James Henry Rollins Receives a Powerful Vision of Joseph and Hyrum Smith
Contributed by
Research Agent
In late 1830, after the first missionaries left Kirtland, some of the new converts were enthusiastic but inexperienced, and errors of spiritual excess confused and frightened young James Henry Rollins, who had been reading the Book of Mormon at night. He pleaded with the Lord to show him whether the spirit operating on certain individuals was His Spirit. After much praying, he was shown in a dream or vision Joseph and Hyrum Smith standing side by side through a wall "which seemingly was transparent and was the color of amber," enveloped in a light that penetrated him from head to foot. They led him through a long hall, showing him the beauties of a place he could not describe, and a guide then showed him future events that were later fulfilled to the very letter, as well as a "liquid billow of fire" that would cleanse the earth. When Joseph Smith arrived in Kirtland in February 1831 and met the boy, he said, "Well, the Lord has shown him great things." This vision became an anchor and solace to Rollins throughout the trials of his life.
In Their Own Words
“"I pleaded with the Lord to show me if this spirit which was operating on certain individuals was His spirit. After much praying I was shown in a dream or vision Joseph and Hyrum. I saw them standing side by side through a wall which seemingly was transparent and was the color of amber. The light which enveloped them and me was not as the light of the sun, but such as penetrated me from head to foot. They beckoned me to follow them to the door, which opened to the north. They appeared as though they were waiting for me, and they received me in a very pleasing manner as I entered. After a very short time they bade me to follow them, which I did. They crossed a very long hall running east and west, the end of which I could not see . . . they showing and pointing out the beauties of the place. I cannot describe the beautiful things I beheld. Nothing on earth can compare with the things I seen in my dream."”
— James Henry Rollins, in his autobiography written at age 80, recounting the dream or vision of Joseph and Hyrum Smith he received at Kirtland, Ohio, in late 1830
Sources & References
James Henry Rollins, Autobiography (1816-1896), typescript; full text at https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/history/james-rollins/ ; Max H. Parkin, 'Kirtland's Resolute Saints,' Ensign, January 1979, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1979/01/kirtlands-resolute-saints