Beloved Prophets of God – Last Days Decoded

Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration, account of his “First Vision” and related images: a recreation of Joseph praying in the Sacred Grove and the photo I took there in 2021, beseeching the Lord for a witness of Joseph’s experience. I was guided to this spot and immediately saw the connection of the two trees growing from the same root. I heard in my mind the taller one saying in my imagination, “This is my beloved son. Hear Him.” Christ would then be the smaller trunk that grew up into the only opening in the tree canopy, and surrounded by a halo of light.

This blog post is a companion to my YouTube video: “My Experience with God’s Prophets,” linked HERE and my channel’s link HERE. Here are the prophets I’ve featured in that video with key quotes and pictures:

At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. . . . So, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. . . . I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me . . . Just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head . . . I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! (Joseph Smith History 1:13-17 excerpts).

Pres. Spencer W. Kimball: Here’s a story about how he gently, but skillfully gave “corrective feedback” to a hospital orderly while coming out of surgery:

In the 1970’s, President Spencer Kimball had to undergo surgery. While President Kimball was under surgical anesthetic, he was being wheeled down the hall in the hospital by a young orderly. As the orderly pushed the bed carrying the prophet through the [elevator] door, he accidentally smashed his finger between the metal door frame and the metal frame of the bed. Angry and in pain, the orderly took the name of Jesus Christ in vain. Still drugged and only half-conscious, the prophet opened his eyes and managed to gently rebuke the orderly by saying, “Young man, please don’t say that. He’s my best friend. I love Him more than anything in this world.” After the orderly composed himself, he answered softly, “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.“ (from bio “Spencer W. Kimball,” p. 264 and picture from de.wikipedia.org):

Dearly Departed Pres. Russell M. Nelson: His strong emphasis on developing the habit of receiving personal revelation, preparing for the Last Days, and especially doing all in our power to gather the scattered House of Israel through missionary and temple work are “marching orders” for us all! Note his funeral on Tuesday, October 7 coincides with the last and 3rd day of this year’s Harvest Moon, a time of real shift between seasons and possibly a symbolic progression in human lives as well. How fitting that one prophet departs this Earth as the next one waits in the wings! See a YouTube video that describes this (about 30 minutes), link HERE. Note: All interpretations of astrological meanings are theory only, but interesting. . . .

We’re witnesses to a process of restoration,” President Russell M. Nelson has said.
“If you think the Church has been fully restored, you’re just seeing the beginning. There is much more to come . . . . Wait till next year.And then the next year.
Eat your vitamin pills. Get your rest. It’s going to be exciting.
(Quoted in “The Ongoing Restoration,” by Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. in the Liahona/Ensign, April 2020 issue.)

Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley: He was loved by many as the grandfather we wish we’d had. It gives many of us great comfort that someone without genius, several college degrees, or family connections could rise so far in the Kingdom of God. After listening to his funeral on TV, I pictured he and his departed wife Marjorie finally reunited and released from attendance at his funeral so they could fly to grander places in Heaven. He had publicly expressed his grief at losing her and how he missed her companionship and love. Coincidentally, I then drove west from Boise and Meridian on Chindon Blvd, heading to a real estate open house. I suddenly notice two lone Canada geese flying south, from left to right in my view. This seemed like a lovely message from the Lord confirming that they were indeed back together and flying off into a world of light and love, away from from this darkening world. Here’s what I found that is a beautiful representation of both that experience and what I imagined for them spiritually (Pixabay.com/image 4139298)

Pres. Dallin H. Oaks: He is a former president of BYU Provo, a Utah Supreme Court Justice, an Apostle of God, and now in line to be the next president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here’s a lovely picture of him and his second wife, Kristen. Notice the arched doorways behind each of them, probably a temple somewhere in the world. See the scripture below that sprang to mind as I contemplated those “open doors” beckoning them to come in and rise to a higher calling, probably defending our church and religious freedom for all—soon to be coming under greater attack!

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8)

Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon, like Pres. Oaks, he was a defender of liberty on every front. Here he is waving the “Title of Liberty” flag he fashioned in a time of war and persecution, as described in Alma 46, in the Book of Mormon, image from www.BookofMormonEvidence.org: