MARRIAGE--A VISION OF OTHER WORLDS--MY RELUCTANCE AT RETURNING TO
A MORTAL EXISTENCE--A PROMISE WITH CONDITIONS--I EXHORT OTHERS TO
FAITHFULNESS.
While at Watertown, I married, and afterwards removed to Mendon, Monroe
County. At this place I had a remarkable dream or vision. I fancied
that I died. In a moment I was out of the body, and fully conscious
that I had made the change. At once, a heavenly messenger, or guide,
was by me. I thought and acted as naturally as I had done in the body,
and all my sensations seemed as complete without as with it. The
personage with me was dressed in the purest white. For a short time I
remained in the room where my body lay. My sister Fanny (who was living
with me when I had this dream) and my wife were weeping bitterly over my
death. I sympathized with them deeply in their sorrow, and desired to
comfort them. I realized that I was under the control of the man who
was by me. I begged of him the privilege of speaking to them, but he
said he could not grant it. My guide, for so I will call him, said "Now
let us go."
Space seemed annihilated. Apparently we went up, and almost instantly
were in another world. It was of such magnitude that I formed no
conception of its size. It was filled with innumerable hosts of beings,
who seemed as naturally human as those among whom I had lived. With
some I had been acquainted in the world I had just left. My guide
informed me that those I saw had not yet arrived at their final abiding
place. All kinds of people seemed mixed up promiscuously, as they are
in this world. Their surroundings and manner indicated that they were
in a state of expectation, and awaiting some event of considerable
moment to them.
As we went on from this place, my guide said, "I will now show you the
condition of the damned." Pointing with his hand, he said, "Look!"
I looked down a distance which appeared incomprehensible to me. I
gazed on a vast region filled with multitudes of beings. I could see
everything with the most minute distinctness. The multitude of people
I saw were miserable in the extreme. "These," said my guide, "are they
who have rejected the means of salvation, that were placed within their
reach, and have brought upon themselves the condemnation you behold."
The expression of the countenances of these sufferers was clear and
distinct. They indicated extreme remorse, sorrow and dejection. They
appeared conscious that none but themselves were to blame for their
forlorn condition.
This scene affected me much, and I could not refrain from weeping.
Again my guide said, "Now let us go."
In a moment we were at the gate of a beautiful city. A porter opened it
and we passed in. The city was grand and beautiful beyond anything that
I can describe. It was clothed in the purest light, brilliant but not
glaring or unpleasant.
The people, men and women, in their employments and surroundings,
seemed contented and happy. I knew those I met without being told who
they were. Jesus and the ancient apostles were there. I saw and spoke
with the apostle Paul.
My guide would not permit me to pause much by the way, but rather
hurried me on through this place to another still higher but connected
with it. It was still more beautiful and glorious than anything I had
before seen. To me its extent and magnificence were incomprehensible.
My guide pointed to a mansion which excelled everything else in
perfection and beauty. It was clothed with fire and intense light. It
appeared a fountain of light, throwing brilliant scintillations of
glory all around it, and I could conceive of no limit to which these
emanations extended. Said my guide, "That is where God resides." He
permitted me to enter this glorious city but a short distance. Without
speaking, he motioned that we would retrace our steps.
We were soon in the adjoining city. There I met my mother, and a sister
who died when six or seven years old. These I knew at sight without an
introduction.
After mingling with the pure and happy beings of this place a short
time, my guide said again, "Let us go."
We were soon through the gate by which we had entered the city. My
guide then said, "Now we will return."
I could distinctly see the world from which we had first come. It
appeared to be a vast distance below us. To me, it looked cloudy,
dreary and dark. I was filled with sad disappointment, I might say
horror, at the idea of returning there. I supposed I had come to stay
in that heavenly place, which I had so long desired to see; up to this
time, the thought had not occurred to me that I would be required to
return.
I plead with my guide to let me remain. He replied that I was permitted
to only visit these heavenly cities, for I had not filled my mission
in yonder world; therefore I must return and take my body. If I was
faithful to the grace of God which would be imparted to me, if I
would bear a faithful testimony to the inhabitants of the earth of a
sacrificed and risen Savior, and His atonement for man, in a little
time I should be permitted to return and remain.
These words gave me comfort and inspired my bosom with the principle
of faith. To me, these things were real. I felt that a great mission
had been given me, and I accepted it in my heart. The responsibility of
that mission has rested on me from that time until now.
We returned to my house. There I found my body, and it appeared to me
dressed for burial. It was with great reluctance that I took possession
of it to resume the ordinary avocations of life, and endeavor to fill
the important mission I had received. I awoke and found myself in my
bed. I lay and meditated the remainder of the night on what had been
shown me.
Call it a dream, or vision, or what I may, what I saw was as real to
every sense of my being as anything I have passed through. The memory
of it is clear and distinct with me to-day, after the lapse of fifty
years with its many changes.
From that time, although belonging to no church, the Spirit was with
me to testify to the sufferings and atonement of the Savior. As I had
opportunity, I continually exhorted the people, in public and private,
to exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, to repent of their sins and
live a life of righteousness and good works.