But whether there be prophecies…
The Apostle Paul taught:
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail…
1 Corinthians 13:8
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LDS Church leaders have been very careful not to make any prophesies regarding the U.S. presidential election of 2020.
President Nelson gave reassurance that “These unique challenges will pass in due time” in regard to COVID-19 in a March 19, 2020 social media broadcast. But he did not specify when that “due time” would arrive.
Biblical-like prophesying was part of Joseph Smith’s ministry. Smith even prophesied correctly in 1832 of the coming Civil War, and that it would start in South Carolina. (Doctrine & Covenants 87)
But the exercise of this spiritual gift has been rather dormant in the LDS Church since Smith’s death. LDS Church presidents can and do receive revelation in regard to temple-building, all worthy males may receive the priesthood, administrative changes, etc., but this inspiration differs from the prophesying of Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, John the Revelator, Nephi, Moroni and others who foretold of cataclysmic and earth-changing events, as well as the fate of nations.
Some individual members such as Julie Rowe claim to have had apocalyptic visions, but their predictions have failed to materialize. Rowe was excommunicated from the Church in April 2019.
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During this election season, a few dozen Evangelical Christians have prophesied that President Trump is as the Bible’s Cyrus, that he has the anointing of Jehu, and that God has chosen him to break the spirit of Jezebel and of Baal. These Charismatic Christians have had dreams and visions accordingly which they have shared on numerous YouTube videos. They proclaimed prior to the general election that Trump would win a second term by God’s decree.
Kat Kerr, Amanda Freitas, Dana Coverstone, Mike Thompson, and Sid Roth with his numerous guests have appeared in these prophetic videos, in addition to others.
The general election has now taken place. Former Vice President Joe Biden appears to have the necessary electoral college votes to win the presidency, although the results of some key states are still in dispute.
The Christian visionaries are now claiming that the election results are fraudulent and that Trump will still win because God is going to expose the corruption. The election result will then be determined by the U.S. Supreme Court. Justice Amy Coney Barrett is as Queen Esther!
Sample Prophesy Videos:
America is on the verge of a great spiritual revival!
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As a disclaimer, I voted for Trump, but will support Biden if he wins the electoral college. That is what good American must do. Support and pray for the the winning candidate regardless.
Key dates:
Dec 8, 2020: Deadline for Resolving Election Disputes
Dec 14, 2020: Meeting of the Electors
Dec 23, 2020: Deadline for Receipt of Ballots
Jan 6, 2021: Counting of the Electoral Ballots
Jan 20, 2021: Inauguration Day
As an aside, I think all states should follow the examples of Nebraska and Maine by selecting electoral college delegates on a proportional basis rather than “winner take all.” A proportional basis would be more fair and balanced and would be less susceptible to fraud.
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I believe that some election fraud occurred, but am uncertain that it was enough to change the election outcome.
But this opens up some discussion topic points.
Do we individually or collectively create, or attempt to create, our own spiritual and prophetic realities?
How much of our beliefs are wishful thinking or quixotic idealism?
“Nature abhors a vacuum” according to a quote attributed to philosopher Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677). Is there a vacuum of “true prophesy” that has drawn out well-meaning but misguided “prophets” in numerous YouTube videos?
Is “make believe” a useful coping mechanism?
To what extent does God intervene in the affairs of men?
Does God endorse one political party over another?
Are we willing to listen to what the other side has to say? Or do we insist that our own political and religious dogma is God’s will?
See also:
Donald Trump Prophecy Failures
The Prophetic Movement is Afraid
— Tom Irvine
Fowler’s Stages of Faith Development
James W. Fowler III (1940 – 2015) was an American theologian who was Professor of Theology and Human Development at Emory University. He was director of both the Center for Research on Faith and Moral Development and the Center for Ethics until he retired in 2005. He was also a minister in the United Methodist Church. Fowler identified the following stages of spiritual growth.
Stage 0 – Primal or Undifferentiated Faith, 0-2 years This beginning stage is characterized by an early learning of the safety of their environment (i.e. warm, safe and secure vs. hurt, neglect and abuse). Basic ideas about God are usually picked up from parents. If consistent nurture is experienced, one will develop a sense of trust and safety about the universe and the divine. Conversely, negative experiences will cause one to develop distrust with the universe and the divine. Transition to the next stage begins with integration of thought and language which facilitates the use of symbols in speech and play. |
| Stage 1 – Intuitive-Projective, 2-7 years Religion is learned mainly through experiences, stories, images, and the people that one comes in contact with. Understanding is very literal. |
Stage 2 – Mythic-Literal, 12+ years Strong belief in the justice and reciprocity of the universe. |
Stage 3 – Synthetic-Conventional 12+ years Characterized by conformity to authority and the religious development of a personal identity. Conflicts with one’s beliefs are often ignored at this stage due to the fear of threat from inconsistencies. |
Stage 4 – Individuative-Reflective, 21+ years A stage of angst and struggle. The individual takes personal responsibility for his or her beliefs and feelings. As one is able to reflect on one’s own beliefs, there is an openness to a new complexity of faith, but this also increases the awareness of conflicts in one’s belief. |
Stage 5 – Conjunctive, 35+ years Acknowledges paradox and transcendence relating reality behind the symbols of inherited systems. The individual resolves conflicts from previous stages by a complex understanding of a multidimensional, interdependent “truth” that cannot be explained by any particular statement. May return to sacred stories and symbols, but this time without being stuck in a theological box. |
Stage 6 – Universalizing, 45+ The individual would treat any person with compassion as he or she views people as from a universal community and should be treated with universal principles of love and justice. Fear and worries are overcome. |
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an institution is largely Synthetic-Conventional, as reinforced by the correlation program, general conference talks, handbooks, policies, etc. Its historic culture is binary with an “us versus the world” mentality.
Members who progress to stage 4 and beyond may face painful challenges as they express their evolving faith and understanding to conventional members. There is a need for mutual respect, tolerance and peacemaking on all sides.
Scott R. Braithwaite, an associate psychology professor at Brigham Young University, said that “These stages of faith I think are helpful because they help us to realize that there’s not just one way to have faith.” Reference
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The test of faith is whether I can make space for difference. Can I recognize God’s image in someone who is not in my image, who language, faith, ideal, are different from mine? If I cannot, then I have made God in my image instead of allowing him to remake me in his.
~ Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l
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– Tom Irvine
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