Terrible Revolution: Latter-day Saints and the American Apocalypse

Nineteenth-century Mormons in the United States experienced anxiety and hostility due to the assassination of Mormon leaders, Saints exile, military occupation, and national crusade against plural marriage. They looked forward to apocalyptic events that would unseat corrupt governments, and the White Horse Prophecy referred to this as a terrible revolution. Christopher James Blythe examines apocalypticism in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, particularly as it took shape in the writings and visions of the laity. The church hierarchy responded to apocalyptic lay prophecies by promoting separatist nationalism, but after Utah obtained statehood, they sought to assimilate to national religious norms. Visions of a violent end to the nation became a liability to disavow and regulate, and Blythe argues that the visionary world of early Mormonism continued in the church's mainstream culture in forms but maintained separatist radical forms at the level of folk-belief.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The relationship between early Mormons and the United States was marked by a tense and often hostile atmosphere, which intensified throughout the nineteenth century. This hostility was fueled by a series of events, including the assassinations of Mormon leaders, the Saints' exile from Missouri and Illinois, the military occupation of Utah territory, and the national crusade against those who practiced plural marriage.

Nineteenth-century Latter-day Saints harbored a deep sense of anticipation for apocalyptic events that they believed would bring about the downfall of corrupt governments around the world, particularly the oppressive regime in the United States. The infamous White Horse Prophecy, which referred to this impending American apocalypse as a terrible revolution, echoed these sentiments. Mormons envisioned divine deliverance through a range of violent scenarios, including plagues, natural disasters, foreign invasions, American Indian raids, slave uprisings, or civil war unleashed on American cities and people. They believed that these events would usher in a national rebirth that would safeguard the protections of the United States Constitution and finally end their oppression.

In his book "Terrible Revolution," Christopher James Blythe explores the prevalence of apocalypticism within the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, particularly as it manifested in the writings and visions of the laity. The responses of the church hierarchy to apocalyptic lay prophecies, on the one hand, fostered a form of separatist nationalism during the nineteenth century. These leaders sought to distance themselves from American political and cultural powers and promote their own distinct identity. However, as Utah obtained statehood and the church sought to assimilate into national religious norms, these same leaders began to navigate a delicate balance between maintaining their separatist ideals and engaging with American political and cultural forces.

As a result, visions of a violent end to the nation became a liability to disavow and regulate. The church leadership sought to downplay these apocalyptic beliefs and promote a more moderate and mainstream image, emphasizing their commitment to peace and cooperation with other religious and cultural groups. This shift in perspective was driven by a recognition of the practical benefits of maintaining good relations with the United States, including access to resources and political influence.

Despite these efforts, tensions between Mormons and American political and cultural powers remained. The church's stance on issues such as polygamy, religious freedom, and social reform often clashed with the prevailing norms and values of the broader society. This led to ongoing debates and controversies, which sometimes spilled over into violence and conflict.

In conclusion, the relationship between early Mormons and the United States was marked by anxiety, hostility, and a sense of anticipation for apocalyptic events. While the church sought to maintain its separatist ideals and promote its own distinct identity, it also recognized the practical benefits of engaging with American political and cultural forces. The responses of the church hierarchy to apocalyptic lay prophecies, while fostering separatist nationalism in the nineteenth century, eventually led to a shift in perspective that emphasized moderation and cooperation. Despite ongoing tensions and controversies, the relationship between Mormons and the United States has evolved over time, and the church has played a significant role in shaping American religious and cultural landscape.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197695159