Description
The Savior Greeted Us
Joseph Longking Townsend was born in Canton, Pennsylvania in 1849. In 1872, He moved to Utah for his health and while there he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Not long after, he married Alta Maria Hancock and to them were born 11 children.
In 1875, he was called to go to Payson, Utah to open a high school. While there he also ran a small drugstore for many years. He served as a small-town educator most of his life. He passed away in Provo, Utah in 1942.
What many don’t know is that Joseph Townsend was a spiritually gifted man. Before he passed away, he left this account.
“Since I became a member of our Church, in January 1873, I have been instructed in my faith with many gifts of the Holy Spirit, and among these have been many remarkable dreams and visions.
“It was after a wondrous vision of the advent of our Savior that I wrote the lines describing the events in the order therein presented.
“The vision placed me on a wild open prairie with no buildings or improvements in view. The time seemed to be early summer, for the abundant flowers were in bloom. With me was a group of Church officers, all in the usual apparel of present fashions, and without banners, flags, or other insignia. Yet we were all aware of the great events soon to be displayed.
“A solemnity prevailed that hushed all conversation, and our group of brethren was intently gazing at the great masses of brilliant clouds approaching from the eastern horizon. When this wondrous pageant reached the zenith, our group of brethren saw Angels and Saints within this glorious sheen of vapor, while it settled down till just above us.
“Then, one whom we recognized by His glorious and majestic appearance, descended and joined our group who were all officers of the holy Priesthood.
“The long-expected King and Savior greeted us. He called by name and embraced and gave a holy kiss to the brow of each brother, while He gave to each the boon of the Comforter, the assurance of Celestial glory.
“This was our reward of approval. My brethren were filled with an ecstasy of joy, and from the heavenly Host above came the songs of joy that announced again, ‘On earth peace, good will toward men.’
“The wondrous vision closed. Awakened in the mortal sphere again I felt the superb thrills of happiness that few men have ever attained. As a lesson in life’s progress it has ever been retained in memory; as a comforter it has blest and sustained me for over half a century.”
This is the man that composed such hymns as “The Daydawn is Breaking,” “Hope of Israel,” “O, What Songs of the Heart” and “Choose the Right.”
Sources:
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/KW8C-44K
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_L._Townsend
