Chapter 71—Wrong Use of the Visions
I have been shown that some, especially in Iowa, make the visions
a rule by which to measure all, and have taken a course which my
husband and myself have never pursued. Some are unacquainted with
me and my labors, and they are very skeptical of anything bearing
the name of visions. This is all natural, and can be overcome only
by experience. If persons are not settled in regard to the visions, they
should not be crowded off. The course to pursue with such may be
found in Testimony No. 8, pp. 328, 329, which I hope will be read by
all. Ministers should have compassion of some, making a difference;
others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire. God’s ministers
should have wisdom to give to everyone his portion of meat and to
make that difference with different persons which their cases require.
The course pursued with some in Iowa who are unacquainted with me
has not been careful and consistent. Those who were, comparatively,
strangers to the visions have been dealt with in the same manner as
those who have had much light and experience in the visions. Some
have been required to endorse the visions when they could not consci-
entiously do so, and in this way some honest souls have been driven
to take positions against the visions and against the body which they
never would have taken had their cases been managed with discretion
and mercy.
Some of our brethren have had long experience in the truth and
have for years been acquainted with me and with the influence of the
visions. They have tested the truthfulness of these testimonies and
asserted their belief in them. They have felt the powerful influence of
the Spirit of God resting upon them to witness to the truthfulness of the
visions. If such, when reproved through vision, rise up against them,
and work secretly to injure our influence, they should be faithfully dealt
[383]
with, for their influence is endangering those who lack experience.
Ministers of present truth, while they bear a pointed testimony,
reproving individual wrongs and seeking to tear away the idols from
the camp of Israel, should manifest forbearance. They should preach
359