Orson F. Whitney's Dream of The Savior

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Orson F. Whitney, early member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had an extraordinary vision when making important decisions in his life. Yeas before Orson was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles he had a vision of the Savior, where he knew he needed to re-prioritize his life. Orson was called as an Apostle years after this vision by Joseph F. Smith in 1906. He served as an Apostles until his death in 1931. Orson F. Whitney shared many inspiring messages, helping to strengthen testimonies of the Savior Jesus Christ. Arguable the most remarkable message he shared was a dream or vision, where he saw the Savior.

This is an excerpt from an address delivered at the Sunday evening session of the MIA Jubilee Conference held on 7 June 1925:

"At a time when the divine character and mission of the world’s Redeemer are being questioned, even by many professing Christians, it is a cause for congratulation and rejoicing that there is still found “faith on the earth” [Luke 18:8]—faith in Jesus Christ as the very Son of God, as the virgin-born Savior of mankind, as the anointed and foreordained messenger of Him who “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Among those who hold fast to this conviction are the Latter-day Saints. … And tonight we unfurl our banner, emblazoned with the slogan of the young men and young women of Zion: “We stand for an individual testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ.”

Orson F. Whitney's dream, or vision of the Savior Jesus Christ:

"Then came a marvelous manifestation, an admonition from a higher source, one impossible to ignore. It was a dream, or a vision in a dream, as I lay upon my bed in the little town of Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. I seemed to be in the Garden of Gethsemane, a witness of the Savior's agony. I saw Him as plainly as ever I have seen anyone. Standing behind a tree in the foreground, I beheld Jesus, with Peter, James and John, as they came through a little wicket gate at my right. Leaving the three Apostles there, after telling them to kneel and pray, the Son of God passed over to the other side, where He also knelt and prayed. It was the same prayerwith which all the Bible readers are familiar: "Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."

As He prayed the tears streamed down his face, which was towards me. I was so moved at the sight that I also wept, out of pure sympathy. My whole heart went out to him; I loved him with all my soul, and longed to be with him as I longed for nothing else.

Presently He arose and walked to where those Apostles were kneeling-fast asleep! He shook them gently, awoke them, and in a tone of tender reproach, untinctured by the least show of anger or impatience, asked them plaintively if they could not watch with him one hour. There He was, with the awful weight of the world's sin upon his shoulders, with the pangs of every man, woman and child shooting through his sensitive soul-- and they could not watch with him one poor hour!. . .

All at once the circumstances seemed to change, the scene remaining just the same. Instead of before, it was after the crucifixion, and the Savior, with three Apostles, now stood together in at group at my left. They were about to depart and ascend into heaven. I could endure it no longer. I ran from behind a tree, fell at his feet, clasped Him around the knees and begged Him to take me with Him.

I shall never forget the kind and gentle manner in which He stopped, raised me up, and embraced me. It was so vivid, so real. I felt the very warmth of his body, as He held me in His arms and said in the tenderest tones: "No, my son; those have finished their work; they can go with me; but you must stayand finish yours." Still I clung to Him. Gazing up into His face-- for He was taller than I-- I besought him fervently: "Well, promise me that I will come to you at the last." Smiling sweetly, He said: "That will depend entirely upon yourself." I awoke with a sob in my throat, and it was morning.

"That was from God" said Elder Musser, when I related to him what I had seen and heard. "I do not need to be told that," was my reply. I saw the moral clearly. I had never thought of being an Apostle, nor of holding any other office in the Church, and it did not occur to me that even then. Yet I know that those sleeping Apostles meant me. I was asleep at my post--as any man is who, having been divinely appointed to do one thing, does another.

But from that hour, all was changed. I was never the same man again. I did not give up writing; for President Young, having noticed some of my contributions to the home papers, advised me to cultivate what he called my "gift for writing." "So you can use it," said he "for the establishment of truth and righteousness". I therefore continued to write but not to the neglect of the Lord's work. I held that first and foremost; all else was secondary."

References:

"Faith Precedes the Miracle" by Spencer W. Kimball p. 26 Published 1972, by the Desert Book Company

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2003/12/the-divinity-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng

https://www.ldsliving.com/that-will-depend-entirely-on-yourself-the-beautiful-dream-vision-a-young-orson-f-whitney-had-of-the-savior/s/94708