuous and full of difficulties, and even deaths—the greater problems of the Civil War did not touch the Saints. One of my study books says about section 87: “While the prophecy was ultimately fulfilled, the value of this revelation is less in predicting when calamity will come and more in teaching what to do when it does.”

The preface to this revelation sates that “this section was received at a time when the brethren were reflecting and reasoning upon African slavery on the American continent and the slavery of the children of men throughout the world.”

V 1: Once again we see the difference between the Lord’s sense of time and our sense of time: “Verily [truly], thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls.” The Lords ‘shortly’ was our 30 years.

In v 2 - the Lord describes details about the Civil War that did happen: “And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations” and it is true that during the Civil War “Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations, in order to defend themselves against the other nations…” And it is also true of the two World Wars, and also true of those wars in the Middle East.

Neal A. Maxwell said the following in the 1982 General Conference: “Alas, though we are asked to be peacemakers, we do live in a time when peace has been taken from the earth. (See D&C 1:35.) War has been the almost continuing experience of modern man. There have been 141 wars, large and small, just since the end of World War II in 1945. As the American Civil War was about to begin, the Lord declared there would be a succession of wars poured out upon all nations, resulting in the ‘death and misery of many souls.’ (D&C 87:1.)

“Moreover, that continuum of conflict will culminate in ‘a full end of all nations.’ (D&C 87:6.) Meanwhile, let mortals, if they choose, put overreliance upon mortal arms. As for us, we shall ‘put on the whole armour of God’! (Eph. 6:11.) And in the midst of such affliction, if we are righteous and we die, we die unto Him; and if we live, we live unto Him. (See D&C 42:44.)”    The name of his talk was “Be of Good Cheer”

The Lord closes this section with what I think is the most important information for us: “Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen.”  (v 8) Throughout my life, I have found that there is truly “peace in Holy places”.  Sometime is has been when I am reading the scriptures and suddenly feel a “thrill’ that encompasses my mind and heart, other times it has been when I hear truths spoken in church meetings, sometimes it has been when I have gone to the temple with worries and concerns, but often times I have found those Holy places by simply kneeling at my bedside. 

The Lord is as near to us as we ask Him to be. He has brought me peace, and comfort, and light.