Mitt Romney and the White Horse Prophecy

Mitt Romney (Gage Skidmore, 2011)

The Republican convention has began despite Hurricane Isaac (which has already caused flooding in part of Louisiana and Misssissippi), yet there is another potential storm brewing. Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is a lay priest, and former bishop, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS), a group commonly referred to as Mormons.

Why might this cause some type of storm?

Well, other than the fact that this group is considered outside of the mainstream by the vast majority of Americans, within its history is an interesting prophecy that some have wondered may have applicability to Mitt Romney.

Other than the fact that Mitt Romney is a member of the LDS church, there are other reasons that Mormons are often quite interested in him possibly becoming the President of the United States:

Mitt is a high priest in the Church priesthood hierarchy…the “White Horse Prophecy” or the prophecy of the “One mighty and strong.” Now, this is not public, formal LDS doctrine, but it was taught by many leaders of the Church and is still taught today. It is said by LDS leadership that when the Constitution is in dire peril, one will come who is mighty and strong. He will come riding (figuratively perhaps) on a white horse and will wield awesome political and spiritual power.

This mysterious priesthood elder would somehow seize control of the US government to prevent the total abrogation of the Constitution. He would assume total power and create an LDS “Kingdom” in America. At that time, this “one mighty and strong” would be proclaimed the new “Prophet “ (First President) of the LDS church and would also be president of the United States. Thus, he would wield both supreme political power of the most powerful nation on earth and also be the “Prophet, Seer and Revelator” of the LDS Church. (Schnoebelen W. Republican Mitt Romney and the “Mormon Plan for America.” Cutting Edge Ministries, 2007 http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n2226.cfm)

White Horse Prophecy,” … describes as “a belief ingrained in Mormon culture and passed down through generations by church leaders.”

Former candidate for Nevada governor Michael Moody writes in his memoir that the prophecy “motivated me to seek a career in government and politics” because he felt he had been divinely directed to “expand our kingdom” and help Romney “lead the world into the Millennium.” Now a critic of the Mormon church, Moody says he was indoctrinated with the White Horse Prophecy.

“We were taught that America is the Promised Land,” he 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.” (Kerby R. Are “unacceptable religions” fatal for U.S. presidential candidates? BeliefNet, http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2012/05/are-unacceptable-religions-fatal-for-u-s-presidential-candidates.php#ixzz1wDiR2U6g)

Apparently there is a Mormon prophecy that when the US CONSTITUTION IS HANGING BY A THREAD, that a Mormon or American would come along and probably be President or a leader to help the nation so that the US CONSTITUTION would not be destroyed. Apparently a lot of Mormons consider Barack Obama to be the anitchirst (Lolly. Is Romney Fulfilling the Mormon White Horse Prophecy? The Daily Paul, March 19, 2012 http://www.dailypaul.com/221808/is-romney-fulfilling-the-mormon-white-horse-prophecy)

While it could be argued that the US Constitution is hanging by a thread, there is no way that U.S. President Barack Obama is the final Antichrist.

As far as this “White Horse” LDS prophecy, it is questioned as whether or not LDS founder Joseph Smith said it or not. Yet, the reality is that parts of it are found in various LDS records–and has been referred to by LDS leaders for many decades.

Notice also the following:

Another of Smith’s predictions, the “White Horse Prophecy,” gets its name from the biblical book of Revelation. The prophecy has been given a dubious distinction since there is no evidence that Smith ever gave it in a public setting. Instead, its pedigree goes back to two Mormons, Edwin Rushton and Theodore Turley, who said they personally heard Joseph Smith give this prediction at Smith’s home on or about May 6, 1843. Smith allegedly gave numerous predictions in this prophecy, but the portion that is most repeated speaks of a day when the Constitution of the United States will “hang by a thread.” It will be “preserved and saved” by a White Horse, A.K.A. the Mormon Church.

Mormon apologists find it necessary to place doubt on the prophecy since it contains information that is certainly spurious. For instance, it speaks of a revolution that “will take place in America,” leaving it “without a supreme government.” There will be no peace except “in the Rocky Mountains.” England, for a time, will be neutral during this conflict and will only intervene to “stop the shedding of blood.” It also states that “the two Popes, Greek and Catholic, will come together and be united.” This has not prohibited LDS leaders from picking out the portions they feel are still appropriate…

On January 6, 2010 the LDS Church issued the following statement on its Newsroom blogsite: “The so-called ‘White Horse Prophecy’ is based on accounts that have not been substantiated by historical research and is not embraced as Church doctrine.” The claim that it is not “embraced as Church doctrine” does not explain why so many LDS leaders have referred to it. Would these leaders even bother to speak of the prophecy if they really didn’t believe at least portions were true? Words like “doctrine” and “official” have little meaning given the fact that many aspects of Mormonism are believed to be true by members even though a particular teaching may never be described as “binding” or “official.” (McKeever B. When the Constitution “Hangs by a Thread” – The White Horse Prophecy in Modern Mormonism. Mormon Research Ministries. http://www.mrm.org/white-horse-prophecy viewed 08/26/12)

It does not seem likely that this prediction, no matter who may have originally made it (and it is not an official LDS teaching), is based upon the Book of Revelation.

The rider of the White Horse in Revelation 6 represents the final Antichrist. The other rider of a white horse, this time in Revelation 19:11, is Jesus Revelation 19:12-16.

1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Revelation 6:1-2)

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:11-16)

The Bible IS NOT predicting that a Mormon will save the U.S.A. while riding a white horse.

Mitt Romney himself has claimed to not believe in this White Horse prophecy (Turner LR, Field K. Mitt Romney: The Man, His Values, and His Vision. Mapletree Publishing, 2007, p. 94). However, what he may decide to believe if he becomes U.S.A. president could be another matter.

Mitt Romney, it should be noted, unlike his church, favors allowing homosexuals becoming Boy Scouts (see Romney and Obama Agree on Having ‘Gay’ Boy Scouts). So, even the LDS should have some moral concerns about him (his prior support of abortion would be another pause for concern).

Of course, I do not intend to endorse any USA presidential candidate (see Should a Christian Vote?), and thus do not believe that an LDS leader will somehow save the USA.

So, why report about it?

Several reasons including the fact that aspects of Mormon domination of the U.S.A. is part of Mormon history and Mormon belief. This is likely to have an effect on the election in the USA. Republican voters tend to include the more religious in the U.S.A. and many of them have concerns about the LDS Church, and the White Horse prophecy may increase their concerns.

And as far as end time prophecy goes, the Bible indicates that the U.S.A. will be destroyed unless it has national repentance soon. Jesus and His kingdom, not a Mormon or other similar leader, will solve what needs to happen in the USA–even if someone like Mitt Romney becomes USA president.

Neither the current US President nor Candidate Romney has called for national repentance and, even if either did, it is not likely that they would call for repentance for Americans to go to the faith of the original Church of God of the New Testament. But personal repentance still remains an option–and all should decide that is the direction now to go.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Some Dissimilarities Between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Genuine Church of God The genuine Church of God is not related to the Mormons and this article explains some differences and a couple of similarities.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article on this page on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
2012 – Ten Fulfilled Barack Obama Prophecies Barack Obama has already helped fulfill 10 predictions in 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Here is a YouTube video on ten.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.