Member Visions

Mormon History 1830-1844

Member Visions

Visions reported through 1839.

[1816]		Solomon Chamberlain
Hell, three heavens, churches corrupt, restoration soon, angel 3 childhood visions		From the time my father died, till I was 19 years of age I lived a very wicked life. About that time, I had a vision of hell, and which alarmed me very much, and I reformed and had another of three heavens, and their glories, and the third one, far exceeded the others. My visions so alarmed me, I was in sorrow and repentance for many days, on account of my sins, I thought I would give all the world if I could find a man that could tell me what I should do to be saved. I sought much, but could find none. …	Solomon was born July 30, 1788 in "Old Canaan," Connecticut. Solomon Chamberlin On Solomon's 1830 mission, see ¶ Samuel's Books.
1816 vision		[In 1816] … the Lord shewed me in a vision, that there was no people on the earth that was right, and that faith was gone from the earth, excepting a few and that all Churches were corrupt. I further saw in the vision, that he would soon raise up a Church, that would be after the Apostolic Order, that there would be in it the same powers, and gifts that were in the days of Christ, and that I should live to see the day, and that there would a book come forth, like unto the Bible and the people would be guided by it, as well as the Bible. …	In his 1829 pamphlet, Solomon refers to this as "a night vision." He "descended down to the regions of the damned" and sees "them blowing up the flames and preparing red hot iron to lay their faces on to all eternity." Solomon trembles, "but to my great joy and surprise a man came to me and said, you may go back to yonder world and have one year longer to prepare." Sketch of the experience, 131, 132 (BYU Studies text). The pamphlet records other pre-Mormon experiences such as "a dream or vision of the night" that leads him to the Reformed Methodist Church in Readsboro, Vermont (near the Massachusetts border) and their common-stock community in Shaftsbury, Vermont (near the New York border) in 1816. By 1819 he is living in Adams, Massachusetts, attending the Episcopal Methodist church, where, in the fall, the class leader rebukes him "for letting my light shine before the world, for said he, it will not do to preach up sanctification before unbelievers." Later he has a seven-day "exercise" that includes prayer, little food, the glory and "presence of Christ," the visitation of a deceased woman, and finally, "it appeared to me that I saw my Saviour stand before me with the bible in his and, and said to me this is the book—live in the spirit that this was wrote and you shall shine in the enternal [sic] world on high."
Angel		This vision I received from an angel or spirit from the eternal world that told me these things.
Prompted to Palmyra		In the mid-1820s, Solomon is living at Lyons, about 20 miles east of Hill Cumorah. On one occasion, while traveling on the Erie Canal, "I felt as if some genie or good spirit told me to leave the boat" near Palmyra. "After leaving the boat, the spirit manifested to me, to travel a south course. I did so for about 3 miles." The angelic "guide" directs him to a farm house, where he spends the night.
Learns of Gold Bible		In the morning, the people of the house asked me if I had heard of the Gold Bible. When they said Gold Bible, there was a power like electricity went from the top of my head to the end of my toes. This was the first time I ever heard of the Gold Bible. I was now within half a mile of the Smith family where Joseph lived. …
Smith home		I soon made my way across lots, to Father Smith's and found Hyrum walking the floor.
		As I entered the door, I said, "Peace be to this house."
		He looked at me as one astonished, and said, "I hope it will be peace."
		I then said, "Is there anyone here that believes in visions or revelations?"
A visionary house		He said, "Yes, we are a visionary house."
Solomon's visionary pamphlet		I said, "Then I will give you one of my pamphlets, which was visionary, and of my own experience."	Solomon Chamberlin
Smiths, Whitmers gather		They then called the people together, which consisted of five or six men who were out at the door. Father Smith was one and some of the Whitmer's.	Solomon Chamberlin
Hyrum affected		They then sat down and read my pamphlet. Hyrum read first, but was so affected he could not read it. He then gave it to a man, which I learned was Christian Whitmer, he finished reading it.
Solomon tells his vision		I then opened my mouth and began to preach to them, in the words that the angel had made known to me in the vision, that all churches and denominations on the earth had become corrupt, and no church of God on the earth, but that he would shortly raise up a church that would never be confounded nor brought down and be like unto the Apostolic Church.
Astonished		They wondered greatly who had been telling me these things, for said they we have the same things wrote down in our house, taken from the Gold record, that you are preaching to us.
		I said, "The Lord told me these things a number of years ago."
		I then said, "If you are a visionary house, I wish you would make known some of your discoveries, for I think I can bear them."

1827		Martin Harris
The Lord, future		[December 1827] …and because of [Martin Harris's] faith and this righteous deed [assisting Joseph and Emma to move to Susquehanna] the Lord appeared unto him in a vision and shewed unto him his marvilous work which he was about to do and <he> imediately came to Suquehanna and said the Lord had shown him that he must go to new York City with some of the c<h>aracters and so we proceeded to coppy some of them	¶ Joseph's 1832 History D&C 6:22

1829		Oliver Cowdery
Lord shows plates to Oliver		and it came to pass after much humility and affliction of soul I obtained them [the plates] again when [the] Lord appeared unto a young man by the name of Oliver Cowdry and shewed unto him the plates in a vision and also the truth of the work and what the Lord was about to do through me his unworthy servant	¶ Joseph's 1832 History

		Hiram Page
Angels		Of becoming a Mormon, Hiram Page later wrote that angels "came and showed themselves to me as I was walking through the field, to confirm me in the work of the Lord of the last days—three of whom came to me afterwards and sang a hymn in their own pure language."	¶ Hiram Page

1830		Ezra Thayer
Angel appears		[After testifying of the existence of God and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon] my wife began to cry, and said that I was crazy, and it would ruin me, and she would leave me. I withdrew from the company, and sat down in the sitting room. Suddenly a change came over me. I was sitting down to meditate upon it, and suddenly an angel stood before me.	"Testimony of Brother E. Thayre," True Latter Day Saints' Herald 3 (Oct. 1862): 79–80, 82–84. Source. Also Early documents 3:76, 7–79.
Appearance Holding child		He was a tall, black-eyed man, and he was the handsomest person that I ever saw, and so bright and white that he shined like the sun. he had on the handsomest robe that I ever saw. He had a child in his arms as white as he was, with the most brilliant appearance. He said, "you have come at the eleventh hour." He said, "you must become as this little child, or you can in no wise enter into the kingdom of God." He then said, "behold it is a male child."
Devil after the child Dog growls him away		He said, "take care, the devil is after the child," and I saw a huge black form in the shape of a man at the door, and I had a large dog laying in the room, and he rose up and went to the door and growled three times, and came back and laid down again. The angel disappeared as he spoke, and the devil withdrew.
Praises the Lord		Then a double portion of the Spirit came on me, and I went into the room to my wife, and said hallelujah to God and the Lamb! Hosannah to Jesus on high! I have seen an angel of God, who has been into my room and visited me to-night.
Rainbows appear		[Ezra goes to Canandaigua and testifies of the Book of Mormon.] After I had borne testimony by the Spirit, I started for home, and when I got home I put up my horse and went into the same room were I saw the angel, and sat down alone. As I did so, while pondering on the things which had transpired that day, there was a rainbow came down on each side of the room, which was the most beautiful that I ever saw.
God speaks		I looked up and said, O Jesus, my God, and then there was a voice said, you have done well, and applauded me very highly. He said, yes, I am God that made heaven and earth, and there is none other God beside me.
Rapture		Then I was so filled with the Spirit that I thought I was in heaven. The rainbow disappeared gradually and all was gone.
Roll of paper and trumpet		Then I was in the Spirit again, and a man came and brought me a roll of paper and presented it to me, and also a trumpet and told me to blow it. I told him that I never blowed any in my life. He said you can blow it, try it. I put it in my mouth and blowed on it, and it made the most beautiful sound that I ever heard.
Roll = revelation		The roll of paper was the revelation on me and Northrop Sweet.	revelation: ¶ D&C 33:2, Oct. [18–31], 1830. Unless the roll of paper anticipates the revelation, the sequence of events is out of order: the vision occurs before Ezra is baptized (see below), but the revelation is given after Ezra and Northrop are baptized and ordained. ¶ D&C 33:15 Scrolls from heaven are associated with mission calls. Aerial Commissions
Oliver delivers roll and trumpet		Oliver (Cowdery) was the man that brought the roll and trumpet. When he brought the revelation on me and Northrop Sweet, he said, here is a revelation from God for you, now blow your trumpet, and I said, I never blowed a trumpet. He said, you can.
		When that vision passed away I saw in vision that I was driving on a road that I never drove before.
Joseph suggests baptism		On the following Sunday, Joseph returns to his father's home in Manchester from Harmony. Oliver Cowdery's mother is to be baptized, and Joseph invites Ezra to join her.
Remiscent of another vision		… Then we started to the water, which was four or five miles off. When I got on the way I saw the same horses and the same persons, (6 of them) that I saw in the before mentioned vision, and the houses all along were the same as had been shown me. When I came to the grist mill, I saw that I had seen it in the vision, but I had never been there before. We were baptized just below the mill." There was a green meadow which I had seen before.	before mentioned vision: visionary elements referenced here do not appear anywhere else in the account.
Parley's fish		Parley P. Pratt baptized us, and I had seen him in the vision. I saw him pull two fish out of the water and another which was a small fish.—I saw that I and Oliver's mother were the two persons referred to in the vision. The small fish meant Northrop Sweet. He was baptized at the same time, but soon left the church.	¶ Parley P. Pratt (h)

December 1830		Levi Hancock
Personage with yoke of Christ Smoking lamps Faith bestowed with breath Spirit leaves body Satan poses as the Lord		… as I was praying a personage stood before me with a small yoke in his hands said he this is the yoke of Christ there was many Lamps placed on the top of this small yoke I thought it was my Lord a talking to me and I felt willing to obey him and put forth my hand and laid it on one lamp and saw a [76] smoke rise from it I then touched two more and saw a blue Blaze then some more and some smoked others burned blue and three shone as bright as any Lamps I ever saw in my life he stood and held them a short time and said these I will take into heaven and give you a sign that you may know that you are my servant he drawed in his breath and blowed in my face and said you will tarry till I come again as he breathed on me faith came the heavens sent forth a shower of spirit it took me in the face and filled me untill I ran over with it no person could feel better than I did my spirit took its flight and left my body on the floor I thought I was dead all my sences was perfect and I realised many things that I am not able to write nor exspress with my toung I saw the unfortunate son [Son of God] who fell when he tryed to aproach me the wave of my hand would cause him to go from me I was told by the spirit to come back and bare testemony to the world of the truth of the work I then entered into my body and told the vision to Mr. Baldwin I told him how the Lamps all went out but the three that burned so bright, and how smart and what a gentleman the personage was who came without anything on his head with ruffle shirt to me even Satan and how modest and inosent the man was who called himself the Lord I saw tears run down from his eyes we finished our work there and went to his house he let me hold metings	¶ Levi Hancock

December 1830		Kirtland teen
Prays		Misters Cowdry and Pratt put their Elders in charge for they were afraid to denounce [2] certain actions of individuals who were at that time couched upon by different kinds of spirits, … I pleaded with the Lord to show me if the spirit which was operating on certain individual was his spirit,	James Rollins, 1–2. On page 3 James Rollins dates his vision December 1830.
Vision of Joseph and Hyrum Light		after much praying I was shown. In a dream or vision Joseph and Hyrumn [sic] Smith, I saw them standing side by side through a wall which seemingly was transparent and was the color of amber, the light of which enveloped them and me was not as the sun, but as penetrated me from head to foot.	Unlikely that Hyrum would have been known in Kirtland prior to his arrival in April 1831.
Follows to door		I began to follow them to the door which opened to the North they appeared as I entered.
Cross long hall Door		After a very short time they bade me to follow them which I did, they crossed a very long hall running East and West and the end of which I could not see them entering a door which appeared to the south.
Beautiful things		We three entered, they showing and pointing out the beauties of the place. I cannot describe the beautiful things I beheld. ...
Iron rod		He told me to hold fast to the Iron Rod, which at that time I did not know the meaning of or neither did he explain it to me. Though many previous to this dream or vision had tryed hard and was determine to convert me, but I plead with the Lord to help me ...
Out of body for ten hours		And my spirit was out of my body at least for 10 hours before it returned.

1831		Kirtland missionaries
[January] Mission calls		They also have a way of receiving a commission from the Lord to go and preach. They are first warned and called while in a vision that they must go into the world and preach; at another time they receive a commission on a roll of paper handed to them from above in the presence of all in the room; but what is contained on the paper I have not yet learned; three of the young men that have received their commission in this way have gone to preach; one by the name of Heman Basset, one Edson Fuller, and Burr Riggs; they have been gone about ten days and I have not yet heard from them.	¶ History of the Mormonites In January, Heman, Edson, and Burr showed up at Wheeler Baldwin's near Rome, Ohio, where they had considerable success. ¶ Levi Hancock describes their activities near Rome
Baptisms at night Night lights		They also see a great many lights in the night; one of their foremost men in this place, while baptizing in the evening, (for they perform this ceremony mostly in the night,) said he saw across the river a light as large as the palm of his hand, which stood there while [he] was baptizing, which he knows was a supernatural light; they have now become quite common and they all see the lights; but others standing by do not see them.
Father Morley's vision of a ball of fire		I. Morley said while in meeting at Mayfield, he saw a ball of fire about the size of a dollar, come into the room and light upon a woman's clothes near her feet, and from her come to him, and then to another person, and so disappeared, to the astonishment of some others that saw it—
Edson Fuller jumping		E. Fuller while lying on the floor has been seen to jump up and cling to a beam for a while and then drop like a log on the floor;—at other times they will reach up until they touch a certain beam and then fall flat on the floor;
Eyewitnesses		these accounts I have received from information a few hours after they transpired, not have been an eye witness of many of them myself. And many other signs and wonders and fanatical exhibitions, truly were done by this people, which are not written, but these are written that you might believe, and that believing you might remain firm in the doctrines of the New Testament and not turn aside to Mormonism.—Observer.

		Lyman Wight
Lyman Wight's vision (Ezra Booth)		… declared with a loud voice, he saw the Savior …	Ezra Booth in ¶ Lyman Wight's Vision and the Man of Sin
(John Whitmer)		He saw the hevans opened, and the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the Father, Making intercession for his brethren, the Saints.	John Whitmer in ¶ Lyman Wight's Vision and the Man of Sin
(Levi Hancock)		… he then stepped out on the floor and said I now see God, and Jesus Christ at his right hand let them kill me, I should not feel death as I am now	Levi Hancock in ¶ Lyman Wight's Vision and the Man of Sin
(Philo Dibble)		Philo records only that Lyman "stepped into the middle of the room and bore record of the coming of the Son of Man," but later adds Joseph that "bore record of the opening of the heavens and of the coming of the Son of Man, precisely as Lyman Wight had done."	Philo Dibble in ¶ Lyman Wight's Vision and the Man of Sin

		James G. Marsh
Nine-year-old boy's vision of the Father, prophets, second coming		At about nine years old, James Marsh, second son of Thomas B. Marsh, has "a remarkable vision, in which he talked with the Father and many of the ancient prophets face to face, and beheld the Son of God coming in his glory."	Obituary of James G. Marsh, Elders' Journal, 1, no.3 (July 1838): 48.
Book of life Heavenly mansion		He said that the Lord showed him his own name written in the Book of Life in the mansions of Celestial Glory, and he saw his own mansion there.
Angels conduct spirit to paradise		And the Lord informed him that the righteous did not die, but fell asleep to rise again in the resurrection of the just, although the world call it death; and to show him that there is no bitterness in the death of the righteous, he was permitted to see in the vision, the departure of a young sister in the church who was the daughter of br. Hezekiah Peck, who was then living a neighbor to him, but she died shortly after he had the vision. And he said that he saw angels conduct her spirit to the celestial paradise.
Wars, catastrophes		He saw bloody wars among all people accompanied with earthquakes, pestilences and famines. And he saw all the cities of the nations crumble and fall to rise no more.
Church rises to greet heavenly host		He saw the Church of Christ make ready to ascend on high and when they were ready, Zion from above hove in sight, accompanied by the Lord and all the holy prophets. The church on beholding them, arose triumphantly and met them in the expanse above.
		These are a few of the things which he related of his vision to his parents, suffice it to say, he saw the beginning and end of all things, and he never after appeared to be afraid of death.
		During his illness, which lasted but four days, he constantly manifested a desire to depart and be with the Lord. At one time he said, "If it is the will of God to take me, I do not wish to stay." On seeing his parents exceedingly anxious to save him, he said, "I do not wish to live only for the sake of my father and mother." At another time, he said he would not turn his hand over to live, and besought his parents to let him pray the Lord to take him.
		He prayed much, and wanted all the Elders to pray with him, as often as they came in. A few minutes before he died, a number of boys who had been his playmates came in to see him; he seemed glad to see them and said to them, "Good evening, boys, I shall never see you again in time, so farewell, be good boys and serve the Lord."
		When his father saw that, he prayed the Lord to take him, he said, "My son, are you confident that if you die now your spirit will rest in the celestial paradise?" He answered, "Yes, sir." "Then," said his father, "my son, go in peace and expect to come forth at the resurrection of the just where you and I will again strike hands." He again answered, "Yes, sir, I will," and immediately he fell asleep without a struggle or a groan.
		Thus ends the life of this dear youth, Who loved the way that leads to heaven. In wisdom's paths he sought the truth, His manners mile, his temper even. In vision bright he soared above And saw the Father face to face, He heard the angels sing God's love, And saw his own abiding place. He talked with Christ, and saw his name, Within the Book of Life inscribed. He's gone to realize the same, With God and angels to abide.

1833		Many brethren
Visions of the Savior, angels		After Joseph Smith ordains Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams "equal with him in holding the keys of the Kingdom and also the Presidency of the High Priesthood … many of the brethren saw a heavenly vision of the Saviour and concourses of angels and many other things of which each one has a record of what they saw &c."	¶ Minutes of March 18, 1833

1836		Oliver Cowdery
Glory of God, tongues of fire		I saw the glory of God, like a great cloud, come down and rest upon the house. … I also saw cloven tongues like as of fire rest upon many … while they spake with other tongues and prophesied.	Oliver's last journal entry in Oliver's 1836 diary, 426.

		Sylvester Smith
Horsemen and chariots of Israel		January 22, 1836 at an evening meeting in the House of the Lord, presidency of the church anoints and ordains Thomas B. Marsh to anoint and bless the Twelve. The Twelve then anoint and bless the presidency of the Seventy. "The heavens were opened unto Elder Sylvester Smith, and he leaping up exclaimed, 'The horseman of Israel and the chariots thereof.'" After the anointings and blessings, "the gift of tongues fell upon us in mighty power. Angels mingled their voices with ours, while their presence was in our midst, and unceasing praises swelled our bosoms for the space of half an hour."	MH-B, 620. horseman: horsemen in HC 2:383.

		Brethren in the Lord's House
Sylvester Smith: pillar of fire		[January 28, 1836] As I organized this [seventies] quorum with the presidency in this room, President Sylvester Smith saw a pillar of fire rest down and abide upon the heads of the quorum, as we stood in the midst of the twelve.	MH-B, 621–622.
Roger Orton: angels, horse, flaming sword		… elder Roger Orton saw a mighty angel riding upon a horse of fire with a flaming sword in his hand, followed by five others, encircle the house and protect the saints even the Lords anointed from the power of satan and a host of evil spirits, which were striving to disturb the Saints.
Heavenly host		President Wm. Smith, one of the Twelve, saw the heavens opened, and the Lords host protecting the Lords anointed.	President?
Savior		President Zebedee Coltrin, one of the seven, saw the Savior extended before him, as upon the cross, and a little after, crowned with glory upon his head, above the brightness of the sun.
Glorious vision		… After these things were over, and a glorious vision, which I saw, had passed, I instructed the seven presidents to proceed and anoint the seventy,
Visions of the Lord		… [622] … through the silent watches of the night, and while my eyes were closed in sleep, the visions of the Lord were sweet unto me, and his glory was round about me; praise the Lord.

Lord's host		February 6, 1836 the "anointed" meet by quorum in the House of the Lord. "President" William Smith sees a vision of "the Twelve, and Seven in council together, in old England, and prophesied that a great work would be done by them in the old countries, and God was already beginning to work in the hearts of the people." Zebedee Coltrin sees "the Lord's host. And others were filled with the Spirit, and spake with tongues and prophesied. This was a time of rejoicing long to be remembered. Praise the Lord."	HC 2:392.

		Frederick G. Williams, David Whitmer, Joseph Sr.
Angels at the Kirtland dedication		March 27, 1836 after Joseph delivers the dedicatory prayer for the House of the Lord in Kirtland, he bears witness of the "administering of angels." Frederick G. Williams stands and testifies that while Sidney was praying "an angel entered the window" and sat down between himself and Joseph Sr., and remained through the prayer. David Whitmer also sees "angels in the house."	Diary-2 in Papers 2:203.

Stoop-shouldered angel		[March 27, 1836] During the ceremonies of the dedication, an angel appeared and sat near President Joseph Smith, Sen., and Frederick G. Williams; so that they had a fair view of his person. He was a very tall personage, black eyes, white hair, and stoop shouldered; his garment was whole, extending to near his ankles; on his feet he had sandals. He was sent as a messenger to accept of the dedication.	Heber, 37.

Savior appears, accepts dedication		[March 27, 1836] On the first day of the dedication, President Frederick G. Williams, one of the Council of the Prophet, and who occupied the upper pulpit, bore testimony that the Savior, dressed in his vesture without seam, came into the stand and accepted of the dedication of the house, that he saw him, and gave a description of his clothing and all things pertaining to it.	George A. Smith, Ogden Tabernacle, Nov. 15, 1864, JD 11:10.

		Oliver Cowdery
Glory of God, cloven tongues of fire		[March 27, 1836] I saw the glory of God, like a great cloud, come down and rest upon the house. … I also saw cloven tongues like as of fire rest upon many … while they spake with other tongues and prophesied.	Last entry in Oliver Cowdery's "Sketch Book," qtd. in Oliver's 1836 diary, 426.

		Solomon Wilbur Denton
		… S. Wilbur Denton, printer a high priest, who testified of having seen a great vision, during the time of the washings and annointings the preceeding March, …	Items, 116.

		Ebenezer Robinson
Apostate church as woman		[August 12, 1836] While my brother was thus at prayer I had an open vision. I saw a beautiful female, perfect in form and features, who seemed a little taller than the average female, standing erect, upon a platform elevated some eight or ten inches above the floor, but notwithstanding her beauty and perfect symmetry in form, she was full of sores from the crown of her head to the soles of her feet. I marvelled and wondered within myself, is it possible the Church is so corrupted.	Items, 115.

1837		Wilford Woodruff
Angels, tongues	¶	[March 23, 1837] The time was taken up during the day in each appartment in singing, exortation, & prayer. Some had a tongue, others an interpetation, & all was in order. The power of GOD rested upon the people. The gifts were poured out upon us. Some had the administering of angels & the image of GOD sat upon the countenances of the Saints.	"The Power of God" (1837) WWJ 1:126

Satan in Kirtland House of the Lord		[April 7, 1837] … & when the shades of evening began to appear I repaired to the house of the LORD in company with Elders Milton Holmes, & Joseph B Nobles for the purpose of worshiping God. We entered one of the stands within the veils & fell upon our knees & Satan appeared also but not to worship god but to deprive us of the privilege. Satan strove against us with great power by tempting & otherwis. He at one time drove me from my stand while I was striving with my brethren to enter into the visions of heaven.	¶ Wilford Woodruff WWJ 1:136–137.

		Authorized by high council
High council		April 7, 1837 the high council of Zion authorizes Presidents David Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, and John Whitmer to "receive Revelations Visions &c." concerning the house of the Lord they are about to build.	¶ Minutes of April 7, 1837

1838		Wilford Woodruff
Victory, Satan, baptism of friends		[July 1, 1838] I began to Cry unto God for my father & his houshold & the Lord Showed me in a night vision that a great victory was nigh. But the devil fell upon the whole household with great wrath & tempations. Some of the time one was ready to fall back & reject the gospel & then again annother. His power rested upon me at the same time as if to devour me at once. But after being confined to my bed for several hours under his grasp, in the name of Jesus Christ I with my friends birst the Powers of darkness. I went & stood before the people & declaired the gospel … assembled upon the bank of Farmington river whare there was much water & lead six of my friends into the waters of Baptism.	WWJ 1:264.
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