Cordelia Cox - Spiritual Manifestation and Comfort During Persecution and Doubt

After the death of Joseph Smith in June 1844, Cordelia Morley Cox faced severe persecution for practicing plural marriage. She and her family were driven from their home in the dead of winter by hostile Gentiles. Her husband was taken to court and tried for breaking the laws of the land. During this dark time, Cordelia was called 'a fallen woman,' and the finger of scorn was pointed at her. The trials were more than she felt she could endure. She had no one to turn to for knowledge or comfort, and began to wonder if she had been deceived. In the humility of her soul, she earnestly prayed to her Father in Heaven, longing for a personal testimony to know whether she was right or wrong. One night she received a miraculous spiritual manifestation. She dreamed that she was in the midst of a multitude of people. President Brigham Young arose and spoke to the people, saying that a spirit would go around to whisper comfort in the ear of everyone. While all was silent as death, the spirit came to her and whispered in her ear the words: 'Don't ever change your condition or wish it otherwise, for I was better off than thousands and thousands of others.' This divine communication brought immediate peace to her mind and heart. She was satisfied and comforted from that moment forward and remained true to her covenants throughout her life, grateful for the Lord's guidance and care.

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

I felt that it was more than I could endure and in the humility of my soul, I prayed that I might have a testimony from him who knows the hearts of all. One night I dreamed. I thought I was in the midst of a multitude of people. President Young arose and spoke to the people. He then said there would be a spirit go around to whisper comfort in the ear of everyone. All was silent as death as I sat. Then the spirit came to me and whispered in my ear these words, "Don't ever change your condition or wish it otherwise," for I was better off than thousands and thousands of others. This brought peace to my mind and I have felt satisfied ever since.