A harmony of accounts of Jesus' Olivet Prophecy


Regarding the 1st Century A.D.

Joseph Smith--Matthew Matthew 23:39; 24 Mark 13 Luke 21 Doctrine & Covenants 45
1 For I say unto you, that ye shall not see me henceforth and know that I am he of whom it is written by the prophets, until ye shall say: Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord, in the clouds of heaven, and all the holy angels with him. Then understood his disciples that he should come again on the earth, after that he was glorified and crowned on the right hand of God. 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
2 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple; and his disciples came to him, for to hear him, saying: Master, show us concerning the buildings of the temple, as thou hast said They shall be thrown down, and left unto you desolate. 1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to [him] for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings [are here]! 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 18 And now ye behold this temple which is in Jerusalem, which ye call the house of God, and your enemies say that this house shall never fall.
19 But, verily I say unto you, that desolation shall come upon this generation as a thief in the night, and this people shall be destroyed and scattered among all nations.
3 And Jesus said unto them: See ye not all these things, and do ye not understand them? Verily I say unto you, there shall not be left here, upon this temple, one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down. 2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 6 [As for] these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 20 And this temple which ye now see shall be thrown down that there shall not be left one stone upon another.
4 And Jesus left them, and went upon the Mount of Olives. And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying: Tell us when shall these things be which thou hast said concerning the destruction of the temple, and the Jews; and what is the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world, or the destruction of the wicked, which is the end of the world? 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign [will there be] when these things shall come to pass?
5 And Jesus answered, and said unto them: Take heed that no man deceive you; 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any [man] deceive you: 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived:
6 For many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ and shall deceive many; 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and shall deceive many. 8b for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
7 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations, for my name's sake; 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute [you], delivering [you] up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
11 But when they shall lead [you], and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye pre meditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. 14 Settle [it] therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
8 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another; 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against [their] parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and [some] of you shall they cause to be put to death.
9 And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many; 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
10 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold; 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
11 But he that remaineth steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 13 And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 17 And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake.
18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
12 When you, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, concerning the destruc tion of Jerusalem, then you shall stand in the holy place; whoso readeth let him understand. 15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spo ken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) 20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
13 Then let them who are in Judea flee into the mountains; 16 Then let them which be in Judæa flee into the mountains: 14b then let them that be in Judæa flee to the mountains: 21 Then let them which are in Judæa flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
14 Let him who is on the housetop flee, and not return to take anything out of his house; 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter [therein], to take any thing out of his house:
15 Neither let him who is in the field return back to take his clothes; 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
16 And wo unto them that are with child, and unto them that give suck in those days; 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
17 Therefore, pray ye the Lord that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day; 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
18 For then, in those days, shall be great tribulation on the Jews, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, such as was not before sent upon Israel, of God, since the beginning of their kingdom until this time; no, nor ever shall be sent again upon Israel. 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 19 For [in] those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, 21 And it shall come to pass, that this generation of Jews shall not pass away until every desolation which I have told you concerning them shall come to pass.
19 All things which have be fallen them are only the beginning of the sorrows which shall come upon them. 8 All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.
20 And except those days should be shortened, there should none of their flesh be saved; but for the elect's sake, according to the covenant, those days shall be shortened. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
21 Behold, these things I have spoken unto you concerning the Jews; 24 And this I have told you concerning Jerusalem; and when that day shall come, shall a remnant be scattered among all nations;
24b until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 25 But they shall be gathered again; but they shall remain until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.


Regarding the Latter Days

Joseph Smith--Matthew Matthew 24 Mark 13 Luke 21 Doctrine and Covenants 45
16 And I will show it plainly as I showed it unto my disciples as I stood before them in the flesh, and spake unto them, saying: As ye have asked of me concerning the signs of my coming, in the day when I shall come in my glory in the clouds of heaven, to fulfil the promises that I have made unto your fathers,
17 For as ye have looked upon the long absence of your spirits from your bodies to be a bondage, I will show unto you how the day of redemption shall come, and also the restoration of the scattered Israel.
21b and again, after the tribula tion of those days which shall come upon Jerusalem, if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe him not; 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not. 21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here [is] Christ; or, lo, [he is] there; believe [him] not:
22 For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall de ceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and won ders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to se duce, if [it were] possible, even the elect.
23 Behold, I speak these things unto you for the elect's sake; and you also shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled, for all I have told you must come to pass; but the end is not yet. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 26a And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars,
24 Behold, I have told you before; 25 Behold, I have told you before. 23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
25 Wherefore, if they shall say unto you: Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: Behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not; 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, [he is] in the secret chambers; believe [it] not.
26 For as the light of the morning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, and covereth the whole earth, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
27 And now I show unto you a parable. Behold, wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together; so likewise shall mine elect be gathered from the four quarters of the earth. 28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
28 And they shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for [such things] must needs be; but the end [shall] not [be] yet. 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end [is] not by and by.
29 Behold I speak for mine elect's sake; for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these [are] the beginnings of sorrows. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
30 And again, because iniquity shall abound, the love of men shall wax cold; but he that shall not be overcome, the same shall be saved. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
27 And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound.
31 And again, this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come, or the destruction of the wicked; 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 28 And when the times of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fulness of my gospel;
29 But they receive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men.
30 And in that generation shall the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
31 And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land.
32 But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die.
33 And there shall be earthquakes also in divers places, and many desolations; yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword, one against another, and they will kill one another.
32 And again shall the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, be fulfilled.
39 And it shall come to pass that he that feareth me shall be looking forth for the great day of the Lord to come, even for the signs of the coming of the Son of Man.
40 And they shall see signs and wonders, for they shall be shown forth in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath.
33 And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 29 Immediately after the tribula tion of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26b for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
26b and the whole earth shall be in commotion,
41 And they shall behold blood, and fire, and vapors of smoke.
42 And before the day of the Lord shall come, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood, and the stars fall from heaven.
26a Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth:
26c and men's hearts shall fail them,
26d and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth. 34 Verily, I say unto you, this generation, in which these things shall be shown forth, shall not pass away until all I have told you shall be fulfilled.
35 Although, the days will come, that heaven and earth shall pass away; yet my words shall not pass away, but all shall be fulfilled.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
22 Ye say that ye know that the end of the world cometh; ye say also that ye know that the heav ens and the earth shall pass away;
23 And in this ye say truly, for so it is; but these things which I have told you shall not pass away until all shall be fulfilled.
34 And now, when I the Lord had spoken these words unto my disciples, they were troubled.
35 And I said unto them: Be not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled.
43 And the remnant shall be gathered unto this place; 36 And, as I said before, after the tribulation of those days, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken, then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn; and they shall see the Son of Man coming the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory; 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
44 And then they shall look for me, and, behold, I will come; and they shall see me in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great glory; with all the holy angels; 37 And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived, for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before him with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the remainder of his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
45 But before the arm of the Lord shall fall, an angel shall sound his trump, and the saints that have slept shall come forth to meet me in the cloud.
46 Wherefore, if ye have slept in peace blessed are you; for as you now behold me and know that I am, even so shall ye come unto me and your souls shall live, and your redemption shall be perfected; and the saints shall come forth from the four quarters of the earth.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
36a And when the light shall begin to break forth, 38 Now learn a parable of the fig-tree When its branches are yet tender, and it begins to put forth leaves, you know that sum mer is nigh at hand; 32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh: 28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
36b it shall be with them like unto a parable which I will show you
37 Ye look and behold the fig-trees, and ye see them with your eyes, and ye say when they begin to shoot forth, and their leaves are yet tender, that summer is now nigh at hand;
39 So likewise, mine elect, when they shall see all these things, they shall know that he is near, even at the doors; 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors. 29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, [even] at the doors. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
38 Even so it shall be in that day when they shall see all these things, then shall they know that the hour is nigh. 40 But of that day, and hour, no one knoweth; no, not the angels of God in heaven, but my Father only. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 32 But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
41 But as it was in the days of Noah, so it shall be also at the coming of the Son of Man; 37 But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
42 For it shall be with them, as it was in the days which were before the flood; for until the day that Noah entered into the ark they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage; 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
43 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
44 Then shall be fulfilled that which is written, that in the last days, two shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left; 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
45 Two shall be grinding at the mill, the one shall be taken, and the other left; 41 Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
46 And what I say unto one, I say unto all men; watch, there fore, for you know not at what hour your Lord doth come. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
47 But know this, if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to have been broken up, but would have been ready. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 34 [For the Son of man is] as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
48 Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
49 Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
50 Blessed is that servant whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing; and verily I say unto you, he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 46 Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
51 But if that evil servant shall say in his heart: My lord delayeth his coming, 48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
52 And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken, 49 And shall begin to smite [his] fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life,
53 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and in an hour that he is not aware of, 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 34b and [so] that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
44b and he that watches not for me shall be cut off. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
47 Then shall the arm of the Lord fall upon the nations.
48 And then shall the Lord set his foot upon this mount, and it shall cleave in twain, and the earth shall tremble, and reel to and fro, and the heavens also shall shake.
54 And shall cut him asunder, and shall appoint him his portion with the hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
55 And thus cometh the end of the wicked, according to the prophecy of Moses, saying: They shall be cut off from among the people;
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
49 And the Lord shall utter his voice, and all the ends of the earth shall hear it; and the na tions of the earth shall mourn, and they that have laughed shall see their folly.
50 And calamity shall cover the mocker, and the scorner shall be consumed; and they that have watched for iniquity shall be hewn down and cast into the fire.
51 And then shall the Jews look upon me and say: What are these wounds in thine hands and in thy feet?
52 Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God.
53 And then shall they weep because of their iniquities; then shall they lament because they persecuted their king.
54 And then shall the heathen nations be redeemed, and they that knew no law shall have part in the first resurrection; and it shall be tolerable for them.
55 And Satan shall be bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men.
56 And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.
57 For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.
58 And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.
59 For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver.
55b but the end of the earth is not yet, but by and by.


Notes

I used Joseph Smith--Matthew as the base text against which the others are ordered for several reasons. One of the most important differences between the Joseph Smith translation of the text and the rendition in Matthew 24 is a major reordering of verses, revealing the true chronological order of events. In the JST of Matthew 24, verses 1-21a clearly refer to prophetic events which were fulfilled in the first century A.D. when Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed, the Christians were persecuted both from without and from within, and the Gentiles retained heavy-handed political control over the region. JST Matthew 24, verses 21b-55 refer to prophecies of the last days. This clear delineation between the two time periods clarifies meaning and helps identify the portion of Jesus' message dealing with our time.

A second reason for using the JST as the chronological basis is that the Lord planned for the bulk of revelation on this subject to be given through the translation process, as he said in D&C 45:60: "And now, behold, I say unto you, it shall not be given unto you to know any further concerning this chapter, until the New Testament be translated, and in it all these things shall be made known." This is interesting, because it means that even though the Lord had on occasion spoken directly with the Prophet Joseph Smith, he chose not to plainly restate this particular prophecy word for word as it flowed from his mouth originally, nor did he explain it in a new light, but rather he used the extant texts as inspiration for the Prophet to edit and clarify. This helps illuminate the processes by which the Lord gives prophecy and revelation: not always as a linear message.

The most difficult section to synchronize was D&C 45, probably because it is the only latter-day version of this prophecy we have. The other four are Greek texts with varying degrees of accuracy, or in the case of the JST, based on a Greek text. D&C 45, however, was revealed directly to the Prophet by the Lord for our time. It focuses therefore much more on the latter-day aspects of the prophecy but still ties in the first century portions because the two are so similar and thus intermingled.

Perhaps it is easier for us to understand the future by studying the past than it is to be told point blank what will happen. Or perhaps it better preserves agency and the role of faith and inspiration through diligent study.


Compilation and notes by Jon C. Jensen, August 1995. Revised January 1999.