Helpful Visions: The Fourteenth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Intended for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day Saints
Religion
Helpful Visions: The Fourteenth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Intended for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day Saints
Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines
In the white outer wall, at one side of the mighty arched doorway,
and at the height of a man's head, a monogram seemed to be newly set
into the stone. It was composed of three letters; the top one being B,
clearly distinguishable; and the other two being fainter. At once the
sojourners knew that this was what they had come after. The Elder who
dreamed, thought that he reached forward and attempted to take it from
its place. But the white robed workman stayed his hand, saying:
"You cannot take it. It has been set here by order of the Master, as an
ornament to this temple."
The Elders then walked around the building, and entered the interior
through a magnificent portal, and saw that much workmanship of fine
patterns was being used in the adornment of the structure. They walked
out and once more essayed to pluck the monogram from its place in the
glittering wall. But again the voice of the guardian workman stayed
their hands. For the second time they walked around the temple, entered
through the archway and gazed at the magnificent interior. Then they
said:
"Let us try once more."
The third time the Elder stretched out his hand to take the monogram;
but, as on the other occasions, he was told to desist. The workman had
spoken to him each time in perfect kindness, but in a decided tone. On
this final effort a voice sounding like a trumpet descended from the
top of the building, saying:
"Brother [calling him by name], you must go back; your wish cannot be
granted."
Then they withdrew. Soon the Elder awoke, and he felt certain that the
prayers which had been offered concerning Briant Stevens--though they
had reached the throne of the Eternal Father--were powerless to change
the decree which had been made in heaven concerning the boy, and that
Briant must speedily pass from earth.
The next day this Elder was sitting in Fast meeting, when the dream
recurred to his mind; and instantly he felt that Briant should be
ordained to the Melchisedec Priesthood before his death. The Elder
would have gone to the house, but a sudden impression came to him that
he need have no anxiety, for the matter was already receiving attention.
On the morning of the 3rd of February, which was Fast-day, Brother
Stevens was prompted to ordain Briant to the Melchisedec Priesthood;
but he endeavored to banish the thought from his mind. It constantly
recurred to him, each time growing more imperative. He was not alone in
this feeling, for several Elders who had watched with Briant felt the
same influence at the same time, although they were not all present.
But one of them, who was sitting at the bedside, said:
"Brother Stevens, I have felt for several hours that I ought to speak
to you about ordaining Briant to be an Elder in the Church. I think
that you ought to do this at once."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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