Mary Gardner's dream of the Book of Ether

“Eleven years ago I experienced great sorrow through the death of my first child, a daughter. About three weeks after her death, when I was reading the Bible, one Sunday afternoon, in my bedroom, I felt dissatisfied with my spiritual condition and could not find cousolation. Discouraged, I closed the Bible and thought to myself, I cannot understand it; it seems contradictory. I closed my eyes and fell asleep, but only for a few moments. I saw my little girl who had passed away. She came into the room in the same way as she used to come when alive. She held an open book in her hand. Presently she held the book out to me and said, Read, mother! and I read at the top of the page, 'The Book of Ether.' Then I opened my eyes with a start and there was nothing to be seen. There was no one in the room. I was very much startled and puzzled. . . Two or three years after that I became acquainted with a lady who, report said, was a 'Mormon.' She told me one day about Joseph Smith; but the story only amused me. She lent me some books, and among others one containing the story about the Nephites. I was very much interested in this. One morning I called upon this sister, and was shown into the kitchen to wait for a few minutes before she came. On the table there was a book. I picked it up, and the pages rolled and opened at the Book of Ether. I was astonished. I looked on the cover and saw the name, 'Book of Mormon.' I jumped up immediately and ran to the door and met the lady and told her about my dream. She did not make any particular comment, but lent me the Book of Mormon to take home and read. When I saw her again I was a believer in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and have held, ever since, my testimony as my most precious possession. — Millennial Star 77:33”