29 In consequence of these things, I often felt condemned for my weakness and imperfections; when, on the evening of the above-mentioned twenty-first of September, after I had retired to my bed for the night, I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him; for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one.
30 While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor.
Now that is an answer to prayer. I've prayed for visions before and I never got one, about the specific things I wanted to know about. Now I get them in the form of visualizations. I think they are the same thing, but I don't say vision because it's too close to the church. People think I'm nuts, but I believe they are the same thing. I know they are inspired.
31 He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant. His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrist; so, also, were his feet naked, as were his legs, a little above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could see into his bosom.
32 Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning. The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person. When I first looked upon him, I was afraid; but the fear soon left me.
Lightening is quick, frightening, amazing, beautiful, a wonder to watch, hot, shocking... those are the words that come to mind first. And his countenance was like lightening.
I imagine Joseph Smith trying to describe it and just thinking, there are no words to explain it. Lightening is a poor choice of words, but it's all I can think of.
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2 comments:
it seems to be that people are only able to recognize such amazing description when they've had something similar... not to say they have the same experience, but an experience of being touched by God. and usually it isn't something that comes all at once, but over time...
we may not have the visitations that are described so often in the scriptures... but we do have powerful experiences that even those people in the scriptures would probably be amazed at our experiences.
we were all of us brilliant beings before we came here... I wonder if maybe we realize it more today and so we wouldn't be so amazed if we had a visitation... or maybe we've seen too many special effects on tv and in movies, so something else has to be used to move us the way they were moved in the past.
talkin about lightning... we got a LOT last night
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