PROPHECY FROM JOSEPH SMITH

 This is surely for our time and about to be fulfilled:

The ancient prophets declared that in the last days the God of heaven should set up a kingdom which should never be destroyed, nor left to other people;28 and the very time that was calculated on, this people were struggling to bring it out. He that arms himself with gun, sword, or pistol, except in the defense of truth, will sometime be sorry for it. I never carry any weapon with me bigger than my penknife. By it we learn that our western tribes of Indians are descendants from that Joseph who was sold into Egypt,5 and that the land of America is a promised land unto them,6 and unto it all the tribes of Israel will come, with as many of the Gentiles as shall comply7 with the requisitions of the new covenant.8 But the tribe of Judah will return to old Jerusalem.9 The city of Zion spoken of by David, in the one hundred and second Psalm,10 will be built upon the land of America,11 “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads.” (Isaiah 35:10);12 and then they will be delivered from the overflowing scourge13 that shall pass through the land. But Judah shall obtain deliverance at Jerusalem. See Joel 2:32; Isaiah 26:20 and 21; Jeremiah 31:12; Psalms 1:5; Ezekiel 34:11, 12 and 13.14 These are testimonies that the Good Shepherd15 will put forth His own sheep, and lead them out16 from all nations where they have been scattered in a cloudy and dark day,17 to Zion, and to Jerusalem;18 besides many more testimonies which might be brought. And now I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ, that not many years shall pass away before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation;19 pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake20 will sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of the land,21 to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel from the north country.22 The people of the Lord, those who have complied with the requirements of the new covenant,23 have already commenced gathering together to Zion,24 which is in the state of Missouri; therefore I declare unto you the warning which the Lord has commanded me to declare unto this generation, remembering that the eyes of my Maker are upon me,25 and that to Him I am accountable for every word I say,26 wishing27 nothing worse to my fellow-men than their eternal salvation;28 therefore, “Fear God, and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come.”1 Repent ye, repent ye, and embrace the everlasting covenant,2 and flee to Zion,3 before the overflowing scourge4 overtake you, for there are those now living upon the earth whose eyes shall not be closed in death until they see all these things, which I have spoken, fulfilled. Remember these things; call upon the Lord while He is near, and seek Him while He may be found,5 is the exhortation of your unworthy servant. The horn made war with the Saints and overcame them, &c., Dan. 7:21-22 until the Ancient of Days came; judgment was given to the Saints of the Most High from the Ancient of Days; the time came that the Saints possessed the kingdom. JOSEPH SMITH, JUN.,—DHC 4:162–164. REMARKS ON PRIESTHOOD At the Conference, October, 1840