What were the odds that Joseph Smith’s name would be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, and that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people?

What was so special about Joseph Smith that his name is had for good and evil around the world today?

Michael R. Ash comments:

On the twenty-first of September, 1823, after retiring to bed, Joseph Smith prayed that he might know his standing before God. While praying, a light appeared in his room, followed by a personage clothed in white. The messenger identified himself as Moroni and said that God had a work for Joseph, that his name would be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, and that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people (Joseph Smith History 1:32-33).
This prophecy was delivered seven years before the Book of Mormon was published and the Church was organized. Since that time, church membership has doubled every fifteen years and now has over fifteen million members. It is the fourth largest Christian religion in the United States, with over 80,000 missionaries. This is quite an achievement for a religion which the critics of Joseph Smith’s day predicted would fizzle out after the Prophet’s death.
– Michael R. Ash – Faith and Reason 5: Joseph Smith’s Name Known Worldwide

Why would Joseph Smith take a chance on mentioning this prophecy? What were the odds it would be fulfilled?

See:

Michael R. Ash – Faith and Reason 5: Joseph Smith’s Name Known Worldwide

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