1845 Proclamation of the Twelve
I was doing some research and stumbled upon the Proclamation of the Twelve Apostles to the World. Not the one often discussed in the last years, but the one proclaimed in 1845. I was astonished first by the existence of such a precedent. Then I was astonished by its content.
I have posted the entire text on my server (I can’t guarantee the accuracy of the punctuation/formating), but BYU has images of the original in PDF. BYU offers an introduction that was edited from Peter Crawley’s A Descriptive Bibliography of the Mormon Church. Vol. 1, 1830–1847. p. 294–96. It cites the Millennial Star of October 15, 1845, cautioning the Elders against widespread distribution of the Proclamation “so as not to unnecessarily to expose themselves to difficulties and persecution.”
It is an apocalyptic declaration of the primacy of the Restored Church in 1) the gathering of Isreal in the New World 2) the “civilizing” of the American Aboriginals 3) the Gathering of the Jews in Jerusalem 4) the establishment of universal government and the advent of the millennium. Even the timing of the second coming is delineated.
Describing the Native Americans:
We also bear testimony that the “Indians” (so called) of North and South America are a remnant of the tribes of Israel, as is now made manifest by the discovery and revelation of their ancient oracles and records.
And that they are about to be fathered, civilized, and made one nation in this glorious land.
And later:
The sons and daughters of Zion will soon be required to devote a portion of their time in instructing the children of the forest; for they must be educated and instructed in all the arts of civil life, as well as in the gospel. They must be clothed, fed, and instructed in the principles and practice of virtue, modesty, temperance, cleanliness, industry, mechanical arts, manners, customs, dress, music, and all other things which are calculated in their nature to refine, purify, exalt, and glorify them as the sons and daughters of the royal house of Israel and of Joseph, who are making ready for the coming of the bridegroom.
I find the apostles appeal to the benevolence of government fascinating (bold added):
And now, O ye kings, rulers, presidents, governors, judges, legislators, nobles, lords, and rich men of the earth, will you leave us to struggle alone, and to toil unaided in so great a work? or will you share in the labours, toils, sacrifices, honours and blessings of the same?
Have you not the same interest in it that we have? Is it not sent forth to renovate the world—to enlighten the nations—to cover the earth with light, knowledge, truth, union, peace and love? and thus usher in the great millennium, or sabbath of rest, so long expected and sought for by all good men? We bear testimony that it is; and the fulfillment of our words will establish their truth to millions yet unborn, while there are those now living upon the earth who will live to see the consummation.
Virtually the whole document could be highlighted as interesting.
Of course, I loved Woodruff’s little note at the end:
“TO THE ENGLISH READER.
It will be borne in mind that the foregoing was written in the United States of America, therefore the language, which we have not altered, will be understood as emanating from thence.”
Alas, the Ensign is not so courteous, and Canadians, Brits, and Australasians are confronted with American spelling and style without apology!
Comment by Ronan — 2/17/2005 @ 4:56 am
Ronan,
I’m sorry you have to read “color” instead of “colour”. That must be rough.
Comment by Rusty — 2/17/2005 @ 5:37 am
(“Hmmm. How to read Rusty’s comment….”?)
Well, of course, it’s not rough at all. But these little things add up to give the impression that we are an American church, which, if you read my ditty at Bloggernacle Times, simply won’t do.
But this has nothing to do with the 1845 Proclamation. Sorry, J.
Comment by Ronan — 2/17/2005 @ 6:54 am
I should note that this was one year after the death of Joseph Smith and the Twelve was the governing body of the church.
Comment by J. Stapley — 2/17/2005 @ 8:57 am
I love nineteenth-century admonishments of our leaders. It seems so fresh and invigorating. One thing for sure, it is brazen and bold, overflowing with exuberant faith and all the more powerful for it. I can see my own ancestors in England and Denmark touched by such powerful announcements and doctrine and joining the proclaimed gathering to Zion.
One of my favorite parts regards the Jews:
(bold added). This attempt at direct dialogue to the Jews is interesting in two ways:
(1) Our Church leaders, the true Apostles of Jesus Christ, are relaying a command from Jesus Christ, the Messiah, to the Jews to prepare to return to Palestine and Jerusalem;
(2) The Apostles are unequivocally announcing to the Jews that the true priesthood authority, which in OT times resided with the Jews, now rests with this Church. The Apostles do not, however, exclude the Jews from the blessings of this priesthood, appealing to them instead to repent and promising that part of this Latter-day project is a restoration of these blessings unto them as well.
Comment by john fowles — 2/17/2005 @ 8:58 am
My tags got messed up in that last comment. J. could you fix them? Only the quoted portion is supposed to be a blockquote, and the first few words of the blockquote somehow got cut off.
Comment by john fowles — 2/17/2005 @ 8:59 am
Fixed it. To block a quote, just frame it with [blockquote][/blockquote] (of course with carrots instead of [] ).
And I agree john, the sheer boldness is refreshing. I too can see how my Scandanavian ancestors could have been inspired. It reminds of Adam’s recent post at T&S: it is a lot easier to swim than to try to walk on water.
Comment by J. Stapley — 2/17/2005 @ 10:23 am
Wow, very interesting stuff.
Comment by Lisa — 2/17/2005 @ 2:53 pm
I’d add that Elder Benson quoted excerpts from the 1845 Proclamation in the October 1975 General Conference. He chose not to quote one word from the first sentence in the second paragraph of the proclamation: Jehovah.
“The great Eloheem…has been pleased once more…”
Comment by Justin B. — 2/17/2005 @ 3:20 pm
Thanks for the Link Justin.
Comment by J. Stapley — 2/17/2005 @ 5:08 pm
This appears to be the proclamation asked for in D&C 124 (1838). They seemed to have made weak attempts to get a proclamation written, though it never does get finished until 1845. Parley P. Pratt seems to be the prinicipal writer. (HC 7:558)
Comment by Keith — 2/19/2005 @ 12:26 pm
I was wondering if this was the result of that revelation, Keith. I was just too lazy to do the homework myself… Thanks.
Comment by Geoff Johnston — 2/19/2005 @ 3:10 pm
“…there are those now living upon the earth who will live to see the consummation.”
???
Were they translated?
Comment by Jack — 2/20/2005 @ 4:49 pm
13. Jack–
There were already translated beings living on the earth at the time of the proclamation (e.g., the Three Nephites and John the Revelator), so perhpas they are the ones to whom the proclamation refers.
Alternatively, one can posit that some who lived and died might be resurrected at some point just prior to “the consummation” to help usher it in.
Comment by Eric Soderlund — 2/23/2005 @ 9:46 am
A more difficult response could also be that Elder Pratt put in some opinion. That has a lot of difficult ramifications, but imposing translated beings on to his prose, seems to betray the point that he was trying to make.
I don’t believe that the early saints millinarianism is in any way shameful.
Comment by J. Stapley — 2/23/2005 @ 9:52 am
I agree, J., that there would be nothing shameful about it. A good book on it is Early Mormonism and the Millennial World View (I think that’s the title; I read it a few years ago). There are, of course, numerous statements from 19th-century Mormons both from the main church body and from the leadership ranks indicating an expectation on the part of some of the saints that the Second Coming was going to occur rather soon. I am not particularly troubled by this but I know some are. The alternative explanations in my last post could provide solace to those who worry about “false prophecies.”
I think you are correct that having opinions injected into an official procalamation deliberated over for some time and then delivered by the highest governing council of the church is more problematic than a statement made off-the-cuff by a member or even a GA giving a talk somewhere.
Comment by Eric Soderlund — 2/23/2005 @ 10:58 am
This is another point that might support my theory on the contingent timing of the Second Coming. Perhaps Elder Pratt just omitted the required “if” from his statement…
Comment by Geoff Johnston — 2/23/2005 @ 11:02 am
I find the word “consummation” to be of interest. A consummation is the end of something, not the beginning. If talking about the Millennium (and the antecedent in this sentence is not perfectly clear), it seems strange to say that some who are living would live to see the “consummation” of the Millennium, unless all he is saying is that some on the earth would be resurrected and live throughout the Millennium until its eventual consummation.
Comment by Eric Soderlund — 2/23/2005 @ 11:13 am
We bear testimony that it is; and the fulfillment of our words will establish their truth to millions yet unborn, while there are those now living upon the earth who will live to see the consummation.
True. Maybe he is refering to the consummation of their “words” and not the second advent.
Comment by J. Stapley — 2/23/2005 @ 11:48 am
There is a 1980 Proclamation as well.
You can read it here.
Comment by a random John — 4/5/2005 @ 9:08 pm
Thanks a random john.
Comment by J. Stapley — 4/5/2005 @ 10:40 pm