For those
who committed serious sins during the pioneer era of the Church, however, had a
contrite heart, were expected to do what?
a. Re-baptism
b. Double tithing
c. Renewal of their endowments
d. Donating a tenth of their time to the
Church
Yesterday’s answers:
1. B.
Joseph Smith
We
look around today and behold our city clothed with verdure and beautified with
trees and flowers, with streams of water running in almost every direction, and
the question is frequently asked: “How did you ever find this place?” I
answered; we were led to it by the inspiration of God. After the death of
Joseph Smith, when it seemed as if every trouble and calamity had come upon the
Saints, Brigham Young, who was President of the Twelve, then the presiding
Quorum of the Church, sought the Lord to know what they should do, and where
they should lead the people for safety, and while they were fasting and praying
daily on this subject, President Young had a vision of Joseph Smith, who showed
him the mountain that we now call Ensign Peak, immediately north of Salt Lake
City, and there was an ensign fell upon that peak, and Joseph Said, “Build
under the point where the colors fall and you will prosper and have peace.” The
pioneers had no pilot or guide, none among them had never been in the country
or knew anything about it. However, they travelled under the direction of
President Young until they reached this valley. When they entered it President
Young pointed to that peak, and, said he, “I want to go there.” He went up to
the point and said, “This is Ensign Peak. Now, brethren, organize your
exploring parties, so as to be safe from Indians; go and explore where you
will, and you will come back every time and say this is the best place.” They
accordingly started out exploring companies and visited what we now call Cache,
Malad, Tooele, and Utah valleys, and other parts of the country in various
directions, but all came back and declared this was the best spot.
Journal of
Discourses, 26
vols. (Liverpool: Latter-day Saint’s Book Depot, 1854-86), 13:85-6.
2.
(D) The New Jerusalem
The
following is an experience as recorded by Philo Dibble turning the tumultuous
Missouri years.
On my return home, when I got to Liberty, midway between Lexington and Far West, I concluded I would travel from there home by night, as it was very warm during the day. The road led through a strip of timber for four miles, and after that across a prairie for twenty miles.
When I had traveled about two-thirds of the way across the prairie, riding on horseback, I heard the cooing of the prairie hens. I looked northward and saw, apparently with my natural vision, a beautiful city, the streets of which ran north and south. I also knew there were streets running east and west, but could not trace them with my eye for the buildings. The walks on each side of the streets were as white as marble, and the trees on the outer side of the marble walks had the appearance of locust trees in autumn. This city was in view for about one hour-and-a-half, as near as I could judge, as I traveled along. When I began to descend towards the Crooked River the timber through which I passed hid the city from my view. Every block in this mighty city had sixteen spires, four on each corner, each block being built in the form of a hollow square, within which I seemed to know that the gardens of the inhabitants were situated. The corner buildings on which the spires rested were larger and higher than the others, and the several blocks were uniformly alike. The beauty and grandeur of the scene I cannot describe. While viewing the city the buildings appeared to be transparent. I could not discern the inmates, but I appeared to understand that they could discern whatever passed outside.
Whether this was a city that has been or is to be I cannot tell. It extended as far north as Adam-ondi-Ahman, a distance of about twenty-eight miles. Whatever is revealed to us by the Holy Ghost will never be forgotten.
“Early Scenes in Church History, Four Faith
Promoting Classics, Philo Dibble Autobiography, (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft,
1968), 74-96.
3.
(C) A kiss
The following is an incident that William Clayton’s wife
experienced:
16
July 1845, Wednesday: Evening I went to see Diantha. We walked out some
together. She seemed to feel very bad about something which passed during her
visit this afternoon. When we returned to her home I saw that her mind was
affected and she was likely to have another fit of mental derangement. I tried
to persuade her to go to bed but she was unwilling, but I finally got her
mother to make her a bed down stairs and we put her to bed by force. Soon as
she got laid down she began to toss about and rave as if in great pain which
seemed to increase until she was perfectly out of her mind and raging. She tore
her hair and I then held her which required all the force I had got to hold her
hands. She continued about three quarters of an hour in this distressing
situation and about half past 10 Sister Farr went and called Brother Farr. He
came down and laid hands on her and rebuked the evil spirit and commanded it to
leave her in the name of the Lord. She immediately calmed down and seemed to
fall into a mild asleep. Soon after she commenced talking or rather answering
questions. She seemed to be in the world of spirits on a visit, and about the
first she conversed with was Brother Joseph (Smith) and the conversation seemed
to be on the subject of the massacre. She then appeared to go and visit a
number of her dead relatives who invariably enquired about their relatives on
the earth. The answers she gave were literally facts as they exist. She then
enquired for William Smiths wife Caroline. She was soon taken to her and
entered into conversation. Caroline asked about William, how he acted, how he
felt towards the Twelve, what was his course, how her two girls were and
whether he had got married. To all these interrogatories she answered in the
nicest manner, avoiding carefully anything which would wound Caroline’s
feelings. She then enquired for Sister Richards and soon met with her. It
seemed by her answers that Sister Richards asked how the Doctor felt when she
left him, how his children were, and whether Lucy lived with him, all which she
answered correctly. She then visited Wm. Snows first wife and conversed about Wm.
and his daughter and father. She then appeared to go back to Brother Joseph and
Hyrum Smith and father Smith. Joseph asked about Emma and the children and how
the Twelve and Emma felt towards each other and all which she answered wisely
but truly. He also asked about Lydia and gave her some instructions for Lydia.
Her asked about me and told her I was a good man. When she parted with her
friends she always bid the “good-bye” but when she parted with Joseph she said,
“I am not in the habit of kissing men but I want to kiss you” which she appeared to do and then
said “farewell.” She then seemed to start back for home. She appeared all the
time in a hurry to get back. She said she would like to tarry but she could not
leave father and mother and another, but she would soon return and bring them
with her and then she would tarry with them. She conversed about two hours in
this manner and seemed overjoyed all the time. A pleasant smile sat on her
countenance which continued after she awoke. It was one of the most interesting
and sweet interviews I ever witnessed, and a very good spirit seemed to prevail
all the time. I left about 1 o’ clock apparently much composed and
comparatively free from pain.
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