Description
Arthur’s Seat
Edinburgh Scotland is built on seven hills and is a beautiful and ancient city. One of the most prominent of those hills is called Arthur’s Seat. It stands just east of Edinburgh and rises to 822 feet in elevation.
Legend holds that it may have been the location of Camelot, the castle and court of the great warrior king, Arthur—hence, its name.
Tradition also holds that in the 12th century it was at the foot of Arthur’s Seat that King David I of Scotland encountered a great stag while hunting. He had fallen from his horse and the stag threatened to gore him. David looked and in vision saw a cross appearing between the antlers of the deer. At the last second, the beast turned inexplicably away and David was spared.
So inspired was the King by this event that it is said that he built Holyrood monastery on that very spot—the ruins of which are visible to this day. Today Holyrood is the residence of the monarchy when they visit Scotland.
These are the legends and traditions of the power that attends this place. May I share another story of power connected to this place that is not legend?
On May 8, 1840, Elder Orson Pratt of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came to Edinburgh as part of the greater mission of his brethren of the Twelve. Upon his arrival, he found about 80 members of the Church residing in Scotland. He organized them into a branch at Paisley.
Elder Pratt and his companion Elder Samuel Mulliner began laboring in Edinburgh, preaching every night in the streets of that city called “The Athens of the North.” By the end of summer they had baptized only 23 people.
Elder Pratt was a man of intense focus and fervor. Though only 28 years of age at this time, some called him the “St. Paul of Mormonism.” Not to be deterred by the low numbers, Elder Pratt climbed Arthur’s Seat. From its summit he could look out over Edinburgh, a city of 136,000 inhabitants, a major center of learning, art, and philosophy for the English-speaking world. There he poured out his heart to the Lord and asked the Almighty for 200 souls, for which he would give his all. He later wrote:
“I found it almost impossible to awaken the attention of the people so as to get them out to hear, but I called upon the Lord with all my heart, and persevered in preaching and testifying to the few who did attend; and after a few weeks I began to see the fruits of my labors.”
However, preaching in the streets was not yielding the success that Elder Pratt’s faith expected. So, he turned to writing. He composed a thirty-one page pamphlet entitled, An Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions. This pamphlet caught the attention of the literate and learned of Edinburgh and converts began to follow. When he left the city nine months later, he had his 200 converts and the success did not stop. By 1848, some 70 branches of the Church had been organized in Scotland.
And by the way, that pamphlet, An Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions—it was the first time that an account of Joseph Smith’s First Vision was printed for the public.
Arthur’s Seat—Endinburgh, Scotland—indeed, a place of power!
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1987/02/gospel-seeds-in-scottish-soil?lang=eng
Copyright: Glenn Rawson 2024
