I will now refer you to another most remarkable prophecy and its
fulfilment. Among the prominent men of Illinois, who befriended the
Saints when they were expelled from Missouri, was Stephen A. Douglas,
afterwards known as the "Little Giant," and who became one of the great
statesman of our nation. This man continued friendly to the Saints
for many years, and especially to Joseph Smith, in whose case he, as
an Illinois district judge, rendered a fair and impartial decision
at Monmouth, June 10, 1841, at a time when the Missourians were
endeavoring to get Joseph Smith into their power. After that he and
the Prophet exchanged visits, and on one occasion when Joseph dined
with him in Carthage, Illinois, May 18, 1843, {108} he listened to a
lengthy explanation from the Prophet about the Missouri persecutions.
Winding up the conversation, Joseph spoke of the dire effects that
would flow to the nation if the United States should refuse to redress
the wrongs of murder, arson and robbery committed against the Saints in
Missouri and the crimes committed upon the Saints by the officers of
the government. Turning to Judge Douglas he said:
"You will aspire to the presidency of the United States, and if ever
you turn your hand against me or the Latter-day Saints, you will
feel the weight of the hand of the Almighty upon you; and you will
live to see and know that I have testified the truth to you, for the
conversation of this day will stick to you through life."
This remarkable prophecy concerning Judge Douglas personally has had
a literal fulfilment. Judge Douglas continued to rise in prominence
in the nation as long as he remained a friend to the Saints. But,
finally he turned against them, and at the time the excitement ran
high against the "Mormons" in 1857, and preparations were being made
to send an army against the people of Utah, Judge Douglas thought he
would add a little to the great popularity he had already achieved
by doing the most popular thing that could be done at the time,
namely, denouncing the "Mormons." Hence, in a political speech which
he delivered in Springfield, Ill., June 12th, 1857, and which was
published in the _Missouri Republican_ of June 18th following and
partly republished with comments in the DESERET NEWS of September 2nd,
1857, Senator Douglas attacked the Saints in Utah in a most fierce and
unwarranted manner, and among many other bitter expressions which he
made, he called "Mormonism, a loathsome, disgusting ulcer," to which
he recommended that Congress apply the knife and cut it out. In the
DESERET NEWS of the date mentioned, the prophecy of Joseph Smith was
republished with warning remarks, directed to Mr. Douglas, who at that
time, in fulfilment of Joseph's words, was already aspiring to the
presidency of the United States. In the campaign of 1860 he became
the candidate of the Independent Democratic party for that position.
It is asserted that no man ever entered into a campaign with brighter
prospects of success than did Senator Douglas on that occasion. His
friends viewed him as sure to be seated in the Presidential chair,
because of his great popularity. But, alas, he and his friends had
reckoned without Divine interposition. He had lifted his hands against
the Saints of the Most High God and denounced the people whom {109} he
knew to be innocent and whom he ought to have defended. The result was
that he was sadly defeated at the election, as he only received two
electoral votes against seventeen cast for Abraham Lincoln (Republican)
and eleven cast for J. C. Breckenridge (Democrat).
When the result of the election became known in Utah Apostle Orson Hyde
published the following in the DESERET NEWS of December 12, 1860:
"EPHRAIM, Utah Ter., Nov. 27, 1860.
"Will the Judge now acknowledge that Joseph Smith was a true
Prophet? If he will not, does he recollect a certain conversation
had with Mr. Smith at the house of Sheriff Backenstos, in Carthage,
Illinois, in the year 1843, in which Mr. Smith said to him: 'You
will yet aspire to the presidency of the United States. But if you
ever raise your hand, or your voice against the Latter-day Saints,
you shall never be President of the United States.'
"Does Judge Douglas recollect that in a public speech delivered
by him in the year 1857, at Springfield, Illinois, of comparing
the Mormon community, then constituting the inhabitants of Utah
Territory, to a 'loathsome ulcer on the body politic,' and of
recommending the knife to be applied to cut it out?
"Among other things the Judge will doubtless recollect that I was
present and heard the conversation between him and Joseph Smith, at
Mr. Backenstos' residence in Carthage, before alluded to.
"Now, Judge, what think you about Joseph Smith and Mormonism?