30
Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
by one immense pillar, and to this was tied a lamb all mangled and
bleeding. We who were present seemed to know that this lamb had
been torn and bruised on our account. All who entered the temple
must come before it and confess their sins.
Just before the lamb were elevated seats, upon which sat a company
looking very happy. The light of heaven seemed to shine upon their
faces, and they praised God and sang songs of glad thanksgiving that
seemed like the music of the angels. These were they who had come
before the lamb, confessed their sins, received pardon, and were now
waiting in glad expectation of some joyful event.
Even after I had entered the building, a fear came over me, and a
sense of shame that I must humble myself before these people. But I
seemed compelled to move forward, and was slowly making my way
around the pillar in order to face the lamb, when a trumpet sounded,
the temple shook, shouts of triumph arose from the assembled saints,
[28]
an awful brightness illuminated the building, then all was intense
darkness. The happy people had all disappeared with the brightness,
and I was left alone in the silent horror of night. I awoke in agony of
mind and could hardly convince myself that I had been dreaming. It
seemed to me that my doom was fixed, that the Spirit of the Lord had
left me, never to return.
Soon after this I had another dream. I seemed to be sitting in abject
despair with my face in my hands, reflecting like this: If Jesus were
upon earth, I would go to Him, throw myself at His feet, and tell Him
all my sufferings. He would not turn away from me, He would have
mercy upon me, and I would love and serve Him always. Just then the
door opened, and a person of beautiful form and countenance entered.
He looked upon me pitifully and said: “Do you wish to see Jesus? He
is here, and you can see Him if you desire it. Take everything you
possess and follow me.”
I heard this with unspeakable joy, and gladly gathered up all my
little possessions, every treasured trinket, and followed my guide. He
led me to a steep and apparently frail stairway. As I commenced to
ascend the steps, he cautioned me to keep my eyes fixed upward, lest I
should grow dizzy and fall. Many others who were climbing the steep
ascent fell before gaining the top.
Finally we reached the last step, and stood before a door. Here my
guide directed me to leave all the things that I had brought with me.