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 know that my husband will not permit me to be rebaptized. He is
angry because you come here; for he thinks that the "Mormons" have
again hunted me out. But before you go away I want you to bless me and
my children."
I complied with her request, and when my hands were on her head I
felt led to promise her, in the name of the Lord, that she should be
released from her trouble, and that very shortly. A few months later I
learned that she was dead. I did not understand the full significance
of the promise which I gave, at the time. I only spoke the words in
obedience to the inspiration of the Spirit; but I am satisfied that
this was the only relief which could come to this poor, oppressed
woman, and God sent it in answer to her humble and faithful prayer,
and her reliance on the promise which was made by an Elder of Christ.
A similar experience occurred to me at Koroira, at which village I
found an old man named Eagles. Years before he had lived in Salt Lake
with his family; but his wife and children grew dissatisfied, and, in
fact, apostatized. They departed for New Zealand, and the old brother
followed them away from Salt Lake in the hope to bring them back into
the Church, and induce them to return to Zion. But his effort had been
in vain; and now he was old and fast failing and was the object of
their contempt and persecution. They refused to permit him to observe,
even in the simplest matters, the religion to which he was honestly
and irrevocably devoted. I had heard that there was such a man in the
neighborhood, though I had not seen him, and one day when I was passing
along the road I met him. I knew that it was he at once. I called him
by name, and then explained that I was a "Mormon" Elder from Utah.
Brother Eagles expressed great gladness and soon told me his troubles.
I asked:
"You came away without any counsel?"
He responded that he had left Utah without counsel; although he had
made two or three vain efforts to get a conference with President
Young. But he confessed that he had been in too great a hurry; and that
it had been a bitter misfortune for him that he had ever left Utah
without having counseled with the proper authorities and learned the
right thing for him to do.
"I was a Sunday school teacher in Huntsville, and I labored on the
Temple Block in Salt Lake; and there among the Saints I was well
respected--but here I am treated like a dog. I am very sorrowful and
unhappy."
I saw that he was wearied and despondent, and I said to him:
"Never mind, Brother Eagles. Do not feel bad about your troubles. The
Lord is looking down upon you in mercy. He sees your afflictions,
and He will soon release you. I am very sorry that you came without
counsel; but you will be rewarded for the faith that you have had and
the labors you have performed."
He answered me that he really hoped the Lord would soon release him,
for his burden was very heavy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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