[creekster]

I have heard the analysis that all bets were off when Joseph died before, but I have a hard time buying it, quite frankly, because it makes God look rather bad. If God knows everything, then he knows Joseph is going to die in 1844 so why would he tease him with this prophecy? I think the "fill in the blanks" idea, combined with a fervent desire to experience the end as well as the general millennialist fever of the times among the religious sects pushes Joseph to make these sort of proclamations, but I ma not sure that God ever told him the date.

I guess it doesn't matter to me too much, either (testimony wise, I mean). I do appreciate your post, Solon. Even when you don't get much feedback, I assure you that many here like reading your thoughts and the gems you find.