Ann Pitchforth's Foreknowledge That She Would Sail to Nauvoo

Ann Pitchforth, a Saint from the Isle of Man, experienced a divine manifestation of the spirit of prophecy confirming that her journey to Nauvoo—which initially seemed impossible—would certainly occur. Although raised with a studious approach to scripture and a naturally cautious, skeptical temperament, Ann found her heart changed by the teachings of John Taylor. Despite her initial intent to only accept as much of the gospel as she found logical, she soon felt a strong 'spirit of gathering' leading her toward Nauvoo. Finding herself in a position with no apparent means to make the transatlantic voyage, she nonetheless testified of her foreknowledge in church meetings, declaring that she would go because the Lord had revealed it would be so. Her faith was rewarded when the way was opened for her to sail on the ship Palmyra. Leaving behind her aged father and friends, she endured a harrowing eight-day storm at sea and witnessed the rescue of a sinking vessel before finally arriving in Nauvoo, where she was welcomed by Joseph Cain and James Cowley. Ann's firsthand account, written to the Saints in the Isle of Man, emphasizes that her confidence was not based on youthful impulsiveness but on a specific divine confirmation she received before the journey began.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

I soon felt, in common with many of my brethren, a spirit of gathering pervading my bosom, and a strong desire to be enabled to visit Nauvoo, to see and judge for myself; at the same time there seemed to be no possible chance for me ever to go; however, by faith I believed I should go, though so very unlikely, and frequently testified the same in the meetings. To be short, the Lord opened my way, I knew beforehand by prophecy that it would be so. I sailed in the ship Palmyra, and left a kind father, and many dear friends, and a comfortable home, for the sake of the gospel. We had a very rough passage, and were eight days in a storm, and at one time we expected to go to the bottom, but the Lord was with us, and we were preserved. We also fell in with a ship that was sinking, and were the means of saving the lives of the crew. I arrived in Nauvoo in safety, and was received by brother Joseph Cain and brother James Cowley, who treated me with the greatest kindness.