Description

Will McClellan’s Witness

The date was June 27, 1844, and William Carroll McClellan and his father James shared a most fascinating experience. 

He said, “When I was a boy and working in the fields with my father, we were hoeing corn in the late afternoon. It was quite warm, and we were about to quit for the day, when Father straightened up and looked around and then looked at me. The solemn stillness of the surrounding area was almost frightening. The leaves on the corn suddenly drooped, as if they had been in a blast of extreme heat. The leaves on the trees wilted and hung as if in deepest sorrow. Father looked at me and said, ‘Will, something has happened to the Prophet.’ 

As soon as the men from the surrounding country could be notified from Carthage, we were told that at that identical time of which I spoke, the Prophet had been killed. 

That was proof enough to me. If the leaves of the trees and on the corn could be near enough to the Prophet to mourn the passing of his spirit, I could not ask for anything more faith promoting or convincing.”

It seems to me that there is something special about the testimony and witness of those who saw and knew the Prophet Joseph Smith for themselves. To them he was not a historical figure of faith, he was a friend, a prophet, and a living miracle. 

I’m Glenn Rawson and Thank you. 

Source: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/25959504?p=22493261&returnLabel=William%20Carroll%20McClellan%20(KWNF-DNX)&returnUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.familysearch.org%2Ftree%2Fperson%2Fmemories%2FKWNF-DNX

For more information about Glenn’s stories, go to glennrawsonstories.com