Divine Warning Through Gift of Tongues Prevents Drowning at River Crossing

On April 21, 1839, as Lorenzo Brown's company traveled westward to gather with the Saints after being expelled from Missouri, they encountered a violent storm. The swollen stream blocked their path. While consulting about whether to cross, 'one of our number spoke in tongues, which being interpreted, was that if we attempted to cross some of us would drown. This we afterward proved true.' The miraculous warning through the gift of tongues and interpretation saved the company from tragedy. They heeded the divine warning and stayed all day while 'The brethren killed game, the sisters cooked' and they 'had an excellent dinner.' This demonstrates how the gift of tongues functioned as a means of divine protection and guidance during the dangerous westward migration.