One of the most powerful talks I have ever heard was President Hinckley sharing a dream had by Joseph F Smith. My daughter asked for some help last night writing a talk for her to give in Sacrament Meeting. The topic was to “Welcome the Savior into your life”. While helping her I was reminded of this talk, so I looked it up and reading again.
This was given by President Godon B Hinckley in the April 2007 General Conference.
Joseph F. Smith was the son of Hyrum Smith, who was the brother of the Prophet Joseph and was martyred with him in Carthage. Joseph F. was born at Far West, Missouri, on November 13, 1838. He came out of Missouri as an infant. As a lad not yet six years of age, he heard a knock on the window of his mother’s home in Nauvoo. It was a man who had hurriedly ridden from Carthage and who told Sister Smith that her husband had been killed that afternoon.
When he was 9, he drove an ox team with his mother across the plains to this valley. At the age of 15 he was called on a mission to Hawaii. He made his way to San Francisco and there worked in a shingle mill to earn enough money to buy passage to the islands.
Hawaii was not a tourist center then. It was populated by the native Hawaiians, who were, for the most part, poor but generous with what they had. He learned to speak their language and to love them. While serving there he experienced a remarkable dream. I quote from his narrative concerning this. Said he:
“I was very much oppressed [when I was] on a mission. I was almost naked and entirely friendless, except [for] the friendship of a poor, benighted … people. I felt as if I was so debased in my condition of poverty, lack of intelligence and knowledge, just a boy, that I hardly dared look a … man in the face.
“While in that condition I dreamed [one night] that I was on a journey, and I was impressed that I ought to hurry—hurry with all my might, for fear I might be too late. I rushed on my way as fast as I possibly could, and I was only conscious of having just a little bundle, a handkerchief with a small bundle wrapped in it. I did not realize … what it was, when I was hurrying as fast as I could; but finally I came to a wonderful mansion. … I thought I knew that was my destination. As I passed towards it, as fast as I could, I saw a notice [which read B-A-T-H], ‘Bath.’ I turned aside quickly and went into the bath and washed myself clean. I opened up this little bundle that I had, and there was [some] white, clean [clothing], a thing I had not seen for a long time, because the people I was with did not think very much of making things exceedingly clean. But my [clothing was] clean, and I put [it] on. Then I rushed to what appeared to be a great opening, or door. I knocked and the door opened, and the man who stood there was the Prophet Joseph Smith. He looked at me a little reprovingly, and the first words he said: ‘Joseph, you are late.’ Yet I took confidence and [replied]:
“‘Yes, but I am clean—I am clean!’
“He clasped my hand and drew me in, then closed the great door. I felt his hand just as tangible as I ever felt the hand of man. I knew him, and when I entered I saw my father, and Brigham [Young] and Heber [C. Kimball], and Willard [Richards], and other good men that I had known, standing in a row. I looked as if it were across this valley, and it seemed to be filled with a vast multitude of people, but on the stage were all the people that I had known. My mother was there, and she sat with a child in her lap; and I could name over as many as I remember of their names, who sat there, who seemed to be among the chosen, among the exalted. …
“[When I had this dream,] I was alone on a mat, away up in the mountains of Hawaii—no one was with me. But in this vision I pressed my hand up against the Prophet, and I saw a smile cross his countenance. …
“When I awoke that morning I was a man, although only [still] a boy. There was not anything in the world that I feared [after that]. I could meet any man or woman or child and look them in the face, feeling in my soul that I was a man every whit. That vision, that manifestation and witness that I enjoyed at that time has made me what I am, if I am anything that is good, or clean, or upright before the Lord, if there is anything good in me. That has helped me out in every trial and through every difficulty” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 542–43).
The core of that meaningful dream is found in the reproof given by Joseph Smith to young Joseph F. Said the Prophet, “Joseph, you are late.”
Replied Joseph F., “Yes, but I am clean—I am clean!”
The result of that dream was that a boy was changed into a man. His declaration “I am clean” gave him self-assurance and courage in facing anyone or any situation. He received the strength that comes from a clear conscience fortified by the approbation of the Prophet Joseph.
This prophetic dream holds something for every man and boy assembled in this vast congregation tonight. It is an old saying among us that “cleanliness is next to godliness.”
When I was a missionary, we would tell people a hypothetical story about visiting Gods house with all its glory and majesty. The carpets and walls being the purest white. Then asking whether we would want to enter that house with mud on our shoes? Even asking the question, do you think God would want you to enter?
Could you imagine the feelings you would feel if you stood in that doorway, then looking down at yourself seeing filth? Mud? Blood? Sewage? Wanting to enter but knowing you would soil the dwelling?
Imagine you had washed yourself through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. That he had made you clean once more. I think you would feel much like young Joseph F Smith. I am late, but I am clean. And a wash of relief would settle over you as the Savior took your hand and welcomed you into his presence.
I’m going to share something a little personal here.
I had completely fallen and through the grace of God found my way back. I had received a mission call and was preparing to serve. One of the steps preparing to serve is to become endowed int he temple. We all know we enter the temple dressed in white and perform temple ordinances. One of such is the endowment where we are taught about the creation and make covenants with the Lord. I was going for the first time, receiving my endowment. I had entered the endowment room with my family and taken a seat.
As a side note, this full experience was surreal already. It was new. There were things I didn’t understand. I was still in a weird place mentally because of my history and conversion.
Back to the story, I had just sat down in the endowment room with my family. I remember my father’s cane. It was kind of collapsable cane with the pins you push, and it slides in on itself. It bumped my leg. I remember looking down and complete terror filled my soul. My pants were covered with blackness. I was not sure if it had come from the cane, or what but my pants were covered with this black stuff. Immediately started brushing at it with my hands frantically. I knew everyone one there was going to see it. I was terrified of being in such a clean and pristine white place and this blackness being visible upon me.
Then the miracle happened. As I brushed at it with my hands, the blackness seemed to turn into a fine powder that was not stuck to the clothing. As I brushed at it, it seemed to just simply disappear. It did not spread upon my clothing, or brush onto the floor, it just simple seemed to disappear. Within a few swipes, it was no longer there.
A few things I have thought about this. Honestly, I think standing before God and him seeing our sins will not be sad. It will be gut wrenchingly terrifying. I think this is why the scriptures say that man will wish to be covered by a mountain to hide their sins. Yet they will be unable to.
I was pretty shaken up by this. I also knew the seriousness of where I had come from. I think God wanted me to understand what it would feel like to stand in his presence and not be clean. Maybe this is why this story of Joseph F Smith resonates so well with me. I hope to stand at that door and knock one day. And I hope at that day that I can stand and say confidently that I am clean and be invited to enter.