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Question: Did Joseph Smith issue a prophecy that the Nauvoo House would stand forever and ever?
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Question: Did Joseph Smith issue a prophecy that the Nauvoo House would stand forever and ever?
This scripture is a command to build the Nauvoo House, not a prophecy that it would last forever
This scripture is not a prophecy that the Nauvoo House would stand "forever and ever." It is a command to build the Nauvoo house, and to permit Joseph and his family to "have place therein" "forever and ever." Leaders of the Church constantly encouraged members in Nauvoo to live up to this commandment. Due to a lack of funds, workmen, and materials, the Saints eventually focused on the command to build the Nauvoo Temple (see DC 124:55.) God may issue commands, but such commands are not always obeyed. And, God may alter commands if the free agent choices of enemies alter the situation, as the same section of the D&C could tell the critics, if they read the entirety (DC 124:49).
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