James Foster — Vision of the Kirtland Camp
Published September 28, 2026 at 6:35 AM
James Foster received a vision regarding the migration of the Kirtland poor to Missouri. He saw a company of approximately five hundred people moving and encamping in an orderly fashion. He testified to the assembly that this was the will of God, and the account notes that the Spirit bore record of his words as it rested upon the assembly with power.
Fuller account of this event (as retold in History of the Church, 3:88-89):
Elder James Foster arose and said that he had a vision, in which was shown unto him a company (he should think of about five hundred) starting from Kirtland and going up to Zion. That he saw them moving in order, encamping in order by the way, and that he knew thereby that it was the will of God that the quorum should go up in that manner. The Spirit bore record of the truth of his assertions, for it rested down on the assembly in power.
In Their Own Words
“[James] declared that he saw a vision in which was shown unto him a company (he should think of about five hundred) starting from Kirtland and going up to Zion. That he saw them moving in order, encamping in order by the way, and that he knew thereby that it was the will of God that the quorum should go up in that manner. The Spirit bore record of the truth of his assertions for it rested down on the assembly in power. — History of the Church, 3:88-89, as quoted in Susan Easton Black, "James Foster," Doctrine and Covenants Central”
Sources & References
Susan Easton Black, "James Foster," Doctrine and Covenants Central, https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/people-of-the-dc/james-foster; citing History of the Church, 3:88-89. Fuller account: History of the Church, 3:88-89 https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/people-of-the-dc/james-foster
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