Elder B. K. Roberts' Vision of an Angel in Iowa

“The morning I was to start on my journey, I awoke very early—just as the day was dawning; but feeling rather drowsy, stretched out for another nap before rising. In order to rest better I changed my posture—and in doing so I saw a personage standing by my bedside. He was of medium size, of a light complexion, and a very pleasing countenance. Slowly and gracefully raising his hand, he pointed to the eastward and said: ‘You go to Rockford.’ He disappeared on the moment of making this remark. I was wide awake in an instant. I had never heard of such a place as Rockford, and I was at a loss to know where it was. I had my plans all laid to go to Mason City, and I felt that it would be a very foolish thing to change them. I had told my friends I was going to Mason City, and I had received money from them to pay my expenses to that place. To change my plans now would look like fickleness, and I felt a great deal of embarrassment at the thought of it. I therefore concluded to go to Mason City. I went, and I stayed there three days, and I did not get to preach a single sermon. I was hungry, and I was treated with coldness and indifference. I felt that I had made a mistake, and I was very unhappy. I then remembered the vision, and I felt that I had been disobedient. I determined to go to Rockford. I inquired where it was, and I found it was a small town about twenty miles from Mason City. I went there, and I was received with kindness, and I had the privilege of preaching the Gospel to the people, and I felt that I was in the path of duty.”

— B. H. Roberts, The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, Vol. 66, No. 26