Dreams and Visions- Dana Woodbury

Visions and dreams are an essential part of the LDS Church. Contained in our scriptures (The Book of Mormon, Bible, and Pearl of Great Price), are many accounts in which ancient prophets of the Lord have been the recipients of dreams or visions in order to know the will of the Lord. Even in modern times, we believe that our prophets and apostles have received revelation through visions and dreams. Additionally, we believe that each individual can be subject to revelation in their own lives. One way that this can be done is through dreams and visions. These different instances show why dreams and visions are such an important part of our religion. They teach lessons, strengthen testimonies, and play a crucial role in Heavenly Father’s attempts to communicate with his sons and daughters here on Earth.

The ancient scriptures relate many accounts of visions. The great part about these accounts is not just their importance in history, but also their applicability to people today. The first is Lehi’s vision of the tree of life in 1 Nephi chapter 8 and, later, Nephi’s vision of the same thing found in 1 Nephi chapters 11-15. Perhaps one of the most well-known visions in Church doctrine, this dream and the revealed interpretation teaches several important lessons. In this vision, the Lord teaches the vitality of relying on the word of God at all times (1 Nephi 15:23-24), the joy that comes from choosing to partake of God’s love and Christ’s Atonement (1 Nephi 11:21-23), and that Satan will try many things to keep the righteous from doing these two things (1 Nephi 12:16-18). These principles, once understood, are just as important today as they were for Nephi and his family. Another highly important dream was given to Joseph while espoused to Mary, the mother of Christ. Just as Joseph had decided to secretly divorce Mary for her pregnancy, “the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph…fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21). Though short and not often given huge emphasis in the story of Christ’s birth, this dream was vital. Not only did it affect the history of God’s Church here on Earth, but it also affects the entire world because of the important events to come as a result of this child’s birth. Joseph had every right at this time to punish Mary for being pregnant by someone other than himself. The laws and customs of society permitted and promoted this. However, a higher law was being used in this situation and in order to convey that, the Lord needed a powerful witness to be delivered to Joseph. Because Joseph hearkened to the advice given him, Christ’s ministry and Atonement took place, benefitting millions of people in the world. Clearly, visions and dreams are a significant part of gospel history.

Church doctrine also teaches that modern day prophets can receive revelation in the form of a vision. Joseph Smith is the most prominent example of this. Just a boy of fourteen, Joseph was prompted to inquire of the Lord concerning which church to join. There, in a quiet grove of trees, Joseph Smith had a vision of our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. They proceeded to tell him that the Lord’s Church was not currently on the Earth (Joseph Smith-History 1:15-20). Just as Joseph in the case of old, this vision was necessary to convey what God needed done. So, he did it in a way that could not be denied. It was a strong experience and would, again, affect millions of people throughout the world’s history. Even more recent than this, was a vision given to President Joseph F. Smith concerning Christ’s ministry to those who had already died. While pondering the teachings of Peter, “the eyes of my understanding were opened, and the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me, and I saw the hosts of the dead, both small and great” (Doctrine and Covenants 138:11). This visionary revelation taught that Christ spent his three days before the resurrection organizing and teaching the faithful saints who had already died so that they could go amongst the unfaithful and preach His gospel. While not imperative to knowing and understanding the gospel, this vision changed our understanding of the work that goes on in the afterlife. Both of these visions, given to modern day prophets, are wonderful in the information that they revealed.

Finally, in is a belief in the Church that if a person is living worthily by keeping the commandments of God, then they, too, can receive personal revelation through visions and dreams. Though not as common as other forms of revelation, there are still quite a few stories in which people today have had vision or dreams. In the March 1996 Ensign, Don E. Searle related a story about a man named Joseph William Billy Johnson in Ghana. The Church had not yet been established there, but Brother Johnson had been given a Book of Mormon and had received a witness that it was true. Though not even a baptized member, he shared this knowledge with others. At times, Brother Johnson, “felt directed by the Spirit; he was sustained at times by visions and dreams. His son was named after Brigham Young because of a dream in which that former President of the Church offered encouragement. Brother Johnson came to know about salvation for the dead after deceased relatives appeared to him in dreams and asked him to be sure they would have the opportunity to receive baptism by proxy.” These revelations were so important during those tough times when the Church was still young and vulnerable in Ghana. Without the reinforcement of these dreams and visions, Brother Johnson could easily have become discouraged in his pursuits. This could have prevented thousands of faithful saints from becoming members of the Church. Because of the often sacred and personal nature of visions and dreams, not many of these experiences are shared. However, I have personally heard many instances in which people have been prompted to action through dreams that they have had. These dreams and visions, again, are important in pointing people in the right direction.

I want to close by bearing my testimony of visions and dreams. I know that this is a method that Heavenly Father has provided for us to communicate with Him. I know that the scriptures contain many important principles and teachings. I know that if we follow these teachings, then we will be worthy to receive personal revelation that coincides with the magnitude of what we need to accomplish. We may not ever have a vision of a heavenly messenger, but that doesn’t mean that we aren’t doing things right. It simply means that we are in a position to receive revelation by smaller means, such as through the Holy Ghost. Be worthy of revelation, and the Lord will bless you with it when needed.

Sources

1. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

2. The Holy Bible, King James Version

3. The Doctrine and Covenants

4. Joseph Smith- History

5. Don L. Searle, "Ghana- A Household of Faith," Ensign, March 1996, p. 34