Nah, Spencer was not even close...... (sarcasm)
Discourse by Elder Orson Pratt, delivered in the Eighteenth Ward Meetinghouse, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, Feb. 25, 1877.
Reported By: Geo. F. Gibbs.
The heathen nations representing the other three beasts, will not then be destroyed: but their lives are to be prolonged, and their dominion is to be taken away. Though their lives will be prolonged, yet they will not have power to rule and govern, only as they are permitted... But the fourth power represents the nations of modern Christendom. They have not the privilege of the heathen, in having their lives prolonged. Why? Does the speaker mean to say that modern Christendom is more wicked than the heathen? Yes; the people of Christendom possess more light and knowledge than the heathen, and therefore, they are under the greater condemnation; for according to the light and knowledge they severally have, will they be judged. The more enlightened nations, so called, are rejecting the Gospel message which is being sent to them by divine authority; and for that reason their utter destruction is inevitable, and, as had been decreed, they must pass away. Their lives will not be prolonged. Not only the kingdoms and governments of Europe, and the western portion of Asia are to be thus visited, but ... this great republic must pass away in the manner indicated unless the people repent.
There is only one condition by which they can be preserved as a nation, and the Lord himself has decreed it... The Book of Mormon, for instance, speaks in many places, of the overthrow of the government that should exist on this land if they should reject the divine message contained therein (Ether 9:20, Ether 2:7-12, 2 Ne. 10:19). Inasmuch as they repent not, the Lord has said that he would visit them in his anger (Alma 8:29), and that he would throw down all their strongholds (3 Ne. 21:15). And he further says, that he will cut off their horses out of their midst (3 Ne. 21:14). This will doubtless be done through some great calamity or disease. He also says that he will cut off the cities of our land (3 Ne. 21:15), that all manner of lying, deceits, hypocrisy, murders, priestcrafts, whoredoms and secret abominations shall be done away (3 Ne. 21:19), having reference particularly to this nation... We are told, too, that the nature of these judgments is to be swift (D&C 121:24 3, Ne. 24:5) and terrible (D&C 109:45, 1 Ne. 12:5), coming upon them like a fierce wind (Alma 26:6), when they expect it not; when they are crying peace and safety, behold sudden destruction is at their doors (1 Thes. 5:3).
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