The Logic of an Unfulfilled Prophecy

The Logic of an Unfulfilled Prophecy By L. E. Eggertsen Many prophecies have been uttered by critics of "Mormon- ism" since its inception, fixing the date of the demise of the "Mormon" Church. A review of periodical literature published between the years 1830 and 1860 contain sufficient utterances about the fate of the Latter-day Saints to compile a good sized volume, which besides being humorous is an excellent brief for the divinity of the "Mormon" Church. This strange thing called "Mormonism" which, as one author says, "had its birth in credulity, and will meet its death in enlightenment," is uniformly through a long line of predictions condemned to death. The date of the extinction or mortality was uniformly placed at a period to follow the death of Brigham Young. Fail- ing, as our enemies did, in upsetting satisfactorily the claims of Joseph Smith, they turned the matter over to pure critics. This was the logical step. We then learned that the Church was held together exclusively by the indomitable will and per- sonality of the Prophet Joseph Smith's successor. As a Church, it contained no inherent power other than the power which was found resident in one or two of its leaders. Space will not permit reference to seventeen specific pro- phecies made by as many observers of religious life concerning the death of "Mormonism," uttered during the three decades re- ferred to. But the writer will try to show by an example that these unfulfilled predictions, made by trained observers and critics of the Church, stand as good evidence of its divinity. Based as they are on cold logic and ignoring supernatural forces they fail to adequately explain the "Mormon" problem. Our critics prove to be our friends even though they prophesy our extinction. They have reasoned all the time from history, and that their conclusions were logical we admit in advance. Logic did point to the death of "Mormonism!" But logic does not always rule the world. God often confounds the wisdom of the wise. In the Atlantic Monthly for September, 1864, published sev- enteen years after the entrance of the "Mormon" pioneers into the valley of the Great Salt Lake, there oppears an article writ- ten by a very keen observer and student of the "Mormon" ques- tion which was then as now a "good feature." The article is very interesting, at least as an illustration of the fact that it is always much easier to look back and record history, than it is

340 IMPROVEMENT ERA to look forward and foretell events. We are told that Brig- ham Young's tact and personal fascination are the keystone of the entire arch of "Mormon" society: "While he remains, eighty thousand of the most hetrogeneous souls that could be swept together from the by ways of Christendom will continue builded up to a coherent nationality. The instant he crumbles, 'Mormonism' and 'Mormondom' will fall to pieces irreparably. When he dies at least four hostile factions which find their common ground in his deification will snatch his mantle at opposite corners. Then will come such a rending as the world has never seen since the Mohammedan general fought over the coffin of Alexander. Then will 'Mormonism go out of geography and into the history of popular delusions." The author indeed speaks of the great influence and power wielded by Brigham Young, but observes: "Yet the strange thing is that this tremendous power is practically wielded for the common good. I never heard Brigham Young's worst enemy ever accuse him of speculation." And then again: "He (Brig- ham Young), in spite of his lack of education and training, has clearly seen what is requisite in the man who would be re- spected in the Presidency and has unreservedly devoted his life to its attainment." In view of the foregoing we are not sur- prised when we are told that Heber C. Kimball, second president, and Brigham Young's most devoted worshiper and in all re- spects the next most important man, "is utterly incapable of holding together incoherent, discordant 'Mormonism' if he should survive him." Here, then, is a concrete prediction for us to observe. I need not say that it is an unfulfilled prophecy. It sums up, however, the unanimous judgment and verdict of students of religious life and institutions covering the three decades, 1830-60, and is proved fallacious by history. "Mormonism" did not crumble the moment Brigham Young died. Four hostile fac- tions certainly did not snatch his mantle at opposite corners; nor did the world witness a rending at all. And the fact that "Mormons" number today over a half million, that the power and prestige of the Church is greater than ever, proves quite conclusively that "Mormonism" did not pass out of geography into the history of popular delusion. A great number of other sects which sprang into existence about the same time as did "Mormonism," have passed away and are now a matter of his- tory; but "Mormonism" still thrives. While, for example, the heirs of Alexander Dowie are suing for property in Zion City on the shores of Lake Michigan valued at ten million dollars, and thus reducing his spiritual calling to commerce, the "Mormons" are building temples over the face of the earth and two thousand missionaries are preaching the gospel to the inhabitants of the

LOGIC OF AN UNFULFILLED PROPHECY 341 earth. The influence of the Church is growing, and her religious, social, and educational program is progressing phenomenally. No! "Mormonism" is not off the map. It is still geographically located, and one can find it without reading the history of popular delusions. The conclusion is plain. We can safely say that had a com- mission of the world's great scholars been sent to Utah in 1860 to observe the pulse of "Mormonism:" historians, economists, sociologists, and jurists, one and all, would have joined in a unanimous verdict with the observer just quoted, "Mormonism" was going to die. The hand writing foretelling the event was on the wall : The social fabric would be torn asunder. It could not endure in the twentieth century. But "Mormonism" con- tinued to live and is attracting; world-wide attention. Why? That indeed is a great question. When no less an authority than Richard T. Ely confesses that his investigation has not yet revealed a more perfect organization than the "Mormon Church, how do we account for it all? May we not ccnclude that this unfulfilled prophecy speaks with great logic itself? Does it not contain a testimony of great weight, proving, or at least strongly tending to prove, the alleged Divine guidance maintained by staunch Latter-day Saints to be the secret of their strength? No greater good can come to "Mormonism" than the throwing of a searchlight upon the character of the founder of the Church and the leaders of Zion, from the origin of the Church, down to the present time. The more imperfections which are revealed, the more glaring human weakness brought to light, the greater becomes the miracle of "Mormonism." We appreciate our critics, for the more they point out our inherent weaknesses the more our persistent strength becomes magnified. It is a strength of God and not of man. Spanish Fork, Utah. Thoughtgrams The man or woman who possesses an honest heartfelt smile, has the key to every human's castle. An honest smile makes the whole world kin. To be friendly with every one we meet and free without the familiarity which breeds contempt is one of the greatest accomplishments of modern times. Success is not bought; it is not a gift; it is not won in a lottery; it is not inherited. It is simply the result of hard work and a determina- tion to succeed, with God's help. — D. C. Retsloff.