February 14, 1862 Interview with Celestial Beings

Box 5 Folder 11 in Archive (see Anderson, 2010, pg. 166)

(Documents of George Johnson)

A description of an interview with Celestial Beings, given by George Willaims who was born in the County of Lurrey, England on the 14^th day of Feby A.D. 1814

After leading a blameless life and searching after the reasons of Eternity through the gospel of Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I was on the 15^th day of April A.D. 1862, riding on my own spirited white mare by the slope of the west mountains near Harker's Kanyon in Salt Lake Valley, when snow was falling in a marvelous manner, a cloud appeared in the north and became agitated, speedily forming an enormous archway spanning the entire valley. On each side the Arch were massive pillars of light, constructed with fine skill and folding doors studded with golden bolts. Beholding this heavenly appearance, my desire was to alight from my horse which I let escape. While meditating the scene, the eyes of my understanding were opened by the spirit of God so as to understand the things of God as they were from eternity. The folding doors were thrown back and the highway to the eternal worlds was opened before me and a voice strengthened me saying!-- “Fear not, thou greatly beloved of the Lord. These are they that form a portion of the armies of Heaven. Beyond the folding doors I saw an innumerable or countless host of horses, and they that sat upon them had on breastplates of fire and diamonds, and helmets of precious stones; and out of the nostrils of the horses came fire and smoke, and their riders had large swords, and their faces were lightened as the sun. As soon as the first of this host reached the archway, they halted and formed a double line, the horses facing each other. And up this line I saw into the First Heaven and bear record of the same, God the Eternal Father standing on a throne of saphire stone and Christ seated at his right hand: and those who had gained their celestial estate were giving adoration and praise in words unutterable. The joy, peace and happiness of this abode surpasseth all understanding in mortality. And I heard voices saying: – “Oh Lord, great and true wilt though not at this time realize unto the inhabiters of the earth the words we have spoken in thy name while we remained among them?” And it was said unto them “Wait, ye blessed of my Father, until he whom I have sent has shown and revealed all my counsels unto the heirs of salvation and distributed my truths among them, the chosen; and he that shall hearken unto him and do my will keeping my commandments, shall in a day not distant know my power and be partakers of my counsels unto the heirs of salvation and distributed my truths among them, the chosen; and he that shall hearken unto him and do my will keeping my commandments, shall in a day not distant know my power and be partakers of my glory and this to their joy. They shall occupy the places of the just, and into their hands shall be delivered all things pertaining to Christ and his interest upon the earth. These are they who I, the Lord, will receive as friends, who shall understand the hidden things, the knowledge of which is for the Church of the First Born:-- these are they whose birthright brings them up Priests and Kings unto God, and the excellence of their glory can never be given to another-- these are they that shall overcome and stand in their places legislating for Christ when the wicked are cut off-- blessed are they-- everyones reward is eternal lives in the mansion of his father.” And again I heard another voice, while God the Eternal Father communed with him that sat on his right hand, saying:-- “Go, give him the appointment. Take other two witnesses.” Thousands of glorious being ministered unto him that stood upon the throne, singing the honor and praise of Him who has renewed the everlasting covenant: for the time is nigh when Christ shall take the government and the wicked be no more known. And I saw three who triumphed over the hell and the grave descend from the First heaven and pass as lightening down the line formed by the Army of Heaven, and passing the portal fot he arch, the gates closed and passed out of my sight and I saw them no more. While these Heavenly beings approached, I heard a voice saying unto me-- “Now is the time come when your preparation must commence. Fear not—these that are coming shall tell you all things.” Then two came near and I fell upon my face, hearing their words with joy as they told me of the tings and approaching destiny of the earth, declaring themselves to be Elias and Enoch, and owning me to be a coworker with them. Laying their hand upon me, my understanding was quickened, and I perceived they were my friend and brethren; and I covenanted with them there to do all the counsel of God. They brought and placed much business and government into my hands commanding me to write it not, and lifting me up. I was transfigured before them, and Jesus of Nazareth stood by clothed with a white robe down to the foot. Across his breast was a golden circle, and he held the robe in plaits. His face was like the sun shining in his strength and his feet as a burning flame. He addressed me:-- “all hail, thou son of the Highest”-- and embracing me, he said:-- “I am that was and is to come and for me and my Father must you act while you remain upon the earth. The restoring of all things connected with Adam's race has now to take place. Prepare yourself: for you are he, called and chosen before the foundation fo this earth, to bring to pass the purposes of my Father in this the evening of time. Be faithful and true to your trust, and help from Heaven and its Hosts shall be given in everytime of need.” And many other counsels received I there which I was commanded not to speak. Then making an appointment with me and other glorious being to meet on the mountain of the Lord east form this place to commence on the evening of the 25^th August 1862 and to continue till the morning of the 27^th August 1862-- they each blessed me, and withdrew from my sight.

With great watching, fasting and prayer I spent the time till the 25^th August at 4 O'clock P.M., when I mounted the same white mare, and near the appointed place, I alighted and having fastened my horse to some brushwood I began to ascend the mountain. Rock after rock passed with feelings of Heavenly joy, when away far up, I saw a personage, and hastening on with increased strength, he advanced to meet me. Bowing his head he said:-- “All hail thou son of the Most High and greatly beloved-- to prepare thee am I sent.” Then giving me his hand he said:--”Come and see,” and leading off to a spring of water that forms a pool, he declared himself to be John the Revelator. He then led me into the water and baptized me in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost under the Fullness of the Gospel. Said he:--”I am the same that was banished on the Isle of Patmos.” His while appearance was heavenly, a just mand made perfect, kind and loving in every action. He declared he had waited long for this hour and that it was part of his mission to remain on the earth to prepare me for this interview, and this according to the order of the Priesthood, “and now,” said he, “after this, in a short time, will I be at liberty to return to my home in the Heavens. While I was with Bathulma the Prophet of God who presides over the House of Israel in the North Country,--a part of this earth that is detached is beyond the Polar Sea-- an angel came to me from Jesus Christ commanding me to meet Cainan (the name I am known by in the Heaven of my Father) on the Holy Mountain where, said Jesus, I sat with mine Apostles after my crucifixion. There you shall meet him, baptize him, anoint and ordain him and confer upon him all your keys of Priesthood, instructing him in all wisdom, knowledge and government you possess in your long experience upon the earth.” And great and marvelous are John's instructions unto me to be revealed in a day to come, the which I was commanded not to write till an appointed time. And now after all that was given that John was commanded, behold! While John was praying unto the Father, a glorious light shone round, and a portion of the earth whereon we stood together with ourselves became translated and there appeared Seth and Enos who declared unto me their priesthood, birthright, authority, exaltation and glory, saying unto me:-- “Feel and handle us, for you are Cainan, and we three form a quorum to act for God upon the earth. We have finished our work in mortality and sealed our testimony with our blood: therefore, upon you is laid the responsibility now to carry on the work of God connected with mortality. See ye to it. Be wise and prudent. And when your part is completed, we will see you again and in our arms will bear you to receive crowns of immortality and eternal lives. This is your birthright, beloved Cainan.” And many other revelations, counsels, degrees of government with the knowledge of the use of the Urim and Thummim in its perfected state, Missions, the angels to send, the records to come foth, the Temples to build, the kings of the earth to be brought in, a place prepared to bind the influences of the evil one; the spirit and power of the endowments, power to bind and loose, the keys and authority of the sealing power, the particulars they commanded me not to reveal yet unto the children of men, particulars and principles of rods of power, robes of authority, Crowns to whom legal to wear and here is wisdom to be given unto them who will hearken in meekness, together with doctrine, principles, knowledge of Eternal Law, and these all for the obedient of the House of Israel—the diligent and wise shall understand, while they are locked against the wicked, given to exalt every faithful soul till they, in this estate, shall see eye to eye, looking through the veil of covering. And after many hours were spent and all was prepared, Seth and Enos laid their hands upon my head and declared me to be the first born Son of the 2^nd God in the last quorum of Heavens, even Cainan, then Melchisedec, now George Williams, and then conferred upon me all the keys of the Holy Priesthood that ever were given to mortal man, and all authority of the same, with powers to ordain, appoint, seal others, the keys of birthright, keys of discernment and detection and every appendage necessary to pout in motion and carry on the great gospel plan of saving, redeeming and exalting Adam's sake together with the planet on which they dwell, and with an oath I covenanted again to do those things required of me. And after these things, I saw one coming down from Heaven standing upon a cloud and a rainbow was above his head. His face was as the sun shining in his strength and his ankeles and feet were as pillars of fire. He declared himself to be the Eternal Father, bearing witness to all things I had received for truth and verity, promising the services of Holy Ghosts to be given by seeking their attendance. And other words, the most important of which I was commanded again not to write or reveal that, and thus I say no more at present; but let him that hath an ear for Eternal things hear what the spirit and Cainan saith.