THE WOOD ZONE: IOHANI WOLFGRAMM

THIS BLOG ATTEMPTS TO SHOW HOW SCIENCE IS CATCHING UP WITH REVEALED RELIGION

THIS BLOG IS AN ATTEMPT TO PUT ALL THE COOL STUFF THAT I BUMP INTO ABOUT THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST AND EVENTS THAT LEAD UP TO IT INTO ONE LOCATION.
THE CONTENTS WILL BE FROM AN LDS PERSPECTIVE. IF YOU DISAGREE WITH ANYTHING IN HERE, I DO NOT PARTICULARLY CARE TO ARGUE, UNLESS YOU CAN ADD TO THIS BODY OF WORK. I HAVE AN OPEN MIND, THAT IS WHY I READ STUFF FROM ALL DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND SEEK LEARNING FROM THE BEST BOOKS. I JUST AM NOT HERE TO ARGUE ABOUT IT - BUT TO PUT IT OUT THERE WHERE OTHERS CAN PERUSE/PURSUE IT. I TAKE PARTICULAR INTEREST IN HONEST SEEKERS OF TRUTH AND BELIEVE THAT SCIENCE IS REVEALED RELIGION'S BEST ALLY. YOU WILL SEE ALOT OF TOPICS IN THIS BLOG THAT SHOW SCIENCE BACKING - AND SLOWLY CATCHING UP WITH - REVEALED RELIGION.
ENJOY!!

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Wednesday, January 6, 2016

MIRACLES AMONG BELIEVERS TODAY

THIS ARTICLE GOT ME GOING ON IOHANI WOLFGRAMM AND CAUSED A SERIES OF EVENTS IN MY LIFE THAT HELPED ME GET THE "RUBBER TO THE ROAD" - SO TO SPEAK. GOTTA LOVE DALLIN OAKES - ENOUGH TO NAME A KID AFTER HIM:

Dallin H. Oaks, “Miracles,” Ensign, Jun 2001, 6

From a talk given at a Church Educational System fireside in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on 7 May 2000.

Miracles happen every day in the work of the Church and in the lives of its members.
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When I was a college student, almost 50 years ago, Elder Matthew Cowley (1897–1953) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke to a BYU audience about miracles. That devotional message had a great impact on me, and I have felt to revisit its subject. Like Elder Cowley, I will seek to provide an answer to the prophet Mormon’s question “Has the day of miracles ceased?” (Moro. 7:35). In fact, many miracles happen every day in the work of our Church and in the lives of our members. Many of you have witnessed miracles, perhaps more than you realize.

A miracle has been defined as “a beneficial event brought about through divine power that mortals do not understand and of themselves cannot duplicate.” 1 The idea that events are brought about through divine power is rejected by most irreligious people and even by some who are religious. All of us have known people who have what Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once called “the anti-miracle mind-set.” 2 This rejection of miracles in the last days was prophesied. The prophet Nephi foretold that the Gentiles would “put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may get gain” (2 Ne. 26:20). He also prophesied that churches would be built up in which persons would teach with their learning, deny the power of God, and tell the people that if someone should “say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles” (2 Ne. 28:6).

Some people reject the possibility of miracles because they have not experienced them or cannot understand them. In contrast, President Howard W. Hunter declared, “To deny the reality of miracles on the ground that the results and manifestations must be fictitious simply because we cannot comprehend the means by which they have happened is arrogant on the face of it.” 3
Types of Miracles

The word miracle is used in different ways. We sometimes say that any happening we cannot explain is a “miracle.” To me, a computer is a miracle. So are cell phones and space travel. But these wonders are explainable by physical laws understood by some mortals. I call them miracles because I do not personally understand them and therefore cannot duplicate them at will.

Another category of miracles, so-called, are the tricks that some magicians and religious practitioners stage in order to produce astonishing events in aid of their professions or ministries. You will remember that the magicians in Pharaoh’s court duplicated some of the miracles Moses produced through the power of God (see Ex. 7–8). Perhaps these magicians were servants of the devil, using his power, but I think it more likely that they were simply skilled practitioners of magic tricks that they used to reinforce their position in Pharaoh’s court.

Religious practitioners have employed similar deceptions in our own day. About 40 years ago a professional dramatic production planned for a midwestern city had to be postponed because the producers could not find enough professional actors to perform the required roles. A great religious revival was under way in that city, and I was told the revivalists had hired all of the available professional actors to portray miraculous healings and conversions to enhance their position and goals with their audiences. Before we are too critical of such techniques, we should remember that we engage in similar deceptions whenever we exaggerate a happening in order to dazzle an audience into thinking we have experienced a miracle or to enhance our stature in other ways. Warning!

We know from the scriptures that persons without authority will use the name of Jesus Christ to work what seem to be miracles. The Savior taught that as part of the Final Judgment many would say, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matt. 7:22). You will remember that these pretenders were rejected by the Lord (see Matt. 7:23).

Not every manifestation or miracle comes from God or from mortal deception. The adversary has great powers to deceive, and he will use these to give his corrupted copy of the genuine miracles worked by the power of God. I will say no more of this, since I believe it is not desirable to say much about the powers of the evil one. It is sufficient for us to know that his power exists and that we have been warned against it (see Rev. 13:11–14; D&C 28:11; D&C 50:1–3). 4

I will now describe two types of genuine miracles. These two fit all of the elements of the definition: they are brought about by divine power, mortals do not understand them, and mortals cannot duplicate them of themselves.

First, miracles worked by the power of the priesthood are always present in the true Church of Jesus Christ. 5 The Book of Mormon teaches that “God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles” (Mosiah 8:18). The “means” provided is priesthood power (see James 5:14–15; D&C 42:43–48), and that power works miracles through faith (see Ether 12:12; Moro. 7:37). The scriptures contain many accounts of such miracles. Elijah’s raising the widow’s son and Peter’s healing of the lame man are two familiar examples from the Bible (see 1 Kgs. 17:8–24; Acts 3), and there are many others. I will describe some modern examples later.

A second type of genuine miracle is the miracle worked through the power of faith, without specifically invoking the power of the priesthood. Many of these miracles occur in our Church, such as by the prayers of faithful women, and many occur outside it. As Nephi taught, God “manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith” (2 Ne. 26:13; see also 1 Ne. 7:12; James 5:15).
Macro-Miracles

Some miracles affect many people. The ultimate such miracle is the Atonement of Jesus Christ—His triumph over physical and spiritual death for all mankind. No miracle is more far-reaching or more magnificent.

Other far-reaching miracles—impossible to explain by rational means—occur as a result of obedience to the commandments of God. Thus, there is something miraculous about the way the members of our Church pay their tithing so faithfully and are blessed for doing so.

To cite another far-reaching miracle, there is no rational way to explain why young men and women give a year and a half to two years of their lives in the middle of their education and marriage eligibility to suffer the hardships incident to an inconvenient and highly disciplined pattern of missionary service to their fellowmen. Other miracles occur in funding missions by missionaries or families too poor to do so but who do so anyway.

Still another miracle is the way missionaries are protected during their labors. Of course we have fatalities among our young missionaries—about three to six per year over the last decade—all of them tragic. But the official death rates for comparable-age young men and women in the United States are eight times higher than the death rates of our missionaries. In other words, our young men and women are eight times safer in the mission field than the general population of their peers at home. In view of the hazards of missionary labor, this mortality record is nothing less than a miracle.

Other large-scale miracles are occurring in the Church’s family history work. The effect of our FamilySearch™ Internet Genealogy Service in the time it has been available is truly miraculous. After one year our Internet site averaged eight million hits per day, representing daily visits by about 130,000 persons. In this same one-year period, the site registered users from 117 countries who downloaded over 410,000 copies of our Personal Ancestral File. This was an eight-fold increase in usage over the prior technology. Family history work is exploding in a miraculous way.
Micro-Miracles

In contrast to these far-reaching miracles are the more familiar categories of miracles that impact only a few individuals. The scriptures abound with such miracles, and miracles as great as these still occur. I have seen them, and so have you. Elder Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985), then of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said:

“We do have miracles today—beyond imagination! …

“What kinds of miracles do we have? All kinds—revelations, visions, tongues, healings, special guidance and direction, evil spirits cast out. Where are they recorded? In the records of the Church, in journals, in news and magazine articles and in the minds and memories of many people.” 6

Most of us are acquainted with miracles that have occurred in our personal lives and the lives of those we love, such as miracles involving births and deaths and miraculous healings. All of these are fulfillments of the Lord’s modern promise to “show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name” (D&C 35:8).
When Miracles Don’t Happen

I have been speaking of miracles that happen. What about miracles that don’t happen? Most of us have offered prayers that were not answered with the miracle we requested at the time we desired. Miracles are not available for the asking. We know this from the Lord’s revelation directing that the elders should be called to lay hands on and bless the sick: “It shall come to pass that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed” (D&C 42:48). The will of the Lord is always paramount. The priesthood of the Lord cannot be used to work a miracle contrary to the will of the Lord. We must also remember that even when a miracle is to occur, it will not occur on our desired schedule. The revelations teach that miraculous experiences occur “in his own time, and in his own way” (D&C 88:68).
Why Don’t We Hear More about Miracles?

Why don’t our talks in general conference and local meetings say more about the miracles we have seen? Most of the miracles we experience are not to be shared. Consistent with the teachings of the scriptures, we hold them sacred and share them only when the Spirit prompts us to do so.

The revelation on priesthood affirms the biblical teaching in Mark 16:17 that “signs,” including miraculous healings and other wonderful works, “follow them that believe” (see also D&C 84:65). Similarly, modern revelation directs that “they shall not boast themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world; for these things are given unto you for your profit and for salvation” (D&C 84:73). Another revelation declares, “Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit” (D&C 63:64). President Brigham Young explained, “Miracles, or these extraordinary manifestations of the power of God, are not for the unbeliever; they are to console the Saints, and to strengthen and confirm the faith of those who love, fear, and serve God, and not for outsiders.” 7

Latter-day Saints generally follow these directions. In bearing testimonies and in our public addresses we rarely mention our most miraculous experiences, and we rarely rely on signs that the gospel is true. We usually just affirm our testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel and give few details on how we obtained it. Why is this? Signs follow those that believe. Seeking a miracle to convert someone is improper sign seeking. By the same token, it is usually inappropriate to recite miraculous circumstances to a general audience that includes people with very different levels of spiritual maturity. To a general audience, miracles will be faith-reinforcing for some but an inappropriate sign for others.

There are good reasons why we do not seek conversions by exhibiting signs. “The viewing of signs or miracles is not a secure foundation for conversion. Scriptural history attests that people converted by signs and wonders soon forget them and again become susceptible to the lies and distortions of Satan and his servants (Hel. 16:23; 3 Ne. 1:22, 3 Ne. 2:1, 3 Ne. 8:4.). …

“In contrast to the witness of the Spirit, which can be renewed from time to time as needed by a worthy recipient, the viewing of a sign or the experiencing of a miracle is a one-time event that will fade in the memory of its witness and can dim in its impact upon him or her.” 8

President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901), who served for more than a quarter century in the First Presidency, observed: “It has been a matter of remark among those who have had experience in this Church that where men have been brought into the Church by such manifestations, it has required a constant succession of them to keep them in the Church; their faith has had to be constantly strengthened by witnessing some such manifestations; but where they have been convinced by the outpouring of the spirit of God, … they have been more likely to stand, more likely to endure persecution and trial than those who have been convinced through some supernatural manifestation.” 9
Sharing Miracles

Although we are generally counseled not to speak of sacred things like the miracles we have witnessed, there are times when the Spirit prompts us to share these experiences, sometimes even in a setting where our account will be published. The miracles written in the scriptures were obviously intended to be shared, usually to strengthen the faith of those who already believed. Modern servants of the Lord have also felt impressed to describe miraculous events to strengthen the faith of believers. Many of these have been published. I have chosen to share some of these here.

A few years after the pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, a young man took an ox team up Millcreek Canyon on a cold winter day to get logs to build a house. It was extremely cold, and the snow was deep. His sled held five large logs. After he loaded the first one, he turned around to load another. In that instant, the log already on the sled—22 feet long and about 10 inches in diameter—slipped off the sled and rolled down on him, striking him in the hollow of his legs. He was thrown face-forward across the four logs still on the ground and pinned there, alone, with no way to extract himself. He knew he would freeze to death and die alone in the mountains.

The next thing this young pioneer remembered was waking up, sitting on a load of five logs nicely bound on his sled with his oxen pulling the load down the canyon. In his personal history he wrote, “Who it was that extricated me from under the log, loaded my sled, hitched my oxen to it, and placed me on it, I cannot say.” 10 Thirty-three years later, that young pioneer, Marriner Wood Merrill, was ordained an Apostle.

Many miracles happen to aid individuals in pursuing their personal family histories. In an issue of the Church News, a woman told how she returned to her ancestral home in Japan to seek information about her ancestors. After finding nothing in official records, local libraries, and cemeteries, she gave up and was driving away empty-handed when she became lost and somehow drove past a cemetery she did not know existed. From the car window she saw a familiar name on a tombstone, stopped, and found many markers with the information she sought.” 11

Miraculous healings through priesthood blessings and the prayer of faith are familiar to most of us. An experience related in the Friend magazine is typical. During his early childhood, Elder John M. Madsen was afflicted with double pneumonia. After examining the little boy, a doctor told his parents he could do nothing for him and offered no hope that he would live through the night. Soon the child sank into unconsciousness. When his mother felt for his pulse and could find none, she prayed fervently, and the father gave the dying child a priesthood blessing. Immediately he recovered consciousness and began to feel better. 12

In his great talk on miracles, Elder Matthew Cowley tells of several miraculous healings, including this one that occurred while he was serving as a mission president among the Maori people of New Zealand.

One Sunday a father brought a nine-month-old baby forward to Brother Cowley, requesting that he give him a name and a blessing. Here I quote Brother Cowley:

“I said, ‘All right, what’s the name?’ So he told me the name, and I was just going to start when he said, ‘By the way, give him his vision when you give him a name. He was born blind.’ It shocked me, but then I said to myself, why not? Christ said to his disciples when he left them, ‘Greater things than I have done shall you do.’ (See John 14:12.) I had faith in that father’s faith. After I gave that child its name, I finally got around to giving it its vision. That boy is about twelve years old now. The last time I was back there I was afraid to inquire about him. I was sure he had gone blind again. That’s the way my faith works sometimes. So I asked the branch president about him. And he said, ‘Brother Cowley, the worst thing you ever did was to bless that child to receive his vision. He’s the meanest kid in the neighborhood; always getting into mischief.’ Boy, I was thrilled about that kid getting into mischief!” 13

President Gordon B. Hinckley shared another miracle in the restoration of sight: “I recall once when I arrived in Hong Kong I was asked if I would visit a woman in the hospital whose doctors had told her she was going blind and would lose her sight within a week. She asked if we would administer to her and we did so, and she states that she was miraculously healed. I have a painting in my home that she gave me which says on the back of it, ‘To Gordon B. Hinckley in grateful appreciation for the miracle of saving my sight.’ I said to her, ‘I didn’t save your sight. Of course, the Lord saved your sight. Thank Him and be grateful to Him.’ ” 14

As I said earlier, the Lord works miracles in response to the faith of His children. No denomination—not even the restored Church—has a monopoly on the blessings of the Lord. He loves and blesses all of His children.

In an airport one day I picked up a copy of the Dallas Morning News. My eyes were drawn to a columnist’s report of a letter detailing a remarkable miracle. The writer’s five-year-old granddaughter, Heather, suddenly became feverish and lethargic. She breathed with difficulty, and her lips turned blue. By the time she arrived at the hospital, her kidneys and lungs had shut down, her fever was 107 degrees, and her body was bright red and covered with purple lesions. The doctors said she was dying of toxic shock syndrome, cause unknown. As word spread to family and friends, God-fearing people from Florida to California began praying for little Heather. At the grandfather’s request, a special prayer service was held in their Church of Christ congregation in Waco, Texas. Miraculously, Heather suddenly came back from the brink of death and was released from the hospital in a little over a week. The columnist concluded that Heather “is living proof that God does answer prayers and work miracles.” 15

We do not usually speak of spiritual gifts as a miracle, but sometimes the effect of a spiritual gift is miraculous. For example, many missionaries who must learn a new language are blessed with the gift of tongues. Most often this gift merely accelerates the normal process of learning, but sometimes its effect is so immediate that it can only be called a miracle. A young mission president experienced this in the South Pacific in 1913. John Alexander Nelson Jr. spoke Samoan but not Tongan. When he arrived for an assignment in Tonga, he found that he had been scheduled to speak to a congregation of 300 Wesleyan Methodists. He began in faith by speaking a few sentences of greeting he knew in the Tongan language, and then suddenly found himself continuing to speak in Tongan. He spoke without hesitation for nearly an hour “as fluently as any native.” 16

Eric B. Shumway’s book Tongan Saints: Legacy of Faith describes many other miracles experienced in those islands of faith. For example, in the midst of the furious hurricane that devastated Vava’u in 1961, a Tongan father reasoned that he had priesthood power to heal a body and saw no reason why he could not also “heal” the raging storm. Brother Shumway writes, “His dramatic blessing at the peak of the hurricane saved his home and the people who took refuge there.” 17

In another experience, heavy ocean waves were crashing onto a beach at a time when the missionaries had scheduled some baptisms. An elder “stepped out and blessed the ocean, commanding it to be still so these sacred ordinances could be accomplished.” Almost instantly the ocean calmed down and five people were baptized. Then as the party started up the path from the ocean, “the waves came crashing in again over the very spot the sacred ordinances were held.” 18

One of the greatest miracles we can imagine is for someone to be brought back to life after being dead for a time. So it was with Lazarus, whom Jesus raised (see John 11:17, 39–44). So it has been with others in our day.

The miracle of raising someone from the dead is so exceptional and so sacred that those who have been privileged to see it should never speak of it publicly unless the Spirit specifically induces them to do so. Our published literature contains two such examples I can share. The first is from the Matthew Cowley talk that impressed me so deeply when I was a student at BYU. I quote:

“I was called to a home in a little village in New Zealand one day. There the Relief Society sisters were preparing the body of one of our saints. They had placed his body in front of the big house, as they call it, the house where the people come to wail and weep and mourn over the dead, when in rushed the dead man’s brother. He said, ‘Administer to him.’ And the young natives said, ‘Why, you shouldn’t do that; he’s dead.’ ‘You do it!’ …

“The younger native got down on his knees and he anointed this man. Then this great old sage got down and blessed him and commanded him to rise. You should have seen the Relief Society sisters scatter. He sat up and said, ‘Send for the elders; I don’t feel very well.’ … We told him he had just been administered to, and he said, ‘Oh, that was it.’ He said, ‘I was dead. I could feel life coming back into me just like a blanket unrolling.’ He outlived the brother that came in and told us to administer to him.” 19

Another sacred experience is related in the book Tongan Saints. It happened while Elder ‘Iohani Wolfgramm and his wife were serving a mission in their native Tonga, presiding over a branch on an outlying island. Their three-year-old daughter was accidentally run over by a loaded taxi. Four of the occupants of the taxi sorrowfully carried her lifeless body to her parents. “Her head was crushed and her face was terribly disfigured.” 20 The sorrowing helpers offered to take the little girl’s body to the hospital so the doctors could repair her severely damaged head and face for the funeral. I now quote the words of her father, Elder Wolfgramm: “I told them I did not want them to take her but that I would ask God what I should do and, if it was possible, to give her life back.” 21

The helpers took the little girl’s body into the chapel. Elder Wolfgramm continued: “I asked them to hold her while I gave her a priesthood blessing. By then the curious people of the village were flocking in to see our stricken little daughter. As I was about to proceed with the administration, I felt tongue-tied. Struggling to speak, I got the distinct impression that I should not continue with the ordinance. It was as if a voice were speaking to me saying: ‘This is not the right time, for the place is full of mockers and unbelievers. Wait for a more private moment.’

“My speech returned at that moment and I addressed the group: ‘The Lord has restrained me from blessing this little girl, because there are unbelievers among you who doubt this sacred ordinance. Please help me by leaving so I can bless my child.’ ” 22

The people left without taking offense. The grieving parents carried the little girl to their home, put her body on her own bed, and covered her with a sheet. Three hours passed, and her body began to show the effects of death. The mother pleaded with the father to bless her, but he insisted that he still felt restrained. Finally, the impression came that he should now proceed. I return to his words:

“All present in the home at that moment were people with faith in priesthood blessings. The feeling of what I should do and say was so strong within me that I knew Tisina would recover completely after the blessing. Thus, I anointed her head and blessed her in the name of Jesus Christ to be well and normal. I blessed her head and all her wounds to heal perfectly, thanking God for his goodness to me in allowing me to hold his priesthood and bring life back to my daughter. I asked him to open the doors of Paradise, so I could tell her to come back and receive her body again and live. The Lord then spoke to my heart and said, ‘She will return to you tomorrow. You will be reunited then.’ ” 23

The parents spent an anxious night beside the body of the little girl, who appeared to be lifeless. Then, suddenly, the little girl awoke, alive and well. Her father’s account concludes: “I grabbed her and examined her, her head and face. They were perfectly normal. All her wounds were healed; and from that day to this, she has experienced no complications from the accident. Her life was the miraculous gift from Heavenly Father during our missionary labors in Fo’ui.” 24
Miracles I Have Experienced

I have seen quite a few miracles during my Church service. I feel I can share two of them at this time.

I had an experience with the gift of tongues in the newly opened country of Bulgaria. In November 1990 we sent missionaries into Bulgaria. A handful of elders entered from Serbia, without any contacts or training in the Bulgarian language. Through their labors and the blessings of the Lord, we soon had 45 Bulgarian members.

In April 1991 I went to Bulgaria with Area President Hans B. Ringger and mission president Dennis B. Neuenschwander. There, most of our members and about 150 investigators assembled in an attractive civic building in Sofia for a fireside at which I was to speak. My interpreter was Mirella Lazarov, a newly baptized member in her 20s. The audience included many professional people and some government officials. I had prayed fervently for guidance in this talk but had little time for preparation.

I began by telling the audience about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and how we differed from other Christian churches. I then felt impressed to speak about the Apostasy, which I did in some detail. In doing so, I completely forgot that I was speaking through an interpreter who had been a member only five months and had almost no background in the subject of the Apostasy. Forgetful of this, I made no attempt to speak in simple terms but made extensive use of the unfamiliar English words involved in a detailed explanation of the Apostasy and the Restoration.

After the crowd had departed, Sister Lazarov tearfully told me of her unique experience in translating my talk. Despite her fluency in English, she sometimes heard me speak words or express thoughts she did not understand in English. She said that whenever this happened, “another voice” spoke through her so she found herself using words or explaining concepts in Bulgarian that she did not understand in English. I told her to cherish this experience and testify of it to others. She had experienced the gift of tongues in a classic circumstance in which the Lord gives a spiritual gift to one person so that others of His children can be edified and His work can be forwarded (see D&C 46:9).

I experienced another miracle during an attempted military coup to overthrow the government of Philippine president Corazon Aquino in December 1989. 25 Many persons were killed in nearly a week of heavy fighting between rebel and loyal government troops. A principal site of this fighting was Camp Aguinaldo, which adjoins our temple in Manila.

During the first day of the attempted coup, gunfire and bombing could be heard from our temple. That night the road in front of the temple was occupied by rebel armored vehicles, trucks, and many soldiers. With the coming of daylight on Saturday, these rebel forces exchanged gunfire with the loyal government troops in Camp Aguinaldo. Opposing aircraft fired rockets and dropped bombs.

At about 3:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon, the rebel soldiers breached the gate of the temple and occupied our temple grounds. At this time we had five Philippine employees there: three security men and two custodians. Our temple president, Floyd H. Hogan, instructed them by phone not to resist the soldiers entering the temple grounds or the temple annex, which housed auxiliary facilities like name processing, but to secure the temple and take cover there. The man in charge, Brother Espi, later wrote that he worked to develop a good relationship with the rebel soldiers to convince them that even though they wanted to get access to the temple, “because of the sacred nature of the temple, they should not try to enter.”

Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning there were almost continuous exchanges of gunfire between the government troops in Camp Aguinaldo and the rebels around the camp, including those occupying our temple grounds. Brother Espi later wrote: “We all thought that we are on our own but still asked our Heavenly Father to strengthen each one of us and to spare the temple from being desecrated.”

Others were praying too. In his later report, Area President George I. Cannon wrote: “The Sunday when the rebellion was going on was fast Sunday. Throughout the Philippines the members were praying and fasting for the temple, for the members, and for the missionaries.”

Sunday morning a government helicopter gunship appeared and strafed the vicinity of the temple, but retreated because of stiff resistance from the rebels’ 50-caliber machine guns. About noon that day an air force plane dropped several bombs that hit the residence house near the temple. Bomb fragments broke windows in the temple annex.

Sunday evening Manila radio reported that the Mormon temple was in rebel hands but that a government force was moving in to drive them out. At that report, President Hogan, the temple president and a retired colonel in the U.S. military, went into action himself. He made the dangerous walk from the temple president’s home to the assembling government troops. There he found that their commander had given the rebels one hour to surrender and planned to attack them at 11:00 p.m. His force included armored personnel carriers, heavy mortars, and at least 150 soldiers, who believed they outnumbered and could easily defeat the rebel force in the temple annex. But their attack would obviously employ extensive heavy weapons and rifle fire and would cause great damage to the temple facilities. President Hogan argued with the commanding officer that if he would only wait until daylight, the rebels might abandon the temple grounds and no attack would be necessary. The commander insisted that he had to follow his orders, and President Hogan was not able to contact the general who had given the order to see if he would rescind it.

During this time I was the member of the Quorum of the Twelve whom the Philippines Area President contacted for help at headquarters. Thirty minutes before the 11:00 p.m. Manila deadline, Area President George I. Cannon phoned me to report that our temple annex and grounds were the last remaining rebel stronghold in Manila and the army had massed artillery and troops for an assault at any moment. He said he had done all he could through the Philippine government and the American ambassador to discourage the attack, but without success. It was then 7:30 a.m. Sunday in Salt Lake City.

By a remarkable coincidence—one of those happenings that cannot be coincidental—the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had scheduled an unusual meeting that Sunday morning. At 8:00 a.m., 3 December, just 30 minutes after I received that alarming report from Manila, the assembled First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve bowed in prayer and pleaded with the Lord to intervene to protect His house. Elder Marvin J. Ashton led our prayer. As we prayed, it was 11:00 p.m. Sunday evening in Manila, the exact hour appointed for the assault.

The attack never came. Twenty minutes after our prayer, President Cannon phoned Church headquarters to report that the military commander had unexpectedly decided against a night assault. Early the next morning, Philippine time, President Hogan phoned to say that the rebels had melted away during the night. I recorded in my journal, “I consider this a miracle of divine intervention no less impressive than many recorded in holy writ.”

On Monday morning President Hogan inspected the temple annex. It had shrapnel marks and many broken windows on the north side, but inside, none of its locked rooms had been entered. The temple itself had not been entered and was not damaged. A total of six mortar or rocket shells had exploded inside the temple grounds. From their trajectory, President Hogan concluded that some of these shells had to have passed between the spires of the temple. The patron housing building under construction nearby had been hit by four or five rockets and had sustained extensive damage. The Manila temple opened for normal sessions the next day.

A week later I received a letter from the Philippine ambassador to the United States, Emmanuel Pelaez, whom I had recently hosted at Church headquarters. His letter explained how he had worked behind the scenes, as soon as he learned that our temple was threatened, to urge the Philippine military to “do everything possible” to spare this sacred building from damage. After the fighting was over, they had reported to him that “they were careful in their counter-shelling, so as not to cause damage” to the temple. 26 I concluded that the Lord had worked behind the scenes through these government servants to save His house.

When I was in the Philippines a few months later, I personally inspected the temple and grounds and found that despite all of the shelling and exchanges of gunfire within a few feet of this sacred edifice, it was completely unmarked by any shell fire except for one bullet hole, apparently a single stray rifle shot, at the top of the highest steeple. As President and Sister Donald L. Hilton of the Philippines Manila Mission wrote in a letter sent to their missionaries, “an unseen army of angels assisted faithful temple guards that the temple was not desecrated.”
The Greatest Miracle of All

I have spoken about miracles. I have given illustrations of miracles in the Church as a whole and in many different circumstances involving a few individuals or a crisis of weather or war. But the greatest miracle is not in such things as restoring sight to the blind, healing an illness, or even raising the dead, since all of these restorations will happen, in any event, in the Resurrection.

Changing bodies or protecting temples are miracles, but an even greater miracle is a mighty change of heart by a son or daughter of God (see Mosiah 5:2). A change of heart, including new attitudes, priorities, and desires, is greater and more important than any miracle involving the body. I repeat, the body will be resurrected in any event, but a change affecting what the scripture calls the “heart” of a spirit son or daughter of God is a change whose effect is eternal. If of the right kind, this change opens the door to the process of repentance that cleanses us to dwell in the presence of God. It introduces the perspective and priorities that lead us to make the choices that qualify us for eternal life, “the greatest of all the gifts of God” (D&C 14:7).

My dear brothers and sisters, I pray that each one of us may experience and persist in that miracle of the mighty change of heart, that we may realize the destiny God has prescribed for all of His children and the purpose of this Church to bring to pass the eternal lives of men and women. This is the Church of Jesus Christ, and He is our Savior, our Redeemer, and our Resurrector. We are His spiritual children, spiritually begotten by His sacrifice in Gethsemane and on Calvary and possessing the opportunity to qualify for eternal life. May God bless us to do so.
Let’s Talk about It

Most Ensign articles can be used for family home evening discussions. The following questions are for that purpose or for personal reflection:

1. What is the purpose of miracles?

2. Why is it unwise to base our testimonies upon miracles?

3. When is it appropriate or inappropriate to discuss miracles we have witnessed?

4. Why is a “mighty change of heart” a great miracle?

[illustration] Jesus Healing the Blind, by Carl Heinrich Bloch, det Nationalhistoriske på Fredericksborg, Hillerød

[illustration] “Such As I Have, I Give Thee” by Walter Rane

[illustrations] Paintings by Amy Davis
Notes

1. In Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 5 vols. (1992), 2:908.

2. See “Not My Will, But Thine” (1988), 25.

3. Ensign, May 1989, 16.

4. See also Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 202–15.

5. See George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth (1987), sel. Jerreld L. Newquist, 151–52.

6. “The Significance of Miracles in the Church Today,” Instructor, Dec. 1959, 396.

7. Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe (1998), 341.

8. Dallin H. Oaks, The Lord’s Way (1991), 87.

9. In Deseret News Semi-Weekly, 15 Feb. 1882, 1.

10. Marriner Wood Merrill, in Jeaneen Merrill Anderson, “Pinned to the Ground,” Church News, 6 Sept. 1997, 16.

11. See Keiko Teshima Fuller, “Treasure in Tombstones,” Church News, 18 Mar. 2000, 16.

12. See Rebecca Todd Archibald, “Friend to Friend,” Friend, Mar. 2000, 6.

13. Miracles, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year (5 Apr. 1966, rebroadcast from a speech delivered 18 Feb. 1953), 9.

14. Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), 343.

15. “Sometimes, ‘Miracles’ Are Just That,” Dallas Morning News, 30 Jan. 2000, p. 31A.

16. Eric B. Shumway, trans. and ed., Tongan Saints: Legacy of Faith (1991), 45.

17. Tongan Saints, 14.

18. Tongan Saints, 84.

19. Miracles, 9.

20. Tongan Saints, 88.

21. Tongan Saints, 88.

22. Tongan Saints, 88.

23. Tongan Saints, 89.

24. Tongan Saints, 89.

25. The facts recited here are based on written reports in the Historical Department Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in the personal journal of Dallin H. Oaks.

26. Letter dated 11 Dec. 1989.

Monday, December 21, 2015

ECONOMIC TROUBLE PREDICTED BY MULTIPLE DIFF SOURCES?

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE WACKY POSTS OF A CLUGE OF A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT STUFF I LITERALLY TRIPPED OVER. I WILL ATTEMPT TO SORT IT OUT LATER:

Connor:

This is a nice link, and pertains very well. Thank you.

J:

The old prophecies and statements by the old leaders is part of what makes this such an interesting, and for me vague, topic. How to feel about this will ultimately rest on future revelation. With your interest and knowledge of church history, I would like to read a future post from you on this. If you take requests.

Comment # 18 left by Eric Nielson on November 3rd, 2006

:)

I have actually toyed a bit with the idea. The drawbacks are that it is very complex. Is there any reason to take it out of the Article of Faith before we take out the second coming? I think that the challenge for Mormon’s has been that since the beginning, they have believed that the second coming was going to arrive in their lifetimes and often within x years. When you put something like the gathering of Zion in Jackson County that doesn’t seem to be happening, they rationalize their way out of in preference of an eminent coming of Christ. Well, generations of Saints have been wrong and they die without the Millennium. Odds are that it will be the same for us.

Comment # 19 left by J. Stapley on November 3rd, 2006

Odds are that it will be the same for us.

Speak for yourself! :)

Comment # 20 left by Connor Boyack on November 3rd, 2006
hey all

The best place to learn about the new Jerusalem is reading Isaiah. The best commentary money can buy is by Avraham Gileadi and cost $40 + $5 shipping. it is 30 hours of verse by verse commentary on two CDs in a MP3 format. You can play it on any computer or MP3 player. see

http://www.isaiahinstitute.com/isaiahinstitute/Default.aspx

in short

Isiiah explains that america will have a economic clospe where the stock market will fall just like 1929. Most people on the last days list think this will happen in oct of 2008. Accourding to Joshp smith there will be a civil war starting in chacigo, which will spread across the usa. There will be no law and order, only in the rockys. kind of like how new orlands was when there was no food. missionarys will be sent out to gather people to the rocky mountains for peice and safety. The saints at that time will unhold the consitution. The lord will raise up a servant who will lead the people into the winderness like moses did. At this time amermica will be attached both one the CA side and the East side.

at this time 90% of the world people are killed, by war by the antichrist. only the rightous 9% will be protected indirectly. The 1% which is the holy seed will be gathered by the 144,000 to zion.

Faithfull sons like hemaun army will over come the attacking armys.
this will be done by faithful white and laminiate people. The us amry will have given up, and it will take this servant and the faithful sons to cause the power of god to fight back the invading armay.

the coming of the savior among these people will be so natural that only a few people will know the savior will have come. This is not his coming in golry.

The savor will lead a group and also the 144,000 each will lead people back to mousir zion in groups of 300-600 each. With one of the 144,000 in frount and in back. These people will be lead like moses and they will walk thur the fire, the oceans , the armys ect with the cloud of glory protecting them by night and a fire in the day. when they get to the center place zion, the glory that was upon each group will then be added upon the temple. so as more and more people gather, zion will put on its glory and streangth till the whole would will see its glory. The people who come to zion will have their calling and ection sure.

you have got to get Avraham Gileadis commentary on Isiiah. The best that any LDS author has yet to bring forth. over 30 hours. Hugh b Nibley said that Avraham is the most quilified peoson to teach Isiaih he knows of.

It is an amazing great work and wonder….

dewey

Is America on the Cusp of Economic Chaos? A Voice of Warning, Are We Listening?
Jared on October 29th, 2008 in Preparedness

I don’t know the answer to this question, but sentences beginning with economic, and ending with assorted descriptive terms like depression and collapse are being heard among those who are in the know about things financial. I think Jim Rogers was the first market maven I heard sound the alarm about the seriousness of the sub-prime problem in late 2007. More recently he told CNBC that the US government’s approach to the “bailout” will create an “inflation holocaust”.

In a now famous talk given by President Hinckley in Oct 1998 Priesthood Meeting, our optimistic prophet struck a surprisingly pessimistic tone when he said:

“There is a portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed. I hope with all my heart that we shall never slip into a depression. I am a child of the Great Depression of the thirties. I finished the university in 1932, when unemployment in this area exceeded 33 percent… We are carrying a message of self-reliance throughout the Church. Self-reliance cannot obtain when there is serious debt hanging over a household… I urge you, brethren, to look to the condition of your finances. I urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt to the extent possible. Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from bondage.”

An Astonishing Prophecy

BACKGROUND ON IOHANI WOLFGRAMM FROM HIS GRANDSON:

Im happy to see that some of you may have known my grand father Iohani and for those who did not know him you would have loved my grand father honestly. He was an incredible honest man with unbelievable faith in Jesus Christ. he was blessed spiritually and had the strength of a Lion when he testified of the gospel.. Anyone who knew him knew that granpa loved them unconditionally. He was blessed with the gift of Healing and the he had great faith and magnified his priesthood to the best of his human ability. He prayed often and fasting was a regular part of his life.. He had a fouth grade education and could not read nor write but daily my granma would read the scriptures out loud while Iohani memorized each scipture word for word... He understood the scriptures and was able to cross reference. He served as a missionary most of his life and was a building missionary through out the pacific Islands. Granma and Granpa were called by the Mission President in Tonga and advised that they were to gather up the family and move to SLC. Utah, they moved in 1965. They had 18 children and when they came to America. the only way was on the front deck of a freightliner ship. They left with only the clothes on their backs and and very small amount of food. My Aunts believe that because they fasted often they were able to servived that long hard trip.. Some of my aunts were just children at the time advised that they were sea sick,wet and cold and had to be tied down so that they would not get washed away by the harsh giant waves. Still keep in mind that none of them spoke the English language.. All they knew is that the Lord had asked them to move to SLC and because of the faith my grand parents they just picked up and loaded that ship with full faith and trust that God will provide. The trip was planned by the church leaders so when my family arrived they were picked up by LDS members who were awaiting their arrival.. this is the kind of humble man my grand father was and I'm very blessed to be a part of his family... Granma use to ask him how will we eat and survive in this country and Granpa would say "If god can feed the animals on the ground and birds in the air, then he will also feed us his survants." My grand parents were true Pioneers of the Pacific. They later learned that they were called to this country to complete their geneology and to perform all of the hundreds and thousands of temple ordinance for their families etc. So the rest of their lives were dedicated to geneology and temple work. They also put in for a mission and did get send back to Tonga to serve and in their later years they served as Stake Missionaries. I have many many true stories and experience of miracle and blessings to share but I will share them with you at a later time. I love and miss my Grand parents they were fun folks and we always laughed with them... There is so much I wish to share but I will do so in due time. God bless everyone during these hard times and may we be obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in all that we do. God be with you. Aloha

Sunday, July 17, 2011

SOLOMONIC TEMPLE IN HAWAII

Well, there are few unmistakable things as you look around the world for similar cultural threads as common Jewish customs among the peoples of the earth. One that blew my mind was the similarity of a he'iau (temple platform CLICK LINK) found throughout the islands of Hawaii. These are clearly ceremonial places using by the ancient Hawaiian peoples to worship their diety according to a newly-arrived co-worker.

I mentioned something to him about an earlier experience I had blogged about where I found a temple platform out in the middle of a lava field that dropped my jaw. Here is a picture of what one looks like:

CLICK LINK FOR A PICTURE OF A HE'IAU

These have the three levels (courtyards) separating the outer, inner and holy of holies. This pattern is found all over including exact replicas of the foundation patterns of Solomon's Temple from the Gaza area all the way to the Americas. A marker of a people who wanted to leave their calling card to ends of the islands of the seas that they were driven to.

Truly fascinating stuff that surely feels at home in the Wood Zone.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

THE SCALES OF TIME

The first and only time I have bumped into this phrase was during a read of Iohani Wolfgramm's calling and election made sure.

It really has me stumped and I have nothing to show for a thorough search on the internet. It is largely akin to doing a search for something on Aaron's rod and a branch from the tree of life. Pretty much fruitless (no pun intended).

I would love to get feedback from anyone on this phrase and what its meaning is - literal or figurative, etc.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

FAITH OF THE ANCIENTS

I am re-posting an experience that I find to be one of the sweetest ever given to a father on this earth. May it touch your heart as it has touched mine:

I called Samuela Vehikite to assist me by anointing the consecrated oil on Tisina's head and as I began to utter the prayer, I couldn't say a word. My mouth was locked. My mind was blank. No words would come. But in a few minutes the Spirit spoke to me in my mind that there were so many unbelievers in and out of the house that had no faith that Tisina would ever recover from her accident, that I should send the people home.

I immediately opened my eyes and asked the people if they wanted Tisina to come back to life to please leave my home now so we can pray for her. Oh my! Non-members were furious and started to spit at me. Some picked up rocks and started throwing them at the house as they were leaving, calling me names. I knew the American doctor might help Tisina walk again, but how about her brain? I knew that only God who created her, who gave her life, would be the only one who could help Tisina completely recover and bring her memory back to normal again.

I asked Salote to go ahead and fix supper for the family, but I would go and pray for Tisina. I prayed and prayed and thanked the Lord for all His blessings to us, for sending us on a mission, but how I wouldn't like to part with any of my children yet because we have no white material for her burial nor funeral cloth in Tongatapu, but in Vava'u we did. I reminded the Lord of how He saved the Israelites by parting the waters of the Red Sea, how Christ raised people from the dead, and of the simple faith of a missionary who just had his daughter run over by a car and had been killed, you can understand of my love for her. I reviewed how Lazarus was raised after being in the tomb for four days, through faith and the power of the priesthood. I prayed and thanked the Lord for those great prophets of old and their faith and special callings in the church from Adam down to the prophet Joseph Smith. I said, 'I don't want a funeral away from all my family, and if this little girl has a special mission on earth to do, please spare her life so she can fulfill that blessing and her mission.' I was on my knees over four hours that evening. Finally the Lord heard my prayer and said to me, 'Tisina won't be with you tonight, but tomorrow.' A humble and very sweet warm feeling came over my heart and a great worry and fear was lifted from my shoulders that evening. I thanked God for the answer that I received.

I opened my eyes slowly, filled with deep gratitude and tears of joy. I went over to Salote and said, 'Not tonight, but tomorrow.' Salote and the children didn't touch any food that evening. Everyone was shocked and felt so bad about Tisina.

Samuela Vehikite and I waited and waited all night long and about 3:00am, we felt the Spirit fill our souls and knew that this was finally the right time for us to give Tisina her priesthood blessing. Samuela Vehikite anointed her and I sealed the blessing, I thanked the Lord and expressed his love to me in answering my prayers and said, 'Tisina, by the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood which we hold, we ask Thee, our Heavenly Father, to bless Tisina from the top of her head all the way down to her toes, that every bone, muscle, nerve, blood vessel, skin, nails, hair or any part of her body that has been broken, lost or damaged, through the power of the priesthood which we hold, we command it to return to it's normal place and start to function and to do their work, that she will be able to stand and her body will be returned and renewed with all its parts and start to function as they were before. We promise you through the holy power of the priesthood that when the sun rises in the morning, you will be raised up together with the sun. And when other witnesses hear this testimony of Tisina, they will also testify that Jesus is the Christ and through Him the Lord healed Tisina. Not tonight, but tomorrow, Tisina will walk with the rest of the family as the Spirits whispers.'

After the blessing everyone knelt down before they went to bed and in a circle offered a prayer, then we retired. I came into the room where Tisina still had her face covered with the cloth. She was still dead. I picked her up and laid her little broken head on my arm and kept her body close to me. Hours seemed to pass. I finally dozed off and on for about two more hours and about 6:00 a.m. I felt someone playing around my face and touching my hair. I slowly opened my eyes and to my surprise saw Tisina standing up playing with my face and hair with a big smile on her face.

I slowly reached out to feel Tisina's head. It was normal. I started to feel her hands, legs, face, everything that had been promised had come true. Samela Vehikite remembered that in her priesthood blessing that when the sun rose up in the morning she would rise up together with the sun. So he opened the window shades and sure enough, the sun had just barely risen in the sky. How excited we were to have our little daughter back with us again. We sang a special hymn to thank God for her return and said a long prayer of thanksgiving by me. A few minutes later a knock came to our door. Our Aunt Marie and Uncle Maile Niu, brought Tisina's burial clothing and her burial box and asked where the dead child was. I said she was the one that answered the door. "

Monday, April 18, 2011

MIRACLES IN THE CHURCH - THE HUSH FACTOR

If you have been lurking on this blog, one of the things that drives me nuts (at least in my own ward) is the SC (spiritually correct) crowd who actively suppresses open discussion of spiritual experiences - much as the Methodists did in the day when Joseph Smith first began announcing his remarkable experiences and was subsequently shut down by everyone who was too wicked and/or devoid of faith to even have a remote chance of having had the same experiences - and who could not even conceive of such "rubbish". We are going through a cultural purge in our church where the same kind of thing is happening within our membership where you are considered a freak if you are so inclined and gifted. It is a dangerous time - where the social and spiritual shifts that were documented in the Book of Mormon are becoming a reality. The next progressive step in that cycle is that those that should know better are purged, chastened and driven from what they had in frightening manners. The same thing happened in Nauvoo when Joseph and the higher teachings he had were suppressed, forced and eventually murdered into oblivion. Same thing happened to the Savior as the schism developed between he (as a Rabbi) and the other leadership of the day engaged in a power struggle that ended (at least openly) only with the death of the testator. The same power struggle is occurring today on lower levels and it is spreading until once again, blood will be spilt (of the humble followers of Christ - and then more blood will be spilt (of the wicked and rebellious members of the church) and will run freely in the streets of SLC as the power struggle comes to a head and then in-fighting amongst the members comes to a head (I am referring to the dream Joseph had about his farm right before he was killed - the interpretation of which was lost on me until recently as I have seen people begin to crash and burn).

The reason I am writing this blog piece is that I have sensed a major yearning by many faithful people within the church to find others who are actively seeking Christ and the Second Comforter and who have visions and dreams and experiences and the ministering of angels and know not where to find it - because it largely has been rejected by a majority within the Church due to the crashing levels of faith and general worthiness within the Church. If you do have these things - which were abundantly had and openly talked about and recorded in the early years of the church - you are considered a total freak and people just look at you as if you had buggar hanging from your nose.....(smile). After talking about the Savior's miracles in Gospel Doctrine last week, the discussion was opened about miracles in peoples' lives today. The silence was deafening - and then the most telling response came out about how science is a miracle..... The same science that comes up with global warming as the reason for the destruction that is beginning to overwhelm us and who will valiantly come up with a miracle to cure the scourge of AIDS. Both of which have a solution in keeping the commands of God with exactness. People have lost their faith and put their trust in the arm of flesh. In my own Gospel Doctrine class nonetheless..... I didn't even dare open my mouth up - the carnage would have been painful. The good sister teaching the class almost openly shared her own miracle once in a Sac Mtg talk - but was constrained to stop due to the unbelieving nature of the congregation. So there are a few of us out there - but the tide of political correctness drowns out the lonely voices and we are left to ourselves to mourn and find the few others who are not so totally immersed in Babylon, that they seek to find the other "freaks" in places like this and ldsfreedomforums and other gathering places. The Book of Mormon was written for our day..... So, when I see another who has not been damaged by life-stains and unrepented sin to the point that they have eyes to see and ears to hear, I am heartened.

One such member I bumped into recently and am heartened. I have ferreted out Iohani Wolfgramm, Denver Snuffer and others who have a level of faith - who sought for the promised blessing and obtained it. This contemporary member is on par with these and other greats - and just needs more time in the oven and she will arrive there. Here is a little of the commentary from ldsfreedomforum that gives me heart in knowing that there are others out there that belong in the freak circus that I belong to..... ENJOY!!

A Visit Beyond Veil

By Archie J. Graham - 1918

In December 1918, I contracted influenza, which was raging over the country. There had been a number of deaths in our locality, but I had no fear of death. However, I had a great desire to live to fulfill the many blessings that had been promised me by the servants of the Lord.

The first few days of my illness I was very bad, and my fever was high. The doctor was doing all he could for me and my wife and mother were nursing me with their tender care.

One night after I had been ill about ten days, my wife arose from her bed to give me attention. I asked her what time it was and she told me that it was just ten minutes to two. She was worn out from her many labors and was soon asleep. As I lay there awake, I was surprised to hear someone speak my name. I paid no attention, then again I heard it. The third time it was so clear and distinct that I turned over to see what was wanted.

A messenger or man in white stood before me. He was about five feet nine inches tall and had a most penetrating smile. His presence seemed to illuminate the room; his voice was kind and gentle, yet commanding. "Come with me," he said. A dark film covered my eyes and I shuddered as I fell into a faint. He was smiling as I opened my eyes. I rose from my bed and followed him.

We had not gone far when he asked if I knew where I was. I told him I felt as if I were in heaven because his influence seemed so heavenly.

"Come then", he said "We will follow this path and I will show you some of the things you have longed to know and to see."

The path we took seemed to be of small marble-like pebbles, snow-white in color. It was about eight feet wide and continued straight and glistening as far as the eye could see. To the right and left of us were beautiful fields of waving grain. We walked through these a long distance when we came to a beautiful forest, with lawn-grass covering the ground; with trees and shrubs of many sizes and kinds and of many different colorings, from a pale green to the deep green of the spruce and pine, several shades of silver and gold, reds, browns, blues, lavenders, fading into a light pink, all planted to harmonize with each other in size, color and kind, and by looking in a certain direction, one could see all colors of the rainbow.

As we were passing through the forest, I thought nothing could compare to its beauty - it was glorious. But as we left it behind and still walking on the same white path, we came into the most exquisite flower gardens wherein were small shrubs and all manner of plant life, beyond human understanding. The ground was all covered with many varieties of lawn-grass. For some distance, the grass was of one species but within this distance there were many different colors of grass, which harmonized with the shrubs and flowers; another distance with another color of grass and flowers and shrubs to harmonize, and so on for hundreds of acres. There were flowers of all sizes and colors, placed in different artistic designs, such as diamonds, crescents, ovals, oblongs, squares, and many other odd shapes to add beauty and splendor to their surroundings. The flowers varied in size from those no larger than a pinhead to those as large as the crown in a man's hat. The shrubs were gorgeous, all sizes and colors - many of them were pruned and kept trimmed to represent birds and animals and were very true to life, even having real diamonds and rubies for eyes.

The cactus plants were marvelous for they were trained and grew to represent animals and reptiles having eyes of precious stones. There was an elephant fully as large as any I had ever seen. One of the caretakers told us that it was thousands of age two years old. It was growing from the four legs in the ground and his tail, head, trunk, tusks, his little blue diamond eyes, and his big flat ears were perfect. The tusks were of vegetable matter, growing from the body and resembling the true ivory.

I was very much impressed with a wonderful flower tree. The trunk was about six inches in diameter and about three feet high before it began to branch out, then it branched into twelve or fifteen branches, resembling a massive vase or flowerpot. The tops of the branches were a little above our heads and on each branch was a different color of the same kind of a flower, the flower as nearly as I can describe it was a cross between a rose and a chrysanthemum, and from the base of each flower on the stem grew a very fine fern leaf with different shades of green on each branch to harmonize with the color of the flower in that branch. Its beauty excelled any hothouse combination bouquet I have ever seen.

I turned around to look at this beautiful sight, and stood in amazement and awe, the magnitude and splendor of its beauty and imagination of mortal man in beauty and splendor.

While we were viewing these sights, the caretakers were busily engaged in pruning, trimming trees and shrubs, and cultivating the flowers and lawns.

We took the white path again and without a signal, so far as I could see, the caretakers, in great numbers began to file in military fashion ahead of us on the path. They seemed to have no leader. I asked concerning their discipline and my guide answered, "No man comes to this school unless he can discipline himself. They are going on to attend a class of instruction. An instructor meets them here at least twice a day unless they have trouble along some line and then comes to them or sends a man specially trained along the line of their trouble. All of those instructors are specialists and must bear the Holy Priesthood and have their own endowments (in person or by proxy) as they teach the gospel in the afternoon sessions."

A massive high wall came into view. The path continued along the wall south for some distance and then turned east. At this turn was a small arbor in the wall, just large enough for a chair for the instructor to sit in. As we drew near the corner, the men who were marching before us placed their tools against the wall and took their places in front of the little arbor. After the men were all seated, we took a new path leading to the left and to a massive double door in the wall just to the right of the instructor. He was sitting in a comfortable chair in the arbor when I first saw him, reading a book, but as the men came up, he arose and greeted each in turn, still holding the book in his hand, opened and face out. I was anxious to know what he was reading and was watching the book rather than him. We came opposite him, but I could not make out what it was. Just as we were about to pass through the gates our eyes met; it was one of the happiest moments of my life, for this radiant young instructor was my dead brother. I called his name and stepped toward him. He had been watching me, but had made no advance toward me, and his smile will always remain fresh in my mind. My guide took hold of my arm and as I turned to him the scene changed.

I asked my guide if that was not my dear brother. He put his finger to his lips and said, "That is not a part of my program. I am only to show you what you have wanted to know. He is very busy teaching in the art of horticulture, and preaching the gospel. Now be content for all is well with him."

We were in the midst of a poorly kept city. I said to my guide, "These people surely must be poor." He answered, "Not only poor, but benighted, ignorant, full of lust, greed and selfishness, just the same as they lived while on the earth, steeped in the iniquities of sin. They procrastinated their day of repentance unto death. For the bad habits formed in the flesh are much harder to overcome in the spirit, as the spirit steeped in sin without the flesh is weak, and they have a hard time to master sin here."

The sights in the streets were most pitiful. Men and women were crying with hunger, some crying for help, others were quarreling and fighting. Contention was raging in every form. The most tender cords of my heart were touched with pity and compassion. The houses seemed very dilapidated, many of them not being furnished and some having no chimneys, some with roofs badly caved in or gone or parts of walls gone, many with windows broken out; all showed signs of decay and seemed to be deserted as the men and women, mingling together, apparently lived in the streets, yet they did go in and out of the houses, calling them home. The streets were disorderly and dirty, full of rubbish and refuse. There were no signs of trees, flowers, or grass. All was barren as a desert.

I asked my guide if people would not surely do better on the earth if they know that was waiting for them. "That would never do," he said, "as it would rob them of their full right to choose good or evil. Now they choose the thing they like and the reward is waiting for them. Remember, this is not a home of peace, to the wicked, but the very opposite; unrest, discontent and misery. They choose for themselves while on the earth, which is the school of experience to test the character of the soul in the flesh. (Emphasis added.)

"The souls of these poor people were so engrossed in sin and crime that the spirit of God could not penetrate them, only to fulfill the scriptures, wherein it says:

'The spirit of God will not always strive with men'. Also - 'The spirit of God cannot dwell in unholy tabernacles.' And last, but not least - 'If they are filthy, they shall remain filthy still.'"

I asked my guide if there were no children here and he informed me that there were no children of any age, nor were there any regular missionaries of the Gospel. "But," he said, "they are sent here occasionally with a special message. However all the people have the privilege of going to places where they can hear and learn the gospel for themselves, but they are slow to hearken to the teachings of the gospel. Therefore, if a person is found with a possibility of repentance, they are sought after and taught the gospel. They always have instructors teaching better ways of living and different kinds of industries. Therefore, the Lord extends His mercy forever unto His children."

We walked for miles through these terrible scenes and gradually the homes and people showed signs of a little thrift and industry as we began seeing green trees here and there and an occasional patch of green, but the people were still dirty and slovenly.

Among these people we came in contact with some missionaries for the first time, and heard them preach the first principles of the Gospel. There was not so much loitering, but still much profanity, strife, and contention. As we went further, I noticed that the homes were nicer, some of them having been painted. There were more signs of industry. Some parts were cultivated, some trees and lawns came into sight, and some of the people looked happy.

The better class of people were more easily interested in religion and the missionaries, now more numerous, showed signs of encouragement. All kinds of characters were to be observed among the throngs of people, by their countenances, homes, groups, and communities; each individual finds his level.

As we continued walking, the scene was suddenly changed to one of beauty. There were trees, shrubs, lawns and flowers, beautiful painted and stone homes, gardens, parks and playgrounds, and many things to keep them busy at something and seemed to be more united and showed more co-operation in their communities and groups.

There were now an even greater number of missionaries, more encouraged in their work as this class enjoyed the Gospel and were more eager to learn its teachings. We began to see large chapels for worship and many public places erected after the manner of our stadiums, in the open air for people to sit and hear the Gospel taught, most of these being filled with large crowds.

"Nearly all these people were interested in religion," my guide explained, "but it takes a long time to prepare them for the Gospel for it is so much harder for the spirit to overcome the weaknesses of the flesh without the flesh, even for these people, and they are just as particular in receiving members into the Church here as they are on the earth."

The streets were paved and wide, the houses were lovely and the further we went the more beautiful everything became. The parks and playgrounds were filled with children and young people who were happy and whose manner and habits in play were very becoming. There were, however, no children under the age of eight years. The customs and appearance of these people were improved, as we saw no signs of the filth and dirt of the first class of people we had met. I could see some of the best of the first class of people among the crowds of the second place and could readily tell the difference by their appearance and manner. My guide informed me that a mark in the form of a dress or mantle was placed upon them when they died, designating the life they had lived while on the earth; a mark that could not be changed nor imitated in any way.

"Even though they may repent, progress in wisdom and knowledge, visit the better class, they are held in prison, and this mark or dress is the prison, and remain in that same station until they are released. No matter how long they have been repentant, they are held back and identified by that mark, - until someone has been baptized, confirmed and received all other sacred ordinances pertaining to the endowment of the Holy Priesthood for them, in the Temple of the Lord on the earth. This is the only power that can release them, but not until they have met all the requirements made of them here and accepted the endowments, do they receive the same by the Priesthood here and then the dress or mark falls off and they are released from prison and go on to enjoy the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob forever." (Emphasis added)

As I stood drinking in the magnitude of God's great creation and the marvelous changes and experiences we have to prepare us for eternal life, to my surprise, the scene was changed and I was gazing upon some of the most beautiful homes or palaces - for no castle of an earthly king could surpass them in beauty. I had looked upon beauty only once and that was in the beautiful flower garden described in the beginning of my narrative. This was similar to that only more beautiful and wonderful as children and all kinds of animal life and many beautiful homes added real life to its beauty. There were numerous parks and playgrounds, filled with happy and intelligent children. They were kind and generous in their play. Everything seemed to be love and smiles.

The houses were all large and quite uniform in size and structure, some of stone and some of different materials. The walks and streets were paved with different colors of cement to harmonize with the different shades of green of the lawns and shrubs. They were indeed beyond description. The homes each covered from five to ten acres of land on which trees, flowers, and shrubs grew profusely. There was plenty of room for all - everything in perfect order and harmony.

Wonderful chapels and public boweries with comfortable seating and pulpits were to be seen here, being used as a place for preaching the gospel and other subjects of importance. The boweries and stands were covered with vines and climbing roses and other flowers, thus making them very inviting. We were invited to some very interesting meetings in a number of these places where faith and repentance as we preach it were taught. Baptism and the laying on of hands were also taught, though not quite as we teach them.

My guide explained that "Before they can receive either baptism or the laying on of hands here, the work must be done for them on earth, by proxy. It is the same with the priesthood and all the other ordinances of the endowments. As soon as this is done they may receive the same over here, by the authority of the Holy Priesthood. It is very important that the people should turn their hearts more to this work and have the work ready for them on the earth, but in nearly all cases, these poor people are ready and waiting long before their work is recorded there. Many have waited for hundreds of years. But it is a part of the plan to have them wait until it is done on the earth first."

We now came into the center of this massive city with throngs of people. The streets were wide and no signs of streetcars or any other kind of vehicles all during our travels. In the center of the street was a wide white line dividing the street. It acted as a traffic guide as no sign of a policeman was present. All knew their place, the law was understood, everyone to the right. The crowd was so dense one could not turn and go back as we do here, but would have to cross over the white line and follow the crowd. If there were any visiting they would have to go into some building or side street as the crowd on the street was always moving. The crowd resembled the crowd coming from one of the well-attended sessions of conference in the Mormon Tabernacle only that this crowd extended for miles.

The business houses were large and well constructed, close together and of an average height of six or eight stories. I do not know what kind of business was carried on inside them as I did not ask, neither did my guide inform me. But it was the center of attraction where these millions of people were coming and going. Every one had a place to go, something definite to do but each had a smile and a pleasant word for a friend.

We at last found a clearing in the crowd large enough to pass through to a side street where we saw the same kind of beautiful homes and gardens we had seen on the other side of the city. We crossed into an open square where we saw and heard some more missionaries preaching the same doctrines as we had heard and seen before. Everywhere we went we heard the same teachings, only taught by different elders. They were teaching the first principals of the Gospel, endowment work for the dead, connecting families together and making genealogies for temple work on the earth, teaching the necessity of preparation to meet the Savior when he comes that they might, with the just, be resurrected into immortality. I asked my guide if all they had to do was preach.

He answered with kindness in his voice, but very emphatically, "think of the countless millions and millions of people who have been born in the flesh. The Gospel has been on the earth but a few times and then for only a short time. The fullness of the Gospel a very short time compared with the hundreds of millions of people and most of them are dead and here to be taught the true Gospel by a very few who have the right and authority to teach, as compared with the multitudes who are to be taught.

"This is shown unto you to impress upon your mind the magnitude of the work there is to be done, both here and on the earth, and to impress upon your mind your responsibility, as you were chosen to help this work along in the last days."

We next came to a large white building, grand in design and architecture. It was glorious but it is beyond my powers to describe it in full. It was oval oblong in shape, the top was all windows, giving perfect light to all parts of the building. This was the first building I was permitted to enter, to see the inside. It was a magnificent sight. The walls were literally covered with the most inspiring and interesting life size photos of all the old prophets and prophetesses, down to the present time. Also, there were many beautiful scenes.

We saw first a few creation scenes; The Garden of Eden, Father Adam and Mother Eve, Cain and Abel; Cain when he was cursed; Adam's posterity of High Priests; Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mallalaleel, Jared, Enoch and Methuselah; Noah and his Sons; Melchizedek, and all the Old Testament prophets; the Savior and His crucifixion, His resurrection, all His apostles; Lehi, Nephi and all the prophets of the Book of Mormon; the Savior coming to the Nephites; the apostles whom He chose among them; all other prophets down to Moroni; a beautiful' scene where the Father and Son appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith; all the prophets in our day and many leaders. Every part of the floor was occupied with a picture on an individual easel, many hundreds of which we had not time to examine.

From this lovely room we were ushered into another room, large and spacious - resembling the great Mormon Tabernacle only much larger, with the seating effect, choir seats, and the three rostrums very similar. There was a wonderful pipe organ whose music sounded like that of angels. My guide informed me that we were invited to a meeting where the twelve apostles and the Presiding Presidency met each week to give instructions to their officers. He led me about half way into the building where we could see everything that went on. We were early enough to see all the preliminaries, there being but a few people in the building when we entered.

Within a short time the building was filled to capacity, nearly twenty thousand officers with eager, smiling faces having gathered for the meeting. The organ played as they came in, the most satisfying music, which filled my soul with peace. Yet while these thousands of people were being seated, every note of the organ could be heard. The order was perfect, not even a whisper. At the stroke of a gong a large double door opened to the right and above the choir seats. At the same time that wonderful organ began to play very softly. There was no sound in the building but that of the organ; it sounded as if the building were being filled with angels. Then from the doorway, men dressed in the robes of the Holy Priesthood entered, coming down to take their seats at the rostrum. The twelve Apostles led the way and went to the first rostrum above the main floor. The Presiding Presidency took the next, or the middle rostrum, and the First Presidency and immortal visitors took the remaining or highest rostrum.

When the authorities began coming in, the assembly arose and remained standing until they were all seated, then they all sat down together. The scene was glorious and grand: this heavenly reverence thrilled me as I was never thrilled before. It was indeed an inspirational sight.

"Good," my guide exclaimed, "the first Presidency are here, "You can see them for yourself." He asked if I knew any on the top rostrum. I looked with admiration, for I thought I saw the Savior, as one of the men did look like the picture of the Savior I had seen in the first room.

"Is that one in the center the Savior?" I asked.

He smiled and answered "No, but it is the Prophet Joseph Smith."

"He does indeed resemble the picture of the Savior," I said.

There were on the same rostrum Patriarch Hyrum Smith, President Brigham Young, President Snow, and two other men whom I failed to recognize.

My guide informed me that the Presiding Presidency took charge of these meetings. I asked if the Prophet Joseph was over all the brethren.

"Yes," he said, "and everyone else, but only presides at special meetings and conferences. He is too busy and has too many things to do. It is not often he can attend these meetings. That is why it is a privilege for you to be here when he is present, so you can see him."

I marveled at the unusual respect and reverence, which was accorded the Prophet.

The Presiding President called the meeting to order by announcing the song by the choir. The organ played the prelude, then the great choir began to sing. I felt as if I were rising out of my seat, I felt so peaceful and happy. The music and singing were beyond my imagination, for they cannot be described, they must be felt, seen, and heard for one to comprehend and appreciate them.

The invocation was offered by one of the apostles. I will give a part of it here.

"Our Father who art in Heaven, we ask thee to bless us that we might represent thee in teaching the Gospel to these poor people who have died in the world and have come here to the place that was prepared for them to further prepare themselves to come back into thy presence. Help us to carry this message to those who have procrastinated their opportunities while in the flesh, to understand these truths and perfect themselves in Christ our Master. Bless all the saints everywhere, both here and on the earth in gathering their genealogies, that the records which are incomplete may be found and accepted in the temples on the earth, that our families may come together as one. May we help the Spirit of Elijah to enter into he hearts of all the children of men here and on the earth, that their desires shall be toward us as ours are toward them. Increase the Spirit of Elijah to the extent that more temples may be built in the earth, that our people will not have to wait so long for their endowments. Lift the darkness from the eyes of thy children here and there, that the parts of families here and the parts of families there may be united in funding their lost records, I welding together their link, to that endless chain..."

There was a very impressive and inspiring discourse given by another apostle, which I give in part.

"It is edifying indeed to see this vast body of workers, working for the cause of truth. Continue in the good work with all your hearts as the signs of the times indicate the shortness of the time before our Savior will come to reign upon the earth and who is ready to meet him?"

"The wars and the judgments of God are now upon the earth. (1918 war) I exhort all of you to stand in holy places. Teach the things you are called to teach.

Some of you are called to teach faith, repentance, and baptism; some teach endowments for the dead; some teach genealogy work for the dead; and some teach preparing records for the living. See to it that your classes are in order and doing their part, that you will not be slothful servants when the Lord comes, for those who are worthy and have their endowments, either in person or by proxy, may be called out to meet Him when He comes, but they who have not their endowments cannot even see Him or go where He is. Your responsibilities are great, for the saving of the souls of men rests upon your shoulders. Be diligent in your callings and seek to magnify your responsibilities."

Many more important things followed, but let this suffice.

After the meeting my guide informed me that we were going over to meet some of my relatives and ancestors. "Many of them have heard of you and have wanted for a long time to see you and to hear your testimony," he said.

I asked if that meant that I had to talk to them. "No, at least not for the present" he said. "I will do the talking now."

Just about this time men and women began to come up to us with smiling faces and while we were walking, multitudes of people crowded around us. We pushed ourselves through the throng until we came to a platform among the people. When we stepped upon it, we could see out over the throng. There were tens of thousands of them, a glorious sight and I was thrilled to know they were my kindred. As we stepped upon the platform, the noise of the vast crowd was hushed to silence, not even a murmur. It was indeed heavenly. My guide spoke but with a clear and pleasant voice, yet with dignity and power, as one having authority and his audience respected him as such.

In this clear and distinct voice lie said, "It gives me pleasure to introduce to you this young man from the earth. Many of you have wanted to see and hear him and many have asked that he might come to you. This is Elder Archie J. Graham, your kindred from the earth." For a moment there was a murmur in the crowd, then my guide continued: "but at this time you will not be able to hear him, as he is not fully come. He holds the Holy Priesthood and has his own endowments. He is your descendent. What is your pleasure?"

A great number shouted out , "Let him come, we need him."

A very good-looking man, large in stature and seemingly a leader in the crowd spoke out. "No," he said, "send him back." Then he came forward within a few feet of our platform. Addressing the crowd with a clear and commanding voice that pierced every heart, he said:

"Do you not know who this man is? He is - - -," calling out a new name which they all seemed to recognize and understand.

A murmur went out among the crowd again for two or three minutes. Then all at once the platform on which we stood trembled as the tens of thousands of voices shouted together - "Go back. Go back! We depend upon you in the temple. Go back, we need you there."

They seemed to understand each other, what they wanted, and how to do it, in avery short time as there was no argument or discussion more than above indicated.

There was no noise now. My guide smiled and bowed to them, then smiled at me. Speaking to the crowd he said, "You are very generous, but we will have to wait and see."

I was very much perplexed as I was unable to comprehend their meaning as at that time I had the feeling that I was already there. I felt differently than I had ever felt before. My body was light in weight. I could move about with the least exertion as though in thought. I felt as though I could fly, I was so light.

"We will report," said my guide.

The tall leader shouted out - "Let us salute our brother that he will not forget us in the temple."

The heavens resounded while my soul recorded the vibration of the greatest noise I have ever heard or felt in all my life. It was a salute. "Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna, and Amen!" It sounded like a million voices.

"Why all this and what does it mean I asked my guide.

"They want to show you that they appreciate you, and that they have confidence in your doing their work for them in the temple, by showing you their appreciation in a way to impress you so deeply that you cannot forget them if you go back. They are also promising the Lord for that confidence that you will work for them."

This was indeed a sight to see, an experience long to be remembered.

Leaving these wonderful people behind us, we found ourselves among more beautiful homes, flowers, wide streets, and a magnificent part in the center with lawns, flowers, and shrubs. The homes and everything in this section were more beautiful than anything I had seen. Each home had plenty of room for gardens, occupying from about ten to fifteen acres of land. Within the grounds could be found everything to gladden the heart and inspire one to live a higher and better life, they appeared to be covered with lawn grass. There were many varieties of trees and shrubs and flowers; lakes, ponds, fish, birds and pet animals and everything that would make a home and surroundings beautiful and peaceful.

A certain home across the street attracted my attention as being among the most beautiful. We walked past this home a short distance then I turned to get another good look at it, as it was so extremely beautiful. I looked with awe and reverence.

"Is it beautiful?" my guide asked.

"Yes indeed," I said "It is glorious and magnificent. May I ask a question?"

"What is it?" asked my guide.

"Who is the owner of that wonderful mansion?"

"The owner has not come yet, he is still on the earth."

"What must a man do to inherit a place like that?" I asked.

"He must live his religion in all things as he understands it. If much is given, much is expected. Keep all the laws of God, pay all his tithes and offerings. To be a servant of God, you must be a servant of your fellowmen. Remain true and faithful to your covenants, always fearing and trusting in the Lord and you will inherit a mansion like unto this. According to your faithfulness in the knowledge you have, so shall it be, as one is a likeness unto the other. It is a decree in Heaven and cannot be changed."

"May I examine this place?" I asked.

"You may pass around the yards but you cannot go inside."

I was indeed delighted and thrilled for this privilege. The home, set back about two hundred feet from the street, nestled among trees, vines and flowers. The buildings were elevated for the first hundred feet, then there was beautiful flat lawn up to the house. Upon each of these terraces, we found a number of different beautiful fishponds of different sizes and depths, each with a different variety of fish. We also found upon each terrace, a different kind and color of grass with a great variety of flowers and small shrubs to harmonize. This made a wonderful setting for the home and background.

We walked over to the steps leading over to the rolling lawn and found a most remarkable path of highly polished marble, which was laid in a pattern similar to that of the house. The house had huge white pillars on each side of the veranda with two massive doors leading into the house. The doors and windows were of the finest crystal cut glass. The material in the outside walls was of the finest white marble, variegated with chocolate color with a beautiful luster in the finish.

The grounds surrounding the home covered about twelve acres. We passed around the house where we saw a most wonderful sight. All sizes and kinds of trees and shrubs, many kinds of fruit, some bearing every month; large lakes with swans, pelicans, cranes, and a number of different kinds of fancy geese, a pair of each; many kinds of birds flying around, some had nests in the trees and some had cages. There were pet animals such as the deer, antelope, goats, sheep, and a number of fur animals. Just enough to make a home and yards perfect, or at least my idea of perfection. The water for the ponds and lakes was furnished by a deep, cone-shaped spring of living water not far from the house. The water, as clear as crystal, came bubbling out of the ground, making a lively picture.

As we were leaving this magnificent home and these beautiful surroundings, I was reminded of one of Christ's sayings -"Eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, that which the Father has prepared for them that love Him and keep His commandments." If I be permitted to add my testimony, I can truthfully say that mortal man cannot comprehend its magnitude and splendor.

After my soul was filled and satisfied, my guide said, "Let us walk down this way." And to my great surprise, I recognized a familiar scene. We were walking west in the middle of my farm in American Fork, Utah.

At the time I contracted the flu, I was building a new dairy barn, had only laid the foundation when I went to bed. We walked over toward the barn and stopped a short distance from it. I could see the barn was finished, the home was changed, and the trees had grown. It made me feel that I had been gone for a long time and I actually felt that I had passed from this life, and was just being permitted to come back for a visit. It was so real, I had this natural thought - "My, but I am glad I left my little wife and children some life insurance to mature their plans and help them to make a living."

As we stood looking at the barn, my guide turned to me and said, "Now you have had a wonderful privilege to see for yourself what is being done beyond the veil. The many things you have seen and heard are all for your benefit and you should make use of them. You have seen the great missionary work awaiting you, also how they need your testimony and influence; you have seen your own people and how they wanted to hear from you, they showed you that they knew you and asked for your help, they even saluted you in praise to their Maker. You have seen the mansion which is prepared for you - the mansion and the grounds you examined are yours."

He paused for a moment. My soul leaped with joy at his words, then my heart melted within me as I thought of my weaknesses and imperfections. How could I be worthy, what had I done to deserve this? This was sacred and I was not prepared.

My guide continued with the kindness of a loving father. "The Lord, our Master, has given me charge concerning you, that you may choose for yourself, after knowing the things that are in store for you over there. You may come and enjoy these things, or you may remain upon the earth and enjoy these things," waving his hand toward the barn house and trees (that were changed).

He said no more but waited for my answer. It took some time for me to make my conclusion, but he said not a word. I slowly turned my back to him in deep meditation. If the truth were known, one could have seen my eyes fill with moisture. To me those were very sacred moments. I now realized that I was in the presence of holy angels whose presence gave me a serene and heavenly feeling. I could understand now what I failed to comprehend when I was in the presence of my ancestors, I could now understand their pleadings for me to come back, - I was not to remain with them. I could again feel the vibration of that marvelous salute, I recalled their faith in me. I remembered a number of things I wanted to do in this life and wherein I had fallen short.

I again faced my guide and said, "If that be the case, I prefer to remain upon the earth."

He smiled and asked, "May I ask why?"

"Yes," I said, "but it is sacred to me. I have sought to do a number of things in this life since my youth which so far I have not had the opportunity of doing."

"What are they?" he asked.

"I have wanted to work in the church and devote my life to saving the souls of men, and to work in the temple for my loved ones who are dead." I said. "I have always wanted to raise an honorable family and send them in the mission field. Now you have shown me my dead ancestors and they implored me to come back. They showed me signs that I shall never forget, that will always remind me that they do depend upon me to do their work in the temple. You have shown me that wonderful mansion which I feel I am unworthy to receive, neither am I justified in accepting it as I have not yet earned it. But in all the humility of my soul, I have desired all my life to live and bring souls unto Christ until He came, and to redeem my dead people. I want to live until I am worthy and am justified in receiving such a magnificent mansion as you offer me."

A shining glory radiated from his countenance. His clothes changed to an exquisite whiteness. He smiled with a smile of glory, which I hope I shall never forget. I know that he looked through me and saw the innermost thoughts of my heart, as that smile of glory pierced my soul. As he struck me on the left shoulder with his right hand, his touch gave me a shock. Then he slipped his arm around my waist and drawing me close to him, he said with the most thrilling, vibrating voice, yet gentle and kind, "The Lord your Master loves you for your integrity. Have faith and trust in the Lord and He will bless you and strengthen your back for every burden if you will trust him. He wants your heart first before anything else.

"You have but little time to make your preparations, for your extended charge, for the Lord wants your heart, your time, and your talents, first before anything else is served. If you give these things unto Him, he will develop you in marvelous ways. Now be content, for all shall be well with you, but the devil will seek to destroy you and block your way. If your faith is strong enough, you will be able to overcome the weaknesses of the flesh and enjoy all these things together with the desires of your heart in righteousness.

"Now go thy way in peace, trusting in these things and depending upon the Lord for guidance and you will have a sure defense. Come, let us return to your body."

In a flash we were in my bedroom. I saw my wife and children in their beds as I had left them. I saw my own body lying by the side of my wife. She had apparently not awakened while I was absent. She was so worn out from her toil and sleepless nights in caring for me in my sickness that sleep was appreciated.

I looked at the clock; it was just seven AM.

"We have been gone five whole hours, as it was two o'clock when we left," I said to my guide.

We stepped over to the bed. My body was lying on its back. It really looked to me to be dead. I said to my guide, "It looks hard to have to go back into that body after seeing all I have seen."

"It doesn't only look hard, but it is hard," he said. "You don't have to go back, but if you want those blessings in the flesh, you must go back."

I turned back to the body again to take it up. I touched it and shuddered. "Oh," I said, "How can I, it's cold and clammy!" I tried again then cried out, "I can't do it."

My guide stepped over to me and said very sympathetically, "That was your choice, now go on."

I knew that I must and with a positive determination, I forced myself back into my cold lifeless body. For some little time, I know not how long, though it seemed a long time, I thought I must surely be dead. I was cold and stiff and could not move. I wished my guide would speak to me, or that I could speak to him to make sure that I was not dead, but all in vain. I had been taught to pray and had always been prayerful, but now I was helpless, I could not even open my mouth or move my lips, or utter a word. It seemed as though I was doomed to lay there and die. I wondered why my guide had deserted me, or why he did not help me. I wondered why my wife would not wake up and help me. I tried to move and wake her up, but was helpless. I began to offer a silent prayer, trusting my Heavenly Father to hear it. My body began to warm up. I moved my arms, my legs, and head; I opened my eyes and there stood my faithful guide smiling at me. I could not speak but he said, "You have done it fine. You are all right now, I must go. Peace be unto you and farewell."

While he was departing he waved his hand and that glorified smile returned to his person. . . it filled my soul with peace, joy, satisfaction, and appreciation for the glorious things he had shown and taught me. He slowly faded from my mortal view.

It is beyond my vocabulary to describe the sense of feeling of coming back into my earthly body. But suffice it to say, my guide must have known it to be an ordeal as he stayed with me until he was sure I was all right. But I can say, it was a terrible feeling.

For a while after my guide had gone, I lay upon my bed meditating upon the singularity of the wonderful experiences I had been privileged to enjoy. In humbleness, I poured out the thanks of my heart to my Heavenly Father for these marvelous gifts and blessings. My limbs and joints were stiff for a while until the warmth came back into my body, then all stiffness and pain was gone. I felt that I was well and wanted to get up when my wife got up, but she would not let me. I felt so good and had so much faith, I felt as if I could move a mountain.

I kept my experience to myself as it was so wonderful and sacred to me; I dared not tell anyone, not even my dear wife who knew all my secrets, with no other evidence than my word, it was too sacred for doubt or criticism. I decided to keep it until I had other evidences, as I felt assured I should, for it was of a divine nature and the Lord never does anything half way. I trusted and prayed that he would establish the necessary proof to substantiate my testimony that the truth might be consecrated to all who seek after righteousness.

On the eighth day after this experience, I was very ill. My wife and mother were worried about me and asked if I wanted the elders. I replied that I did if they would come. Many were afraid as it was at the time when so many were dying with the flu. I prayed that two elders would be moved upon to come, and my prayer was answered. When they laid their hands upon my head to seal the anointing, I felt a charge of the spirit. I knew I was to receive a blessing. I did receive a wonderful blessing for after sealing the anointing in the regular way, the elder who was the mouth began to repeat the identical words my guide had used, promising them upon my head by the sealing power of the Priesthood they held. I was again free from pain and felt that I was well. I was so overjoyed that I cried, as I had the first evidence to substantiate my testimony and increase my faith.

Soon after the elders had left, I called my wife to my bed, asking her to sit down as I had something very important to tell her. I told her the whole story the best I could. I know she got the spirit of it because I noticed her eyes filled with tears a number of times. When I had finished, she put her arms around me and said, "Oh, it's wonderful. I know it's from the Lord. Cheer up, you can do it, I know you can."

My wife's attitude gave me much strength and joy, and for several days, I got along fine. However, it looked as if the devil was already after me for as soon as I would get well, something would break out anew.

A few weeks after the above experience, I was so ill I had to be turned on sheets and pillows were propped under my arms and legs to give me rest. I had no control over any part of my body; I could not speak or move my head. My folks became alarmed and again sent for the elders, Bishop George A. Zabriske and his counselor, Orval C. Day, the same man who had given me the blessing before.

They blessed me with a powerful blessing. Our faith was strong enough to drive away part of the pain and infirmity, enough so that I could talk and move myself a little. I felt a strong desire to tell them my experience and prayed earnestly and the Lord was with me as I told the story and when I finished, the Bishop said, "I believe every word and it is the best description I have ever heard of paradise."

The nervous strain in my condition made me very weak, so they anointed and blessed me again. I have heard patriarchs give wonderful blessings, but my Bishop gave one of the greatest and most powerful blessings I have ever heard or felt. We were all so filled with the spirit of God before the blessing that the same outpouring of the spirit rested upon the elders in their blessing. The brethren sealed all the blessings I had been promised in this experience and promised me that I would live to see the fulfillment of every promise, and that this experience would stand as a monument in my life; that I should never forget it and it would remain fresh in my mind; that many would receive comfort and be built up in their faith from these experiences.

When they said "Amen" there was not an ache or a pain in my body. I turned over in my bed alone and took the Bishop's hand in both mine and for several minutes no one in the room could speak, the spirit was so powerful. We were all crying for joy, for it was an outpouring of the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. A most wonderful, peaceful feeling remained in the house for days after.

The Bishop said, "This is the greatest outpouring of the Spirit of God I have ever felt. It has indeed been a demonstration to me beyond a doubt, here today, that you were shown these things by the power and will of God."

"That's just the way I feel," Brother Day said. "There is no doubt in my mind of its truth."

In May, 1919, a few months after my experience, I called on Patriarch Warren B. Smith of American Fork, Utah. I had never met him, though I knew him by sight. I introduced myself to him and asked if he would give me a Patriarchal Blessing. He said he would be glad to do so if I would bring with me someone who could write and come on May 4th. Accordingly, I took my wife with me and we went to his home.

He gave me a wonderful blessing, and when he was through, he said, "Brother, that is one of the most wonderful blessings I have ever given. You have a lot to do in this life. You have a wonderful spirit and much is expected of you."

"Brother Smith," I said, "I have had a very remarkable experience. If you have time and would like to hear it, I would like to tell you."

He seemed eager to hear it, so I told the story as nearly as I could. When I came to the place where my guide was giving me my choice of going on the other side or of remaining upon the earth, Brother Smith stopped me. Addressing my wife, he said "Turn back to about the third page and you will find something referring to that very condition." She read the following from the blessing:

"The Lord, thy Savior has changed some of his decrees concerning you that you might have opportunity to prepare thyself for the Master's service both here and hereafter."

"Isn't that marvelous!" exclaimed Brother Smith. "Brother, you are indeed favored of the Lord and should strive to do everything you are called to do. I see now there are a number of things in your blessing that had a relation to many of your experiences." I agreed, for I had noticed this when he was giving the blessing.

Brother Smith, taking me by the right hand of fellowship said, "Brother Graham, by the authority of the Holy Priesthood which I hold as a patriarch, I bless you through your faithfulness that you will have power to resist the powers of evil, that if you do your duty as a servant of God, you shall enjoy every blessing which you have been promised."

It has been nearly fourteen years since I had this experience. Bishop Zabriske's promise has been verified for I have lived again my experience as the Holy Ghost has been my faithful guide and companion. He has brought to my mind in detail the identical experiences shown me by that marvelous guide who was so faithful to me.

Who am I that I can deny having seen and heard these things? I know my guide knows that I know; he was immortal and if I denied them after the many evidences given forth to substantiate my testimony, I fear the wrath of the Almighty would be upon me.

I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I know Jesus is my Savior and my redeemer. I know that His blood will atone for my sins and imperfections, if I trust in Him, love Him and keep His commandments. With that same faith and testimony, I know I saw and heard these things, not with my natural eyes, but with that finer eye. I have this assurance - I know I will receive every blessing promised and inherit that mansion and even many things greater than I saw, if I keep the faith and magnify my callings and responsibilities.

The Savior said, "It hath not entered into the heart of man that which the Father has prepared for them that love Him and keep His commandments."

My humble and sincere prayer is that all who may react this experience will do so with a prayerful heart, without prejudice. I am confident that if they do, they will know of the truth therein. I am persuaded sometimes to believe with him whose ways that the supreme charity in all this world is - to judge not, but to leave the judgment of our fellowmen in the hands of Him who is the great and just judge of all.

I cannot contemplate my membership in the Church, the testimony of the divine authenticity of the work in which we are engaged, the many privileges which have come to me to labor in the advancement of the great cause, these blessed associations with my brethren in the Priesthood, without rendering to God, my Heavenly Father, the gratitude and thanks of my heart.

A couple years ago the stake patriarch got up to give a talk at our ward about ministering angels. I swear I felt a collective tensing-up in the congregation ("Don't talk about that!"). Later on that day I was home teaching one of my families and I mentioned the talk as part of conversation and they quickly changed the subject.

I'm also very certain most members - even temple-going ones - don't really believe in the weightier gifts of the spirit. Emotionalism masquerading as a manifestation of the spirit or simply the small voice is about all people want. In other words, on a day-to-day basis, most don't want much interference from the spiritual world unless it's something they ask for, which is 'the usual stuff'.

Wow. I'm surprised you feel that way. Elder McConkie said that anyone who has the spirit of Christ or a testimony of Christ is a prophet.

The children of Israel brought a few men before Moses, saying that they were prophesying and should be forbidden from speaking. Moses replied to them that he desired that all should prophesy. Numbers 11:25-29

Numbers 11:29 "And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!"

Also, do you believe that He wouldn't want to hear your concerns and provide you with a witness, when you are important to Him? If you were a parent, would you not want your children to come to you asking if the things that they heard at school or elsewhere were true? And Heavenly Father is a perfect parent, wouldn't He desire His children to come to Him always, knowing that He has light and knowledge that He can give them?

I am grateful that you have convictions, and am grateful that you are loyal to the Gospel. Yet. I hope that your investigations don't end there, and that you don't ask your Father in Heaven to provide a witness of all things to you. For there is a law in heaven that states that all things that come from the Lord are to have second and third witnesses to them. 2 Corin 13:1; D&C 6:28; D&C 128:3; 2 Nephi 11:3; Deuteronomy 11:15

Because of this law, I have been often reminded by the Spirit that I need to pray over everything that I have read that deals with things of the Spirit, because the Lord asks us to counsel with Him in all things (Alma 37:35-37)... and I have received outright "no"s in response to some supposed prophecies.

There have been many "no"s over the years... for example, I know that the so-called Second Book of Commandments is not prophecy.

On the other hand, Wolfgramm, I have been impressed upon by the Spirit as to being accurate. He was ordained by the hand of Spencer W. Kimball as Healer to the Church, and President Kimball loved by him dearly.

In addition to that, the vision account mentioned here in this thread is specifically in regard to this man's own mission in life and bearing a testimony of temple work. Some of it was symbolic for him to understand, the rest of it was a testimony of the work on the other side and how organized it is.

I bear my testimony to you that the Lord prefers that we counsel with Him, that we ask for His witness in all things (Alma 37:37), when we need a witness that things are from Him. We are instructed to do so over the Book of Mormon. We are instructed again in the D&C 52: 14-20 concerning things of the Spirit.

Hi, my name is Kristen and I am almost 39 years old. I am a convert to the church. I have been a member for almost 19 years and have lived in Utah just as long. I was born and raised in the "ghetto's" of California by my grandmother. She died when I was almost 17. I am part Hispanic, I only have a 10th grade education and had a child when I met and married my return missionary husband. One year after my baptism we were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. None of my family are members. All of my husbands are members and very active. I suffer from chronic depression,anxiety, and ADD. I have a potty mouth at times and I don't go to church every Sunday, I eventually freak out over callings and ask to be released but I do give it my all. And to top it all off I am a recovering drug addict. I have been in and out of the "nut house" more times than I can count. Now the reason I tell you all this is because I have had my calling and election made sure(its been about 4or5 yrs). I have been in the presence of our Savior and Heavenly Father.I could go into great detail and really don't mind talking about it but I have come to realize these experiences don't come to every one and sadly I never assumed my family (husbands) and some dear friends would be considered the "swine". I always talked so freely about it because it was such and awesome experience, not to mention we are commanded to seek for this blessing, that I figured if someone as imperfect as myself could have this and other wonderful spiritual experiences that SURELY they could!! Every one is so much better than me, they are in church EVERY SUNDAY,are awesome in their callings, never shop on the Sabbath,ALWAYS pay their tithing. They are so much smarter then me( I remember I was a new member and cried to Heavenly Father and told him that I was not smart enough to get into heaven! I know that sounds dumb but my brain just cant understand most stuff. Then through the power of the Holy Spirit He told me that it was actually a blessing to me that I had such a simple brain, I don't know why but it did make me feel better) anyway moving on, I learned REAL QUICK that people get angry and think your insane, given my history I REALLY cant blame them,some have( I will never inderstand this one)even been jealous. I have been reading all of these posts and comments.Some I have answers to and other I'm not quite sure, I do believe the trials and the actual laying on of hands is different for everyone, mine was in a nut house -go figure-by Elder Paul H. Dunn and another gentleman. And when I was permitted to enter into "His Glory" (I did not see their faces at this time but was told " I am preparing you to enter into my presence". I believe that I will see Their faces in this life( my patriarchal blessing also promises the second comforter). I never asked to have my calling and election made sure in fact it was'nt untill about 8 months later that I fully realized what truly happened.There is NO doubt people you will,know! Even as dumb as I am the Holy Spirit was able to teach me and show me. I do remember asking to be blessed with the faith of the brother of Jared. I know now that was really dumb, and I have several times asked to take it back the latest only 2 days ago, I have since repented! And yes, you will go through the most horrible trials and tribulations, you can't even imagine!!!! You will pray to be dead! I don't want to scare anyone, just remember to endure. I guess what I am trying to say is I believe its ok to talk about this, yes it is sacred but it can happen, take it from me. If anyone wants to know these experiences in detail, feel free to ask. My girlfriend has always told me not to tell people my life stories for fear of what people will think, but in that same blessing from Elder Dunn, he told me that that was one of my gifts. To be able to share my experiences and talk to people.

When you desire to have the greatest thing in life, you have to pay insurmountable prices for it. Are you ready?

WHY SHOULD WE STUDY THE HIDDEN THINGS RELATED TO THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST?

But the Latter-day Saints are not in darkness; they are the children of light, although many of us will actually be asleep. We shall have to wake up and trim up our lamps, or we shall not be prepared to enter in; for we shall all slumber and sleep in that day, and some will have gone to sleep from which they will not awake until they awake up in darkness without any oil in their lamps. But, as a general thing, the Saints will understand the signs of the times. Others have their eyes closed upon the prophecies of the ancient Prophets; and not only that, but they are void of the spirit of prophecy themselves. When a man has this, though he may appeal to ancient Prophets to get understanding on some subjects he does not clearly understand, yet, as he has the spirit of prophecy in himself, he will not be in darkness; he will have a knowledge of the signs of the times; he will have a knowledge of the house of Israel, and of Zion, of the ten tribes and of many things and purposes and events that are to take place on the earth; and he will see coming events, and can say such an event will take place, and after that another, and then another; and after that the trumpet shall sound, and after that certain things will take place, and then another trump shall sound, &c., &c.; and he will have his eye fixed on the signs of the times, and that day will not overtake him unawares.

JD, O PRATT 7:190

JOSEPH SMITH SAID THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING AND WAITING, WILL KNOW THE HOUR:

"Christ says no man knoweth the day or the hour when the Son of Man cometh. This is a sweeping argument for sectarianism against Latter day ism. Did Christ speak this as a general principle throughout all generations Oh no he spoke in the present tense no man that was then liveing upon the footstool of God knew the day or the hour But he did not say that there was no man throughout all generations that should not know the day or the hour. No for this would be in flat contradiction with other scripture for the prophet says that God will do nothing but what he will reveal unto his Servants the prophets consequently if it is not made known to the Prophets it will not come to pass; again we find Paul 1st of Thesslonians 5th Chapter expressly points out the characters who shall not know the day nor the hour when the Son of Man cometh for says he it will come upon them as the theif or unawares. Who are they they are the children of darkness or night. But to the Saints he says yea are not of the night nor of darkness of that that day should come upon you unawares. John the revelator says 14 chap 7th verse that the hour of his judgements is come they are precursers or forerunners of the comeing of Christ. read Matthew 24 Chap and all the Prophets. He says then shall they see the Sign of the comeing of the Son of Man in the clouds of Heaven. How are we to see it Ans. As the lighting up of the morning or the dawning of the morning cometh from the east and shineth unto the west—So also is the comeing of the Son of Man. The dawning of the morning makes its appearance in the east and moves along gradualy so also will the comeing of the Son of Man be. it will be small at its first appearance and gradually becomes larger untill every eye shall see it. Shall the Saints understand it Oh yes. Paul says so. Shall the wicked understand Oh no they attribute it to a natural cause. They will probably suppose it is two great comets comeing in contact with each other It will be small at first and will grow larger and larger untill it will be all in a blaze so that every eye shall see it." (Joseph Smith, General Conference, April 6, 1843