MORMONS
619
MORMONS
not rest contented. To trust to the decisions of fal- lible man, and build his hopes upon them, without any knowledge of his own, would not satisfy the anxious desires that pervaded his breast. To decide without any positive and definite evidence on which he could rely upon a subject involving the future welfare of his soiil was revolting to his feelings. The only alternative that seemed left to him was to read the Scriptures and endeavor to follow their directions. He accordingly began perusing the sacred pages of the Bible with sin- cerity, believing the things that he read. His mind sooneaught hold of the following passage : " If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him" (James i, 5). From this promise he learned that it was the privilege of all men to ask God for wisdom, with the sure and certain expectation of receiving lib- erally, without being upbraided for so doing. This was cheering information to him — tidings that gave him great joy. It was like a hght shining forth in a dark place to guide him to the patli in which he should walk. He now saw that if he inquired of God, there was not only a possibility but a probability, yea more, a cer- tainty, that he should obtain a knowledge which of all the doctrines was the doctrine of Christ, and which of all the churches was the Church of Christ. He there- fore retired to a secret place in a grove but a short dis- tance from his father's house, and knelt down and began to call upon the Lord. At first he was severely tempted by the powers of darkness, which endeavored to over- come him; but he continued to seek for deliverance until darkness gave way from his mind, and he was en- abled to pray in fervency of the spirit and in faith ; and while thus pouring out his soul, anxiously desiring an answer from God, he saw a ver\' bright and glorious light in the heavens above, which at first seemed to be at a considerable distance. He continued praying, while the light appeared to be gradually descending towards him ; and as it drew nearer it increased in brightness and magnitude, so that by the time that it reached the tops of the trees the whole wilderness, for some dis- tance around, was illuminated in a most glorious and brilliant manner. He expected to see the leaves and boughs of the trees consumed as soon as the light came in contact with them ; but perceiving that it did not produce that effect, he was encouraged with the hope of being able to endure its presence. It continued de- scending slowly until it rested upon the earth, and he was enveloped in the midst of it. When it first came upon him it produced a peculiar sensation throughout his whole system, and immediately his mind was caught away from the natural objects with which he was sur- rounded, and he was enwrapped in a heavenly vision, and saw two glorious personages who exactly resem- bled each other in their features or likeness. He was informed that his sins were forgiven. He was also in- formed upon the subjects which had for some time pre- viously agitated his mind, namely, that all religious denominations were believing in incorrect doctrines; and, consequently, that none of them was acknowledged of God as his Church and kingdom. He was ex- pressly commanded not to go after them; and he re- ceived a promise that the true doctrine — the fulness of the Gospel — should at some future time be made known to him ; after which the vision withdrew, leaving his mind in a state of calmness and peace indescribable. Some time after having received this glorious manifes- tation, being young, he was again entangled in the van- ities of the world, of which he afterwards sincereh^ and truly repented. It pleased God, on the evening of Sept. 21, 1823, again to hear his prayers; for he had retired to rest as usual, except that his mind was drawn out in fervent prayer, and his soul was filled with the most earnest desire " to commune with some kind mes- senger who could communicate to him the desired in- formation of his acceptance with God," and also unfold the principles of the doctrine of Christ, accorduig to the