Heber C. Kimball's vision of the ship and the rod

While crossing the ocean on the ship 'Garrick' in 1837, Heber C. Kimball dreamed that Joseph Smith appeared to him on the forecastle, gave him a rod, and told him that as long as he held it, he would prosper, and obstacles before the ship would be moved or plowed through. Heber C. Kimball woke to find the wind favorable and the mission successful in England.

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

While crossing the sea I dreamed that the Prophet Joseph came to me while I was standing upon the fore-castle of the ship, and said, ‘Brother Heber, here is a rod (putting it into my hands) with which you are to guide the ship; while you hold this rod, you shall prosper and there shall be no obstacles thrown before you, but what you shall have power to overcome and the hand of God shall be with you;’ after this I discovered every kind of obstruction would be weak before the ship to stop its progress, but the bow being sharp, the obstacles were compelled to move out one side like a bulrush, and when the ship would come to a mountain, it would plow its course right through, as though it was in water. This rod which Joseph gave me was about three and a half feet in length. His appearance was just as natural as I ever beheld him in the flesh: he blessed me and disappeared.