In the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), God’s omniscience means He sees all time—past, present, and future—as continually present before Him (Doctrine and Covenants 130:6-7). This allows Him to prophesy future events with perfect accuracy, as the future is as real to Him as the present is to us. However, this divine foreknowledge introduces a fascinating paradox: when God reveals a prophecy, it influences the present, which is also before Him, potentially altering the very future He foresees. This post explores this paradox, examining how prophecies can be self-defeating, self-fulfilling, or post facto reassuring, and how God navigates this as a God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2), using His foreknowledge to guide us while preserving our agency.

In a previous post on God dwelling in one Eternal Now I hypothesize a God who observes the future without interfering with us. As promised, this is the follow-up post in which we consider the truer hypothetical of a God who actually interacts with us, all without destroying our agency.

The Paradox of Prophecy

The paradox arises because God’s act of prophesying can shape human behavior, which in turn affects the future. If God warns us of a future event, our response might prevent it (self-defeating), cause it (self-fulfilling), or only make sense after it occurs (post facto reassuring). Let’s explore these outcomes with examples:

Self-defeating prophecies

Imagine being told, “You will stub your toe today.” This warning might prompt you to wear protective shoes, avoiding the injury. Had the prophecy not been given, you might have gone barefoot and stubbed your toe, making the prophecy true. By revealing it, God influences the present, potentially defeating the foreseen outcome. This raises a challenge: as a God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2), God avoids prophecies that would be nullified by human response.

Self-fulfilling prophecies

Conversely, a prophecy might inspire action that fulfills it. For example, if God reveals, “You will win the lottery today,” you might buy a ticket you otherwise wouldn’t have, leading to the prophesied win. Here, the prophecy itself causes the outcome, aligning with God’s foreknowledge but raising questions about agency, as the revelation influences the choice.

Post Facto Reassuring Prophecies

Some prophecies are cryptic, only understood after fulfillment. For instance, many Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah (e.g., Isaiah 7:14) were not fully clear until Jesus Christ’s life. These prophecies have limited influence on behavior beforehand but, once fulfilled, strengthen faith in God’s omniscience, as seen in 2 Nephi 25:7-8, where Nephi notes that prophecies become clear in their fulfillment.

Some prophecies are not cryptic, but its audience is restricted until the prophecy has been fulfilled. For example Alma (the Younger) told Helaman in Alma 45:9:

But behold, I have somewhat to prophesy unto thee; but what I prophesy unto thee ye shall not make known; yea, what I prophesy unto thee shall not be made known, even until the prophecy is fulfilled; therefore write the words which I shall say.

God’s Navigation of the Paradox

Given this paradox, how does God, who knows all outcomes, choose which prophecies to reveal? LDS doctrine suggests God carefully selects prophecies that align with His purposes—either inevitable events or those fulfilled because of His influence—while preserving human agency. Elder Neal A. Maxwell, in his talk “All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience” (1979, p. 17), taught that God’s foreknowledge includes all possible choices and outcomes, allowing Him to guide us without compelling us. As a God who cannot lie, He avoids self-defeating prophecies that would undermine His truthfulness.

Consider warnings like those in Alma 12:33-34, where God calls His people to repent or face destruction. Such prophecies present two paths—repentance or consequences—because, to mortals, the choice is not yet made. God knows the outcome, as He sees all time, but He respects agency by offering informed choices. For example, in the Book of Jonah, God’s warning to Nineveh prompted repentance, averting destruction (Jonah 3:10). This shows that God’s foreknowledge includes potential outcomes, and His prophecies can guide behavior without dictating it.

Preserving Agency in Prophecy

A key concern is whether God’s foreknowledge or prophecies compromise agency. If God were to say, “You will repent and be blessed,” it might feel like predestination, potentially prompting rebellion or complacency, as the prophecy could influence behavior counter to the foreseen outcome. Instead, God often frames prophecies as conditional warnings, as in Doctrine and Covenants 82:10: “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” This approach, as Elder James E. Talmage noted in Jesus the Christ (1916, p. 29), reflects God’s foresight of “the future as a state which naturally and surely will be; not as one which must be because He has arbitrarily willed that it shall be.”

The LDS emphasis on agency is clear in teachings like 2 Nephi 2:27, which states, “Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man.” God’s prophecies, whether warnings or promises, are designed to inform and guide, not coerce. For instance, when modern prophets like President Russell M. Nelson warn of challenges and urge preparation (e.g., “Embrace the Future with Faith,” October 2020 General Conference), they reflect God’s foreknowledge while encouraging us to act righteously, preserving our freedom to choose.

The Role of Coded Prophecies

Coded or post facto reassuring prophecies play a unique role. Prophecies like those in Daniel 2, which foretold the rise and fall of kingdoms, were often vague until fulfilled, limiting their influence on immediate behavior but confirming God’s omniscience afterward. As Nephi taught in 2 Nephi 25:7-8, such prophecies become “of great worth” when understood, building faith. This approach allows God to reveal His knowledge without directly altering human choices, balancing the paradox.

Practical Implications for Faith

Understanding the paradox of prophecy deepens our appreciation for God’s wisdom. His revelations, whether through ancient prophets like Isaiah or modern ones like President Nelson, guide us toward eternal goals while respecting our agency. As we respond to prophetic warnings, we exercise faith, knowing that God sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9-10) and prepares a way for us to succeed (1 Nephi 3:7). This balance encourages us to act responsibly, trusting in His omniscience while owning our choices.

Conclusion

The paradox of prophecy highlights the intricate balance between God’s foreknowledge and human agency. By revealing prophecies that are inevitable, self-fulfilling, or post facto reassuring, God guides us without compromising our freedom. As a God who cannot lie, He carefully crafts revelations to align with His purposes, as seen in scriptures like Alma 12 and teachings from prophets like Elder Maxwell. In the LDS perspective, prophecies are not constraints but invitations to align our will with God’s, strengthening our faith and agency as we navigate life’s choices.