Thomas J. Steed's divine guidance in finding lodging
Published October 6, 2026 at 6:11 AM
Contributed by
Millennial Star Research
On September 7, 1881, while serving in the Northern States Mission, Elders Thomas J. Steed and C. Wallentine were traveling through Anoka County, Minnesota. The weather was disagreeable, and the missionaries were tired and hungry as they found themselves in a strange area caught in the rain. Seeking divine assistance, they retreated into the woods to pray. During this prayer, Steed reported that the vision of his mind was opened, and he was shown a house, distinct from any he had seen before. He arose and informed Brother Wallentine that he had beheld the specific house where they were to stop for the night. When Wallentine asked him to describe it, Steed provided a minute account of the dwelling's appearance. As they resumed their journey, they passed several houses, but Steed instructed his companion to continue, telling him that those buildings did not match the one shown to him in vision. Although Wallentine was skeptical and smiled as if he only half-believed, they pressed forward. At length, as the sun was setting, they ascended a hill and, to their joy, beheld the exact house Steed had described. Upon arriving, they were welcomed in and provided with the lodging they sought.
In Their Own Words
“On the 7th of September, 1881, Brother C. Wallentine and I were traveling through Anoka County, Minnesota. The weather was very disagreeable, and we were tired and hungry, having traveled a long distance without food. We felt that we must have a place to stay, and as we were in a strange part of the country, we did not know where to go. We went into the woods and knelt down and prayed to the Lord to open up the way for us. While on my knees praying, the vision of my mind was opened, and a house, different from any other I had ever seen, was shown me. In answer I arose and told Brother Wallentine I had beheld the house wherein we would stop for the night. He asked me to describe it, which I was able to do with minuteness. We then resumed our journey, and passed several houses, but I told my companion that none of them were the one I had seen. He smiled, as if he only half believed, but we kept on. At length, when close upon sunset, on ascending a hill, and to my joy our eyes beheld the house which had been shown me while praying. We went to it, and were kindly received and provided with the lodging we sought.”
— Thomas J. Steed, The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, Vol. 51, No. 22
Sources & References
The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star (Manchester, later Liverpool, England, May 1840–1970), 3 June 1889 (Vol. 51, No. 22). https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_the-latter-day-saints-millennial-star_1889-06-03_51_22 (account extracted verbatim from the issue's Internet Archive OCR text; research confidence: high) Additional sources (periodical research): Church History Biographical Database, Thomas J. Steed (1852–1921), Missionary Register, https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/chd/individual/thomas-j-steed-1852?lang=eng Full first-person account: The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 3 June 1889, Vol. 51, No. 22, p. 347 https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_the-latter-day-saints-millennial-star_1889-06-03_51_22
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