Description

Go to the Place of Gathering

In September 1830, twenty-year-old Chapman Duncan left his home in Barnet, New Hampshire, bound for South America. He was suffering from what was called consumption and determined to go south for his health. The route he chose to get there was to travel to Cincinnati, Ohio and from there, south down the river systems to New Orleans.

While journeying on the Ohio Canal, he became so ill that he was confined to his bed. Somewhere near Louisville, Kentucky, he was lying awake in his bed when he had the following experience:

“It appeared as though a man spoke, yet I heard no audible voice; it was a quiet, peaceful, yet sure impression. In fact, I knew that the Lord or an angel spoke to me. This is the message he bore to me: ‘Thou shalt prosecute thy journey no farther south than the mouth of the Ohio river. If you do, you shall die.’ I looked to see the personage. I saw none. I began to meditate upon what I had heard and the feeling that pervaded my person, and while thinking, I cannot say whether it was five minutes or more, the Spirit again spake and said further, ‘If thou wilt go to the place of gathering of my people, thou shalt live.’ The force of the message rested so heavily upon me that I dare not go farther south and turned my course for St. Louis, Missouri.”

Chapman became discouraged when he could see no way he could get to St. Louis. He called on the Lord in prayer. Shortly after, he saw two men standing on the wharf. He felt impressed to go talk to them. One of the men was Elder Philo Dibble, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Chapman later recalled, “My soul was filled with joy to think the Lord would make plain the way for me to do his commandments and place means within my reach as he did there.”

Chapman set out for Independence, Missouri in November 1830, driving a wagon for Philo Dibble. He wrote of the warm welcome he received when he arrived: 

“After listening to the doctrine of Christ and getting somewhat acquainted with the new-made friends (for they took me in), I joined the Church, I think the last of December, baptized by Elder Titus Billings on the Sabbath day, confirmed by Bishop Partridge and council. In a short time, the Holy Ghost fell upon me and I did speak with new tongues and prophecy, and I thanked the name of my Redeemer.”

From that point forward, Chapman Duncan cast his lot with the Saints. He lived to be 88 years-old and passed away in Caineville, Wayne County, Utah. 

Source: 

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/KWJY-48Q