The ongoing conflict over tariffs between the Andrew Jackson administration and the state of South Carolina provided the background for this revelation. In particular, the dispute centered on the tariff of 1828 that South Carolina had declared “null and void,” threatening to secede from the union if forced to comply. This revelation characterized the rebellion of South Carolina as the beginning of global warfare that would preced Jesus’ Second Coming. The text later came to be viewed primarily as a prophecy of the American Civil War.

Frederick G. Williams recorded this text in Revelation Book 2 between December 1832 and January 1833 and identified it as “A Prophecy given Decm. 25th 1832.” A notation at the close of the text further elaborates, “Given by Joseph the Seer written by F G Williams.” Edward Partridge made a copy of the revelation possibly as early as spring 1833. Sidney Gilbert included a copy of the text in his revelation notebook, also in spring 1833. John Whitmer later recorded it in Revelation Book 1, where it is designated “Prophecy or Commandment given Decem. 25. 1832.” Aothough this revelation was never published in JS’s lifetime, other manuscript versions are extant.

Revelation, 25 Dec. 1832; handwriting of Frederick G. Williams; in Revelation Book 2, pp. 32–33; Revelations Collection, CHL.