James E. Talmage's Vision of the Lighted Track

During a college field trip to study geology, James E. Talmage and his companions were caught in a violent, unexpected snowstorm in the mountains. They managed to reach a remote, isolated railway station at night, hoping to catch the "Owl Express." While waiting in bitter cold and deep snow, the train arrived. Talmage spoke to the engineer, who explained his philosophy of faith in terms of his engine's headlight: he could only see the "hundred yards of lighted track" ahead of him, yet that light was always sufficient for him to continue his journey safely. Talmage used this as a spiritual lesson about relying on divine inspiration for the next immediate step.

Talmage provides further context on the dangers faced that night, noting his own specific anxieties: he worried about the probability of snowdrifts, slides, bridges or high trestles loosened by the storm, and rock masses dislodged from the mountainside. He also noted that he realized a violent collision would most likely cost the lives of the engineer and the fireman, who were most exposed to danger. Talmage mentions that before the engineer's response, he had expressed these concerns to him in 'hasty questioning.'