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
My guide would not permit me to pause much by the way, but rather
hurried me on through this place to another still higher but connected
with it. It was still more beautiful and glorious than anything I had
before seen. To me its extent and magnificence were incomprehensible.
My guide pointed to a mansion which excelled everything else in
perfection and beauty. It was clothed with fire and intense light. It
appeared a fountain of light, throwing brilliant scintillations of
glory all around it, and I could conceive of no limit to which these
emanations extended. Said my guide, "That is where God resides." He
permitted me to enter this glorious city but a short distance. Without
speaking, he motioned that we would retrace our steps.
We were soon in the adjoining city. There I met my mother, and a sister
who died when six or seven years old. These I knew at sight without an
introduction.
After mingling with the pure and happy beings of this place a short
time, my guide said again, "Let us go."
We were soon through the gate by which we had entered the city. My
guide then said, "Now we will return."
I could distinctly see the world from which we had first come. It
appeared to be a vast distance below us. To me, it looked cloudy,
dreary and dark. I was filled with sad disappointment, I might say
horror, at the idea of returning there. I supposed I had come to stay
in that heavenly place, which I had so long desired to see; up to this
time, the thought had not occurred to me that I would be required to
return.
I plead with my guide to let me remain. He replied that I was permitted
to only visit these heavenly cities, for I had not filled my mission
in yonder world; therefore I must return and take my body. If I was
faithful to the grace of God which would be imparted to me, if I
would bear a faithful testimony to the inhabitants of the earth of a
sacrificed and risen Savior, and His atonement for man, in a little
time I should be permitted to return and remain.
These words gave me comfort and inspired my bosom with the principle
of faith. To me, these things were real. I felt that a great mission
had been given me, and I accepted it in my heart. The responsibility of
that mission has rested on me from that time until now.
We returned to my house. There I found my body, and it appeared to me
dressed for burial. It was with great reluctance that I took possession
of it to resume the ordinary avocations of life, and endeavor to fill
the important mission I had received. I awoke and found myself in my
bed. I lay and meditated the remainder of the night on what had been
shown me.
Call it a dream, or vision, or what I may, what I saw was as real to
every sense of my being as anything I have passed through. The memory
of it is clear and distinct with me to-day, after the lapse of fifty
years with its many changes.
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