C. D. E.'s Vision of the Reformation and American Independence

While in a state of slumber, the author experienced a panoramic vision of the Reformation, including details unknown to him previously. He saw that each actor in the work of religious liberty had been assigned a part in a previous world. Following this, he saw a vision of the rise of American Independence, the Constitution, and a future time of religious liberty. He was then shown a scene where chains were being forged to bind the children of freedom and destroy religious liberty, followed by a vision of civil strife and the eventual establishment of a flag on Ensign Peak in Salt Lake City representing true freedom for all, where he saw laws administered in purity and the nation united.

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

While lying in the repose of slumber’s soft embrace, perfectly oblivious to every surrounding object, and, to use a Byronic phrase, while the ‘still and pulseless world’ lay in the same state, my mind was suddenly carried away to the past. Methought a panoramic view of the events of the Reformation passed before me in rapid succession. Not only were the general facts of its history impressed upon me in a manner it is impossible to describe, but even its minor details, details unknown to me from research, were made known also. The very actors were shown with such marvelous exactness, and so minutely true to life, that, were I an artist, I would draw an exact portrait of every actor in that historical epoch. I saw that each actor in the great work of religious liberty had been assigned a part in a previous world, and that they were but fulfilling their destiny. Following this, I saw a vision of the rise of American Independence, the Constitution, and a future time of religious liberty. I was then shown a scene where chains were being forged to bind the children of freedom and destroy religious liberty, followed by a vision of civil strife and the eventual establishment of a flag on Ensign Peak in Salt Lake City representing true freedom for all, where I saw laws administered in purity and the nation united.