Dear Seeker of Truth,
Did Joseph Smith Prophesy of Baha'u'llah is not an official Baha'i publication, but a private Internet article written by a Baha'i who believes that Joseph Smith prophesied of Baha'u'llah in his capacity of a Seer. In the Baha'i terminology a Prophet is an Infallible Revelator, while a Seer is a fallible Revelator. Joseph Smith is not recognized as a Prophet in the Baha'i sense of that term. However, Shoghi Effendi (1897-1957), the great-grandson of Baha'u'llah (baw-haw-Oh-LAW), was the Guardian of the Faith from 1921 until 1957. He is purported to have told a number of Baha'i Pilgrims that "Joseph Smith was a Seer, not a Prophet minor or otherwise."(Haifa Notes of Ramona Brown).
Shoghi Effendi (show-gee ef-fen-dee) was the the "Guardian" of the Baha'i Faith; not a "Prophet" but an infallible guide. But, his comments regarding Joseph Smith is considered "second hand". Only the writings of Shoghi Effendi are considered infallible; not his verbal statements.
The author of this article believes that Joseph Smith prophesied of Baha'u'llah in his "1891" prophecies; not in the capacity of a Prophet, but in the capacity of a Seer. This is not official Baha'i doctrine, but his own personal belief. Baha'is are allowed to hold personal beliefs as long as they do not clearly conflict with Accepted Doctrine (official Baha'i teachings). The Reader can decide for him/herself if he/she believes that Joseph Smith prophesied of Baha'u'llah in the capacity of an inspired Seer; based upon this evidence.
In Baha'i terminology a "Prophet" is an infallible Revelator and a "Seer" is a fallible Revelator. In Arabic, the term for Seer is Múhdaddáth (moo-haw-dawth); which means "One Spoken to [by an Angel]". It refers to anyone who has been spoken to by an Angel, but who is still not a "Prophet". For example, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was visited by the Angel Gabriel. She had a "vision" and her "Revelation" was that she would be the mother of the Messiah. But, she was not a "Prophet" (at least not in the Baha'i sense of that term). Baha'is believe that Prophets are not ordinary humans, but the Incarnations of the Names/Attributes of ALLÁH. But Seers, on the other hand, are ordinary men or women who "see" Angels. They can prophesy (praw-fess-sai) of future events. They can receive "inspired" Revelation, but their revelations are not considered by Baha'is to be "infallible" as are those of the Prophets. Baha'is may accept, or reject, Joseph Smith as a Seer.
Baha'is believe that one such Infallible Prophet was Muhammad, the Prophet of Islaam. Over a billion people on Earth believe He is a Prophet; including the Baha'is. Joseph Smith once purportedly told his good friend George Hinkle (commander of the Mormon militia):
The Man known as "Jesus Christ" was composed of not One but TWO Divine Beings:
*Jesus=the Son of God, the WORD of God Incarnate.
*Christ=the Holy Spirit or "Spirit of Truth" Who is the "Father" (Begettor) of Jesus, as it says: "Ye were in the beginning with the Father, which is Spirit, even the Spirit of Truth." (D&C 93:23)
These Two Divine Beings (the Father and the Son) became "ONE" in the Person of "Jesus Christ".
In 1843 Joseph Smith said:
Mormons still await "The Day" that the Holy Ghost, Whom they believe is still a Spirit-Man without a physical body, will "come down to get a body" and perform some Holy Mission on Earth. He will be born of a woman, grow up, perform some Mission in relation to the Second Coming of Christ, and then die and be resurrected with an immortal body.
Baha'is (baw-HIGHzz) know that "DAY" has already come!
Shaykh Ahmad-i-Ahsa'i, the Shi'ite Muslim Seer of Behrain, taught many doctrines which were at variance with orthodox Islaam. He taught that there is no resurrection of the physical body (which returns to dust) but the "subtle body" (ethereal body) which is released at death like a bird from a cage. He also taught that the spirits and souls of the Prophets "return" in every Dispensation; sometimes as two people. The Ruh (spirit) of a Prophet returns as a Prophet, but the Nafs (soul) of a Prophet returns as a "Chosen One".
In 1844, a Prophet arose in Iran named Seyyed Muhammad Ali Shirazi. He was a direct descendant (seyyed) of the Prophet Muhammad. He claimed to be the Imaam Mehdi; the "Rightly-Guided Leader" of Shi'a Islaam. His first disciple, Mollah Husayn Bushru'i, claimed to be the "return" of the Prophet Muhammad. The Siyyid (descendant of the Prophet Muhammad) took the name-title of Báb'u'lláh ("The Gate of God"). Today He is known simply as "The Báb" (bawb). Baha'is see Him as a Prophet like "John the Baptist".
In 1850, The Báb told His followers that God was going to sent another Prophet after Him, Whom He called "He Whom God Shall Make Manifest".
In 1850, The Báb was arrested for being a heretic (false teacher) and claiming to be a Prophet. Orthodox Islaam teaches that Muhammad was the "last" Prophet for all time. He was taken to Tabriz, Iran, to an Army barracks. He and one of His disciple named Awniece were suspended by ropes from a beam junting from a barracks wall. The Báb protested that He had not finished His final instructions to His disciples. He was ignored. A regiment of 750 rifles lined up and fired a volley of bullets at The Báb and Awniece. When the smoke cleared, Awniece was standing alone unharmed and The Báb was missing. The 750 bullets had severed their robes! A crowd of onlookers shouted "A miracle! God is Great! A miracle!" but the Mollahs ran among them with the charred piece of burnt rope saying: "See, the bullets severed their ropes--not God--there is no miracle!"
"Muhammad was a true Prophet, and a good man." (reported by George Hinkle in Correspondance and Orders, 1841, p.128)
Years later Joseph Smith's cousin George A. Smith (a Mormon apostle) said in General Conference in Salt Lake City:
"About six hundred years after Christ a Prophet arose in Arabia by the name of Mahomet [Muhammad]...Now this man was descended from Abraham and was no doubt raised up by God." (Journal of Discourses 3:28)
After the death of Muhammad, the Muslims (moose-lemz) split into two factions: the Sunni and the Shi'a. According to Shi'a prophecy, a Seyyed (descendant of Muhammad) would arise in Persia (Iran) in the last days to prepare the way from the return of the Prophet Isa (Jesus). He would be called the Imaam Mehdi ("The Rightly-Guided Leader-of-Prayer").
By "now" he meant the year 1843! Somewhere on the planet, in that year, the Holy Ghost was living a mortal life as a Man. Was this Joseph Smith or some other Man living in 1843?
"The Holy Ghost is now [1843] in a state of probation which if he should perform in righteousness he may pass through the same or a similar course of things that the Son has." (Joseph Smith, The Words of Joseph Smith, p. 245; Sabbath address, 27 August 1843)
Shaykh Ahmad-i-Ahsa'i, (sheygkh aw-mawd-dee-aw-saw-ee) was a Shi'ite Muslim Seer who lived in the 1820s. He spoke with Angels. Shaykh Ahmad was not a Prophet lesser or otherwise. But, he had divine visions, and made prophecies. He prepared the way for the coming of The Báb in 1844.
There was a frantic search and The Báb was found back in His cell finishing His final instructions to a few chosen disciples. He was brought out again, and HE and Awniece were once again put against the wall. The second volley of bullets found their mark--mangling the bodies so that both became as one body. The remains were cast into a sewer, but they were soon retreived by His followers and put into a sealed lead coffin. The remains were eventually taken to Palestine (now Israel) and buried on a "Sacred Spot" on Mount Carmel; now called "The Shrine of The Báb".
Baha'u'llah and many other followers of The Báb were exiled to Baghdad in 1854. They took with them the sealed lead coffinontaining the remains of The Báb. They awaited the coming of "He Whom God Shall Make Manifest".
In 1861, Baha'u'llah retreated for two years into the mountains of Kurdistan to become a Sufi (Muslim mystic). He takes the name Dervish Muhammad Irani. The name "Dervish" means "Begger" in Arabic, and it means a man who has renounced all wordly attachments (family, money, position, employment, wives, etc.) in order to study, pray, fast, and medidate until He "dies in God" (fana'i'Alláh); which means he "kills" his own ego and becomes "One" with the Divine. The Nashqabandi Súfís consider Him to be a Holy Man, and give Him a tawzh (hat of a Sufi Master) to wear. He wears this tawzh the rest of His life.
In 1863, Baha'u'llah leaves His exile in Kurdistan ad returns to Baghdad, and one of His wives notices His clothing is old and very tattered. So she makes for Him a new glorious blood red robe from Persian Tirmih (red cloth).
In a Revelation to Joseph Smith in 1832 it says:
"And the Lord shall be red in his apparel like him that treadeth the wine vat,..." (D&C 133:48, RLDS D&C 108:9c)There have been many Muslim Seers. One such Seer in India, in the 8th century, made this prophecy:
"In that day the Holy One will be found abiding in a land called Karkh. He will walk beside the river, wearing the dervish turban, and wrapped in a red robe. He will be teaching His followers on the banks of the river. Would that I might be privileged to enter His Presence, and to shed my life-blood in His Path." (The Chosen Highway, p.242)
There is no official Bahá'í doctrine that says that Joseph Smith was a "Seer". But, Shoghi Effendi apparently believed that he was.
Shoghi Effendi purportedly told Baha'is on several occassions that Joseph Smith was a "Seer":
"Joseph Smith was a Seer, not a Prophet; neither major nor minor. He had a high standard, but the Baha'is have a higher standard coupled with God's power that comes direct from God for this age." (Pilgrim notes of Ramona Browne, in Memories of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p.117)By "higher standard" Shoghi Effendi does not mean moral standard, but a standard of Revelation. Baha'is have a "higher standard" of Revelation; meaning a Greater Revelation than Joseph Smith received; because while Joseph Smith was a Seer, Bahá'u'lláh was the Holy Ghost incarnate: the ONE WHO INSPIRED the Prophets (and Seers).
Shoghi Effendi died in London, England, in 1957. After his death, the Faith was ruled by nine "Hands of the Cause" (similar to apostles) called "The Custodians". Then, in 1963, the first Universal House of Justice was elected.
The Universal House of Justice is not a building, but a council of 9 rijals (Arabic: "distringuished gentlemen") who govern the Baha'i Faith worldwide. This council of nine elected men is referred to as "The House".
The "Members of The House" are not considered to be Prophets, nor are they are recognized as Seers. Yet, their collective decisions are believed to be "under the shadow of Baha'u'llah" and thus divinely-inspired. Individually they are merely Baha'is, but "The House" (collectively) is "under the shadow of Baha'u'llah". In regards to inquiries concerning Joseph Smith, they sent this reply:
A religious fraud or charlatan cannot be "sensitive to spiritual currents". Thus, Joseph Smith was not a fraud who invented tales about angels and gold plates. However, Joseph Smith was a fallible human, like other humans. The LORD gave Joseph the Seer this stern warning in 1832:"As for the status of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Faith, he is not considered by Baha'is to be a prophet, minor or otherwise. But of course he was a religious teacher sensitive to the spiritual currents flowing in the early 19th century directly from the appearance of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh and the Revelation of Their Messages of hope and Divine Guidance." (Lights of Guidance, p. 511)
4 For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him.The year 1843 was a turning point for Joseph Smith. In 1843 Joseph Smith publicly denied he was a polygamist, but secretly practiced it. He married up to 32 women as plural "wives", including mothers and their own daughters. The LORD told Moses:
9 Behold, thou art Joseph, and thou wast chosen to do the work of the Lord, but because of transgression if thou art not aware, thou wilt fall." (D&C 4:4,9)
"And if a man take a wife and her mother it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you." (Leviticus 20:14)The Law of Moses said that a man who took as wives a woman and her own mother must be put to death. That Law of God was never abrogated by Jesus, nor Muhammad, nor The Báb, nor Bahá'u'lláh. Those Divine Laws which are not abrogated, remain part of the Law of God. The LORD told Joseph that if he "boasted" he would "fall" (D&C 4:4,9)!
In May of 1844, Joseph Smith preached:
"I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I." (History of the Church: 6:408)In June of 1844, several Mormon leaders started The Nauvoo Expositor as a way to expose Joseph Smith's secret polygamy, and cause him to repent and resign as Church President. Joseph Smith had the newspaper closed, and its printing plates destroyed in the street. He was arrested in June of 1844 for illegally destroying an opposition newspaper in Nauvoo, Illinois, while acting as Mayor of Nauvoo. He was sent to Carthage Jail, Carthage Illinois, to await trial.
After Joseph was killed, a member of the mob drew a large Bowie knife, and acted as if he intended to cut off the head of the Seer. At that instant, a light descended from the sky and struck the man holding the Bowie knife for several minutes. Witnesses say it was not lightning. He dropped the knife and was unable to walk or speak for some time afterwards. Mormons took it as a "sign" (miracle) from God that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet. Anti-Mormons took it as a "sign" from God that Joseph was a false prophet and that He had approved of his murder. Apparently the LORD allowed His fallen Seer to be killed, but He would not allow the body of His Seer to be mutilated and disrespected.
After the death of the Seer, the Church became divided into factions. The family of Joseph Smith followed James Strang, a Mormon who also claimed to be a Seer. His revelations are contained in The Book of the Law of the Lord. He was killed in 1856. Most of his followers then followed Joseph Smith III (eldest son of Joseph Smith), who founded The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church); now called Community of Christ with about 250,000 members worldwide.
Most Mormons followed Brigham Young, the senior Apostle, who led the Mormons to Utah. He founded Salt Lake City and hundreds of other cities and towns. His successors are the Presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: also known as "the Mormon Church" or "the LDS Church" with over 14 million members worldwide by the year 2010. The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is called "The Living Prophet"; although he does not actually prophesy of anything, nor does he see visions, nor does he receive "Thus saith the LORD" Revelations as did the Seer Joseph Smith. The LDS "Living Prophet" utters no prophecies!
In 1840 Joseph Smith sent Orson Hyde (one of his apostles) to the Holy Land to dedicate the land for the return of the Jews. When Orson Hyde returned to Nauvoo Illinois (at that time a Mormon city) he told Joseph Smith of the fabulous white wines he had drank in the Holy Land. Drinking wine was not forbidden for Mormons in Joseph Smith's day. Only "strong drink" (i.e. liquors such as whiskey etc.) was forbidden at that time.
Joseph Smith then prophesied (praw-fess-side) that "IF" he be allowed to live he would "drink white wine" with Hyde in the Holy Land. (Diary of Joseph Smith, Jan. 20, 1843, LDS Church Archives). This prophecy was never published in the Doctrine and Covenants; the Revelations of Joseph Smith with a few additions by his successors in Utah. Most Mormons have never heard of this prophecy; nor of the Holy Order.
In 1842, in Nauvoo, Illinois, Joseph Smith owned a red brick store. On the second story, Joseph Smith had his private offices. There, he established a secret organization within the Church he called "The Holy Order". The Holy Order consisted of 9 men; Joseph Smith and his closest friends in the Church. These 9 men were called "The Anointed Quorum"; which ruled the Holy Order. Eventually, the Holy Order grew to about 70 men and women.Joseph Smith designated the second story of his red-brick store in Nauvoo, Illinois, as "The Order Lodge".
In 1843, Joseph Smith introduced a secret Masonic-like ritual for the Holy Order called "The Endowment Ceremony". Joseph also referred to it as "Celestial Masonry". It was a secret rite that most Mormons never knew about. It was revealed only to members of The Holy Order. The rite was somewhat as follows:
*Men and women were taken into separate rooms and washed with water and anointed with olive oil, and dressed in all white clothing.
*They were taken into a room where the Garden of Eden story was reenacted by actors (no nudity).
*They were taught certain grips and gestures called "signs and tokens" and given oaths never to reveal the signs and tokens even under pain of death.
*They were taken to an altar and taught to pray in a circle and learned three Hebrew secret words.
*They were taken to a white veil, and there they had to repeat the "signs and tokens" they learned.
*Once they repeated the signs and tokens they were let into a small "Celestial Room"--symbolic of the Celestial Kingdom, where a man with a crown sat upon a throne. This white-veiled room represented the Kingdom of the Father.
Joseph Smith was killed in 1844. In 1846, Brigham Young introduced a new "altered" Endowment Ceremony for all Mormons. The "Celestial Room" remained, but the man in red robes sitting in it was permanently removed. The Church has continued to alter the Ceremony about every 50 years.
What was Joseph Smith preparing his Holy Order for? According to George J. Adams (the Bishop of Nauvoo and close friend of Joseph Smith), the Seer was preparing the Order for the coming of "The Son of Man" Who would appear in the Holy Land (Palestine) wearing a red robe, in the year 1891. Joseph had plans to go to Palestine.
On August 27th, 1843, Joseph Smith declared:
The term "state of probation" comes from The Book of Mormon, and refers to a mortal life on Earth (1 Nephi 10:21, Nephi 2:2,30, and 33:9, Mormon 9:28). Joseph Smith said that "now" (1843) the Holy Ghost was in "a state of probation" somewhere on planet Earth. Joseph Smith never claimed to be the Holy Ghost incarnate. But, there was a Man living in Persia (Iran) in 1843, Who later did claim that station!"The Holy Ghost is now [1843] in a state of probation which if he should perform in righteousness he may pass through the same or a similar course of things that the Son has." (Joseph Smith, The Words of Joseph Smith, p. 245; Sabbath address, 27 August 1843)
All members of the Holy Order were Mormons, but most Mormons were never members of the Holy Order. In fact, most Mormons knew nothing about the Holy Order. Brigham Young was a member of the Holy Order, but not a member of the Anointed Quorum. He was probably never informed of Joseph's plans to take the Order to Palestine so that Joseph could "see the face of the Son of Man" in 1891 (D&C 130:15).
According to George Adams, the Bishop of Nauvoo, close friend of Joseph Smith, and senior member of the Anointed Quroum next to Joseph Smith, the Seer planned to take the Holy Order with him to Palestine; there to build a colony and await the coming of the Son of Man, Who would appear in the Holy Land in the year 1891, wearing "red apparel"! (D&C 133:48)
After the assassination of Joseph Smith in June of 1844, George Adams, not Brigham Young, became the head of the Anointed Quorum, and thus the entire Holy Order. George Adams tried to take the Holy Order to the Holy Land as Joseph Smith wished, but Brigham Young excommunicated Adams and those who wanted to go to Palestine as planned. Adams then became an Apostle of James Strang. Adams and he Holy Order did eventually go to Palestine, but most left a few years afterwards because life was too difficult for them there. But, about 20 families stayed; eventually settling in the small Arab village of Haifa, next to Mount Carmel. Had Joseph Smith lived, he would have been among them. (D&C 130:15)
In 1846, Brigham Young changed the Endowment Ceremony (adding many things to it), and made the ceremony mandatory for all Mormons who wanted to go on missions or get married. He told the Mormons that the Endowment was to help them enter into the Celestial Kingdom (the highest heaven) after they died, that the "signs and tokens" were necessary to pass-by Sentinel-Angels on one's journey to the Celestial Kingdom after death.
Mormon Temples are not houses of worship. They are places were sacred ordinances are performed: such as Endowment Ceremonies, Sealings (marriages for eternity), and Baptisms for the Dead (the living are baptized in the name of a dead person so that dead person may join the Church in the Spirit-World).
In the years 1920, 1950, and 1990, Mormon Church leaders removed various "additions" to the Endowment Ceremony that Brigham Young added to it in 1846; without explanation. Latter-day Saints (Mormons) consider the Endowment Ceremony to be very sacred, and not to be discussed in any detail outside of the Celestial Rooms inside Mormon Temples. The "signs and tokens" are considered most sacred, and not to be discussed at all. Various exposé's of the secret Mormon Endowment Ceremony can be found on the Internet, but not all are accurate, and some are very inaccurate and misleading. The Church now has hundreds of temples around the world. The most preeminent is the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah. It faces East, the direction in which Mormons believe Jesus will come "suddenly" (without forewarning) to His Temple.
In September of 1912 the Firstborn Son of Bahá'u'lláh, Abbas Effendi (known to us as 'Abdu'l-Bahá which means "Servant of Glory"), visited Salt Lake City, and--wearing the glorious red robe of His Illustrious Father, He knocked on the East Door of the Salt Lake Temple. Of course, not being a faithful Mormon, He was not let in. Only "endowed" Mormons may enter Mormon Temples.
Haifa in 1891
Joseph Smith planned to take the Holy Order with him to Palestine, and await the coming of the Son of Man, Who would appear in the Holy Land in red apparel when Joseph Smith was 85 years old (1891). But, because he sinned in regards to polygamy (marrying mothers and their own daughters) Joseph Smith was not allowed to live and see the Face of the Son of Man in the Holy Land in 1891. Joseph was assassinated at Hancock County Jail, Carthage, Illinois, on June 27th, 1844, by an angry mob of Anti-Mormons. Joseph fell from the second story window of the Carthage Jail, like a shaft of lightening. A member of the mob then tried to cut off his head with a Bowie knife, but a light from heaven rendered the ruffian motionless and prevented this from happening.
According to George J. Adams (former Bishop of Nauvoo), Joseph Smith wanted the Holy Order to go to Palestine to await the coming of "The Son of Man" in 1891. But, according to Adams, Brigham Young refused to allow this. Adams then joined with James Strang, along with Emma Smith (Joseph's Widow), Lucy Smith (Joseph's mother) and William Smith (Joseph's remaining living brother). The sisters of Joseph Smith also followed Strang, who was assassinated in 1856. Then George J. Adams took a number of members of the Holy Order to Palestine. But considitions were horrendous, and most (including Adams) returned. However, about twenty Holy Order members stayed and settled among the German Templar Colony in Haifa at the foot of Mount Carmel.
In 1860, a Lutheran minister in Germany named Christoph Hofmann was told by the Spirit that Christ was returning soon, on Mount Carmel, and to raise a "spiritual Temple" of true Christians to meet Him. So Hofmann and others formed a "Society of the Temple" and founded a colony in 1868 in Haifa, Palestine, at the foot of Mount Carmel. From the sea to the foot of Mount Carmel they built "The Way of the Lord" (now Gen Gurion Street), and over the doors and windows of their red-roofed homes they wrote "Die Herr Ist Nahe" ("The Lord is Near"). By 1891, 15% of the Society in Haifa joins the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and are members of the Palestinian Branch of the Turkish Mission. Hofmann dies in 1888; two years before Baha'u'llah sets His Feet on Mount Carmel~in His red robe~in 1891.
Joseph Smith made plans for living and dying. He planned to make his brother Hyrum President of the Church, and travel to the Holy Land with his Holy Order, to await the coming of the Son of Man, in red apparel, in the year 1891.
It is clear that Joseph Smith never intended to make the Endowment Ceremony mandatory for all Latter-day Saints. He taught it only to the Holy Order; whom he planned to take with him to Palestine "if" he be allowed to live. He wasn't. The Endowment had nothing to do with the Afterlife, but contained "types and shadows" of the coming of the Son of Man in 1891.
Baha'u'llah (baw-haw-ohL-LAW) was a religious prisoner. He was exiled first to Baghdad in 1853, then to Turkey, then finally to the prison-city of Akka, Palestine, in 1868. For many years, in Akka, He lived in a room whose windows and door was covered in white veils. Because of assassination attemps, anyone who wanted to visit Him had to know certain secret words and gestures. They were told to wash and anoint themselves, and to wear white (a symbol of purity) if possible, before entering the "Celestial Room" of Baha'u'llah; Who wore a taj (Dervish crown), and red robes.
In the year 1891 Bahá'u'lláh went from Akka to Haifa. He pitched His tent on on Mount Carmel on a Sacred Spot overlooking "The Way of the Lord" and the German Templar Colony. It was from this Sacred Spot that He recited His Tablet of Carmel:"The Voice of the Son of Man is calling aloud from the sacred veil: 'Here am I, here am I, O God, My God!' The Father hath come, and that which ye were promised in the Kingdom of God is fulfilled." (The Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p.104)
"Verily I say, this is the Day in which mankind can behold the Face and hear the Voice, of the Promised One." (Gleanings 10:vii)
"He Who is the King of Kings hath appeared, arrayed in His most wonderous glory, and is summoning you unto Himself, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting." (Gleanings 211:cv)
Just mere coincidence?"All glory be to this Day, the Day which the fragrances of mercy have been wafted over all created things, a Day so blessed that past ages and centuries can never hope to rival it, a Day in which the Contenance of the Ancient of Days hath turned towards His holy seat. Thereupon the voice of all created things, and beyond them those of the Concourse on high, were heard calling aloud: "Haste Thee, O Carmel, for lo, the light of the Countenance of God, the Ruler of the Kingdom of Names and Fashioner of the heavens, hath been lifted upon thee.'***CALL OUT TO ZION, O Carmel, and announce the joyful tidings: He that was hidden from mortal eyes is come!" (Bahá'u'lláh--The Word Made Flesh, p.64)
Dear Mormon Seeker of Truth, you ask "Why was I never told about this aspect of Mormon history?" The answer is simple: because Church leaders DO NOT want YOU to know about it! We think you should know.
The LORD inspired Joseph Smith to take certain symbols from the Masonic Lodge, and create a ceremony that contained "types and shadows" which pointed directly to Baha'u'llah, the Son of Man and Holy Ghost Incarnate, Who appeared upon Mount Carmel, in 1891, in red robes. Had Joseph Smith lived, he would have seen the Face of the Son of Man.
On the the 6th of April, 1843, Joseph Smith declared:
The Holy Ghost said to Joseph the Seer:There are those of the rising generation who shall not taste death til Christ comes." (Joseph Smith, General Conference, 6 April 1843, quoted in The Words of Joseph Smith, p.179)
"And the Lord shall be red in his apparel like him that treadeth the wine vat,..." (D&C 133:48, RLDS D&C 108:9c)In Nauvoo, Illinois, on August 27th, 1843, Joseph Smith declared:
The term "state of probation" comes from The Book of Mormon, and refers to a mortal life on Earth (1 Nephi 10:21, Nephi 2:2,30, and 33:9, Mormon 9:28). Joseph Smith said that "now" (1843) the Holy Ghost was in "a state of probation" somewhere on planet Earth. Where was He? Who was He?"The Holy Ghost is now [1843] in a state of probation which if he should perform in righteousness he may pass through the same or a similar course of things that the Son has." (Joseph Smith, The Words of Joseph Smith, p. 245; Sabbath address, 27 August 1843)
Joseph Smith never claimed to be the Holy Ghost incarnate (although some "Fundamentalist" Mormons claim it for him). But Baha'u'llah (1817-1892), the founding Prophet of the Baha'i Faith, did claim to be the Holy Ghost Incarnate--the Spirit of Truth!
In 1843 a Baptist named William Miller said he had calculated Bible prophecies and came to the conclusion
that Christ would return in the year 1843 (he made a recalculation later and put it at 1844). Joseph Smith also heard of the claims of Miller, and decided to
inquire of the LORD about this. A Voice told him that if he lived until he was 85 years of age he would "see
the Face of the Son of Man" (D&C 130). Joseph Smith would turn 85 on Dec. 23, 1890. For all but
9 days, he would be 85 years old in the year 1891.
That was not all! He would make several other prophecies that would point to the year 1891.
On April 6th, 1843, Joseph Smith made the following prophecy:
48 years "hence" of 1843 is 1891 (1843+48=1891)."I was once praying earnestly upon the subject, and a voice said unto me, My son, if thou livest till thou art 85 years of age, thou shalt see the Face of the Son of Man--I was left to draw my own conclusions concerning this & took the liberty to conclude that if I did live till that time He would make His appearance or I shall go where He is--I prophesy in the name of the Lord God--& let it be written, that the Son of Man will not come in the heavens till I am 85 years old, 48 years hence or about 1890." (Diary of Joseph Smith, April 6, 1843, quoted in The Revelations of Joseph Smith, p.345)
On February 14th, 1835, Joseph Smith gave a speech in Kirland, Ohio, before "Zion's Camp"; a Mormon militia that was going to Missouri to defend Mormons living there from Missouri mobs who believed that the Mormons were trying to free their black slaves. The speech was recorded by Franklin D. Richards; then the personal secretary of Joseph Smith. In this speech, Joseph Smith claimed that the Holy Spirit showed him in vision that the coming of the Lord would be "56 years hence" from 1835 (1891). In the History of the Church for February 14, 1835 (reported by his secretary Franklin D. Richards) it says:
In the Index (vol. 7) of the History of the Church , under "Second Coming", we find the following: "Joseph indicates would be in fifty-six years V2:182"."President Smith then stated that the meeting had been called, because God commanded it; and it was made known to him by vision and by the Holy Spirit***and it was the will of God that those who went to Zion, with a determination to lay down their lives, if necessary, should be ordained to the ministry, and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, or the coming of the Lord, which was nigh--even fifty-six years should wind-up the scene." (D.H.C. 2:182)
The early "Brethren" (Mormon leaders) believed that Christ would come and establish His Kingdom in the year 1891; based upon the 1835 and 1843 prophecies of Joseph Smith.
Early Mormon apostles believed the Millennial Kingdom would be established, somehwere on this planet, in the year 1891 by "the Son of Man" Who would appear "in red apparel". Mormon Apostles did not know "where" this would be. But the Holy Order believed THE KINGDOM would be established upon Mount Carmel, as the LORD told the Seer:
"As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them." (D&C 128)In 1891, in General Conference in Salt Lake City, in the Tabernacle, Elder Charles W. Penrose (a Mormon apostle) said:
In the year 1890, in Conference, Elder B. H. Roberts (Church historian and Seventy) said:"Did not all the Prophets of old look forward to such a time, and did not our Savior send His disciples to proclaim that THE KINGDOM was at hand? He gave a great many parables concerning THE KINGDOM. He compared it, among other things, to a grain of mustard seed that grew and became the greatest tree on earth. That is, commencing with a small beginning, but, like all God's works, gradually growing and developing until fully complete. The prophet Daniel saw it as the 'little stone', cut out of the mountain without hands, which smote the great image and shattered its remnants to the four winds, and then became a great mountain and filled the whole earth, which is our birthplace according to the flesh and our future home and heaven. The earth fulfills the law of its creation and shall therefore be glorified and become a fit dwelling place for the sanctified, fit for the Presence of God and clothed with His glory. The Church and THE KINGDOM are not identical, although they are closely connected. In the Church is the Gospel of the Kingdom. It is a preparation for that Divine Government. IT will not be fully established until Christ comes, who is the King. As members of the Church we are commanded to be subject to the governments under which we live, as long as they exist, for 'the powers that be are ordained of God,' but we are approaching a time when all things on earth must give way to the HEAVENLY KINGDOM. The kingdom of this world are to become the KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS CHRIST. Let us prepare ourselves for the events that are coming, and when we pray: 'Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,' do our part in the work to prepare for its advent." (Collected Discourses 2:188-9, emphasis added)
Many of the Mormons in 1890 expected Jesus to return in the clouds of the sky in 1891; with thousands of angels in tow, spitting fire-balls upon the wicked nations of the earth and wiping Jackson County clean of inhabitants so that they could return and build the city of New Jerusalem. Some even prepared hand-carts for the return journey. Elder Roberts told them not to expect such a dramatic occurance, but--like the organization of the Church at Farmington New York in the year 1830--what was going to happen in the year 1891 may even be unnoticed by those right next to the event!"Before another General Conference shall be reached we shall have entered upon the year 1891. In the Book of Doctrines and Covenants, section 130, Joseph Smith was promised that if he lived until 1891, he would see the face of the Son of Man. On February 14th, 1835, at a meeting where certain Elders, they were told by Joseph that they were called to go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, before the coming of Christ, even 56 years should wind-up the scene. 1835 plus 56 years also brings us to the year 1891! These circumstances have called the Saints to believe that some great epoch will open at that time--the year following the present [1891]. My faith in the matter is whatever the Lord has in mind to accomplish in that year will be performed. It may be something, however, that would scarcely create a ripple. The organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was one of the greatest events in the history of the world. It was organized with six members, and but little was known concerning it even in the neighborhood where it occurred, at the time. It may be that the greatness of what shall occur in 1891 will not be comprehended until succeeding years." (Collected Discourses 2:105-6)
Joseph Smith prophecied in the name of the LORD that the Son of Man would UNVEIL HIS FACE in the years 1891! IF even one of Joseph Smith's prophecies were false then he MUST be dismissed as a FALSE PROPHET and the Church false as well! There is no middle-ground! No excuses or explain-aways can be accepted!
Jehovah told Moses that if a prophet appears and prophesies a thing, and that thing come not to pass, then the LORD did NOT send that man, and he is a FALSE PROPHET! The LORD said:
"When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you need not be afraid of him" (Deuteronomy 18:22)In other words, if a man claims to be a Prophet, and makes prophecies, and those prophecies "fail" to come to pass (fail to occur), then that man is a false prophet, and people should not be "afraid" (subservient) to him; because the LORD has not spoken to him (i.e. he is a false prophet). Did the 1891 prophecies of Joseph Smith "come to pass"? We say THEY DID, but not as Mormons expected.
In 1886, Mormon apostle Moses Thatcher declared before a gathering of Mormons in the Salt Lake Tabernacle:
"Our deliverance will be within 5 years; the time indicated by Joseph's [Feb. 14, 1832] prophecy will be February 14, 1891." (Salt Lake Tribune, 10 April 1886)
In 1887, the LDS Church printed and distributed a book by Elder Robert Smith (a 2nd cousin of Joseph Smith), to be "used by teachers in Sunday Schools" (it was an official Church publication). Elder Robert Smith wrote:
Mormon leaders told rank-and-file Mormons over and over gain to expect "THE KINGDOM" to be established somewhere on Earth in 1891!"Now, we will prove by the prophet Joseph Smith that the same year, 1891, is the commencement of the reign of righteousness. In Section 130, Doctrine and Covenants, Joseph was told that if he lived to be 85 years old he would live to see the scene wound up or the Redeemer on the earth. He was born December 23rd, 1805, and if we give him the 85 years, we could not count the year 1805, we should have to count 1806, as the year 1805 was mostly gone before he was born, therefore, we have 1806 and 85, making 1891; again in the year 1835 Joseph was told positively that 56 years would wind up the scene, which we believe was the reign of iniquity and transgression: 56 and 1835 are 1891. Thus we have abundant proof that that year will begin the reign of righteousness, and God's people be acknowledged, for the earth is to be given to them. He has said: 'Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.'" (A Series of Lectures on the Fulfillment of Prophecy, 1887, pp.39-40)
On January 1st 1891, Wilford Woodruff (the 4th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) wrote in is diary:
Tens of thousand of Latter-day Saints, from Mormon apostles to rank-and-file Mormons, believed that the "Son of Man" was coming "in red apparel" in the year 1891 to establish "THE KINGDOM"."Jan 1, 1891. This is New Year's Day, and the year that has been looked upon by many as one of the more important years in the world." (Jounal of Wilford Woodruff, Jan. 1, 1891)
What happened?
When Jesus failed to appear in the sky over Salt Lake City in 1891, riding upon a cloud, the Mormons said: "The Lord has delayed His coming!"
Truly did Jesus say, "that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth His coming." (Matt. 14:48)
Truly did the LORD say unto Joseph the Seer: "...and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth." (D&C 45:26)
There are over 7 MILLION people on earth today that believe that Christ did NOT delay His coming, but came on schedule.
The LORD said to Joseph the Seer:
"Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for HE WILL UNVEIL HIS FACE UNTO YOU, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will." (D&C sec. 88:68)Bahá'u'lláh wrote:"Ye were also in the beginning with THE FATHER; that which is Spirit, even THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH." (D&C 93:23)
"The COMFORTER is the promise which I give unto you of ETERNAL LIFE, even THE GLORY which I spake concerning the ten virgins." (D&C 45:56)
"...the Church of the Firstborn are those who have received the fulness of THE FATHER." (D&C 76:70)
"There are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even THE GLORY OF GOD, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical." (D&C 76:70)
In Arabic, Bahá'u'lláh means THE GLORY OF GOD!The COMFORTER Whose advent all the Scriptures have promised is now come that He may reveal unto you all knowledge and wisdom. Seek Him over the entire surface of the earth, haply ye may find Him." (Words of Bahá'u'lláh pp.104-5)
"Verily I say, this is the Day in which mankind can BEHOLD THE FACE, and hear the Voice, of the Promised One." (Gleanings 10:vii)
"Verily, He who is THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH is come to guide you unto all truth. He speaketh not as prompted by His own self, but as bidden by Him Who is All-Knowing, the All-Wise." (Lawh-i-Aqdas 11:4-5)
"Say, O followers of the Son! Lo! THE FATHER is come, and that which ye were promised in the KINGDOM is fulfilled." (Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh p.12)
"The Voice of THE SON OF MAN is calling aloud from the sacred veil: 'Here am I, here am I, O God, My God!' THE FATHER is come!" (Words of Bahá'u'lláh p.104)
All just mere coincidence?
What are the chances of that?
*In 1820 Joseph Smith claims to have a vision of "The Father and the Son" near his farm in Palmyra New York. Jesus tells him: "Behold and lo, I come quickly in the Glory of my Father". (Joseph Smith's 1832 First Vision Account)
Jesus said:
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you unto all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me.... (John 16:13-14)Bahá'u'lláh wrote:
"Verily, He Who is the Spirit of Truth is now come to guide you unto all truth. He speaketh not as prompted by HIs own self, but as bidden by Him Who is the All-Wise. Say, this is the One Who hath glorified the Son and hath exalted His Cause. (Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p.12)The LORD said to Joseph Smith:
"The Comforter is the promise which I give you of Eternal Life, even the Glory which I spake concerning the ten virgins." (D&C 45:56)Baha'u'llah wrote:"Seek Me diligently and ye shall find Me." (D&C 88:63)
"The Comforter whose advent all the Scriptures have promised is now come that HE may reveal unto you all knowledge and wisdom. Seek Him over the entire surface of the earth, haply ye may find Him." (The Words of Baha'u'llah, p.12)
Dear Seeker of Truth,
The prophecies of Joseph Smith concerning the "coming of the Son of Man" which were uttered in 1835 ("fifty-six years shall wind-up the scene") and in 1843 ("the coming of the Son of Man--48 years hence--or about 1890") have been fulfilled in the Person of Baha'u'llah.
The LORD told Joseph the Seer in 1843:
"My son, if thou livest until thou art 85 years of age [1891] thou shalt see the Face of the Son of Man." (D&C 130:15)Baha'u'llah wrote:
"Verily I say, this is the Day in which mankind can behold the Face and hear the Voice, of the Promised One." (Gleanings 10:vii)Joseph Smith said:
"Obtain that Holy Spirit of Promise~then you can be sealed to Eternal Life." (The Words of Joseph Smith, p.15)The LORD Jesus Christ was a combination of two Divine Beings in one Person: the WORD of God (Jesus) and the Spirit of Truth (Christ) Who dwelt "in" Jesus from His baptism to the Cross. The Spirit of Truth is the Father (D&C 92:23) and the WORD of God is the Son (John 1:1-2,14). The Spirit of Truth Who dwelt in Jesus, and spoke through Him, was born of a woman in 1817 in Iran, with the name of Mirza Hüsein-Ali Núrí ("Prince Beauty-Exalted of Light"). From 1817 to 1892 He was in a "state of probation".
There is no "Eternal Life" in following "prophets" who do not prophesy, "seers" who do not see, and "revelators" who do not revelate. There is only Eternal Life in following the Holy Spirit of Promise~the One Who inspired the Prophets and Seers.
Baha'u'llah~the Glory of God~is the Holy Ghost incarnate. His Divine Mission was to teach us "all things" regarding the establishment of the Kingdom of God on Earth; otherwise known as "The Millennial Kingdom" or "The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh". He was a direct descendant of King David of Israel, and King Cyrus of Persia. He is the promised Spirit of Truth, and the Holy Spirit of Promise. COME HEAR YE HIM!
I testify to you that these things are true, in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen! Only the Chosen Ones will believe. Thank you. Go in Peace!
Aenon E. Moss
"The Voice of the Son of Man is calling aloud from the sacred veil: Here am I, here am I, My God! The Father has come, and that which ye were promised in the Kingdom of God is fulfilled." (The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p.104-5)
YOU ARE INVITED to a Public Information Meeting about the Baha'i Faith! These are called "Seekers Meetings" or "Firesides" or "Devotionals". These meetings last about 60 to 90 minutes. Dress is casual. Refreshments are served. Cost is free. Smoking ia allowed outside, and smokers are never shunned! No donation can be accepted. If you need a ride just ask for one. If you live in the Continental U.S. (48-states) just call the toll-free number below and leave your name, number, and a good time to call you back. The Friends (Baha'is) will welcome you with open arms!
O SEEKER OF TRUTH!
For free approved Baha'i literature mailed to your home (no Baha'i missionaries will ever knock on your door) go to the webpage below and fill-out the request form. Your name and address will never be sold and never used for any other purpose:
Baha'u'llah wrote:
"Say: Blessed the slumberer who is awakened by My Breeze. Blessed the lifeless one who is quickened through My reviving breaths. Blessed the eye that is solaced by gazing at My beauty. Blessed the wayfarer who directeth his steps towards the Tabernacle of My glory and majesty. Blessed the distressed one who seeketh refuge beneath the shadow of My canopy. Blessed the sore athirst who hasteneth to the soft-flowing waters of My loving-kindness. Blessed the insatiate soul who casteth away his selfish desires for love of Me and taketh his place at the banquet table which I have sent down from the heaven of divine bounty for My chosen ones. Blessed the abased one who layeth fast hold on the cord of My glory; and the needy one who entereth beneath the shadow of the Tabernacle of My wealth. Blessed the ignorant one who seeketh the fountain of My knowledge; and the heedless one who cleaveth to the cord of My remembrance. Blessed the soul that hath been raised to life through My quickening breath and hath gained admittance into My heavenly Kingdom." (Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed After the Kitab-i-Aqdas, p.16)
Mormon Seekers will have many questions. I have tried to answer most or all questions that Mormon Seekers will have in an online article titled Answers for Mormon Seekers. That article, like this one, is a private Internet article and not an official Baha'i publication. To access Answers for Mormon Seekers just go to:
"Aenon E. Moss" (a pseudonym) is a former Mormon missionary and apologist (defender of the Church against anti-Mormon attacks). He served an honorable mission for the Church from 1983-85. For many years he sought to find answers to all anti-Mormon questions. He knew that if Joseph Smith's "1891 Prophecies" were not fulfilled, then Joseph Smith was not inspired of God. He joined the LDS Church in 1979. He discovered the Baha'i Faith in 1981, but did not join it until 1994. He resigned (was never exed) from the Church officially in 1996 in accordance with Baha'i law that a Baha'i cannot maintain membership in non-baha'i religious organizations.
Baha'is who desire to effectively teach Mormon Seekers should study Answers for Mormon Seekers intensively. Mormon Seekers will not respond well to the "standard" Baha'i answers. The "standard" responses will not work with Mormon Seekers. Teachers of Mormon Seekers should also read the Plain English Version of The Book of Mormon online at:
www.plainbookofmormon.com
The "blue cover" edition of The Book of Mormon is extremely difficult to read (most Mormons have never read it). Read the Plain English version online. Copies of Did Joseph Smith Prophesy of Baha'u'llah? should be distributed freely to all Baha'is who wish to read it. Private Internet articles do not go through the Review Process, and do not require institutional approval. Copies of Answers for Mormon Seekers should also be available for Mormon Seekers at all Baha'i Public Informational Meetings in all Communities in heavily Mormon areas.
Did Joseph Smith Prophesy of Baha'u'llah? is NOT an official Baha'i publication, but a private Internet article. It contains the personal views and interpretations of its author. Private Internet articles are not put through the Baha'i Review process. They can be read and shared without review. There is no copyright. Anyone can reprint, copy, or republish this article, in any form, edited or unedited, under any name, by anyone in any form, for free or profit. You already have my permission. Published by the Author in 2010. A.E.M.