D&C Section 87:2-3

D&C 87:2–3 – Prophecy of Global War and Division (December 25, 1832)

In a revelation given on December 25, 1832, the Lord expanded upon the warning in Doctrine and Covenants 87:1, describing not only the coming Civil War but the eventual outpouring of war upon all nations. Verses 2 and 3 of this section build dramatically from the initial prophecy, transforming what begins as a national rebellion into a sweeping global vision of conflict and chaos. This remarkable foresight revealed a trajectory that would span decades, even centuries, affecting the entire world.

From One Rebellion to a World on Fire

Verse 2 declares with chilling clarity, “The time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning at this place.” The phrase “this place” refers to the United States, specifically the rebellion in South Carolina referenced in verse 1. But this is not merely about one war—it is a revelation of a pattern. The Lord warns that the spirit of conflict, once unleashed, would not be confined to American soil. It would spread, like wildfire, to engulf nations across the earth. By the time the Civil War broke out in 1861, this prophecy already had historical traction. And as the decades progressed, the pattern continued: the First World War erupted in 1914, drawing in dozens of nations. Not long after, the Second World War would follow with even greater devastation. The idea that war would be “poured out upon all nations” now reads not as hyperbole but as painfully accurate prophecy.

A Nation Torn in Two and the Reach of Empire

Verse 3 dives deeper into the specifics: “For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States…” This precise foreshadowing of the Union versus Confederacy split is one of the most striking examples of prophetic clarity in modern scripture. At the time of this revelation, no American was speaking openly of a North-South civil war. Yet, less than thirty years later, this division would become the bloodiest conflict in U.S. history.

Even more fascinating is the statement that “the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called.” During the Civil War, the Confederacy did seek support from Great Britain and other European powers, hoping they would recognize the Confederacy and aid them, particularly because of their economic reliance on Southern cotton. Though Britain never formally joined the conflict, diplomatic efforts and international intrigue played a significant role in the war’s trajectory.

This verse continues with a powerful crescendo: “…and then war shall be poured out upon all nations.” This idea shifts the reader’s focus from a single domestic conflict to the sobering reality that war, once unleashed, often cannot be contained. Prophecy here moves from the national to the global, from conflict to consequence, from division to devastation.

Prophetic Accuracy and a Global Warning

Doctrine and Covenants 87:2–3 is a profound reminder that divine foresight transcends borders, decades, and governments. In a time when America was still relatively young and isolationist in mindset, Joseph Smith recorded a revelation that not only predicted a war between states, but envisioned a future where war would become a global epidemic. This passage is not merely a historical curiosity—it is a call to awareness. It reminds us that choices made in rebellion, pride, and aggression ripple outward. When nations divide and call upon alliances to fortify against one another, a chain reaction of conflict is often set in motion. The Lord’s words in these verses are both prophecy and warning, urging individuals and nations alike to seek peace, unity, and divine guidance in the face of growing turmoil.