Cross-posted from Truth Will Prevail
Cobbled together by Dennis B. Horne
Note: In his earlier years, in some talks given in the 1970s, as a counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone referenced a marvelous spiritual experience he received. The below contains both published text and newly transcribed wording that was withheld for whatever reason (perhaps felt to be too sacred then), from the published version, that gives further insight into the experience. Links are provided so readers can listen to both of the talks at their convenience:
Let me tell you the greatest experience I believe I have had in all my readings of the scriptures—and I am sharing something that is very tender with me. I remember the night that I read 3 Nephi the 17th chapter [3 Ne. 17]. That is when I discovered the Lord Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, the Lord of lords, the King of kings, my Savior, my personal Savior; and I believe that is where I finally found the description of the Savior as I thought him to be.
He had been with the Nephite people all the day long, you will recall, and finally said:
“I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.
“Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and … I come unto you again [on the morrow].
“But now I go unto the Father, and also to show myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not lost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them.”
And here I believe is where I found him.
“And … when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and behold they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.
“And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you. . . .
“And the multitude did see and hear and bear record … and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred [and ONE] souls” who were in that beautiful experience with the Savior. (See 3 Ne. 17.)
I want you to know I was there. I wouldn’t know any more surely if I had been there than I would know having read this book. (“The Sure Word of God,” General Conference, October 1972.)
[A few years later at BYU, he explained the quoted wording of his Conference talk; again quoting 3 Nephi 17 and again ending with verse 25; the explanation wording is in the audio recording but not the published transcribed text]:
“And the multitude did see and hear and bear record; and they know that their record is true for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of men, women, and children.” [3 Nephi 17:2–13, 16–25]
As I said in a talk sometime ago, there were not two thousand five hundred—there were two thousand, five hundred and one. I was there. I wouldn’t have been any more surely there if I had actually been there than I was as I read that. I have an absolute witness that those beautiful things transpired.
[Published text resumes:] Finally, in this last day, the Prophet Joseph said:
“However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. . . all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice. . . .
“So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; . . . and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision: I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.” [Joseph Smith 2:24, 25]
To me that is so thrilling. I was there. I knew the Prophet Joseph had those experiences. It isn’t hard for me to believe, without one particle of doubt, that the Prophet Joseph Smith saw our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ, and that this great God referred Joseph Smith to Jesus Christ. “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith 2:17). I would think, as President Kimball said, that if all we could tell the world was the Joseph Smith story, we could convert the world. We have so much to offer in this Church.
We have those in the Church who think if they only could understand more about the Adam-God theory—or they ask if Jesus Christ was married. You know, what a great thing it is if we understand what faith is. What is faith? How does it work? Do you have total faith? When we come to a full and total understanding of faith, then I think we ought to move on to repentance. When we understand that totally, then we should move through the principles. But I doubt we will ever really get through an understanding and complete knowledge of faith in a lifetime. I don’t care how intellectual you are, or how long you study, I doubt you will ever come to an end of the study of faith, the first principle of the gospel. The gospel is so simple that a fool will not err therein, but it is so beautiful and so sophisticated that I believe the great intellectual can make a study of faith and never come to an end of understanding. (“As If They Would Ask Him to Tarry a Little Longer.” BYU Speeches, March 30, 1975.)
Note: Those that listen to the audio recordings will notice that Brother Featherstone butchered his quotations of scripture (he was probably going from memory); it seems that either he or an editor has cleaned them up to match the scriptural text.
About the Author
Some years ago, my son passed away (he was playing basketball and his heart stopped).
Some months later, we were reading his journal where during his mission he recorded essentially the same experience involving the same event in the Book of Mormon. To me, its veracity is attested to by the fact that he never shared it with me or anyone else, other than to mention once that he had a sacred witness of the Book of Mormon. I assumed he had meant the witness all believers receive.
I often ponder over this journal entry as I endure the telestial struggles with faith. I hope that someday my witness will be as sure.
These words of Bishop Featherstone reminded me of what Elder McConkie said in his general conference address, “The Purifying Power of Gethsemane. I am not sure if it is the same type of experience that Bishop Featherstone had but it is something to ponder.
Elder McConkie said, “In speaking of these wondrous things I shall use my own words, though you may think they are the words of scripture, words spoken by other Apostles and prophets.
True it is they were first proclaimed by others, but they are now mine, for the Holy Spirit of God has borne witness to me that they are true, and it is now as though the Lord had revealed them to me in the first instance. I have thereby heard his voice and know his word.”
Would the author of this article be the same Dennis Horne I trained as a missionary in Topeka, Kansas? The same Elder Horne I asked to look up Moses 1:39 during a discussion and he started looking for it in the Old Testament. You’ve come a long ways since then:)
Hi Jack,
Yes indeed I would be the same. I have fond memories of listening to you (a convert of little more than a year), teach the discussions to investigators and having the Spirit open my mind to better understand the precious doctrine we brought them. (I should have paid more attention in Seminary.)
I think it was also from you that I first REALLY heard the name of Elder Bruce R. McConkie spoken with great respect and admiration, and understood–bless you for that! He had only died the year before. Now I have been learning from him for 32 years.
Speaking of Elder McConkie and your quoting from his testimony, a source recently came to light that lets us know that he did indeed see the Lord (“the Blessed One”) in vision:
I shall tell you of a vision I seemed to see when I removed the seal from a sacred book [the bible] and began to study, ponder, and pray about the things I found written therein.
I seemed to see a little group of favored and select souls upon whom the light of heaven rested with a soft and hallowed radiance. These chosen ones lived and moved and had their being in the midst of an evil and wicked people whose minds were darkened with unbelief and whose souls were stained with sin.
I seemed to hear a babble of contentious voices speaking in the Aramaic tongue. They were evil and venomous voices, voices that spoke of vengeance and scourging and crucifixion. They cried out: “We are holier than thou for we keep the law of Moses and honor the traditions of our fathers.”
As the ancient scene unfolded before my eyes, I found myself in Perea, a portion of Palestine ruled by that vile and wicked wretch Herod Antipas who was living in adultery
and incest with Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
I chose to mingle with those upon whom the heavenly rays fell, and as I stepped, with deep feelings of unworthiness, into that sacred circle, I beheld His face, the face of the Blessed One, whose countenance shown with divine light shed forth abundantly upon those whom he had called and ordained.
They were all dressed after the manner of the Jews. Their clothing was woven from the country cloth of Galilee. They had turbans on their heads, sandals on their feet, and
several of them carried staves in their bands.
I seemed to see a man called Peter, a rugged, courageous, valiant soul from Capernaum. With him were his partners, James and John, the sons of thunder. These three sailed their boats on the Lake of Gennesaret and sometimes sold their fish as far south as Jerusalem
itself.
These three had but recently climbed the snow-capped heights of Hermon where Jesus, his raiment white and glistening with celestial brilliance, was transfigured before them. These three had seen the divine Shekinah once more rest in the land of Israel and heard the voice of the Father testify: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” (Matt. 17:5.)
—-
The account continues, relating in exquisite detail the story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, but I end here for space’s sake.
Also, Jack, it is good to see you are perusing the fine work of FAIR.
I hope you and your family are well.
My first missionary companion was Gary Black from Boise, Idaho and he gave me as a gift a copy of Mormon Doctrine. So if I had any influence upon you for the words of Elder McConkie then Elder Black should get credit for that. While on my mission I glued a copy of “Purifying Power of Gethsemane” in my scriptures just before the New Testament. It is still there and just now I listened to this talk again and followed along with that same copy.
After my mission a member of the Stake Presidency memorized this talk and then quoted the entire thing as part of his talk. That would be Spence Griffin who is now a Area Authority.
I see you have authored some books which I will be ordering the one on Elder McConkie and “I Know He Lives”. Thank you for your testimony and devotion.