History of the Prophet Joseph, by His MotherSmith, Lucy
History
History of the Prophet Joseph, by His Mother
Smith, Lucy
Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844
THE AUTHOR'S DREAM.
While we were living in the town of Tunbridge, my mind became deeply
impressed with the subject of religion; which, probably, was occasioned
by my singular experience during my sickness at Randolph. I commenced
attending Methodist meetings, and in order to oblige me, my husband
accompanied me; but when this came to the ears of his oldest brother,
he was so displeased, and said so much in regard to the matter, that
my husband thought it best to desist. He said that he considered it
hardly worth our while to attend the meetings any longer, as it would
prove of but little advantage to us; besides this, it gave our friends
such disagreeable feelings. I was considerably hurt by this, yet I made
no reply. I retired to a grove not far distant, where I prayed to the
Lord in behalf of my husband--that the true gospel might be presented
to him, and that his heart might be softened so as to receive it, or,
that he might become more religiously inclined. After praying some time
in this manner, I returned to the house, much depressed in spirit,
which state of feeling continued until I retired to my bed. I soon fell
asleep, and had the following dream:--
I thought that I stood in a large and beautiful meadow, which
lay a short distance from the house in which we lived, and that
everything around me wore an aspect of peculiar pleasantness. The
first thing that attracted my special attention in this magnificent
meadow, was a very pure and clear stream of water, which ran
through the midst of it; and as I traced this stream, I discovered
two trees standing upon its margin, both of which were on the same
side of the stream. These trees were very beautiful, they were well
proportioned, and towered with majestic beauty to a great height.
Their branches, which added to their symmetry and glory, commenced
near the top, and spread themselves in luxurious grandeur around.
I gazed upon them with wonder and admiration; and after beholding
them a short time, I saw one of them was surrounded with a bright
belt, that shone like burnished gold, but far more brilliantly.
Presently, a gentle breeze passed by, and the tree encircled with
this golden zone, bent gracefully before the wind, and waved its
beautiful branches in the light air. As the wind increased, this
tree assumed the most lively and animated appearance, and seemed to
express in its motions the utmost joy and happiness. If it had been
an intelligent creature, it could not have conveyed, by the power
of language, the idea of joy and gratitude so perfectly as it did;
and even the stream that rolled beneath it, shared, apparently,
every sensation felt by the tree, for, as the branches danced over
the stream, it would swell gently, then recede again with a motion
as soft as the breathing of an infant, but as lively as the dancing
of a sunbeam.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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