The Revelations of James J. Strang
Shortly before the latter day Prophet Joseph Smith was murdered by a mob in violation of a pledge of protection given by the governor of Illinois, he received a vision wherein the calamities which were to befall the church were foretold, and foretelling the work to be done by James J. Strang. In a letter wherein Joseph Smith acquainted Mr. Strang with the facts, he predicted his own death and added:
"So spake the almighty God of heaven. Thy duty is made plain, and if thou lackest wisdom, ask of God in whose hands I trust thee, and he shall give thee unsparingly, for if evil befall me thou shalt lead the flock to pleasant pastures. God sustain thee.
"So spake the almighty God of heaven. Thy duty is made plain, and if thou lackest wisdom, ask of God in whose hands I trust thee, and he shall give thee unsparingly, for if evil befall me thou shalt lead the flock to pleasant pastures. God sustain thee.
Joseph Smith."
The careers of the two men closely parallel each other. Both received an ordination by heavenly personages, bother were severely persecuted, driven, and harassed from the beginning of their ministry, 'till the time of their murder at the hands of lovers of iniquity. Both battled mightily against the powers of evil in all its forms, and brought forth new truths by the power of God given to his prophets on earth. All manner of evil and slander have been heaped upon them, yet their names will shine in glory in the unborn ages, where evil shall be forgotten, and all shall be known for what they are: Then shall the righteous stand forth, and high above the ranks of glorified Saints will be found the two great Prophets of the Latter Days, JOSEPH SMITH, and his successor James J. Strang.