Visions of the Latter Days
by Kevin Kraut
(A compilation of futuristic visions of LDS prophets)

http://ogdenkraut.com/Visions%20of%20the%20Latter%20Days.htm
This is copyrighted material. It may be duplicated for educational purposes only. And, only in it’s entirety.

Kevin Kraut
Visions of the Latter Days
Pioneer Press
P.O. Box 201
Santaquin, UT 84655
September
1983
Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor. (D. & C. 88:81)
* * * * *
And again, verily I say unto you, O inhabitants of the earth; I the Lord am willing to make these things known unto all flesh; For I am no respecter of persons, and will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion. And also the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon Idumea, or the world. (D. & C. 1:34-36)
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
PART 1. VISIONS PERTAINING TO THE RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL
The Vision of Lucious Gration . . . . 7
Oliver Cowdery’s Vision . . . . . . 9
David Whitmer’s Testimony and Vision of
Moroni . . . . . . . . 13
The Vision of Heaven . . . . . . 17
Kirtland Visions:
Joseph Smith’s Vision and Revelation . . 21
Priesthood Quorum Visions . . . . 24
Vision and Revelation at Temple Dedication . 27
Vision of Elder Burgess . . . . . 29
The Last Dream of Joseph Smith . . . . 31
Salt Lake Temple Vision . . . . . . 35
PART 2. PROPHETIC VISIONS OF FUTURE EVENTS
The George Washington Vision . . . . . 39
The White Horse Prophecy . . . . . . 47
The Charles D. Evans Vision . . . . . 55
The Cardston Temple Vision . . . . . 65
The Dream of the Plagues . . . . . . 79
The Vision of S.M. Farnsworth . . . . . 85
The Vision of M. Sirrine . . . . . . 89
The Vision of Amanda Wilcox . . . . . 95
The Vision of John Taylor . . . . . 99
The Vision of John Taylor . . . . . 103
(as related by Wilford Woodruff)
Newman Bulkley Vision . . . . . . 109
The Vision of Thomas Cardon . . . . . 115
The Vision of Lorin C. Woolley . . . . 119
The Vision of A. Erickson . . . . . 121
PART 3. VISIONS OF DEPARTED SPIRITS AND OF THE SAVIOR
Vision of the Signers of the Declaration
of Independence and U.S. Presidents . . 137
Vision of Departed Spirits . . . . . 139
Manifestations of the Savior:
Vision of Lorenzo Snow . . . . . 143
Manifestation to Melvin J. Ballard . . . 146
Dream of Orson F. Whitney . . . . 147
CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION
There are various kinds of spiritual gifts that emanate from God, among which are the blessings of visions and dreams. These were promised by the Savior to those who became worthy members of His Church and Kingdom.
These manifestations are not only a miraculous evidence to the divine approval of the Restoration of the Gospel, but they are also informative, instructive and comforting to those who receive them. Written accounts of these visions may also be inspiring and helpful to those who read them. Whatever truths they contain may be enlightening, for it is upon this premise that all scripture–and the inspired writings of men are founded. These may be as important and revealing to men today as they were a hundred, or even thousands of years ago.
The following visions are merely a representation of many that have been given to the Latter-day Saints. Some of them may be classed as apocryphal but prophetic. Some of their predictions have already been fulfilled, while others may yet be realized. The reader will probably find them of great interest and also of great importance, for prophecy may save a person’s life–perhaps even his soul.
[5] Part I
Visions pertaining to the Restoration of the Gospel
[7] THE VISION OF LUCIOUS GRATION
The following vision was printed in a book called The Hope of Zion in about the year 1739. It was attributed to a Catholic Priest by the name of Lucious Gration.
“The old time gospel with the gifts thereof, are lost. False doctrines prevail in every church and in every land. All we can do is to exhort the people to be just, fear God, and shun evil, and pray, pray.
“Prayer and purity may cause an angel to visit a deep and distressed soul. But I tell you God will, in one hundred years, have spoken again. He will restore the old church again. I see a little people led by a prophet and faithful elders. They are persecuted, burned and murdered, but in a little valley that lies on the shores of a great lake, they will grow and make a beautiful land, have a temple of magnificent splendor, and also possess the old priesthood with Apostles, Prophets, Teachers and Deacons. From every nation will true believers be gathered by speedy messengers and then will God, the Almighty, speak to the disobedient nations with thunder, lightnings and destruction, such as never heard of in history.
* * *
[8] This book The Hope of Zion was found in the University Library in Basel, Switzerland. Robert Smith acknowledged its existence in his book called The Last Days, page 148, and wrote:
Elder Carl Geistner, copied the above from the book in Basel and Elder Hiram Harris and others claim to have seen the prediction in 1920. Elder Carl Weiss of Salt Lake City on September 17, 1931, stated that he positively read the same prediction in a book in the University Library at Basel, Switzerland in 1921, but did not think to get the page number or other identification.
Since printing the first edition, we have had several others testify that they had read the same prediction in Basel.
Elder Enoch Muelenstein of Lund, Idaho, also saw it while serving a mission in Switzerland; however, on a return trip there, he was unable to find the book. Apparently, no other copies have never been found.
[9] OLIVER COWDERY’S VISION
One of the first visions recorded in the restoration of the Gospel was reported by Oliver Cowdery. He wrote the following account of the vision of John the Baptist.
The Lord, who is rich in mercy, and ever willing to answer the consistent prayer of the humble, after we had called Him in a fervent manner, aside from the abodes of men, condescended to manifest to us His will. On a sudden, as from the midst of eternity, the voice of the Redeemer spake peace to us. While the veil was parted, the angel of God came down clothed with glory, and delivered the anxiously looked for message, and the keys of the gospel of repentance. What joy! what wonder what amazement! While the world was racked and distracted–while millions were groping as the blind for the wall, and while all men were resting upon uncertainty, as a general mass, our eyes beheld, our ears heard, as in the “blaze of day”; yes, more–above the glitter of the May sunbeam, which then shed its brilliancy over the face of nature! Then his voice, though mild, pierced to the center, and his words, “I am thy fellow-servant,” dispelled every fear. We listened, we gazed, we admired! ‘Twas the voice of an angel, from glory; ’twas a message from the Most High! And as we heard we rejoiced, while His love enkindled upon our souls, and we were wrapped in the vision of the Almighty! Where was room for doubt? Nowhere; uncertainty had fled; doubt had sunk no more to rise, while fiction and deception had fled forever!
[10] But, dear brother, think, further think for a moment, what joy filled our hearts, and with what surprise we must have bowed, (for who would not have bowed the knee for such a blessing?) when we received under his hand the Holy Priesthood as he said, “Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer this Priesthood and this authority, which shall remain upon earth, that the Sons of Levi may yet offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness!”
I shall not attempt to paint to you the feelings of this heart, nor the majestic beauty and glory which surrounded us on this occasion; but you will believe me when I say, that earth, nor men, with the eloquence of time, cannot begin to clothe language in as interesting and sublime a manner as this holy personage. No; nor has this earth power to give the joy, to bestow the peace, or comprehend the wisdom which was contained in each sentence as they were delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit! Man may deceive his fellowmen, deception may follow deception, and the children of the wicked one may have power to seduce the foolish and untaught, till naught but fiction feeds the many, and the fruit of falsehood carries in its current the giddy to the grave; but one touch with the finger of his love, yes, one ray of glory, from the upper world, or one word from the mouth of the Savior, from the bosom of eternity, strikes it all into insignificance, and blots it forever from the mind. The assurance that we were in the presence of an angel, the certainty that we heard the voice of Jesus, and the truth unsullied as it flowed from a pure personage, dictated by the will of God, is to me past description, and I shall ever look upon this expression of the Savior’s goodness with wonder and thanksgiving while I am permitted to [11] tarry; and in those mansions where perfection dwells and sin never comes, I hope to adore in that day which shall never cease. (Times and Seasons, Vol. 2, p. 201)
[12] * * * * *
No language could be so framed as to convey to him an understanding of what a spiritual man could easily comprehend by vision. To see naturally is a great gift; but to see spiritually is incomparably greater; the former is extremely limited in its field of vision; the latter pierces the universe. (“Masterful Discourses of Orson Pratt”, p. 564)
* * * * *
[13] DAVID WHITMER’S
TESTIMONY AND VISION OF MORONI
This testimony was given to Apostles Orson Pratt and Joseph F. Smith on September 7, 1878, in an interview.
Elder Orson Pratt to David Whitmer: “Do you remember what time you saw the plates?”
David Whitmer: “It was in June, 1829, the latter part of the month, and the Eight Witnesses saw them, I think, the next day or the day after (i.e., one or two days after). Joseph showed them the plates himself, but the angel showed us (the Three Witnesses) the plates, as I suppose to fulfill the words of the book itself. Martin Harris was not with us at this time; he obtained a view of them afterwards (the same day). Joseph, Oliver and myself were together when I saw them. We not only saw the plates of the Book of Mormon, but also the brass plates, the plates of the Book of Ether, the plates containing the records of the wickedness and secret abominations of the people of the world down to the time of their being engraved, and many other plates. The fact is, it was just as though Joseph, Oliver and I were sitting just here on a log, when we were overshadowed by a light. It was not like the light of the sun, nor like that of a fire, but more glorious and beautiful. It extended away round us, I cannot tell how far, but in the midst of this light about as far off as he sits (pointing to John C. Whitmer, sitting a few feet from him), there appeared, as it were, a table with many records or plates upon it, besides [14] the plates of the Book of Mormon, also the sword of Laban, the directors (i.e., the ball which Lehi had) and the interpreters. I saw them just as plain as I see this bed (striking the bed beside him with his hand), and I heard the voice of the Lord, as distinctly as I ever heard anything in my life, declaring that the records of the plates of the Book of Mormon were translated by the gift and power of God.”
Pratt: “Did you see the angel at this time?”
Whitmer: “Yes, he stood before us. Our testimony as recorded in the Book of Mormon is strictly absolutely true, just as it is there written. Before I knew Joseph, I had heard about him and the plates from persons who declared they knew he had them, and swore they would get them from him. When Oliver Cowdery went to Pennsylvania, he promised to write me what he should learn about these matters, which he did. He wrote me that Joseph had told him his (Oliver’s) secret thoughts, and all he had meditated about going to see him, which no man on earth knew, as he supposed, but himself; and so he stopped to write for Joseph.
“Soon after this, Joseph sent for me (Whitmer) to come to Harmony to get him and Oliver and bring them to my father’s house. I did not know what to do; I was pressed with my work. I had some twenty acres to plow, so I concluded I would finish plowing and then go. I got up one morning to go to work as usual, and on going to the field, found between five and seven acres of my ground had been plowed during the night. I don’t know who did it; but it was done just as I would have done it myself, and the plow was left standing in the furrow. This enabled me to start sooner.
[15] “When I arrived at Harmony, Joseph and Oliver were coming toward me, and met me some distance from the house. Oliver told me that Joseph had informed him when I started from home, where I had stopped the first night, how I read the sign at the tavern, where I stopped the next night, etc., and that I would be there that day before dinner, and this was why they had come out to meet me; all of which was exactly as Joseph had told Oliver, at which I was greatly astonished.
“When I was returning to Fayette, with Joseph and Oliver, all of us riding in the wagon, Oliver and I on an old-fashioned wooden spring seat and Joseph behind us–when traveling along in a clear open place, a very pleasant, nice-looking old man suddenly appeared by the side of our wagon and saluted us with, `Good morning, it is very warm,’ at the same time wiping his face or forehead with his hand. We returned the salutation, and, by a sign from Joseph, I invited him to ride if he was going our way. But he said very pleasantly, `No, I am going to Cumorah.’ This name was something new to me; I did not know what Cumorah meant. We all gazed at him and at each other, and as I looked around enquiringly of Joseph, the old man instantly disappeared, so that I did not see him again.”
Joseph F. Smith: “Did you notice his appearance?”
Whitmer: “I should think I did. He was, I should think, about five feet eight or nine inches tall and heavy set, about such a man as James Vancleave there, but heavier; his face was as large; he was dressed in a suit of brown woolen clothes; his hair and beard were white, like Brother Pratt’s, but his [16] beard was not so heavy. I also remember that he bad on his back a sort of knapsack with something in, shaped like a book. It was the messenger who had the plates, who had taken them from Joseph just prior to our starting from Harmony. Soon after our arrival home, I saw something which led me to the belief that the plates were placed or concealed in my father’s barn. I frankly asked Joseph if my supposition was right, and he told me it was.
“Some time after this, my mother was going to milk the cows, when she was met out near the yard by the same old man (judging by her description of him), who said to her: `You have been very faithful and diligent in your labors, but you are tired because of the increase in your toil; it is proper, therefore, that you should receive a witness that your faith may be strengthened.’ Thereupon he showed her the plates. My father and mother had a large family of their own; the addition to it, therefore, of Joseph, his wife Emma and Oliver very greatly increased the toil and anxiety of my mother. And although she had never complained, she had sometimes felt that her labor was too much, or at least she was perhaps beginning to feel so. This circumstance, however, completely removed all such feelings and nerved her up for her increased responsibilities.” (Biographical Encyclopedia 1:266-267)
[17] THE VISION OF HEAVEN
By Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon
Ohio–1832
I was with Joseph the next morning after he was tarred and feathered by a mob in the town of Hyrum. After he had washed and dressed in clean clothes, I heard him to say to Sidney Rigdon, who was also tarred and feathered, “Now, Sidney, we are ready to go on that mission,” having reference to a command of God to go to Jackson County, Missouri, and which they had deferred to comply with until they should have accomplished some work which they had planned, but never did accomplish.
The vision is recorded in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants and was given at the house of “Father Johnson”, in Hyrum, Ohio; and during the time that Joseph and Sidney were in the spirit and saw the heavens open, there were other men in the room, perhaps twelve, among whom I was one during a part of the time–probably two-thirds of the time–I saw the glory and felt the power, but did not see the vision.
The events and conversation, while they were seeing what is written (and many things were seen and related that are not written), I will relate as minutely as is necessary.
[18] Joseph would, at intervals, say: “What do l see?” as one might say while looking out the window and beholding what all in the room could not see. Then he would relate what he had seen or what he was looking at. Then Sidney Rigdon replied, “I see the same.” Presently Sidney would say, “What do I see?” and would repeat what he had seen or was seeing, and Joseph would reply, “I see the same.”
This manner of conversation was repeated at short intervals to the end of the vision, and during the whole time not a word was spoken by any other person. Not a sound nor motion by anyone but Joseph and Sidney, and it seemed to me that they never moved a joint or limb during the time I was there, which I think was over an hour, and to the end of the vision.
Joseph sat firmly all the time in the midst of a magnificent glory, but Sidney sat limp and pale, apparently as limber as a rag, observing which, Joseph remarked, smilingly, “Sidney is not used to it as I am.”
–Philo Dibble
* * * * *
“We, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, being in the Spirit on the sixteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two . . . . And while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about. And we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fulness;
[19] And saw the holy angels, and them who are sanctified before his throne, worshipping God, and the Lamb, who worship him forever and ever. And now after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father.” (D. & C. 76:11, 19-23)
[20] * * * * *
When you see a vision, pray for the interpretation; if you get not this, shut it up; there must be certainty in this matter. An open vision will manifest that which is more important. (T.P.J.S., p. 161)
* * * * *
[21] KIRTLAND VISIONS
In the days of the construction and completion of the Kirtland Temple, many visions and manifestations were witnessed by members of the Church. The following are four accounts from that spiritual and history-making period.
Joseph Smith’s Vision and Revelation (January 1836)
The Presidency then took the seat in their turn, according to their age, beginning at the oldest, and received their anointing and blessing under the hands of Father Smith. And in my turn, my father anointed my head, and sealed upon me the blessings of Moses, to lead Israel in the latter days, even as Moses led him in days of old; also the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. All of the Presidency laid their hands upon me, and pronounced upon my head many prophecies and blessings, many of which I shall not notice at this time. But as Paul said, so say I, let us come to visions and revelations.
The heavens were opened upon us, and I beheld the celestial kingdom of God, and the glory thereof, whether in the body or out I cannot tell. I saw the transcendent beauty of the gate through which the heirs of that kingdom will enter, which was like unto circling flames of fire; also the blazing throne of [22] God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son. I saw the beautiful streets of that kingdom, which had the appearance of being paved with gold. I saw Fathers Adam and Abraham, and my father and mother, my brother, Alvin, that has long since slept, and marvelled how it was that he had obtained an inheritance in that kingdom, seeing that he had departed this life before the Lord had set His hand to gather Israel the second time, and had not been baptized for the remission of sins.
Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying–
Revelation: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom, for I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.
And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability, are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven. I saw the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb, who are now upon the earth, who hold the keys of this last ministry, in foreign lands, standing together in a circle, much fatigued, with their clothes tattered and feet swollen, with their eyes cast downward, and Jesus standing in their midst, and they did not behold Him. The Savior looked upon them and wept.
[23] I also beheld Elder M’Lellin in the south, standing upon a hill, surrounded by a vast multitude, preaching to them, and a lame man standing before him supported by his crutches; he threw them down at his word and leaped as a hart, by the mighty power of God. Also, I saw Elder Brigham Young standing in a strange land, in the far south and west, in a desert place, upon a rock in the midst of about a dozen men of color, who appeared hostile. He was preaching to them in their own tongue, and the angel of God standing above his head, with a drawn sword in his hand, protecting him, but he did not see it. And I finally saw the Twelve in the celestial kingdom of God. I also beheld the redemption of Zion, and many things which the tongue of man cannot describe in full.
Many of my brethren who received the ordinance with me saw glorious visions also. Angels ministered unto them as well as to myself, and the power of the Highest rested upon us, the house was filled with the glory of God, and we shouted Hosanna to God and the Lamb. My scribe also received his anointing with us, and saw, in a vision, the armies of heaven protecting the Saints in their return to Zion, many things which I saw.
The Bishop of Kirtland with his counselors, and the Bishop of Zion with his counselors, were present with us, and received their anointings under the hands of Father Smith, and this was confirmed by the Presidency, and the glories of heaven were unfolded to them also.
We then invited the High Councilors of Kirtland and Zion into our room, and President Hyrum Smith anointed the head of the President of the Councilors [24] in Kirtland, and President David Whitmer the head of the President of the Councilors of Zion. The President of each quorum then anointed the heads of his colleagues, each in turn, beginning at the oldest.
The visions of heaven were opened to them also. Some of them saw the face of the Savior, and others were ministered unto by holy angels, and the spirit of prophecy and revelation was poured out in mighty power; and loud hosannas, and glory to God in the highest, saluted the heavens, for we all communed with the heavenly host. And I saw in my vision all of the Presidency in the celestial kingdom of God, and many others that were present. Our meeting was opened by singing, and prayer was offered up by the head of each quorum; and closed by singing, and invoking the benediction of heaven, with uplifted hands. Retired between one and two o’clock in the morning. (Doc. History of Church, 2:380-382)
Priesthood Quorum Visions
(January 1836)
Thursday, 28– attended school at the usual hour. In the evening met the quorum of High Priests, in the west room of the upper loft of the Lord’s house, and, in company with my counselors, consecrated and anointed the counselors of the presidents of the High Priests’ Quorum, and, having instructed them and set the quorum in order, I left them to perform the holy anointing, and went to the quorum of Elders at the other end of the room. I assisted in anointing the counselors of the president of the Elders, and gave the instruction necessary for the occasion, and left the president and his counselors to anoint the Elders, while I should go to the [25] adjoining room, and attend to organizing and instructing the quorum of Seventy.
I found the Twelve Apostles assembled with this quorum, and I proceeded, with the quorum of the Presidency, to instruct them, and also the seven presidents of the Seventy Elders, to call upon God with uplifted hands, to seal the blessings which had been promised to them by the holy anointing. As I organized this quorum, with the presidency in this room, President Sylvester Smith saw a pillar of fire rest down and abide upon the heads of the quorum, as we stood in the midst of the Twelve.
When the Twelve and the seven presidents were through with their sealing prayer, I called upon President Sidney Rigdon to seal them with uplifted hands; and when he had done this, and cried hosanna, that all the congregation should join him, and shout hosanna to God and the Lamb, and glory to God in the highest. [t was done so, and Elder Roger Orton saw a mighty angel riding upon a horse of fire, with a flaming sword in his hand, followed by five others, encircle the house, and protect the Saints, even the Lord’s anointed, from the power of Satan and a host of evil spirits, which were striving to disturb the Saints.
President William Smith, one of the Twelve, saw the heavens opened, and the Lord’s host protecting the Lord’s anointed.
President Zebedee Coltrin, one of the seven presidents of the Seventy, saw the Savior extended before him, as upon the cross, and a little after, crowned with glory upon His head above the brightness of the sun.
[26] After these things were over, and a glorious vision, which I saw, had passed, I instructed the seven presidents to proceed and anoint the Seventy, and returned to the room of the High Priests and Elders, and attended to the sealing of what they had done, with uplifted hands.
The Lord assisted my brother, Don Carlos, the president of the High Priests, to go forward with the anointing of the High Priests, so that he had performed it to the acceptance of the Lord, notwithstanding he was very young and inexperienced in such duties; and I felt to praise God with a loud hosanna, for His goodness to me and my father’s family, and to all the children of men. Praise the Lord, all ye, His Saints, praise His holy name.
After these quorums were dismissed, I retired to my home, filled with the Spirit, and my soul cried hosanna to God and the Lamb, through the silent watches of the night; and while my eyes were closed in sleep, the visions of the Lord were sweet unto me, and His glory was round about me. Praise the Lord.
Friday, 29–Attended school and read Hebrew. I received a line from the presidency of the Elders’ Quorum, they wishing to know whom they should receive into their quorum; I answered verbally.
Afternoon, I called in all my father’s family and made a feast, and related my feelings towards them. My father pronounced patriarchal blessings on the heads of Henry Gannet, Charles H. Smith, Marietta Carter, Angeline Carter, Johanna Carter, and Nancy Carter. This was a good time to me, and all the family rejoiced together. We continued the meeting till about eight o’clock in the evening, and related [27] the goodness of God to us, in opening our eyes to see the visions of heaven, and in sending His holy angels to minister unto us the word of life. We sang the praise of God in animated strains, and the power of union and love was felt and enjoyed. (Doc. History of the Church 2:386:388)
Vision and Revelation at Temple Dedication (April 1836)
In the afternoon, I assisted the other Presidents in distributing the Lord’s Supper to the Church, receiving it from the Twelve, whose privilege it was to officiate at the sacred desk this day. After having performed this service to my brethren, I retired to the pulpit, the veils being dropped, and bowed myself, with Oliver Cowdery, in solemn and silent prayer. After rising from prayer. The following vision was opened to both of us: (See Doctrine and Covenants Section 110.)
1. The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.
2. We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us, and under His feet was a paved work of pure gold in color like amber.
3. His eyes were as a flame of fire, the hair of His head was white like the pure snow, His countenance shone above the brightness of the sun, and His voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying–
[28]
4. I am the first and the last, I am He who liveth, I am He who was slain, I am your advocate with the Father.
5. Behold, your sins are forgiven you, you are clean before me, therefore lift up your heads and rejoice.
6. Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name.
7. For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here, and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this House.
8. Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.
9. Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house;
10. And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands, and this is the beginning of the blessing which shah be poured out upon the heads of my people. Even so, Amen.
11. After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us, and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the Ten Tribes from the land of the north.
[29]
12. After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham, saying, that in us, and our seed, all generations after us should be blessed.
13. After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us, for Elijah the Prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said–
14. Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi, testifying that he should be sent before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come.
15. To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse.
16. Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands, and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.
(Doc. History of the Church, 2:435-436)
Vision of Elder Burgess (1836)
Elder Harrison Burgess in his “Sketch of a Well-Spent Life”, left this account of the meeting :
The Lord blessed His people abundantly in that Temple with the Spirit of prophecy, the ministering of angels, visions, etc. I will here relate a vision [30] which was shown to me. It was near the close of the endowments. I was in a meeting for instruction in the upper part of the Temple, with about a hundred of the High Priests, Seventies and Elders. The Saints felt to shout, “Hosannah!” and the Spirit of God rested upon me in mighty power and I beheld the room lighted up with a peculiar light such as I had never seen before. It was soft and clear and the room looked to me as though it had neither roof nor floor to the building; and I beheld the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Roger Orton enveloped in the light: Joseph exclaimed aloud, “I behold the Savior, the Son of God.” Hyrum said, “I behold the angels of heaven.” Brother Orton exclaimed, “I behold the chariots of Israel.” All who were in the room felt the power of God to that degree that many prophesied, and the power of God was manifest, the remembrance of which will remain with me while I live upon the earth. (Labors in the Vineyard, p. 67)
[31] THE LAST DREAM OF JOSEPH SMITH
Iowa–1844
In June, 1844, when Joseph Smith went to Carthage and delivered himself up to Governor Ford, I accompanied him, and while on the way there, he related to me and Hyrum the following dream:
He said: “While I was at Jordan the other night, in Iowa, I dreamed that myself and Hyrum went on board a steamboat; shortly afterwards there was an alarm of `fire’, and we were some distance from shore, and an escape from the fire seemed hazardous; but as delay was folly, we jumped overboard and tried our faith at walking upon the water. At first we sank nearly to our knees, but as our faith increased, we were soon able to walk upon the water. On looking at the burning boat, it was fast drifting towards the wharf, and the town was taking fire so that the scene of destruction and horror of the frightened inhabitants was terrible.
“We proceeded upon the bosom of the mighty deep, and were soon out of sight of land. The ocean was still, the rays of the sun were bright, and we forgot all the troubles of mother earth. Just at that moment, I heard the sound of a human voice, and turning, saw my brother, Samuel H., approaching us from the East. We stopped and he came up and said he had been lonesome back there and, had made up [32] his mind to go with me across the mighty deep. We all started again and in a short time were blessed with the first sight of the city, whose gold and silver steeples and towers were more beautiful than any I had ever seen or heard of on earth. It stood as it were on the western shore of the mighty deep we were walking on, and its order and glory seemed far beyond the wisdom of man. While we were gazing upon the perfection of the city, a small boat quick as thought launched off from the port, and almost as quick as thought came to us and took us on board and saluted us with a welcome and music, such as is not on earth.
“The next scene on the landing was more than I can describe. The greeting of old friends, the music from a thousand towers, and the light of God himself at the return of three of his sons–soothed my soul into a quiet and joy as I felt as if I were truly in heaven. I gazed upon the splendor, I greeted my friends, and then awoke, and lo, it was a dream.
“While I was meditating upon such a marvelous scene, I fell asleep again, and behold I stood near the shore of the burning boat, and there was a great consternation among the officers, crew and passengers of the flaming craft, as there seemed to be much ammunition and powder on board. The alarm was given that the fire was near the magazine, and in a moment, suddenly it blew up with a great noise, and sank in deep water with all on board.
“I then turned to the country, east. Among the bushy openings I saw William and Wilson Law endeavoring to escape from the wild beasts of the forest, but two lions rushed out of the thicket and devoured them. I then awoke.”
[33] Brother Joseph related this about two days before he was so cruelly martyred, and truly the above dream foreshadowed the whole scene of the martyrdom, also of the grand reception they were worthy of, with the glory and happiness in store for them. Thus is truly manifest the everlasting kindness of our Father and God, to his faithful children here in mortality.
–by W.W. Phelps
[34] * * * * *
Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen, and they shall possess their houses; I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease; and their holy places shall be defiled. Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none. Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet;… (Ezek. 7:24-26)
* * * * *
[35] SALT LAKE TEMPLE VISION
by Brigham Young
April 6, 1853
Some will inquire, “Do you suppose we shall finish this Temple, Brother Brigham?” I have had such questions put to me already. My answer is, I do not know, and I do not care any more about it than I should if my body was dead and in the grave, and my spirit in Paradise. I never have cared but for one thing, and that is, simply to know that I am now right before my Father in Heaven. If I am this moment, this day, doing the things God requires of my hands, and precisely where my Father in Heaven wants me to be, I care no more about tomorrow than though it never would come. I do not know where I shall be tomorrow, nor when this Temple will be done–I know no more about it than you do. If God reveals anything for you, I will tell you of it as freely as to say, go to City Creek, and drink until you are satisfied.
This I do know–there should be a Temple built here. I do know it is the duty of this people to commence to build a Temple. Now, some will want to know what kind of a building it will be. Wait patiently, brethren, until it is done, and put forth your hands willingly to finish it. I know what it will be. I am not a visionary man, neither am I given much to prophesying. When I want any of that done, I call on [36] Brother Heber–he is my Prophet. He loves to prophesy, and I love to hear him. I scarcely ever say much about revelations, or visions, but suffice it to say, five years ago last July I was here, and saw in the Spirit the Temple not ten feet from where we have laid the Chief Corner Stone. I have not inquired what kind of a Temple we should build. Why? Because it was represented before me. I have never looked upon that ground, but the vision of it was there. I see it as plainly as if it was in reality before me. Wait until it is done. I will say, however, that it will have six towers, to begin with, instead of one. Now do not any of you apostatize because it will have six towers, and Joseph only built one. It is easier for us to build sixteen, than it was for him to build one. The time will come when there will be one in the centre of Temples we shall build, and, on the top, groves and fish ponds. But we shall not see them here, at present. (J.D. 1:132-133)
[37] PART 2
Prophetic Visions of Future Events
[39] THE GEORGE WASHINGTON VISION
The vision of George Washington has been printed and reprinted many times–in books, magazines and in pamphlet form. It was originally published by Wesley Bradshaw. The following account is taken from a reprint published in the National Tribune, Volume 4, No. 12, December 1880.
[41] The last time I ever saw Anthony Sherman was on the fourth of July, 1859, in Independence Square. He was then ninety-nine years old, and becoming very feeble. But though so old, his dimming eyes rekindled as he gazed upon Independence Hall which he had come to look upon once more before he was gathered home.
“Let us go into the hall,” he said. “I want to tell you an incident of Washington’s life–one which no one alone knows of except myself; and, if you live, you will before long see it verified. Mark the prediction, you will see it verified.
“From the opening of the Revolution we experienced all phases of fortune, now good and now ill, one time victorious, and another conquered. The darkest period we had, I think, was when Washington, after several reverses, retreated to Valley Forge, where he resolved to pass the winter of ’77. Ah! I have often seen the tears coursing down our dear old commander’s careworn cheeks as he would be conversing with a confidential officer about the condition of his poor soldiers. You have doubtless heard the story of Washington going to the thicket to pray. Well, it was not only true, but he used often to pray in secret for aid and comfort from God, the interposition of whose Divine Providence brought us safely through those dark days of tribulation. One day, I remember it well, the chilly winds whistled through the leafless trees, though the sky was cloudless and the sun shone brightly, he remained in his quarters nearly all the afternoon alone. When he came out, I noticed that his face was a shade paler than usual, and there seemed to be something on his mind of more than ordinary importance. Returning just after dusk, he dispatched an orderly to the [42] quarters of the officer I mentioned who was presently in attendance. After a preliminary conversation of about a half hour, Washington, gazing upon his companion with that strange look of dignity which he alone could command, said to the latter:
“I do not know whether it is owing to the anxiety of my mind, or what, but this afternoon as I was sitting at this very table engaged in preparing a dispatch, something in the apartment seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld standing opposite to me a singularly beautiful female. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed, that it was some moments before I found language to inquire the cause of her presence. A second, a third, and even a fourth time, did I repeat my question, but received no answer from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of the eyes. By this time I felt strange sensations spreading through me. I would have risen, but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible. I essayed once more to address her, but my tongue had become powerless. Even thought itself suddenly became paralyzed. A new influence, mysterious, potent, irresistible, took possession of me. All I could do was to gaze steadily, vacantly, at my unknown visitant. Gradually the surrounding atmosphere seemed as though becoming filled with sensations, and grew luminous. Everything about me seemed to rarefy, the mysterious visitor herself becoming more airy, and yet more distinct to my sight than before. I now began to feel as one dying, or rather to experience the sensations which I have sometimes imagined accompany dissolution. I did not think, I did not reason, I did not move, all were alike impossible. I was only conscious of gazing fixedly, vacantly, at my companion.
[43] “Presently I heard a voice saying, “Son of the Republic; look and learn.” While at the same time my visitor extended her arm eastwardly. I now beheld a heavy white vapor at some distance rising fold upon fold. This gradually dissipated, and I looked upon a strange scene. Before me lay spread out in one vast plain all the countries of the world, Europe, Asia, Africa and America. I saw rolling and tossing between Europe and America the billows of the Atlantic, and between Asia and America lay the Pacific. “Son of the Republic,” said the same mysterious voice as before, “look and learn.” At that moment I beheld a dark shadowy being like an angel standing or rather floating in mid-air between Europe and America. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand, he sprinkled some upon America with his right hand, while with his left hand he cast some on Europe. Immediately a dark cloud raised from these countries, and joined in mid-ocean. For awhile it remained stationary and then moved slowly westward, until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashes of lightning gleamed through it at intervals, and I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American people. A second time the angel dipped water from the ocean, and sprinkled it as before. The dark cloud was then drawn back to the ocean, in whose heaving billows it sank from view. A third time I heard the mysterious voice saying, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.” I cast my eyes upon, America and beheld villages and towns and cities springing up, one after another until the whole land frown the Atlantic to the Pacific was dotted with them. Again I heard the mysterious voice say, “Son of the Republic, the end of the century cometh, look and learn.”
[44] “At this the dark, shadowy angel turned his face southward, and from Africa I saw an ill-omened spectre approach our land. It flitted slowly and heavily over every town and city of the latter. The inhabitants presently set themselves in battle array against each other. As I continued looking, I saw a bright angel, on whose brow rested a crown of light on which was traced the word “union,” bearing the American flag, which he placed between the divided nation and said “Remember ye are brethren.” Instantly the inhabitants, casting from them their weapons, became friends once more, and united around the National Standard.
“And again I heard the mysterious voice say, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.” At this the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his mouth and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it upon Europe, Asia and Africa. Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene: From each of these countries arose thick, black clouds that were soon joined into one. And throughout this mass there gleamed a dark red light by which I saw hordes of armed men, who moved with the cloud, marching by land and sailing by sea to America, which country was enveloped in the volume of the cloud. And I dimly saw these vast armies devastate the whole country and burn the villages, towns and cities that I had beheld springing up. As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing of swords and shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat, I again heard the mysterious voice saying, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.” When the voice had ceased, the dark shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth and blew a long and fearful blast.
[45] “Instantly a light as of a thousand suns shone down from above me, and pierced and broke into fragments the dark cloud which enveloped America. At the same moment the angel upon whose head still shone the word “Union”, and who bore our national flag in one hand and a sword in the other, descended from heaven attended by legions of bright spirits. These immediately joined the inhabitants of America, who, I perceived, were well-nigh overcome, but who, immediately taking courage again, closed up their broken ranks and renewed the battle. Again, amid the fearful noise of the conflict, I heard the mysterious voice saying, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.” As the voice ceased, the shadowy angel for the last time dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it upon America. Instantly the dark cloud rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious.
“Then once more I beheld villages, towns and cities springing up where they had been before, while the bright angel, planting the azure standard he had brought into the midst of them cried with a loud voice: “While the stars remain and the heavens send down dew upon the earth, so long shall the Republic last.” And taking from his brow the crown on which was blazoned and word “Union”, he placed it upon the standard while the people, kneeling down, said “Amen.”
“The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve and I at last saw nothing but the rising, curling vapor I at first beheld. This also disappearing, I found myself once more gazing upon my mysterious visitor, who, in the same voice I had heard before said, “Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus inter-[46]preted: Three great perils will come upon the Republic. The most fearful is the third, passing which the whole world united shall not prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and union. With these words the vision vanished, and I started from my seat and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown me the birth, progress and destiny of the United States.”
“Such, my friends,” concluded the venerable narrator, “were the words I heard from Washington’s own lips, and America will do well to profit by them.”
[47] THE WHITE HORSE PROPHECY
Some questions have arisen regarding the authenticity of the “White Horse Prophecy” because it was not documented at the time that it was to have been given. Edwin Rushton and Theodore Turley were witnesses to this prophecy and gave their testimony to its validity.
A few years before the death of Edwin Rushton in 1904, he was requested by several close friends to make a recorded and notarized statement regarding this prophecy. His friends James H. Anderson acted as recorder and Arnold G. Giauque was notary for the following account of this prophecy.
[49] On or about the 6th day of May, 1843, a grand review of the Nauvoo Legion was held in Nauvoo. The Prophet Joseph complimented them for their good discipline and evolutions performed. The weather being hot, he called for a glass of water. With the glass of water in his hand he said, “I drink to you a toast to the overthrow of the mobocrats.”
The next morning a man who had heard the Prophet give the toast returned to visit the mansion of the Prophet, and so abused him with bad language, that the man was ordered out by the Prophet. It was while the two were out that my attention was attracted to them and hearing the man speaking in a loud tone of voice, I went toward them; the man finally leaving. There were present the Prophet Joseph Smith, Theodore Turley and myself. The Prophet began talking to us of the mobbings and drivings and persecutions we as a people have endured, but, said he, “We will have worse things to see; our persecutors will have all the mobbings they want. Don’t wish them any harm, for when you see their sufferings you will shed bitter tears for them.”
While this conversation was going on, we stood by his south wicket gate in a triangle. Turning to me he said: “I want to tell you something. I will speak in a parable like unto John the Revelator. You will be in the Rocky Mountains, and you will be a great and mighty people established there, which I will call the White Horse of Peace and Safety.” When the Prophet said you will see it, I asked him, “Where will you be at that time?” He said, “I shall never go there. Your enemies will continue to follow you with persecutions and will make obnoxious laws against you in Congress to destroy the White Horse, but you will have a friend to defend you to throw out the worst part of [50] the laws, so they will not hurt much. You must continue to petition Congress all the time, but they will not give you your rights but will govern you with strangers and commissioners; you will see the Constitution of the United States almost destroyed; it will hang by a thread, as it were, as fine as the finest silk fiber.”
At this point, the Prophet’s countenance became sad; he said, “I love the Constitution. It was made by the inspiration of God, and it will be preserved and saved by the efforts of the White Horse and the Red Horse, who will combine in its defense. The White Horse will raise an ensign on the tops of the mountains of peace and safety. The White Horse will find the mountains full of minerals and they will become very rich. You will see silver piled in the streets. You will see gold shoveled up like sand. Gold will be of little value even in a mercantile capacity, for the people of the world will have something else to do in seeking for salvation. The time will come when the banks in every nation will fail and only two places will be safe where people can deposit their gold and treasures. These places will be the White Horse and England’s vaults.
A terrible revolution will take place in the land of America, such as has never been seen before; for the land will literally be left without a supreme government and every species of wickedness will run rampant. Father will be against son, and son against father, mother against daughter, and daughter against mother. The most terrible scenes of murder and bloodshed and rapine that have ever been looked upon will take place.
[51] Peace will be taken from the earth and there will be no peace only in the Rocky Mountains. This will cause many thousands of the honest in heart to gather there; not because they would be saints, but for safety and because they would not take up the sword against their neighbor.
You will be so numerous that you will be in danger of famine, but not for the want of seed time and harvest, but because of so many to be fed. Many will come with bundles under their arms to escape the calamities, and there will be no escape except by fleeing to Zion.
Those that come to you will try to keep the laws and be one with you, for they will see your unity and the greatness of your organization. The Turkish Empire will be one of the first powers to be disrupted, for freedom must be given for the Gospel to be preached in the Holy Land.
The Lord took the best blood of the nations and planted them on the small islands now called England and Great Britain, and gave them great power in the nations for a thousand years and their power will continue with them, that they might keep the balance of power and keep Russia from usurping her power over all the world. England and France are now bitter enemies, but they will be allied together and be united to keep Russia from conquering the world.
The two Popes, Greek and Catholic, will come together and be united. The Protestant religions do not know how much they are indebted to Henry the VIII for throwing off the Pope’s Bull and establishing the Protestant faith. He was the only monarch who could do so at the time, and he did it because this [52] nation, England, was at his back to sustain him. One of the peculiar features of England is the established red coat, a uniform making so remarkable a mark to shoot at, and yet they have conquered wherever they have gone. The reason for this will be known by them some day. The Lion and the Unicorn of Israel is their ensign; the wisdom and statesmanship of England comes from having so much of the blood of Israel in the nation.
While the terrible revolution of which I have spoken has been going on, England will be neutral until it becomes so inhuman that she will interfere to stop the shedding of blood. England and France will unite together to make peace, not to subdue the nations; they will find the nations so broken up and so many claiming government, till there will be no responsible government. Then it will appear to the other nations as though England had taken possession of the country. The Black Horse will flee to the invaders and will join with them, for they have fear of becoming slaves again, knowing England did not believe in slavery, fleeing to them they believe would make them safe; armed with British bayonets, the doings of the black horse will be terrible.” (Here the Prophet said he could not bear to look on the scene as shown him in vision and asked the Lord to close the scene.)
Continuing, he said, “During this time the great White Horse will have gathered strength sending out Elders to gather the honest in heart among the Pale Horse, or people of the United Stales, to stand by the Constitution of the United States, as it was given by inspiration of God.”
[53] In these days God will set up a kingdom, never to be thrown down, for other kingdoms to come unto. And these kingdoms that will not let the gospel be preached will be humbled until they will. England, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Holland and Belgium have a considerable amount of the blood of Israel among their people which must be gathered. These nations will submit to the Kingdom of God. England will be the last of these kingdoms to surrender; but when she does, she will do it as a whole in comparison as she threw off the Catholic power. The nobility know that the gospel is true, but it has not enough pomp and grandeur and influence them to embrace it.
They are proud and will not acknowledge the kingdom of God, or come unto it until they see the power which it will have. Peace and safety in the Rocky Mountains will be protected by a cordon band of the White Horse and the Red Horse.
The coming of the Messiah among this people will be so natural that only those who see Him will know that He has come, but He will come and give His laws unto Zion, and minister unto His people. This will not be His coming in the clouds of Heaven to take vengeance on the wicked of the world.
The Temple in Jackson County will be built in this generation. The saints will think there is not time enough to build it; built with the help you will receive, you can put up a great temple quickly. They will have all the gold, silver, and precious stones; for these things only will be used for the beautifying of the temple; all the skilled mechanics you want, and the Ten Tribes of Israel will help you build it. When you see this land, bound with iron, you may look toward Jackson County.
[54] At this point, he made a pause, and looking up as though the vision was still in view, he said, “There is a land beyond the Rocky Mountains that will be invaded by the heathen Chinese unless great care and protection are given. Where there is no law, there is no condemnation, and this will apply to them (the heathen nations). Power will be given the White Horse to rebuke nations afar off, and they will be one with the White Horse, but when the law goes forth they will obey; for the law will go forth from Zion. The last great struggle Zion will have to contend with will be when the whole of the Americans will be made the Zion of our God. Those opposing will be called Gog and Magog (some of the nations of the world led by Russian czar) and their power will be great, but all the opposition will be overcome and then this land will be the Zion of our God.”
[55] THE CHARLES D. EVANS VISION
Charles D. Evans was a Patriarch to the Church in Springville, Utah, and was a school teacher by profession. In 1893 his “vision” was published in Volume 15 of The Contributor magazine–later known as The Improvement Era.
[57] While I lay pondering in deep solitude on the events of the present, my mind was drawn into a reverie such as I had never felt before–a strong solitude of thought for my imperiled country utterly excluded every other thought, and raised my feelings to a point of intensity which I did not think possible to endure.
While in this solemn profound and painful reverie of mind, to my surprise a light appeared in my room which seemed to be soft and silvery as if diffused from a northern star. At the moment of its appearance, the acute feeling I had experienced so intensely, yielded to one of calm tranquility.
Although it may have been at the hour of midnight, and although the side of the glove on which I was situated was excluded from the sunlight, yet all was light and bright and warm as an Italian landscape at noon, but the heat was softer and more subdued.
As I gazed upward, I saw descending through my bedroom roof, with a gentle gliding movement, a personage clothed in white apparel, whose countenance was smoothly serene, his features regular, and the flashes of his eyes seemed to resemble those reflected from a diamond under an intensely illuminated light, which dazzled but did not bewilder.
Those large, deep, inscrutable eyes were presently fixed on mine as he instantly placed his hand on my forehead. His touch produced a serenity and calmness–not of an earthly character, but a touch that was peaceful, delightful and heavenly. My whole being was imbued with a joy unspeakable. All feelings of sorrow instantly vanished; and those lines and shadows which care and sorrow create, instantly [58] vanished and were dispelled as a fog before the blazing sun.
In the eyes of my heavenly visitor, for such he appeared to me, there was a sort of lofty pity and tenderness, infinitely stronger than any such feelings I ever saw manifested in ordinary mortals. His very calm appeared like a vast ocean stillness, at once overpowering to every agitated emotion.
By some intuition or instinct, I felt he had something to communicate to me to sooth my sorrow or allay my apprehensions. Thereupon addressing me, he said:
“Son, I perceive that thou hast grave anxieties over the perilous state of thy country, that thy soul has felt deep sorrow for its future. I have, therefore, come to thy relief and to tell thee of the causes that have led to this peril. Hear me attentively!
“Seventy-one years ago, (in 1823), after an awful apostasy of centuries, in which all nations were enshrouded in spiritual darkness; when angels had withdrawn themselves, the voice of prophets hushed, and the light of Urim and Thummim shown not, and the vision of the seers closed, while heaven itself shed not a ray of gladness to lighten a dark world; when Babel ruled, Satan laughed, and Church and Priesthood had taken their upward flight, and the voice of nations possessing the books of the Jewish prophets had ruled against the doctrines of the Church of the Apostles and Prophets, thou knowest that then appeared a mighty angel with a solemn announcement of the hour of judgment. The burden of whose instructions pointed to dire calamities, which thou seest, and the end of the wicked hasteneth.”
[59] My vision now became extended in a marvelous manner, and the import of past labors of Elders was made plain to me. I saw multitudes fleeing to our place of safety in our mountain heights, that was established in the wilderness. Simultaneously the nation had reached an unparalleled prosperity. Wealth abounded, new territory was acquired, commerce extended, finance strengthened, confidence was maintained, and people abroad pointed to here as a model nation–the ideal of the past now realized and perfected–the embodiment of the liberty which sung by poets and sought for by sages.
“But,” continued the messenger, “thou beholdest a change. Confidence is lost, wealth is arrayed against labor, labor against wealth, yet the land abounds in plenty of food and raiment, and silver and gold in abundance. Thou seest also the letters written by a Jew have wrought a great confusion in the finance of the nation; which together with the policy of many wealthy ones, has produced distress and do produce further sorrows.”
Factions now sprang up as if by magic. Capital had entrenched itself against labor, and throughout the land labor was organized in opposition to capital. The voice of the wise sought to tranquilize their powerful factors in vain. Excited multitudes ran wildly about, strikes increased, lawlessness sought a place in the regular government.
At this juncture, I saw floating in air a banner whereupon was written, “Bankruptcy, famine, floods, cyclones, blood, and plagues.” Mad with rage, men and women rushed upon each other. Blood flowed down the streets of cities like water. Thousands of bodies lay unentombed in the streets. Men and women [60] fell dead from terror inspired by fear. This was but the precursor of the bloody work of the morrow. All around lay the mournfulness of a past in ruins. Monuments erected to perpetuate the names of the noble and brave men, were ruthlessly destroyed by combustibles.
A voice now sounded these words: “Yet once again I shake not only the earth, but also heaven, and this word once again signifies the removing of things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things that cannot be shaken, may remain.”
Earthquakes rent the earth in vast chasms which engulfed multitudes. Terrible groanings and wailings filled the air. The shrieks of the suffering were indescribably awful. Waters rushed in from the tumultuous ocean, whose very roaring under the mad rage of fierce cyclones was unendurable to the ear. Cities were carried away in an instant. Missiles were hurled through the atmosphere at a terrible velocity, and people were carried upward only to fall. Islands appeared where ocean waves once tossed the gigantic steamer. In other parts, voluminous flames emanating from vast fires, rolled with fearful velocity, destroying life and property in their destructive course.
The seal of the dread menace of despair was stamped on every human visage. Men fell exhausted, appalled and trembling. Every element of agitated nature seemed a demon of wrathful fury. Dense clouds, blacker than midnight, obscured the sunlight with a thunder that reverberated with intonations which shook the earth. Darkness reigned unrivaled and supreme.
[61] Again the light shone revealing an atmosphere tinged with a leaden hue, which was the precursor of an unparalleled plague, whose first symptoms were recognized by a purple spot which appeared on the cheek or on the back of the hand, and which invariably enlarged until it spread over the entire surface of the body, producing certain death. Mothers, at the sight of it, cast away their children as if they were poisonous reptiles. This plague in grown persons, rotted the eyes from their sockets and consumed the tongue as would a powerful acid or an intense heat. Wicked men, suffering under its writhing agonies, cursed God and died while they yet stood on their feet, and birds of prey feasted on their carcasses.
I saw again in my dream the Messenger appear with a vial in his right hand. He addressed me, saying, “Thou knowest somewhat of the chemistry taught in the schools of human learning. Behold now a chemical sufficiently powerful to change the waters of the sea.”
He then poured out his vial upon the sea and it became as the blood of a dead man, and every living thing died. Then other plagues followed which I forbear to record.
A foreign power had inroaded the nation, and from every human indication, it appeared as if it would seize the government and supplant it with monarchy.
I stood trembling at the aspect, when a power arose in the west which declared itself in favor of the Constitution in its original form. To this suddenly rising power, every lover of constitutional rights [62] gave hearty support. The struggle was fiercely contested, but the Stars and Stripes floated in the breeze, and bidding liberty to all, waved proudly over the land.
Among the many banners, I saw one inscribed thus: “The government based on the Constitution now and forever!” On another there was: “Liberty of Conscience!” And there were several others, both religious and political.
The light of the Gospel, which had but dimly shone because of abominations, now burst forth with a lustre that filled the earth. Cities appeared in every direction, one of which was in the center of the continent.
It was an embodiment of architectural science after the pattern of eternal perfection. Its towers glittered with a radiance emanating from the sparkling of emeralds, rubies, diamonds, and other precious stones set in a canopy of gold, and so elaborately and skillfully arranged as to shed forth a brilliancy which dazzled and enchanted the eye. It excited admiration and developed a taste for the beautiful beyond anything man had ever conceived.
Fountains of crystal water shot upwards through transparent jets, which in the brilliant sunshine, formed ten thousand rainbow tints at once, so delightful to the eye. Gardens, the perfection of whose arrangement confound all our present attempts at such genius, were bedecked with flowers to develop and refine the taste and strengthen man’s love for these–nature’s choicest endowments.
[63] Schools and universities were erected to which all had access. In the latter, Urims were placed for the study of the past, present, and future, and for obtaining a knowledge of heavenly bodies and of the construction of worlds and universes. The inherent properties of matter, its arrangements, laws, and mutual relation, were revealed and taught and made plain as the primer lesson of a child.
The conflicting theories of geologists regarding the foundation and age of the earth, were settled forever. All learning was based on eternal certainty. Angels brought forth the treasures of knowledge which had lain in the midst of the dumb and distant past hidden from the world.
The appliances for making learning easy surpass all conjecture. Chemistry was rendered extremely simple by the power which Urim conferred on man of looking into the very elements themselves. A stone furnished no more obstruction to human vision than the air itself. Not only were the elements and all their changes and transformations plainly understood, but the construction, operation and laws of spirit elements were also rendered equally plain as those which govern the coarser elements.
While looking through the Urim and Thummim, I was amazed at a transformation, which even now is to me marvelous beyond description, clearly showing the manner in which particles composing the inorganic kingdom of nature, are conducted upward to become part of organic forms. Another astonishing revelation was a view clearly shown to me of the entire circulation of the blood, both in men and animals.
[64] After seeing these things and gazing once more upon the beautiful city, the following sounded in my ears: “Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined!”
On this I awoke to find it all a dream, whereupon I wrote the foregoing, which is based on true principles.”
* * *
Another vision was also received by this Patriarch:
C. D. Evans, on December 25, 1882, saw in mighty vision: the “enslaving of one portion of the children of freedom who differed from them in religious belief and practice.” Then he saw “the bands that held society together during the reign of the Republic, were snapped asunder . . . . Political strife was everywhere… Blood was written on every banner.” The Angel said: “`Look again.’ I looked and beheld that many who were angry with the rulers of the Republic, for their subversion of the Constitutional Law, and their wholesale plunder of the Public moneys, arose and proclaimed themselves the friends of the Constitution in its original form …. A voice was now suddenly heard declaring these words: `In the distant mountain tops are to be found the true lovers of freedom and equal rights, . . . Go there’… when suddenly appeared on Ensign Peak near Salt Lake City, a beautiful flag” standing for “Human Liberty throughout the world, . . . Tyrants were hurled down…. one unbroken nation whose BANNER waved for all the world.” (Ensign of Nations, p. 11)
[65] THE CARDSTON TEMPLE VISION
Edward Wood, who was president of the Cardston Temple for many years, was a witness to the manifestations of a woman who saw much of the future and mission of the Latter-day Saints. Although she was not a member of the Church, it has been rumored that she did join the Church sometime later. President Wood answered many responses to questions about this manifestation, two of which follow:
[67]
N. B. Lundwall, Esq., Cardston, Alberta
Salt Lake City, Utah July 29, 1924
Dear Brother:
I am pleased to hear from you in your letter of July 21st, and note the contents and also the enclosure, and in reply, can easily tell you about the letter.
The lady who wrote the letter came twice, as she states, to the Temple, and certainly seemed quite sincere in all questions she asked, and gave very marked respect and attention to the explanations of the objects for which the Temple was built, and went from room to room–of course, the interior was then unfinished–and she was evidently deeply interested in what she heard and saw, and asked many questions both about the Temple proper and also about the principles leading up to our views on Temple building, and she asked a great many questions about our views of the life after death, and was much taken up with our belief on divine authority, and our missionary activities throughout the world; and before she got through her second visit, she had a very fair understanding of the “vitality of Mormonism” from many angles.
She had some friends or a relative of some members of the church in Lethbridge by the name of Brown, and she lived somewhere east of here. After she had been away for some time, she wrote this article as you have it to Mr. Brown, one of these friends or relatives in Lethbridge, and he sent a copy to me, and of course we were surprised and pleased with her “impressions” and her apparent understanding of many of our views.
That is about the history of this article.
Sincerely your brother,
Edw. J. Wood
P.S. As I remember, her second visit was in March, 1922; the article was sent to me sometime after that month.
[68] Cardston, Alberta
December 14, 1933
Robert W. Smith, Esq.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Dear Brother Smith:
I am pleased to answer your letter of December 1st–first as to the letter of a non-member who wrote of “impressions” received while going through the temple before it was dedicated, the truth of which letter you ask me to verify and which I am pleased to do.
It was a Quaker lady who was a magazine writer from eastern Canada. She has some relatives in Lethbridge, about 60 miles from Cardston; and being so deeply impressed on her first visit, she had them bring her a second time–this time I was acting as guide. She would sit in each room and never said a word to any in the company, but seemed to be in deep meditation all the time. When she reached her own home several weeks after, she wrote this letter which has caused so much comment all over the Church. We have never been able to understand how she seemed to know so much about our faith and our belief in our future life and works after death. I never learned her real name. She visited us along in 1921. I have never heard from her since that time, but the letter is genuine, and of her own “impressions” received while in the Temple while on the two visits she mentions.
Sincerely your Brother,
O/S Elder J. Wood, Pres.
Alberta Stake
[69] We have been to the Temple erected by your church wherein are to be performed the sacred rites in accordance with your faith. The first time I was strongly impelled to describe to you my impressions. I did so but before the completion of the letter, I received some news that so affected me that acting upon the spur of the moment, I destroyed the document in its entirety. The continued feeling within me of dissatisfaction as to something left undone, coupled with the desire upon the part of the members of my household who had not visited the temple, led to our second visit to Cardston, in which you so kindly consented to accompany us, notwithstanding the inclement weather and personal inconvenience to yourself which the journey entailed. It was because of this and many other evidences of your friendship that has given me the privilege to presume to bother you with what after all may be foolish fantasies of a too impressionable mentality. To me it does seem so, for never before in my life have such powerful impressions been infringed upon my inner consciousness as during my visit thru the Temple. Especially was this true at our second visit. The impressions of our first visit were repeated with such overwhelming intensity and variety of detail that I must positively inform you of my experience. It seems to me it were a sacred duty upon my part to do this, and knowing as I do that your friends will lightly ridicule what to me is a personal matter, I am going to give you in detail my experience in the hope, that if it is well, maybe it is something more than imagination, that you and others of your faith may wisely analyze and correctly use whatever may be gleaned from this letter.
[70] A fortress in time of storm, was the first thought that shaped itself in my mind with my first view of this ancient, yet modern temple; mellowed with the spiritual usage of ancient civilization and customs, yet alert, virile, and watchful.
A grand, solemn, strong, beautiful, useful house of spiritual progression which seemed to be the embodiment of architectural expression of ancient civilization and glories suddenly reincarnated and for a future and higher civilization than our own. Strength and beauty exaggerated the more flimsy houses and buildings of the town and gave a painfully obvious example of how the soul within is expressed thru the material body, either in the individual or nation, or a race, either in the man or his architecture. Try how I would I could not get away from the feeling that the town itself was inferior to the latest building, so new and yet so old. Even the electric lights failed to change this thought, that the Temple, and the town, represented two different epochs of humanity’s spiritual development expressed in architecture. The town embodied the present epoch–art, science and invention harnessed purely for trade or commerce, irrespective of past or future development. The Temple embodies the accumulated knowledge of the ancient world combined with the modern inventions of science and inspiration as the road to a higher future development so near at hand. Let me put it down even another way. There is a place called Cardston. A Temple linking the past with the present has been built at Cardston and the town has become a collection of flimsy huts nestling at the foot of the Temple which will continue to function for the spiritual purposes for which it is raised.
[71] Just as the exterior impressions compared with the present and future epoch, so did the interior also reflect comparison. Of the beautiful and artistic effects I need not dwell; abler pens can describe the interior from this viewpoint. Sufficient for me to say that the shape of the Temple is a cross, that each apartment is symbolical in artistic and structural effects of some stage of humanity’s progress thru the ages. In fact, everything physical is a stepping stone to spiritual progress as such is typified in these ceremonies. All this was kindly and intelligently explained to us by Mr. Duco on one occasion and by Mr. Wood on the second visit; but I am afraid I was very indifferent and inattentive upon both occasions, for which I tender them my sincere apologies. I had no intentions of being rude or discourteous, but from the moment of entering the Temple until leaving, I was placed in the position of having, as it were, to listen to and grasp a dual narrative all the time, with the result that so engrossed was I at times that I am afraid I was so absent-minded as to appear inattentive if not positively stupid.
I have stated that my impression of the exterior of the building was that of a place of waiting for a higher civilization than our present one. This would suggest a condition of emptiness, but that is not what I mean. An ordinary newly erected building has no atmosphere at all until it has been inhabited some time; after which, it has, as it were, a living atmosphere. What kind of an atmosphere this is, is largely determined by the spiritual development and thought of the persons using and inhabiting the building. This applies especially to places of worship or consecration, and is very noticeable to a sensitive person. Sometimes such an atmosphere is agreeable, exalting, etc.; son, crimes very much the reverse, [72] depending upon the spiritual harmony or otherwise of the persons under this atmospheric rule; but was not so as far as it was concerned while outside the Temple. I could not understand the overwhelming scene of ancient atmosphere which the building actually possessed in its very granite blocks in spite of the fact that I know a few months previous these stones had been laid, yet the feeling of age predominated. I dismissed the feeling as well as I could by thinking that the place of the structure was responsible for the suggestion of age, but when I entered the Temple, how quickly I found there was nothing to suggest to me that present atmosphere of which I have spoken, but was it empty? Emphatically no! Time and again as I listened to the speaker explaining some phase of the building or its meaning, I would be seeing beyond him some illusion of kaleidoscopic nature, depicting what he was describing, only more completely and vividly. The characters were so plain to me that I required all my self-control to keep silent from room to room. This continued and only ceased when we were out in the frost and snow once more.
There was no set plan for presenting these pictures to me. It seemed as if when I thought something mental, a picture instantly presented itself in explanation of some word of the conductor, which would have the same effect. I was not afraid, only awed by the wonder of it all and the fearful impressive feeling that I received which seemed to imbed every little detailed scene into my brain, from which it will ever remember and record; and vivid as it all was, these incidents herein related are the ones upon which I received instructions.
[73] The scenes which I observed of an historical character seemed chiefly to verify and amplify the speaker’s outline of past history, and so I do not feel impressed to record such, except to state that the same patriarchal characters whom I observed directing and influencing the early movements of the Church, were the same down through every age and epoch, and as the scenes advanced to more modern times, I saw among these spiritual characters and counsellors, persons whose features I had previously observed as being in the material body on other historical occasions.
It seemed as though the temple was filled with the actual spiritual bodies of these previous leaders of your church, each seeming to have the work that person was engaged in whilst in the flesh. In that temple I saw persons who were leaders of your church, during its march across the American desert, now engaged in helping these higher patriarchs under whose orders they seemed to be working. It was these latter spiritual leaders, if I may use that term, who seemed to be instructed to show me the scenes here recorded.
I can give no time as to the happening, except that the impressions I received were of actual present or immediate future.
I saw first a brief but comprehensive sketch of the present state of the world, or as you would term it, the Gentile Kingdoms. Each country in turn was shown–its anarchy, hunger, ambitions, distrusts and warlike activities, etc., and in my mind was formed from some source the words, “As it is today with the Gentiles.”
[74] I saw international war again break out with its center upon the Pacific Ocean, but sweeping and encircling the whole globe.
I saw that the opposing forces were roughly divided by so-called, Christianity on the one side, and by the so-called followers of Mohammed and Buddha on the other. I saw that the great driving power within these so-called Christian nations, was the Great Apostasy of Rome, in all its political, social and religious aspects. I saw the worldwide dislocation and devastation of production and slaughter of people occur more swiftly and upon a larger scale than ever before. I saw an antagonism begin to express itself from those so-called Christian nations against your people. I saw those with a similar faith to yours in the far east begin to look toward Palestine for safety.
I saw the international world war automatically break down, and national revolution occur in every country, and complete the work of chaos and desolation. I saw geological disturbances occur, which helped in this work as if it were intended to do so. I saw the Cardston Temple preserved from all of this geological upheaval. I saw the international boundary line disappear as these two governments broke up and dissolved into chaos. I saw race rioting upon the American continent on a vast scale.
I saw hunger and starvation in this world; I saw disease produced by hunger, strife and chaos complete the end of this present order or epoch. How long these events were in reaching this consummation I do not know, but my impression was from the outbreak of the international war these things developed [75] into a continuous procession, and almost ran concurrently, as it is with a sickness, the various symptoms are all in evidence at one and the same time, but in different stages of development.
My intensified thought was “What of the Church, if such is to become of the Kingdoms of the earth?” Was immediately answered by a subconscious statement. “As it is in the church today,” and I saw these higher spiritual beings throughout the length and breadth of the air, marshalling their spiritual forces, and concentrating them upon the high officials of your church upon earth.
I saw the spiritual forces working upon those officers, impressing and moving them, influencing and warning them. I saw the spiritual forces begin to unfold these things into the minds of your elders and other high officials, especially during their spiritual devotions and official duties, and those activities which exalt the mind of the individual or groups. I saw the impressions take hold and inspire the more receptive and spiritual men, until it was all clearly revealed to them in the way the spiritual patriarch desired.
Again I seemed to hear the words, “As it will be”. I saw the high officials in council, and under inspired guidance issue instructions to your people to reconsecrate their lives and energies to their faith, to voluntarily discipline themselves, by abstaining from all those forms of indulgence which weaken the body, sap the mentality and deaden the spirit or waste the income.
[76] I saw further on, instructions given whereby places of refuge were prepared quietly but efficiently by inspired Elders. I saw Cardston and the surrounding foothills, especially north and west, for miles, being prepared as a refuge for your people quietly but quickly.
I saw elders still under divine guidance, counseling and, encouraging the planting of every available acre of soil in this district, so that large supplies would be near the refuge. I saw the church property under cultivation of an intensified character, not for sale or profit, but for the use of the people. I saw artesian wells and other wells dug all over that territory so that when the open waters were polluted and poisoned that the people of the church and their cattle should be provided for.
I saw the fuel resources of the district develop in many places and vast piles of coal and timber stored for future use and building. I saw the territory carefully surveyed and mapped out, for the camping of a great body of the people of the church. I saw provision also made for a big influx of people who will not at first belong to the church, but who will gather in their tribulation. I saw vast quantities of surgical appliances, medicines, disinfectants, etc., stored in the temple basement. I saw inspiration given the elders whereby the quantity, quality and kind of things to be stored were judged, which might not be attainable in this territory in time of chaos. I saw defensive preparations working out the organizations of the camps on maps. I saw the mining corridors used as places of storage underground; I saw the hills surveyed and corrals built in sequestered places for cattle, sheep, etc., quietly and quickly. I saw the plans for the organization of the single [77] men and their duties, the scouts, the guards, the nurses, the cooks, the messengers, the children, the herders, the temple guards, etc. I saw these things going on practically unknown to the Gentile world, except the Great Apostasy, whose knowledge and hatred is far reaching, in this day of its temporary power. This was going on piece by piece as the Elders were instructed so to do.
I saw the other officials obeying the inspired instructions, carrying their message and exhorting the people to carry out, from time to time the revelation given them, whilst all around throughout the Gentile world the chaos developed in its varying stages, faction against faction, nation against nation, but all in open or secret hostility to your people and their faith. I saw your people draw closer and closer together, as this became more tense and as the spiritual forces warned them through the mouth of your elders and your other officers. I saw the spiritual forces influencing those members who had drifted away, to re-enter the fold. I saw a greater tithing than ever before. I saw vast quantities of necessaries supplied by members whose spiritual eyes had been opened. I saw a liquidation of properties and effects disposed of quietly but quickly by members of the church, as the spiritual influences directed them.
I saw the inspired call sent forth to all the church, to gather to the refuges of Zion. I saw the stream of your people quietly moving in the direction of their refuge. I saw your people moving more quickly and in larger numbers until all the stragglers were housed. I saw the wireless message flashed from Zion’s refuge to Zion’s refuge in their several places [78] that all was well with them, and then the darkness of chaos closed around the boundaries of your people, and the last days of tribulation had begun.”
–Sols Caurdisto
[79] THE DREAM OF THE PLAGUES
Contributor 5:411
The present times seem to be more than usually prolific of prophetic dreams among the Latter-day Saints. In nearly every settlement the people have been warned of events soon to occur; and visions of the future glory of the Kingdom of God upon this earth have passed like a panorama before many of those who love God and obey His commandments. Some two or three years ago, I had retired for the night, when suddenly a glorious messenger appeared at my bedside and awoke me from my slumber. The light of his presence filled the room, so that objects were discerned as clearly as at noonday.
He handed me a book, saying, “Look, and see what is coming to pass.” I took the book in my hands and, sitting up in bed, examined it carefully and read its contents. In size this book was about seven by ten inches, opening like a copybook and bound in beautiful covers, on the front of which was stamped in gold letters its title, which was The Book of the Plagues. The leaves were printed only on the front side of each, and were composed of the very finest quality of pure white linen, instead of paper. The typography throughout was in the finest style of the printer’s art. Each page was composed of a picture printed in colors as natural as art can copy nature, which occupied the upper half of the space, below which was the printed description of the scene represented.
[80] On the first page was a picture of a feast in progress, with the long table set upon a beautiful lawn, over which were interspersed clumps of fine shrubs and towering trees. In the background through the foliage, could be discerned a stately suburban villa, adorned with all the ornaments of modern architecture. The landscape presented the appearance of midsummer. The sky, and indeed the whole atmosphere, appeared of a peculiar sickly brassy hue, similar to that which may be observed when the sun is wholly eclipsed, and the disc is just beginning again to give its light. Throughout the atmosphere small white specks were represented, similar to a scattering fall of minute snow flakes in winter. About the table a party of richly dressed ladies and gentlemen were seated in the act of partaking of the rich repast with which the table was laden. The minute specks falling from above were dropping into the food apparently unheeded by all, for a sudden destruction had come upon them. Many were falling backward in the agonies of a fearful death; others drooping upon the table, and others pausing with their hands still holding the untasted food, their countenances betraying a fearful astonishment at the peculiar and unlooked for condition of their companions. Death was in the atmosphere; the judgments of God had come upon them as silently and swiftly as upon the proud Sennaeharib and his host of Assyrians.
In one corner of this picture was a small circular vignette, showing the front of the store of a dealer in pork. The wide sidewalk was covered by an awning supported on posts at the outer edge, and on this walk were shown barrels of pork, long strings of sausages, fresh slaughtered hogs, piles of smoked bacon and headcheese; and along the edge of the walk, next to the store, beneath the front windows, [81] leaned a number of large hams and pieces of side meat, reaching across the whole front, except a small space at the doorway. There were twelve of these pieces, and on each piece was painted a large letter, in order to make as a whole the word abominations.
Below this scene was the description: “A Feast among the Gentiles, commencement of the Plague.” And in smaller type below, a note saying that the particles of poison, though represented in the picture, are
so small as to be invisible to the naked eye.
On the next page was another picture. It was a street scene in a large city. In the foreground were the residences of wealthy city merchants. The character of the buildings gradually changed; along the view and in the distance were shown the great buildings of trade and commerce in the heart of a large metropolis. On the sidewalks throughout the long vista, the busy, throbbing, rushing crowd had been cut down like grass before the mower.
Again it was a midsummer scene. The same atoms of poison were falling through the air, but their work was done; the same sickly brazen atmosphere that seemed thick with foul odors laid upon the earth, in which no breeze stirred a leaf of the foliage. Upon the balconies of the richly decorated residences, across the thresholds of the opened doorways, along the walks and upon the crossings, lay the men, women and children, who a few days before were enjoying all the pleasures of life. Further on, the dead were everywhere. Houses of business that had been thronged with customers stood with open doorways, frowning upon streets covered with the dead. Across the thresholds of the banks lay the guardians of wealth, but no thieves were there to [82] take the unlocked treasures within. The costly merchandise of a thousand owners laid untouched upon the counters and shelves. In the noonday glare of the sickly sun, not a soul was shown alive; not one had been left to bury the dead–all had been stricken or had fled from the death-dealing plague and the doomed city. Along midway upon the street, a hungry drove of those horrible ugly slaughterhouse hogs, (which may be seen in the pens attached to the filthy slaughtering places in the outskirts of many cities), was tearing and devouring the dead and feasting upon the bodies of rich and poor alike with none to molest them.
Below this picture was the description: “Progress of the Plague among the Gentiles. A street scene in a large city.” Nearly fifty of these pictures I carefully observed, wherein the fearful effects of this and other plagues were almost as vividly portrayed as if I had actually seen them.
The last scene in the book was descriptive of the same plague as the first. A beautiful park-like, grassy prairie was surrounded by elm and cottonwood trees, the area embraced being about eighty rods across. In the centre of this enclosure was a large cone-shaped tent of a bright purple color, about thirty feet in height by twenty in diameter at the base. Midway in height in this tent was a floor dividing the inside into two stories. Near this tent was another, a round wall tent, about thirty feet in diameter, and nearly as high as the first. This was clean and white. Leaving a space of about a hundred yards from these central tents were hundreds of small rectangular wall tents in rows, reaching as far as the surrounding trees, each tent clean and white, and appearing to be of a size suited to the wants of [83] an ordinary family. Not a human being, animal, bird or vehicle was in sight. Not a breath of air appeared to be stirring. The same atmosphere as in the previous pictures, with the atoms of poison, was represented, and the same time and season of the year.
Below this picture was the description: “A camp of the Saints who have gathered together and are living under the daily revelations of God, and are thus preserved from the plague.” I understood from this that each family was in its tent during the hours of the day that the poison falls, and thus were preserved from breathing the deathly particles.
Handing the book to the messenger, who all this time had remained by my side, he vanished from my view as suddenly as he had appeared. I awoke my wife, who was soundly sleeping, and commenced to relate to her what I had just beheld. After telling her the description of the two pictures at the beginning of the book, and commencing on the third, this third picture and all up to the last was suddenly taken from my memory, so that I have never been able to recall them; but still I remember that they were scenes about the plagues and judgments.
In the revelations given to the Prophet Joseph, among the many plagues and judgments portrayed, that given in the Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 29:17-20, has always seemed to me to fully coincide with what has been related in the account of that dream. But whether that plague or another is meant, it does not matter. Plagues will come and the wicked must suffer; but the Saints will be preserved by the very principle for which the wicked persecute them, which is present revelation from the Almighty.
[84] * * * * *
“And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God …. And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth forever and ever….
And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. (Rev. 15:1, 6, 7; 16:1, 2)
[85] THE VISION OF S. M. FARNSWORTH
Nauvoo–1844
I was engaged in working on the temple (at Nauvoo), and had gone home to dinner, and after dinner I started back to work, it then being about one o’clock. The day was a beautiful, clear and pleasant one, when suddenly the heavens became overcast and assumed the appearance of a drizzly day, like unto the approach of an equinoctial storm. The Saints looked very much downcast and overcome with sorrow. The Twelve Apostles were counseling the Saints to prepare for a great journey to the west. The people were running to and fro in the streets of Nauvoo, preparing wagons, outfits, etc., for this journey. Many hundreds started, and their wagons extended to the west as far as the eye could reach. This journey appeared to be a great undertaking, but was accomplished much easier than was expected. I saw the Saints after they had arrived at the end of their journey, and they began to prosper and were cheerful again.
Suddenly, a dark cloud appeared in the east and was driven to the west like a great tornado, that seemed as if it would destroy everything before it. It halted when it came to the mountains and one of the brethren remarked, “It is going to break away.” And as we looked at it, it broke up and began to scatter and go around the mountains. Then the sky began to grow dark and misty and haze over from the four points of the compass, gathering up like the approach of a big storm, which continued until everything was [86] enveloped in extreme darkness; and it continued to grow blacker and blacker, until it appeared to me that all our enemies were against us; the elements were against us; God and His Prophet had forsaken us, and there was no ray of hope, or light, to give us comfort, but it seemed as though we would all be utterly destroyed.
All at once, President Brigham Young unexpectedly came into the midst of the Saints, and said, “Brethren, stand still, and see the salvation of God”, and tried to comfort and cheer the Saints, but his words had no effect on the people. He then turned around in haste, and had the Church in a body encircled by three strong bands, (I saw no women or children in this circle) which he commenced driving with a Masonic mallet, followed by the Twelve Apostles. Each tap of the mallet drew the hoops tighter and tighter. This was the first time that I noticed the absence of Brothers Joseph and Hyrum, and I felt much troubled and weighed down in consequence of their absence. Brother Brigham and the Twelve continued driving the hoops, their countenances being very resolute and determined, showing no signs of mercy.
I thought to myself, the brethren could not stand it, when suddenly, the hoops burst assunder, and about two-thirds of the men scattered and ran away. I looked up and saw an opening in the clouds above, and also the heads of four or five heavenly personages above the clouds, looking down through their aperture upon us. I cast my eyes around and saw Brother Brigham smiling, and then knew that our troubles were over.
[87] Those heavenly personages came down in the midst of those who remained, and blessed them with all that their hearts could desire and life was a pleasure. When the clouds burst asunder, they turned with a ten-fold vengeance upon the heads of our enemies, and I noticed that those of our brethren that ran away, were of that class that were complaining, rebellious and had not lived up to their privileges. I felt in my heart, that the Lord ought not to put us to such a severe trial, when one of the angels came to me and said that “it was actually necessary to bring the Church through as close a place as that, in order to sift out those that were among you that were unworthy of the blessings you now enjoy.” I also saw that Brother Brigham had a large table spread with all the luxuries of life, and as starvation seemed to stare us in the face, I thought this trial was a good scarecrow, as no person was hurt, being only frightened enough to make them run away. Language cannot describe how happy and contented we all were; being of one heart and one mind, we enjoyed every blessing we desired. Soon Brother Brigham jumped up and clapped his hands and cried out, “Now boys, for Jackson County,” and we were all on the move in a short time.
The next scene I remember, I was within a short distance of Jackson County, arm in arm with one of the brethren walking directly south, being on the west side of the street or road. We saw an old mobocrat walking toward us, looking the very picture of despair. When he got opposite us, he raised his head and as our eyes caught his, he screeched aloud, withered and passed away, as a thing of naught. The vision closed, and I found myself standing in the street, where I was when it commenced.
[88] * * * * *
“Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man who sowed good seed in his field; But while he slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? Whence then hath it tares? He said unto the, An enemy hath done this.
And the servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the time of harvest, I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the wheat into my barn; and the tares are bound in bundles to be burned.” (Matt. 13:22-29)
[89] THE VISION OF M. SIRRINE
England–1846
Dear Brother Hyde, I take the opportunity to drop these few lines to you. I am not in the habit of repeating dreams or visions, but in consequence of the heavenly impression that a certain dream or vision left on my mind, I thought that I would relate it to you.
I preached in Bolton on the evening of the 16th of December (1864), on the resurrection of the dead. After meeting I went to the house of one of the brethren, and retired to bed at about eleven o’clock at night. I had not been in bed long before this singular occurrence took place.
I viewed myself traveling in company with two or three of my brethren in the ministry, and we were conversing on the principles of the kingdom of God, when, all at once, a very fine looking man fell in company with us. He said, “Well, brethren, how do you all do?” We looked at him, and said, “You have got the advantage of us, for we do not know you.” He said, “If you will keep it to yourselves whilst I am with you, I will tell you who I am.” We told him we would. By this time we had arrived at a brother’s house, where we intended to stay all night, for it was then getting evening. We all went in, and were seated in a private room, when the following conversation took place.
[90] Said the stranger to us, “My name is James. I am one of the twelve apostles that was on this earth in the days of our Saviour, and you now see my resurrected body. Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as you see me have.” We then viewed him very closely, but, oh, the beauty and glory of that body; would to God that I had language to describe it. His flesh and skin looked so beautiful and pure, and his cheeks bloomed like the rose. I then took my hand and laid it on his cheek, but he said to me, “be careful, do not handle me too much, for I am very choice of my immortal body.”
Said I, “Brother James, how did the people treat you and the rest of the Saints in that age of the world?”
Said he, “Very much the same as they treat you and the twelve at the present time; they mocked and derided us; our names were cast out as evil; the priests contended with us; they told the people we were false prophets, imposters, and not fit to live on the earth, just as the people say at the present day about the twelve that God has sent in this dispensation.”
“The truth is,” continued he, “the people are the same now that they were then, and the pure principles of Christ they will not receive, any more at the present day than they would when we told them the truth; and in that day only a few believed our testimony, and but few will receive the truth at the present day.”
Said I, “Brother James, the people have got a chapel reared to your name in this country; I wonder if they would let you preach in it.”
[91] “Oh no,” said he. “They would not let me preach in their chapel any more than they would one of the twelve of the present age; for if I should, my preaching would come in direct opposition to all their false traditions. You know my writings. What little of them they have, they do not practice, although they are not half so plain as when I wrote them, for the plainest part of my writings they have taken away, and if I should go and tell them of it, they would not believe me. So all that can be done is to preach where you can get an opportunity, and gather out the honest; then the rest will be cut off from the earth, for all the Lord does is to warn people, and when they reject His warning, He cuts them off from the earth by His judgments.”
I then said to him, what do you think of P. P. Pratt’s poem that he has written to his wife and family at Council Bluffs, Missouri? He replied that it was very good; it expresses the feelings of his heart in a plain and forcible manner. He further added that there once lived a sister in Rome who wrote a piece of poetry on the persecutions that we pass through, which I think full as good as Brother Pratt’s; she was a faithful sister, had great faith in the twelve apostles, for I taught her myself the pure principles of the gospel.
I then asked him what he thought of the twelve apostles that we had now with us, that are the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-day Saints. Said he, “They are good men, and if the Saints will follow their counsel, they will be exalted in the kingdom of God.”
[92] Said I, “They have learned many great and glorious principles since the organization of the church.”
“Yes,” says he, “but they are all but babes yet to what they will be when they get their immortal bodies, as you now see me have.”
Said I, “How long have you had your resurrected body?” He did not answer me definitely, but said it had been some time.
Said I to him, “I wish that I had my immortal body, as I see you have; how glad I should be.”
Says he, “It will not be long, if you are faithful, before you and all the rest of the Saints will have just such a body as you see me have.”
By this time, I thought that supper was ready, and we were called into another room. He said, “If you will not tell who I am, I will take supper with you.”
At this I awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Some may think that it was nothing but a phantom of the brain, but to me it was something glorious and tangible, and which I never shall forget in time nor in eternity; for it is verily true, just as I have related it, and it makes my heart rejoice every time I think of it.
Oh, the beauty and glory of that body! Language cannot describe it; therefore, I feel willing to pass through sorrow and affliction whilst in this mortal body, that I may obtain a glorious resurrection. Even so, Amen.
[93] I remain, as ever, your friend and brother in the gospel. M. SIRRINE. (Manchester, December 24, 1846; Millennial Star, Vol. 9:29)
(Note: In 1844 Mephibosbeth Sirrine was selected by Brigham Young to preside over branches of the Church in Connecticut and Michigan. After the death of the Prophet Joseph, he presided as a pioneer captain.)
[94] * * * * *
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:… (Joel 2:28)
* * * * *
[95] THE VISION OF AMANDA WILCOX
Salt Lake City–1868
This, in part, is what Sister Wilcox has to say: During the latter part of May 18, 1868, President Heber C. Kimball and I were standing in front of his place, on North Main. After a few moments’ conversation he turned to me and said, “Now, Sister Amanda, I am going to tell you something.” Looking south, he observed: “What do you see? I told him that I did not know any of the places on Main Street except Brother Wells’, Bishop Hunter’s, William Jennings’, Walker Brothers and the Tithing Office. He then remarked, “I will begin with Brother Wells’ place (present site of Templeton Bldg.). It will be torn down and a six-story building will be erected on that corner. All of the houses south of that place will be removed to make room for buildings that will average from three to six stories high.
“Now we will come back from Fourth South to the Council House corner. (Present site of Union Pacific Bldg.) Here a large fireproof building will be erected with an addition to it on the west. Where the Tithing Office now stands (Hotel Utah site), will be constructed a building that will be a credit and honor to the inhabitants of this whole intermountain region. The land around the Temple Block will be owned by the Saints and this will become a city of beautiful buildings.
[96] “Next comes the Temple. What do you expect to see there?” I told him that I expected to see the Savior, Joseph, Hyrum and others. He said, “Have you seen the Temple picture?” I said that I had not. He then put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Now look.”
“Oh, how white and beautiful,” I exclaimed. He then removed his hand and the vision was gone. He then asked me if I knew where the Prophets, Joseph and Hyrum were. I told him that I knew, and he said, “This must be kept a secret.”
He told me that the trials of the Saints would be hard to bear until the square of the Temple was reached. Before that time, however, our brethren would be imprisoned until the penitentiary shall be full, and some of them would be removed to other places. Mothers would weep for their husbands, and children would cry for their fathers. Some would die, and sorrow would fill the hearts of every Latter-day Saint.
Continuing, he said: “When the Temple roof is on, it will be somewhat better, but when the building is completed the Evil One will be shut out. The prayers of the Saints will be heard and the sick will be taken there to be healed. The Spirit of God will rest upon his people, and work for the dead will be continued night and day. You will attend the dedicatory services on the third day, and if you will come to this very spot, after the meeting is dismissed, you will hear a mighty voice cry out, `All is well.’”
I attended the services on the third day, and went to the designated spot, and heard the voice, as he said I would, repeated three times.
[97] He then went on to say, “An army of elders will be sent to the four quarters of the earth to search out the righteous and warn the wicked of what is coming. All kinds of religions will be started and miracles performed that will deceive the very elect if such a thing were possible. Our sons and daughters must live pure lives so as to be prepared for what is coming.
“After a while the Gentiles will gather to this place by the thousands, and Salt Lake will be classed among the wicked cities of the world. A spirit of speculation and extravagance will take possession of the Saints, and the result will be financial bondage.
“Persecution comes next, and all true Latter-day Saints will be tested to the limit. Many will apostatize, and others will stand still, not knowing what to do. `Darkness will cover the earth and gross darkness the minds of the people.’
“The judgments of God will be poured out upon the wicked to the extent that our elders from far and near will be called home. Or in other words, the gospel will be taken from the Gentiles and later on will be carried to the Jews.
“The western boundaries of the State of Missouri will be swept so clean of its inhabitants that, as President Young tells us, when we return to that place, `There will not be left so much as a yellow dog to wag his tail.’
“Before that day comes, however, the Saints will be put to a test that will try the integrity of the best of them. The pressure will become so great that the more righteous among them will cry unto the Lord day and night until deliverance comes.
[98] “Then the Prophet Joseph and others will make their appearance and those who have remained faithful will be selected to return to Jackson County, Missouri, and take part in the upbuilding of that beautiful city, the New Jerusalem.
“Now, Sister Amanda,” he continued, “a few words to you in relation to your children. Do you know who they are? They are Joseph and Ephraim combined. The Evil One will make an effort to darken their minds in relation to the gospel, but they will come through all right.”
Sister Wilcox closes her narrative with the following statement: “As soon as I reached home, I made a record of what Brother Kimball had told as I knew that every word of it would come true. I did not see him again until the next Sunday. After meeting he bade me goodbye, and that was the last time I ever saw him.”
[99] THE VISION OF JOHN TAYLOR
Cedar City, Utah
A prophetic incident occurred at my father’s home at Cedar City, Utah, at the time a conference was being held there, at which Pres. John Taylor and George A. Smith were present. Elder George A. Smith was asked to conduct the morning session of the conference, as Pres. Taylor wished to rest, as he had held meetings with the different wards and stakes between Salt Lake City and Cedar City. Pres. Taylor did not attend the morning session of the conference, but remained at our home to rest in order that he might attend the afternoon session. He, with all of the authorities, stayed at my father’s home during this conference.
Pres. Taylor wished to go to his room and lie down and rest, and asked my mother to tell him if he should oversleep by the time the morning session was over. My mother was busy preparing dinner for the visitors and was surprised when Pres. Taylor came walking into the kitchen. She asked him if he was not able to rest, as he hadn’t been gone long; whereupon he related a vision that he had in his room.
He saw Salt Lake City become a great and beautiful city with cement streets and roads and the people had become wealthy. Great beautiful homes covered the city, and he said that the city was [100] extended almost to the point of the mountain (south of the now, 1951, state prison. The people had become indifferent to the counsel and advice of the authorities of the Church, and were more interested in the accumulating of wealth than they were in living their religion, and at this time there began to be war and bloodshed.
He saw blood running down the gutters of Salt Lake City as though it were water. People were fighting among themselves until it became so serious that the entire Church records were all taken across the Colorado River. President Taylor said to her: “If you are alive at that time, be sure that you are not far behind the records, because after the Church records leave and are secure, the very powers of hell will be turned loose, and there will be such destruction that but very little life will remain.
Not only Salt Lake but other adjoining cities will be destroyed, and in the east, in Missouri, in Jackson County, civilization will become entirely extinct. All means of transportation, such as railroads and highways, will be destroyed; the only means of travel will be on foot, and all manufacturing of all kinds will be entirely destroyed. Be sure when you see these things come, see that you have buttons, needles and things to work with in order to make yourself clothing, thread and cloth as far as possible because all tools and every kind of machinery will be destroyed. It will become such a destructive war that the sufferings and drivings of the people from Nauvoo will only be as a drop in the bucket as compared with the suffering that will take place at this time, until one-half of the people will not follow the leaders and one-half of the others will die and turn because of the sufferings they will have [101] to go through; but the Lord will bless those who stay with the authorities, and they shall not all be destroyed.
They will travel south and will finally form a circle something like a horseshoe before they return to Jackson County, Missouri. Those who will be privileged to help build Jackson County will be those who are willing and glad to obey the counsel and advice of the authorities placed over them, and they will not only be willing to listen to their counsel and advice, but will ask that they might receive it in order to be guided and protected out of this great time of want and distress. The Saints will be taxed so heavily that they will cry to the Lord day and night for deliverance.
He said also that we would be few in numbers and would assist the Lamanites in building the New Jerusalem in Jackson County. The vision was so terrible that he asked the Lord to close it, but he saw that those who would keep the commandments and adhere to the authorities of the Church would survive and He would protect them as He did the children of Israel.
After telling of this vision, he said to my mother, “Sister Lunt, see that you always listen and obey the counsel of the authorities and stay with them.”
The above experience my mother told me many, many times and she held this experience sacred.
[102] In witness that the above is true, I hereunto sign my name this 9th day of January, 1951, at Mesa, Arizona.
O/S Edward Lunt
(From the Lundwall Rare Manuscript File, Microfilm Roll 2)
Note: The above account of John Taylor’s vision was first obtained from Edward Lunt by N. B. Lundwall. From this original account have arisen five others which are nearly all identical, with the exception of two in which someone has taken the liberty to include quotations that have no valid reference.
[103] THE VISION OF JOHN TAYLOR
(as related by Wilford Woodruff)
Salt Lake City, Utah
I retired to bed about half past nine. That evening I had been reading a revelation contained in the Doctrine and Covenants and my mind was calmer if possible than usual. I could not sleep. I felt a dreamy feeling coming over me, and soon I became partially unconscious as to where I was.
Presently I discovered that I was in the Ogden Tabernacle sitting on a back seat to avoid being called upon to speak. After the second hymn was sung, I was called to the stand. I arose and said that I did not know that I had anything special to say further than to bear my testimony as to the truthfulness of the Gospel.
Then I seemed to be lifted, as it were, out of myself and said, “Yes, I have something to say which is this: Some of the brethren have been asking me concerning coming events, and I will now tell you some of the things which will shortly come to pass.”
I then found myself wandering about the streets of Salt Lake City and noticed on the doors of every house, including my own, badges of mourning, and said to myself, can it be possible that I am dead? Just then I heard a voice say, “No, you will live through it all.” No one seemed to be passing along the streets and everything was as still as death, except the prayers of the people that could be heard [104] in the houses. I saw no funerals, and the scourge or whatever it was, seemed to be under control.
I then looked over the country; in every direction as far as I could see, a similar condition prevailed. I then passed eastward above the earth and looking down saw many people coming west, mostly women who were carrying small bundles on their backs, and I thought it strange that there were so few men among them. They were on their way to the mountains, and I wondered how they could get there as the railroads were abandoned and the rails were in bad condition.
I continued on my way passing through Omaha, Council Bluffs, and Iowa, and saw many women moving about in an excited manner. Sickness and death prevailed on all sides. The inhabitants of Illinois and Missouri were in dreadful condition, the men and women killing each other in the most brutal manner.
Next I visited the City of Washington, D.C., and found the place deserted and in ruins. From there I went to Baltimore and on the square, where stands the monument of 1812, dead bodies of the inhabitants of the place were piled in heaps. While there I saw mothers cut the throats of their own children and drink the blood in order to quench their thirst. The waters of the Chesapeake Bay were so befouled from the effect of dead bodies that the water could not be used. Sickness and death prevailed throughout the city and the stench was something awful.
I thought surely that this must be the end of suffering, but when I visited the City of Philadelphia, I found the place in ruins and the smell from dead bodies was beyond anything one could imagine.
[105] In New York I saw men crawl out of cellars, ravish beautiful women, kill them and rob them of their jewels. I saw parents eating the flesh of their own offspring and then roll over and die. Looking back while on my way to Central Park, I saw fire break out and a heavy wind carried the flames over the city, and all the buildings, wharfs and ships in the harbor were burned. The stench from the burning bodies was carried by the wind across the Hudson River spreading death and destruction wherever it went. The sights that met my view on all sides were so horrible to look upon that it would be impossible for me to describe them.
After these scenes had passed, I found myself standing on the left bank of the Missouri River, just opposite to where stood the City of Independence and soon discovered that the states of Illinois, Missouri, and part of Iowa had been swept clean of its inhabitants and the surrounding country was a complete wilderness.
A short distance across the river, I beheld twelve men dressed in their temple robes standing in a square with their hands raised, and it was made known to me that they represented the twelve gates of the new Jerusalem. They then consecrated the grounds and laid the cornerstones of the city and temple; and while they were doing so, I saw myriads of heavenly angels hovering over them. I heard the most beautiful music and singing that I ever listened to and these were the words they repeated: “Now is established the Kingdom of our God and His Christ which shall no more be thrown down or given to another people.”
[106] I then saw a multitude of people coming from various directions to take part in the upbuilding of the city and temple and even the angels were on hand to assist in the glorious work. A great cloud arose above them and many of the saints were clothed in their temple robes.
All of a sudden I found myself standing at the pulpit of the Ogden Tabernacle, yet I could see the building of the city of Zion and temple going on and the cloud that hovered above the place.
I had become so animated by this time that I called upon the congregation to listen to the sweet music and singing of the angels that seemed to fill the house. Then I heard a voice say, “Now has come to pass that which was spoken by the mouth of Isaiah the Prophet, where he declares that `Seven women shall take hold of one man saying, We will eat our own bread and wear our own apparel, only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach.’”
By this time I was so exhausted that I staggered backwards, and Brother Franklin D. Richards and some of the other brethren caught me before I fell. I then asked Brother Richards to apologize for me stopping so abruptly in my remarks, and to tell them that I had not fainted, but was overcome from exhaustion. I then rolled over in bed and the clock in the City and County Building struck twelve.
* * * * *
“Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall [107] come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord.
And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord; First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.” (D. & C. 112:24-26)
[108] * * * * *
The Christians of the first century were continually led by dreams and visions. By revelations given in this manner, they were forewarned of many dangers; they escaped many calamities; and their lives were often very miraculously preserved. (“Masterful Discourses of Orson Pratt”; p. 558)
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[109] NEWMAN BULKLEY VISION
A vision seen by Newman Bulkley, veteran of the Mormon Battalion, on January 8, 1886, in Springville, Utah.
I retired to rest about 9 o’clock in the evening. In a short time I drowsed off to sleep, and it seemed as if the spirit of my dead wife was hovering round about me.
Suddenly I awoke, and sleep departed from me, and the vision of my mind was opened, and I beheld the members of the Senate of the United States. And while in session they were hurled from the hall by an unseen power. They rallied again, and the second time they were thrown from the hall. They rallied the third time and were again thrown from the hall with such violence that a great number of them were killed. All those that remained alive had the name of “EDMUNDS” printed on their foreheads.
Next I saw a whirlwind commence in the center of the House of Representatives which increased until it frightened all the members out of the House, and they then scattered to various parts of the United States; and the inhabitants of the city of Washington, D.C., became frightened and scattered until the city became almost desolate.
Then I saw a great tumult commence all over the United States, which ended in a great deal of blood [110] being shed. And a great many of the people who had heard our Elders preach, and had believed what they heard, but had not had the courage to embrace the Gospel when they heard it, gathered what little effects they could take with them, and came to this people in the Rocky Mountains.
Then I saw many thousands of women and children take refuge in the timber, hazel rough, or any place they could conceal themselves from the turmoil that was going on in the States. And when word reached this people of their situation, there were hundreds of Seventies called upon to go and hunt them up and bring them to this people in Utah.
Then the Government of the United States patched up their difficulties, and elected a new Congress, which assembled to do business. The crusade continued against the Latter-day Saints.
Our enemies attributed all their troubles to the Saints, and the crusaders raised such a howl and sent forth their petitions to Congress, that the first business they did was to order one hundred thousand of the best and most able-bodied men that could be obtained, to come against us.
When this became known to the Saints, instructions were sent forth for all the inhabitants of this territory to gather into the valleys, as near as possible to the Temples. And the people gathered into Salt Lake, Cache, Utah and Sanpete Valleys, and to St. George, until there was a family to nearly every acre of land, and all the country around was filled with our people. And water broke forth, where before there had been no water, so that all the land could be cultivated.
[111] I saw, also, that all the old men who had honored their Priesthood, became spry and young again.
I also saw that the greater number of those who had gone into polygamy for the principle thereof, had to go to prison; while those who had embraced it for lust, escaped, as the officers appeared to care nothing about them.
I saw no preparation of any warlike demonstration in the midst of the Saints, but all appeared to have the spirit of peace and contentment. And when the soldiers came near our borders, the United States officers and all the Gentiles were seized with fearfulness and left in haste by night and day, until they all got outside of the borders of this people and united with the soldiers.
Then the army surrounded this people on every side, and there was no possible way of escape. They then raised their standard and sent forth a proclamation to all who wished to save their lives to come to them for protection. And about one-third of our men and as many women as they could persuade to follow them, went over to the army and joined it.
Then I saw the preparations commence for the entire destruction of the Saints. It consisted in their gathering together all the combustible (explosive) material they could obtain, and making a complete wall all around this people. It looked to me to be some fifty feet high, and from six to ten rods wide on the bottom.
During the time of their gathering this combustible material, our people were laboring in the Temples, endowing men with the FULNESS of the blessings of the Priesthood, for their protection.
[112] And when the army had fired their combustibles, these men, endowed with the FULNESS of the Holy Priesthood, walked along, like sentinels at their posts, and waved their hands, and the flames, smoke and ashes that were intended for the destruction of the Saints, turned upon our enemies. And when this combustible matter was consumed, and the fire and smoke had cleared away, lo and behold, the enemies of this people were not to be found.
During all this time, our people were laboring in the Temples day and night, endowing the Elders of Israel with the FULNESS of the blessings of the Holy Priesthood, until they got the number of fifty thousand endowed. During this time the Temple in Salt Lake City had been completed, and in one of the rooms situated in one of the towers, Jesus and Joseph, with their council, were sitting. Then preparations were made for the fifty thousand to go down to the Center Stake of Zion, with Jesus and Joseph at their head, riding in their chariots of fire. They seemed to be somewhere about six to ten rods above the earth.
While all these scenes had been transpiring, the remnants or Lamanites of the land had gathered in from all quarters east of the Rocky Mountains, and some had come from South America. When our brethren passed down to the Center Stake of Zion, the remnants went forth and redeemed the land of Zion.
When my attention was drawn back again to the mountains, I saw that the young men and middle-aged men had been called away upon different missions; and the old men and women and children had to do all the farm work; and all those who were laboring to build up the City of Zion in Jackson County, had to [113] be sustained from these valleys, with the exception of the remnants of the house of Jacob. The buffalo and other game had returned upon the plains to feed them until they could be taught the art of agriculture.
The earth in the valleys was sanctified and cleansed so that it brought forth in its strength, and instead of its bringing from 15 to 40 bushels of grain to the acre, it brought forth from 100 to 200 bushels. The water broke forth in the parched ground, and all these valleys were filled with the Saints of the Most High, who had gathered in from the nations of the earth, to be schooled in the Temples that are now built and that will yet be built, to prepare them to go forth to the Center Stake of Zion.
I saw all this pass before the eyes of my understanding; and when it had passed once, it was repeated again, which occupied about the whole of the night. I turned over and tried to sleep, but sleep had fled from me, and soon it was daylight. I was not asleep, but was awake the whole time, and I arose, filled with the glory of what I had seen, resting upon me.
* * *
This vision was originally published in a small pamphlet which is very rare at the present time.
[114] * * * * *
For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction. (Job 33:14-16)
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[115] THE VISION OF THOMAS CARDON
Logan–1886
I seemed to stand away north beyond all the settlements that have since been made, and looking towards the south I saw many settlements that had been made, as far as the vision of my mind could gaze, and the people seemed in trouble and many were leaving their homes to get out of the way of being persecuted. After this had been going on for some time, I saw a small thread-like line lying on the ground and it was drawn from north to south beyond any of the settlements that were then made. But I also saw many of the settlements of the Saints that have since been made, and the small line extended south beyond them all; and it seemed that but few persons noticed it at the time, but as it grew larger more persons began to see it and began to choose for themselves on which side of the line they chose to live.
Some preferred the east while others chose the west and others again preferred standing over the line with a foot on each side of it and seemed undecided as to which side they would go, as they seemed to want to wait and see which would be the safest side to be on. Others would stand on one side for awhile and then cross over back and forth for some time and seem to want to keep friends with both sides in order to secure their safety. And as the trouble increased and the people were looking for more difficulty to come along as though they expected some great calamity to come upon them, the [116] line constantly increased in size until it was difficult to cross; and those who stood with a foot on each side found it impossible to remain so, and the most part chose to go to the east side.
I then wondered why the separation took place and found that those who stood on the west side were those who chose to keep ALL THIS COMMANDMENTS OF GOD and live according to the principles of the Gospel, while those on the east side were those who had been accustomed to find fault with the brethren and presiding officers of the Church and those who did not have a testimony for themselves that this was the work of God and were afraid of the finger of scorn and the calumny of the unbelieving world; and they seemed to wonder that if this was the work of God, why He did not come and deliver them from the destruction that seemed to await them.
Those who were on the west side seemed to stand farther away from the line than those on the east side, and they also seemed to anticipate danger and retreated further away into the mountains and other places of safety. I then heard a great noise and looked to the southeast and saw great black clouds that rested upon the east, and they seemed to be rolling westward toward the line and an immense moblike army was under the clouds and they came with the clashing of arms and other warlike demonstrations and with great threatenings against the people on the west side of the line and with full determination to destroy them. When they were within a few miles of the line, those people who were on the east side with a hope of saving themselves from being destroyed started toward the army and a few of those who were on the west side [117] came up to the line and threw themselves over and started to run toward the army also. But when they met the army, they were all utterly crushed by their advancing columns.
This scene caused me great trouble of mind to see so much suffering and destruction of the lives of men, women and children who had once identified themselves with the people of God; and I prayed to the Lord that He would stay this great army lest the Latter-day Saints would be destroyed. Also after much prayer and supplication, I saw a bright light in the heavens in a southeasterly direction, and under the light was a beautiful white cloud, and the light and the cloud moved toward the east. Then I saw two personages on top of the cloud who were surrounded by the light, and they came down and stopped when about twenty feet from the line.
One of those personages seemed much older than the other and pointed to the one on his right hand side–then I knew that it was our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Then I looked toward the army and I saw that the black cloud had entirely gone and those who composed the army fought with each other until they were all utterly destroyed, after which I looked toward the west and saw the Saints coming toward the personages who still remained above the line with cheerful countenances, and I felt to rejoice at this deliverance, and I began to wonder and cried out with heart full of gratitude and thanked the Lord for this deliverance.
I wondered if I was asleep or awake and stretched out my hand to pinch my arm to make sure which it was; but this I know–my eyes were open. I was much fatigued in body but buoyant in spirit.
[118] * * * * *
“When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he shall sit upon the throne of his glory; and before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth sheep from the goats; the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. And he shall sit upon his throne, and the twelve apostles with him. Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matt. 25:32-35, 42)
[119] THE VISION OF LORIN C. WOOLLEY
1886
In about the, year 1886, after having retired to rest, all of a sudden I appeared to be standing on a high range of mountains, from which point I could see a cordon of Elders reaching from Yucatan, South America, north to the Arctic regions. Then there appeared a black cloud in the Balkans traveling westward. It only reached to the shores of the United States when it seemed to stop and go back to its starting point. Then it came again and covered all the eastern part of the United States and north into Canada. As I looked, I saw what appeared to be large birds (now interpreted as being airplanes) emerge from the dark cloud; also horseless carriages appeared, (automobiles) all loaded principally with women, travelling westward. We made no attempt to stop them.
As the cloud traveled westward, groups of men holding the Priesthood seemed to run in circles, one in the center of each group, rebuking the cloud through prayer. The cloud would stop and start again and it made headway until it reached the Missouri River west of Independence. At this point, three groups of Elders with three men, (instead of one as before) in the center of each group, formed in circles, one group being in Canada, one group in the United States, and one in Mexico, (Lorin Woolley being in the center of the center circle). As we prayed, the cloud went back. I could see clearly from Yucatan to the frozen north.
[120] A black cloud also arose over the Pacific Ocean and traveled eastward as far as the Sierra Mountains, where it was arrested, not reaching Utah.
In relating the above to President John Taylor and others of the brethren, President Taylor said the vision showed two wars, the first reaching only to the Eastern shores of the United States, while the second would reach to the shores of the Missouri River. The Asiatics will over-run the Western Coast, but will not be able to hold it. He said, “It will be a war of desolation.”
* * * * *
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” (Daniel 12:1)
[121] VISION OF A. ERICKSON
Early 1930’s
The voice of warning crying unto me, concerning the great and dreadful day of the Lord and the destruction of the wicked, which shall shortly come to pass. The voice of the Great Spirit does reveal these things unto me, even the Holy Ghost that does bear witness of the Father and the Son. Therefore, I call unto all to repent of their wrong doings and their wickedness, and join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
It is essential that ye be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, that ye may receive instructions and be taught the truth by the Spirits which are in Heaven.
Thus declareth the voice of the Great Spirit which is within me, even the Holy Ghost. For thus saith the Spirit unto me, it is your burden and responsibility that these things made manifest unto you shall be made known unto the world.
Prophesy unto this people, for their sins have come up unto me, and they are not of me. He who will not hearken unto the Law of My Word, shall sink [122] into unquenchable fire. Therefore, I extend a warning unto all who will hear the word of their Great Creator, to repent of their sins and evil doings, lest God’s judgment come upon them and destruction overtake them.
All these things I make known unto you concerning the Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord, and the destruction of the wicked, which shall shortly come to pass, and is even now at our doors.
Behold, this people, they esteem one another according to their possession of wealth, and not according to the value of the soul. They look upon the wonders of the earth and marvel, but fail to see the poor people who suffer in want around them and among them.
The whole earth is now ripe for destruction, and it shall shortly and speedily come upon the inhabitants of the earth, for God shall hasten His work, and great destruction shall quickly overtake the evildoers, and who is there among them that can escape God’s holy law and His chastening hand?
I see our church represented by a high building, and we are in the top thereof, or the most recently constructed portion, which is very shakey; and I perceive that this last constructed portion is going to fall, and we must get down to the lower part of this great structure, which rests solidly upon its foundations. And while I am thus viewing it, the top, or last part built, does crash with a loud and fearful crash.
I see sheep grazing in the valley and on the mountain side. My Master tells me to watch them and not let them graze too far away from camp, because [123] the sky gathers blackness and a bad storm is drawing near. I call three times, and the last time they hear me and come swiftly toward camp.
And thus does declare the Holy Ghost unto me: Beware, lest ye be destroyed with the wicked, for these things shall shortly come to pass.
Poverty and starvation shall sweep the land, and there shall be large masses of destitute people, masses of humanity starving. And as a witness to this truth, you shall see large headlines in the newspapers declaring starvation and hunger; and pictures of masses of humanity but a short way off who are starving. I warn you all to look to God; call on the Mighty One, even your Heavenly Father. Keep His commandments and lay up supplies against this time.
Starvation shall sweep the country, and in certain places, people will even harvest cactus and prickly pears, and prepare food for themselves and to sell. And I see that food becomes so scarce that soldiers are stationed to guard the plates of those who are eating that the hungry may not steal their food.
Because of the wickedness of this people, they are brought down into bondage, and their money which they have prized so highly, becomes increasingly worthless. I see the time when a cheap room in a hotel will cost $9.00. Then I see a law passed declaring U.S. money is of no value; and the rich bemoan the loss of their great piles of money. I see silver coins lying around in the dirt, and I look around and see still more of them, and in certain places, they are in piles on the dirt. Greenback bills become worthless scraps of paper, and have no value. [124] And thus it shall be that U.S. money becomes worthless.
I see industries collapse. The gasoline and oil industry is symbolized to me by a great pipeline that extends out of the earth a mile or so into the sky, thence a mile to the north, and thence down to the earth. Then I see this great man-made structure is leaking badly at the south, and then it springs a leak at the north, and then it falls northward with a mighty crash.
Thus it shall come to pass that the gasoline and oil business shall first fail in the south, and it shall spread to the north, until there is a complete oil and gasoline failure. And none shall be hauled over the rails because of the great failure. Traffic and industries shall cease because of the want of oil and gas, and great consternation shall seize upon man.
And it shall come to pass that wickedness shall increase, and many women in general shall partake of whoredoms for hire, for women shall exceed the men in number. And I see many men turning to robbery, and to liquors and strong drink, and their children are deprived of the teachings of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The Lord God shall send forth flies extra early, and they shall attack the evil doers, the children of the devil, and fear shall fall upon the wicked, insomuch that they shall not move out of their places.
But the more righteous shall flee unto Zion. And I see large crowds coming to Utah in such great numbers that they have to be handled in masses, or in herds like cattle.
[125] And again, I see this same fly as it is revealed to me by the Great Spirit. It is quite a large and fiery red or brass colored fly sent to attack the wicked. Pestilence shall spread from its bite, insomuch that the flesh shall fall from off the bones, and the eyes from the sockets, and the tongue shall not speak.
I also saw a dog and a gray bitch wolf, and the wolf is exceedingly heavy with pups to be born. They shall increase in numbers, and shall be ravenously hungry, and they shall not hesitate to attack man; and because of their great numbers, they shall overpower and devour him. Man shall try to tame these beasts, but to no avail. Their purpose is to destroy.
And tornadoes shall come right here in our own west; and I see a dark colored rainbow appear in the Southern sky, followed by another great sign across the whole sky like a checkerboard, and the Lord God shall speak with a mighty voice of fierce and sweeping winds, and buildings, automobiles and people shall be swept away. And I see also that written words shall appear in the sky as a sign and a warning of great destruction. High winds shall spread over the country with tornadoes and cyclones in various places. Houses shall be blown to pieces and some carried up into the air. The government will issue tents to the homeless. I see a great storm that shall come suddenly, sweeping up glass and causing it to rain down on many, causing much bloodshed. Fire and smoke shall spread over the land and many strange sights shall be seen.
The ocean shall become exceedingly rough in the winter months, and a fear shall arise in the [126] hearts of the people for the safe return of their relatives and friends and those who must go to sea; for it becomes impossible to cross in the winter months, and all must cross by or before the last ship of the season, or wait until the next season when the ocean calms. And at this time, the ocean shall be out of its bounds, or regular water levels, and shall rise up and wash away many towns along the seashores. And afterwards, other people will come in and reinhabit these towns, bringing with them food that is not produced in the ocean-swept country. And I see the water mark on the side hills, high above the towns.
I look up above the eastern horizon and see a woman dressed in a white robe, which also encloses her head, excepting her face; and she is sitting at the foot of a great white cross, which has golden stars in it. As I look upon this scene, it moves toward the north, and I am told to write of great and bloody wars to come.
Again the vision of my mind is opened and I see two emblems through dark clouds; they are the emblem of the American Legion and the American flag. And as I look at them, they appear to be on a government building. They begin to fade away until they have completely vanished from my sight. I see only the government building without either of these emblems.
And I see a crowd of people looking at this great wonder in the sky, and they are somewhat afraid, but not enough that they repent of their wickedness. And I see one man make an effort to pray to the Lord when he sees this great sign, but he makes a failure or mockery out of it, and everyone at the gathering breaks up and leaves in confusion.
[127] I see that the judgments of the Lord are poured out upon all flesh, and it is shown to me that this great sign and wonder marks the time when great signs and wonders shall appear in the sky; and this is the time when the wicked shall be destroyed.
Then I see the US flag with all its bright colors in the northwestern sky; and then it disappears and another flag appears in its stead, which is plain and without colors; but made up of many different parts. And the meaning of it is made clear, that the people of the US will disagree and divide up and split up, forming many separate organizations, until the central government is completely overthrown, and the nation is in civil chaos–without civil administration or leadership.
And it shall come to pass, that the French nation shall bomb the eastern seacoast of the US with a deadly poison gas, and it shall spread over the land like a blanket of thick heavy smoke of a dirty white or a light yellow color; and it does spread over the land with wind and carries with it to all it touches.
A war shall come in this land, for I see a war in the west. I see a mighty gun that shoots from the mountains of the Lord toward the east, drops of rain, as it were, each drop carrying death wherever it hits. First a beam of light comes out of the west and extends across the sky towards the east, and then I see two lines of clouds come out of the west following along each side of the beam of light. And I see them in the east fortifying themselves against these raindrops of death.
[128] Salt Lake County shall be colored red with many light snows, and northern lights shall come in these times, and be seen out of their regular bounds, and shall show in regions where they have never been seen before. And in that day, the sun shall lose its brightness, and darkness shall fall upon the face of the earth; but it shall come to pass that in certain places of the more righteous, the countryside shall be lighted by a miracle line unto a beautiful lamp in the sky, for it is the will of the Lord that certain crops of the righteous shall not fail, and the interior of rooms shall be lighted by a miracle, and even the inside of buildings and mines.
I see hay come down out of the sky like manna from heaven to feed hay-eating animals, and many haystacks of the righteous increase of themselves by the power of God.
But upon dense populations of the wicked, smoke and vapor and dampness and a dark cloud shall settle down and encompass their houses, and shall not rise. When these low clouds appear, there shall be lightning and explosions in the air, the worst that have ever been heard. I see these rapid swirling clouds moving swiftly close to the ground, causing great friction and noise; but to the west, they play out, and toward Utah the sky remains clear.
And thus it shall be when the Lord begins to hasten His work in the destruction of the wicked. There shall be a great sign and all shall see it, for low clouds shall be seen floating low to the ground.
And the Great Spirit or the Holy Ghost declared unto me, A. Erickson, that the very time of these low clouds is the time appointed by the Lord [129] when the wicked shall not stand. Therefore, know ye that when these low clouds shall come, the wicked of the earth shall be destroyed; and the sun shall lose its brightness, and the earth shall become cooler as a result; causing more clouds to form and come low to the ground, indicating the beginning of the Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord.
And I see these low clouds coming down over the hills and moving with the wind, causing intervals of dimmer sunshine and cooler temperatures. And I begin to hear thunderings and see tornadoes coming over the hills and across the valleys.
And when the temperatures of the earth have fallen because of the low clouds, people will be obliged to go into one room of their houses, and to huddle about their heater to keep warm, and cold and hunger shall come upon man, for this is the time when the wicked shall be destroyed from off the face of the earth.
The word of the Lord came to me, saying that books containing the word of our Heavenly Father and Savior and the Holy Ghost, shall be speedily transferred to Zion, just before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
It is revealed to me by the Holy Ghost that in a deep narrow gorge, in a southeasterly direction from Salt Lake, hidden records are concealed. (This gorge is newly made, geologically.)
And it shall come to pass that the climate will not follow its proper seasons, and the leaves shall fall from the trees in the spring. I see a mighty hail storm coming, and it shall come upon the ungodly and [130] destroy the crops of the earth. A frozen hail stone is shown to me of enormous size, it being several feet thick.
And in that time, rain shall beat against houses with fierce and sweeping winds. Thunder will roar continually, and lightning shall flash with blinding streaks. Quick moving clouds shall appear, and giant hail stones raining down from the sky shall pierce big holes through buildings and automobiles; and the hearts of men shall be filled with fear.
People’s bodies are now charged with downward flows of electricity instead of upward flows. The downward flows have a destructive influence upon their bodies, while the upward flows have a good influence. For this reason shall great distress be caused among the people.
I see carrots brought in out of the field freshly dug, yet they are wilted and become soft, having lost their freshness and good flavor, because of the wrong charge of electricity.
The sun shall be seen to fail to follow its true course, and the earth shall be thrown out of its regular way, and the hills shall crumble down and rocks shall fall from their places, and the whole earth shall tremble and shake. I see the sun, and it is sinking low in the northeast, and I see two kinds of clouds, those that are split up by conflicting currents of air, and those that travel with the wind. I see bright sunshine and then dust comes in whirlwinds over the ground. Then darkness suddenly comes and I see the stars, and some appear like they are falling. Thus a great darkness shall come in the daytime, and it shall cause great confusion to many. Cities will be [131] without light, and so great shall be the darkness that many caught away from home shall not be able to find their way back.
And water shall spring forth out of the ground with much pressure, and shall rush down over cliffs and down canyons in increasing volume until it floods the lower lands. And the ground shall cave in with deep and wide cavings, and water shall rush into them; and fire and smoke shall be seen.
I am shown, and I look up into the sky and see another planet slightly towards the north or in a northerly direction; and I see that it is similar to our own earth. I see that it is a land of green vegetation, and streams, and creeks of water like unto our own planet. As I look upon it, I see that it is close enough to our earth that its clouds and the clouds of our earth come together and mix and pass by one another. I see a dark strange cloud with whitish smaller clouds around it, and it comes down low over the hills leaving a white snow covered strip of country underneath it and behind it.
And now after this time, I see a lowland country in the region of the North Pole, and it is overshadowed and surrounded by mountains of ice, excepting one outlet where the ice is melted away. I see that this land is warm, that it is cultivated and its vegetation is abundant, and that it is inhabited by many of the Lost Tribes.
I see the last of many dwellings finished in Salt Lake Valley, and I see the water rising up until the buildings are submerged and the people are forced to leave. I even see the great Temple of the Lord half under water, and the water still rising. Later on, the water subsides, and the valley is reoccupied.
[132] After the time of desolation, the same land that was desolate shall now become rich in vegetation, and I see the whole land luxuriant with vegetation, trees and undergrowth, which before was desert wasteland.
I see Salt Lake in the near future with her habitation numbered by the mile, or miles, instead of blocks. I also see around about a new beautiful country of choice vegetation, especially of fruits and food stuffs, growing rank, large and rich, with no noxious weeds.
I suddenly see the Lord Jesus Christ come in a cloud out of the Eastern Heaven with great brightness. I am taken up suddenly from those around me to meet Him, not even having time to tell them that the Lord is coming to redeem the earth. I see that He has come surprisingly quick, and that this time is shortly before us. I see that He is wearing about a four-inch red stripe over his shoulder and down across His breast, and that the rest of His robe is very white. I see that His coming is very soon, and that because of the suddenness of His coming, many of us will not have the time to properly dress ourselves to meet Him. Thus is the glorious coming of Christ to rule and reign on the earth for a thousand years as King of Kings, Lord of Lords.
I see immortal people walking forth from low clouds. I shake hands with them and recognize them as of many nationalities. I see many resurrected women, some with babies in their arms who were taken from them by death, but now are theirs again to raise to maturity.
[133] The Indians or Lamanites shall become a white and delightsome people. They will move north into Canada where they will have more range for their cattle. I see three generations: a grandmother who is quite dark, a mother who is not quite so dark, and a daughter who is white.
A new and different kind of airship shall come that shall have no wings and no gasoline motors, nor carry fuel of any kind; its shape being something like a ball which carries within itself the necessary electrical instruments which control the power of gravity over it so that the ship may be maneuvered through the air at a snail’s pace or very swiftly as preferred. And I see many finer ships come after it, with many new improvements, but of the same flying principles. These are heavier than air machines and very commonplace.
God has given some men double the brains of others, to develop and increase in knowledge. To some He has given seven-fold, with sufficient periods of time for development; and unto others He has given more, and unto others less. And this He has given unto them before they were born into the world.
I see ancient men compared with our present day men, and the ancient man is far superior to our present-day man in faith, in truth, and in the ways of God.
I see an old gray headed man who has the mind of a 16-year-old; he has patterned his life after his own ignorant desires. I also see another man who is around 90 years old, or a hundred, who is not gray, but looks young. He has kept the commandments of God and obeyed the word of wisdom in all things.
[134] * * * * *
And now I, A. Erickson, do declare unto you, my brothers and sisters, that these things are all true, and shall shortly come to pass according to the Word of God, for they are made known unto me through the Holy Ghost, which does bear witness of the Father and the Son. And now, do not thank me for these things, but thank God, your Father in Heaven. Even so, Amen.
[135] PART 3
Visions of Departed Spirits and of the Savior
[137] VISION OF THE SIGNERS OF THE
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
AND U.S. PRESIDENTS
by Pres. Wilford Woodruff
in the St. George Temple
I will say here, before closing, that two weeks before I left St. George, the spirits of the dead, gathered around me, wanting to know why we did not redeem them. Said they: “You have had the use of the Endowment House for a number of years and yet nothing has ever been done for us. We laid the foundation of the government you now enjoy, and we never apostatized from it, but we remained true to it and were faithful to God.” These were the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and they waited on me for two days and two nights. I thought it very singular that notwithstanding so much work had been done, and yet nothing had been done for them. The thought never entered my heart from the fact, I suppose, that heretofore our minds were reaching after our more immediate friends and relatives. I straightway went into the baptismal font and called upon Brother McAllister to baptize me for the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and fifty other eminent men, making one hundred in all, including John Wesley, Columbus, and others; I then baptized him for every President of the United States except three; and when their cause is just, somebody will do the work for them. (1877, J.D. 19:229)
* * *
[138] I am going to bear my testimony to this assembly, if I never do it again in my life, that those men who laid the foundation of this American Government and signed the Declaration of Independence were the best spirits the God of heaven could find on the face of the earth. They were choice spirits, not wicked men. General Washington and all the men that labored for the purpose were inspired of the Lord. Another thing I am going to say here, because I have a right to say it. Every one of those men that signed the Declaration of Independence with General Washington called upon me, as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the Temple at St. George two consecutive nights, and demanded at my hands that l should go forth and attend to the ordinances of the house of God for them. Men are here, I believe, that know of this–Brothers J.D.T. McAllister, David H. Cannon and James C. Bleak. Brother McAllister baptized me for all these men, and I then told these brethren that it was their duty to go into the Temple and labor until they got endowments for all of them. They did it. Would those spirits have called upon me, as an Elder in Israel, to perform that work if they had not been noble spirits before God? They would not. I bear this testimony because it is true. The spirit of God bore record to myself and the brethren while we were laboring in that way. * * * (Rept. of Pres. Wilford Woodruff, Gen. Conf., April 10, 1898, pp. 89-90)
[139] VISION OF DEPARTED SPIRITS
by Horatio Pickett
March 19, 1914
“While working here in the St. George Temple, I often thought of the great expense and the time and labor necessary to support the Temple, and to perform the necessary ordinances therein for the salvation of the dead; and the question often arose in my mind: Do they (the dead) know what is being done for them and do they appreciate the sacrifice that is being made by their brethren and sisters in the Temples for their benefit?
“I often asked the Lord to give me sufficient of His Spirit that I might have a better understanding of the Temple work than I had. One day while at the font confirming, when a large list of women were being baptized for, the thought again came into my mind: Do those people for whom this work is being done, know that it is being done for them, and, if they do, do they appreciate it? While this thought was running through my mind, I happened to turn my eyes toward the south-east corner of the font room and there I saw a large group of women. The whole south-east part of the room was filled; they seemed to be standing a foot or more above the floor and were all intently watching the baptizing that was being done; and as the recorder called a name, one of them–a rather tall, very slim woman, apparently about 35 years of age, gave a sudden start and [140] looked at the recorder. Then her eyes turned to the couple in the water, closely watching the baptism; then her eyes followed the sister that was being baptized as she came up out of the water and was confirmed, and when the ordinance was completed the happy, joyous expression that spread over her countenance was lovely to behold.
“The next one called seemed to be a younger woman, a little below the average height. She was of a nervous, emotional nature, could not keep still, seemed as though she wanted to jump into the water herself, and when the ordinance was finished, she seemed to be overflowing with joy, turning from one to another of her companions as though she was telling them how happy she was.
“The third was a large muscular-looking woman, not fleshy but bony, masculine build, very high forehead and intelligent countenance, hair streaked with gray and combed like elderly ladies used to wear their hair when I was a lad. She seemed to be of a more quiet, stoical nature than the others; no outward demonstration of what her feelings may have been, but there was a look in her eyes that seemed to say that she appreciated what was being done fully as much as the others did; and when the ceremony was finished, she nodded her head slightly and moved her lips as though she might have said, `Amen’.
“Just as the work for her was finished, there was a noise in President Cannon’s office as though a book or something might have fallen to the floor which caused me to turn my eyes in that direction; and though I turned back instantly, the vision had faded [141] and gone and with it also had gone all doubt and queries that may have been in mind on the subject. I was satisfied, and am still satisfied that our friends behind the veil know and realize what is being done for them and are anxiously waiting for their time to come.
“I do not think it would be possible for any person to look into the faces of those women as I did and see the earnestness with which they were watching the proceedings, and the joy and happiness that shone in their faces as their names were called and the work done for them, and not feel as I do. This was not a night vision nor a dream, but was about three o’clock on a bright, sunny afternoon while I was standing at the font assisting in the ordinances thereof.” (The Vision, N. B. Lundwall, pp. 142-143)
[142] * * * * *
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matt. 24:14)
* * * * *
Where there is no vision, the people perish. (Proverbs 29:18)
* * * * *
[143] MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SAVIOR
Many visions and dreams were never written down and published because of their sacred and personal nature. A few, however, were recorded because of the message and general nature of the manifestation. Seeing the Savior should be the grand objective of every Christian. The beauty and joy of such an event is described in the following three visions or dreams.
Vision of Lorenzo Snow (September 2, 1898)
My father went to his room in the Salt Lake Temple, where he was residing at the time. He dressed in his robes of the Priesthood, went into the Holy of Holies, there in the House of the Lord and knelt at the sacred altar. He pled with the Lord to spare President Woodruff’s life, that President Woodruff might outlive him and that the great responsibility of Church leadership would never fall upon his shoulders. Yet he promised the Lord that he would devotedly perform any duty required at his hands. At this time he was in his 86th year.
Soon after this, President Woodruff was taken to California, where he died Friday morning at 6:40 o’clock, September 2, 1898. President George Q. Cannon at once wired the sad information to the [144] President’s office in Salt Lake City. Word was forwarded to President Snow who was in Brigham City. The telegram was delivered to him on the street in Brigham. He read it to President Rudger Clawson, then president of Box Elder Stake, who was with him, went to the telegraph office and replied that he would leave on the train about 5:30 that evening. He reached Salt Lake City about 7:15, proceeded to the President’s office, gave some instructions and then went to this private room in the Salt Lake Temple.
President Snow put on his holy temple robes, repaired again to the same sacred altar, offered up the signs of the Priesthood, and poured out his heart to the Lord. He reminded the Lord how he had pled for President Woodruff’s life and that his days might be lengthened beyond his own; that he might never be called upon to bear the heavy burdens and responsibilities of Church leadership. “Nevertheless,” he said, “Thy will be done. I have not sought this responsibility but if it be Thy will, I now present myself before Thee for Thy guidance and instruction. I ask that Thou show me what Thou wouldst have me do.”
After finishing his prayer he expected a reply, some special manifestation from the Lord. So he waited–and waited–and waited. There was no reply, no voice, no visitation, no manifestation. He left the altar and the room in great disappointment. He passed through the Celestial room and out into the large corridor leading to his own room where a most glorious manifestation was given President Snow. One of the most beautiful accounts of this experience is told by his granddaughter, Allie Young Pond.
[145] “One evening when I was visiting Grandpa Snow in his room in the Salt Lake Temple, I remained until the doorkeepers had gone and the nightwatchman had not yet come in, so Grandpa said he would take me to the main front entrance and let me out that way. He got his bunch of keys from his dresser.
“After we left his room and while we were still in the large corridor, leading into the Celestial room, I was walking several steps ahead of Grandpa when he stopped me, saying: `Wait a moment, Allie. I want to tell you something. It was right here that the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to me at the time of the death of President Woodruff. He instructed me to go right ahead and reorganize the First Presidency of the Church at once and not wait as He had done after the death of the previous presidents, and that I was to succeed President Woodruff.’
“Then Grandpa came a step nearer and held out his left hand and said: `He stood right here, about three feet above the floor. It looked as though He stood on a plate of solid gold.’
“Grandpa told me what a glorious personage the Savior is and described His hands, feet, countenance and beautiful white robes, all of which were of such a glory of whiteness and brightness that he could hardly gaze upon Him.
“Then Grandpa came another step nearer me and put his right hand on my head and said: `Now, granddaughter, I want you to remember that this is the testimony of your grandfather, that he told you with his own lips that he actually saw the Savior here in the Temple and talked with Him face to face.’” (Temples of the Most High, N. B. Lundwall (comp.), 15th ed., pp. 140-141)
[146] Manifestation to Melvin J. Ballard
(Melvin J. Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, saw Jesus in a night vision or dream.)
“When I was doing missionary work with some of our brethren, laboring among the Indians, seeking the Lord for light to decide certain matters pertaining to our work there, and receiving a witness from Him that we were doing things according to His will, I found myself one evening in the dreams of the night, in that sacred building, the Temple. After a season of prayer and rejoicing, I was informed that I should have the privilege of entering into one of those rooms, to meet a glorious Personage, and as I entered the door, I saw, seated on a raised platform, the most glorious Being my eyes have ever beheld, or that I ever conceived existed in all the eternal worlds. As I approached to be introduced, he arose and stepped towards me with extended arms, and he smiled as he softly spoke my name. If I shall live to be a million years old, I shall never forget that smile. He took me into his arms and kissed me, pressed me to His bosom, and blessed me, until the marrow of my bones seemed to melt: When he had finished, I fell at His feet, and as I bathed them with my tears and kisses, I saw the prints of the nails in the feet of the Redeemer of the world. The feeling that I had in the presence of Him who hath all things in His hands, to have His love, His affection, and His blessings was such that if I ever can receive that of which I had but a foretaste, I would give all that I am, all that I hope to be, to feel what I then felt!” (Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard, Bryant S. Hinckley, p. 156)
[147] Dream of Orson F. Whitney
I thought I was in the garden of Gethsemane, a witness of the Savior’s agony. I seemed to be standing behind a tree in the foreground of the picture, from which point I could see without being seen. The Savior, with the Apostles Peter, James and John, entered the garden through a little wicket gate at my right, where he stationed them in a group, telling them to pray. He then passed over to my left, but still in front of me, where he knelt and prayed also. His face, which was towards me, streamed with tears, as he besought the Father to let the cup pass, and added, “not my will but thine be done.” Having finished his prayer, he arose and crossed to where the Apostles were kneeling fast asleep. He shook them gently; they awoke and he reproved them for their apathy. Again he bade them pray, and again crossed to his place and prayed, returning as before to find them sleeping. This happened three times, until I was perfectly familiar with his face, form, and movements.
He was much taller than ordinary men, and though meek, far more dignified than any being I had ever beheld; and he wore a look of ineffable tenderness and compassion, even while reproving His disciples. My heart went out to him as never before to anybody or anything; I loved him with all my soul. l wept at seeing him weep, and felt for him the deepest sympathy.
Then all of a sudden the circumstances changed, though the scene remained the same. Instead of before the crucifixion, it was after. The Savior and the three Apostles, whom he had beckoned to him, now stood in a group at the left, and were [148] about to take their departure, ascending into heaven. I could endure it no longer, but rushed out from behind the tree, fell at his feet, clasped him around the knees and begged him to take me also. With a look of infinite tenderness, as of a father or an elder brother, he stooped, lifted me up and embraced me, saying as he did so in the kindest and gentlest manner possible, while slowly shaking his head and sweetly smiling, “No, my son, these can go with me; for they have finished their work; but you must stay and finish yours!” Still I clung to him and the contact was so real that I felt the warmth of his bosom as I rested upon it. Gazing up into his face, I once more besought him, “Well promise me that I will come to you at the last.” Again he smiled sweetly, and there was a look as if he would have gladly granted my request had it been wise to do so. He then said, “That will depend entirely upon yourself.”
I awoke with a sob, and it was morning. This dream made a wonderful impression upon me, paving the way to my thorough conversion, which soon followed. Among the things it taught me was not to sleep at my post, and to regard first the duties of my mission, and not to allow anything to interfere with them. (Jensen’s Biographical Encyclopedia 1:660-662)
[149] CONCLUSION
The Latter-day Saints have been led by the spirit and power of revelation for many reasons–visions being one of the media through which the Lord has directed them. Mormonism has not been founded upon speculation, popular opinion, or–as many churches have originated–controversial and misinterpreted versions of ancient scripture. The Lord has clearly manifest His will and given an abundance of warnings and directions to help save the people from impending devastations and destructions.
The Lord sent a messenger to prepare the world for the second advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. This, too, has been one of the “signs of the times”, as a voice of warning to the inhabitants of the earth to prepare themselves for that which is to come. For when He comes, it will be His right to rule and reign over the “kingdoms of this world”; and those who have listened to and obeyed His teachings and warnings will be saved in His Kingdom.