Mighty & Strong

There exists a belief among Latter-day Saints that a great prophet will come and “set in order” the their church:

7 And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send ONE MIGHTY and STRONG, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, TO SET IN ORDER THE HOUSE OF GOD, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God; (D&C 85, Kirtland, Ohio, November 27, 1832)

They speculate, Joseph Smith Jr. is the One Mighty and Strong, and suggest he will yet fulfill that prophecy after he resurrects. But his purported prophecy hi-jacks an important Book of Mormon prophecy:

24 And there shall rise up ONE MIGHTY among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work MIGHTY WONDERS, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren. (2 Nephi 3)

The expression “one mighty” is not found anywhere else. Why is this important? Because Mormons believe that Book of Mormon prophecy is speaking of Joseph Smith Jr. and to have already been fulfilled. 

Book of Mormon witness David Whitmer disavowed later revelations by Joseph Smith Jr., because Joseph no longer had the anointing or the tool to receive revelation as he did while transmitting The Holy Book of Mormon.

It was David’s view that the One Mighty and related Choice Seer prophecies would yet be fulfilled by someone else. See Doctrine>Choice Seer for details, as well as Key Concepts>The New Jerusalem.