H. G.'s Divine Prompting to Abandon a Trip and Avoid Arrest

“On another occasion, when on a mission in the State of California, in the year 1857, it became necessary for me to travel from the north end to the south end of the bay, a distance of about four miles, and, as I proceeded, the same ominous influence was brought to bear upon me that had saved my life on the other occasion just mentioned. I felt that I was in danger, and that some evil was lurking in my path. So powerfully was I impressed that some impending evil awaited me if I went farther, that I turned my horse about and started back on a gallop. I felt that I had been warned of danger, and that it was my duty to heed the warning. Having given up my trip round the bay, I returned to Petaluma, to take steamer on my trip by water. I had been in town but a few minutes when we met with Mr. O—, who had come in to get a warrant and an officer to arrest Mr. H—, whom I was to have met that same afternoon at Vallejo. Mr. H— had been accused of robbing a man of one thousand dollars, and Mr. O— was the man who was moving in the matter. Had I not been turned back by a kind Providence, I would have been arrested at Benicia with him, and the officers would have done all in their power to fasten the guilt upon me, in order to save themselves, as I was a stranger in the country, and had no friends to defend me. I felt to thank the Lord for this manifestation of His care over me.”

— William Holmes Walker, The Life Incidents and Travels of Elder William Holmes Walker