Description

Joseph’s Dream

For any of you that have ever felt overwhelmed and under-capable—if “deep water is what [you too are] wont to swim in”, then this story is for you.

A man once had a dream where he found himself “standing on a peninsula in the midst of a vast body of water where there appeared to be a large harbor or pier for boats to come to.” He was surrounded by his friends. Presently, a strong wind came up that increased into a raging storm, making the waters very rough. A ship began to leave the harbor and make its way “out into the channel.”

The man turned to his friends and warned them, “that if they did not understand the Signs of the Times and the Spirit of Prophecy, they would be apt to be lost.”

Within moments, they witnessed the violent waves break over the departing ship. It “soon foundered and went down with all on board.”

The man declared to his friends that he believed he could best those waves and beat the storm. They laughed at him and said he would drown.

“The waters looked clear and beautiful” he said, “though exceedingly rough; and I said I believed I could swim, and I would try it anyhow.” They told him again he would drown.

Well, if was going to drown then he would have fun in the water first, and with that he dove into the “raging waves.”

He had not gone far when a towering wave overwhelmed him, but he soon found himself on top of it. Then another wave broke over him and he topped it also.

“I struggled hard,” he said, “to live in the midst of the storm and waves, and soon found I gained upon every wave and skimmed the torrent better.”

Shortly he discovered that he was able to swim with his head above the waves so that they couldn’t break over him. He had swum a great distance and found that he was much enjoying himself. Stronger and faster he became until both his head and shoulders were above the water, and he was faster than any ship. The water seemed to calm. His body rose higher and higher until “finally [he] could tread on the top of the water, and went almost with the speed of an arrow.”

He thought “it was a great sport and pleasure to travel with such speed,” and then, he awoke (History of the Church, 6:194).

Jesus did many mighty miracles. He walked on water. Do you remember that on the last night of his life He declared to His disciples, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do (John 14:12).

We live in the eve of time in a beautiful world fraught with raging storms, and violent waves. It is not for us to shrink but to dive in and swim with great determination. The Almighty will help us if we are faithful, until we too can overcome. Look around! By the signs of the times it is not the time to whine and worry, but to work.

And by the way, some of you might appreciate knowing who was that man who dreamed?—It was a nineteenth century hero of mine named Joseph Smith.