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
I had watched the blessings of the other missionaries, and had noticed
that the Apostles each took his turn in ordaining the young Elders
to their calling. I was acquainted with Apostles Rich and Pratt, but
not with Apostle Snow; and I earnestly desired that one of the two
former should bless me. So I had located myself in the position where I
thought Brother Rich would reach me in his turn. However, their visit
with us had disarranged their plan; and when the conversation was ended
one of them enquired:
"Whose turn is it to ordain this Elder?"
The result was that Brother Snow was called upon to ordain me. At the
moment I was disappointed; for I realized how grave a responsibility I
was going forth to meet, and I fancied I could gain greater strength
and blessing under the hands of one of the Apostles with whom I had
been acquainted for years, than under the hands of a stranger. But the
result banished that disappointment. Brother Snow sensed our peculiar
situation, and he blessed me with a power and spirit which thrilled my
whole being. Before he had concluded his words the tears were coursing
down my cheeks like rain. As if the words were uttered yesterday, I
remember some promises which he made to me:
"From the moment that you leave these valleys until you return, the
angels of the Almighty shall be with you. When you travel by land or
by sea, though dangers may beset you on the right hand and on the
left, the power of the Almighty shall protect you. Though death may
stare you in the face, the angels of the Lord will warn you and shield
you. Though the enemies of the truth may plot against you, their evil
designs shall be made known to you by the angels of the Lord, and if
you heed their warning you shall be protected. When even your brethren
shall desert you and turn against you, and your way shall seem to be
hedged up, you will find a blessing given you from the Lord, for He
will be your friend. And you will see the day when you will have no
friend with the power to aid you, other than your Heavenly Father,
in all the land where you are sojourning. But we promise you that
because of your faith you shall be brought triumphant through these
tribulations, and shall be brought to your home again in safety
and with the approbation of the Priesthood and the blessing of the
Almighty. And you shall live to see the day when your labors in that
far-off land will bear good fruit."
Every word of that prophetic blessing has been fulfilled in a most
wonderful manner. I believe that the Lord put these things into Brother
Snow's mind, and that He gave me these promises to comfort and sustain
me; and that in the little disappointment which I felt at not receiving
my blessing under the hands of Apostle Rich or Apostle Pratt, the Lord
had really His own wise purpose to accomplish.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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