Missouri Persecutions Described in Detail Through the Gift of Tongues

“Immediately, another brother broke out in tongues, the interpretation of which was, that, “the Lord knew we were anxious to learn of the affairs of our brethren in Missouri, and that if we would humble ourselves before him, and ask, he would reveal unto us the desires of our hearts.” Missouri was some thousand miles from Portland. We all knelt down, and prayed that the Lord would show us the state of our brethren in that land. After prayer, the gift of tongues fell upon me, and I spoke and interpreted, describing the situation of the Saints in Missouri, their being driven from their homes, the burning of their houses, the destruction of their property, and the cruelties practiced upon them by the mob. I saw the whole scene as if I had been there. I described the appearance of the country, the houses, and the movements of the mob, and the sufferings of the Saints, even to the particulars of their being driven into the woods, and their destitute condition. I continued to speak for some time, and the Spirit of the Lord rested upon us all in a powerful manner, and we felt that we were indeed witnessing the sufferings of our brethren, though so far distant. Some time after, when the news arrived from Missouri, it was found that the description I had given was perfectly correct, and that the events had transpired at the very time I was speaking of them.”

— Benjamin Brown, Testimonies for the Truth