Fragments of Experience: Sixth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day SaintsVarious
Religion
Fragments of Experience: Sixth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day Saints
Various
Latter Day Saints -- History; Young, Lorenzo Dow, 1807-1895
In the autumn of 1816, when about nine years old, I had a peculiar
dream. I thought I stood in an open, clear space of ground, and saw a
plain, fine road, leading, at an angle of 45 degrees, into the air, as
far as I could see. I heard a noise like a carriage in rapid motion, at
what seemed the upper end of the road. In a moment it came in sight.
It was drawn by a pair of beautiful, white horses. The carriage and
harness appeared brilliant with gold. The horses traveled with the
speed of the wind. It was made manifest to me that the Savior was in
the carriage, and that it was driven by His servant. The carriage
stopped near me, and the Savior inquired where my brother Brigham was.
After informing Him, He further inquired about my other brothers, and
our father. After I had answered His inquiries, He stated that He
wanted us all, but He especially wanted my brother Brigham. The team
then turned right about, and returned on the road it had come.
I awoke at once, and slept no more that night. I felt frightened,
and supposed we were all going to die. I saw no other solution to
the dream. It was a shadowing of our future which I was then in no
condition to discern.
In the morning I told my father the dream, and my fears that we were
going to die. He comforted me with the assurance that he did not think
my interpretation was correct.
In the winter of 1817-18, I went to live with my brother-in-law, James
Little, in the town of Aurelius, Cayuga County, New York. I remained
there about five years, learning the business of a gardener and fruit
raiser.
In the summer of my twelfth year, I was placed upon a race horse by
Mr. Little, and sent on an errand. The animal was too spirited for a
boy of my age to safely ride. It became frightened and unmanageable.
It turned so rapidly around that I was thrown out of the saddle. As I
fell my bare foot slipped through the iron stirrup, where I hung with
my head just touching the ground. With my left hand, I still grasped
the bridle rein, on that side, firmly. The horse endeavored to kick me,
but, fortunately, did not succeed on account of my being too close to
him. My hold on the bridle rein prevented the animal from running away
and caused him to whirl around almost in a circle.
In danger we often think with great rapidity. I comprehended my
situation in a moment, and, at first, could see no way of escape from
having my brains dashed out. But, as I hung, I was suddenly impressed
to get hold of the stirrup with my right hand, and make an effort to
raise myself up, so as to get my foot loose from it. By a great effort
I succeeded in drawing myself up, and slipping the stirrup over my
foot. I then let go all hold and fell to the ground.
The horse went at full speed for home and his stable. I got up and was
not much hurt.
The promise my mother made me flashed into my mind, and I felt thankful
to the Lord that I had been preserved from serious harm by a kind
providence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account