Description

Gone In The Twinkling Of An Eye

The story is told in the family of early Utah Pioneer William Earl of a time in Nauvoo when he was called by the Prophet Joseph Smith to a meeting. He, with many others, came to that meeting. The family records state,

“After the prayer, Joseph arose and said,” Brethren I suppose that you are surprised and want to know why I have called this meeting. It is for a very special reason. I need $500 to pay for the printing the Book of Mormon and I have no part of this amount. “A hush came over the audience and no one seemed to have anything to say. Grandpa William Earl was seated in the back of the room. After a moment or two he arose held up his hand and said, I have it, Prophet Joseph, I have just sold property for that amount and you shall have it. “ He walked up the isle to the pulpit and handed Joseph the $500—all that he had in the world. Joseph accepted the money. He was so touched that tears came to his eyes. They both stood there speechless. Finally thinking he had done all he could Grandpa Earl turned to walk back to his seat. He got only a few steps when Joseph said, Brother Earl, come back, come back. “Grandpa turned and walked back. Joseph reached, got a chair nearby and sat it in front of him and said, Brother Earl, sit down here.” Grandpa sat down on the chair and Joseph laid his hands on his head and gave him a blessing, which was so impressive that Grandpa said he never forgot it. Parts of his prayer follows,

“Brother Earl, in the name of Israel’s God and by the authority of the Holy Priesthood which I hold I lay my hands upon you head and give you a blessing. “He blessed him for giving all that he had to the Church for the printing of the Book of Mormon and said, “For your great gift you shall be blessed with every blessing you desire in righteousness. I bless you that you shall never want for the comforts of life, as long as you live, and I bless you that your flocks and herds shall increase. I bless you that none of your posterity shall leave the Church. I bless you with health in your body that no disease shall ever have power over you. You shall be able to minister unto the sick and you shall live as long as you desire. When the time comes for your passing it shall be sweet and you shall never know the sorrow or pains of death, for you shall go in the twinkling of an eye. I bless you Brother Earl, that you shall live to do much good in this world and that you shall live to see the fifth generation of your posterity before you are called home.”

In 1850, the William Earl family came to Utah, settling eventually in Logan Utah. The family grew into generations. One day in 1873, William received word that James Potter Boatright had been born at Corrine. Hearing of the birth, William said,

I am going over to see that baby for he is my fifth generation. He hitched up his oxen and drove over the mountain road to Corrine, went into the house where he found the mother and the baby still in bed. He leaned over and kissed the mother and then took the baby into his arms and kissed him and loved him and then stood there and cried quite a while. Then he said to those present, “I’m ready to die now. Every word that the Prophet Joseph told me has come to pass and I have now lived to see the fifth generation of my posterity.

William returned home to Logan, and sent word to all of his children to come, that he wanted to see them before he died. The family came and he related to them all his experience with the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Every promise Joseph, the Prophet made to me has been fulfilled. I have never wanted for the comforts of life. I have had good health and I have been blessed with money miraculously. I have had the blessing of a large posterity and none that I know of has left the Church. I have lived to see the fifth generation of my posterity and I am ready to die.

After that announcement Grandpa Earl went into his bedroom where a number of little children were playing in his bed. According to the record, he said,

Come on kiddies, you’ll have to get off now, Grandpa’s going to lay down, I’m going to die.

He helped them off the bed, straightened out the quilts and his pillow and laid down. He looked up and a sweet smile came over his face as he said,”They are here for me now.” He smiled, and shut his eyes and was gone in an instant.

Source: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/61291222?p=49253737&returnLabel=William%20Henry%20Earl%20Jr%20(KWJ5-6QP)&returnUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.familysearch.org%2Ftree%2Fperson%2Fmemories%2FKWJ5-6QP