=17. Visions and Dreams= have constituted a means of communication between God and His children in every dispensation of the priesthood. In general, visions are manifested to the waking senses, whilst dreams are given during sleep. In the vision, however, the senses may be so affected as to render the person practically unconscious, at least oblivious to ordinary occurrences, while he is able to discern the heavenly manifestation. In the earlier dispensations, the Lord very frequently communicated through dreams and visions, often-times revealing to His prophets the events of the future even to the latest generations. From the multitude of instances recorded, let us select a few. Consider the case of Enoch,[687] unto whom the Lord spake face to face, showing him the course of the human family until and beyond the second coming of the Savior. The brother of Jared[688] because of his righteousness was so blessed of God as to be shown all the inhabitants of the earth, both those who had previously existed and those who were to follow. Unto Moses the will of God was made known with the visual manifestation of fire.[689] Lehi received his instructions to leave Jerusalem[690] through dreams; and on many subsequent occasions the Lord communicated with this patriarch of the western world by visions and by dreams. The Old Testament prophets were generally so favored; e. g., Jacob the father of all Israel,[691] Job the patient sufferer,[692] Jeremiah,[693] Ezekiel,[694] Daniel,[695] Habakkuk,[696] Zechariah.[697] [687] Pearl of Great Price: Moses vi, 27-39. [688] Ether iii. [689] Exo. iii, 2. [690] I Nephi ii, 2-4. [691] Gen. xlvi, 2. [692] Job iv, 12-21. [693] Jer. i, 11-16. [694] Ezek. i; ii, 9, 10; iii, 22, 23; viii; xxxvii, 1-10, etc. [695] Dan. vii; viii. [696] Hab. ii, 2, 3. [697] Zech. i, 8-11; 18-21; ii, 1, 2; iv; v; vi, 1-8. =18.= The dispensation of Christ and His apostles was marked by similar manifestations. The birth of John the Baptist was fore-told to his father while he was officiating in priestly functions.[698] Joseph, betrothed to the Virgin, received through an angel's visit[699] tidings of the Christ yet to be born; and on subsequent occasions he received warnings and instructions in dreams concerning the welfare of the Holy Child.[700] The Magi, returning from their pilgrimage of worship, were warned in dreams of Herod's treacherous designs.[701] Saul of Tarsus was shown in a vision the messenger whom God was about to send to him to minister in the ordinances of the priesthood;[702] and other visions followed.[703] Peter was prepared for the ministry to the Gentiles through a vision;[704] and John was so favored of God in this respect that the book of Revelation is occupied by the record. [698] Luke i, 5-22. [699] Matt. i, 20. [700] Matt. ii, 13, 19, 22. [701] Matt. ii, 12. [702] Acts ix, 12. [703] Acts xvi, 9; xviii, 9, 10; xxii, 17-21. [704] Acts x, 10-16; xi, 5-10.