A Spiritual Communication: A Personal Experience

Improvement Era Vol. XXVII MAY, 1924 No. 7 A SPIRITUAL COMMUNICATION A Personal Experience By Duncan M. McAllister, Keeper of Records, Salt Lake Temple When fourteen years of age I was apprenticed to learn the up- holstery trade, with a large firm in Glasgow, Scotland. The estab- lishment also manufactured household furniture, and in that depart- ment a number of young women were employed as "polishers." Occasionally orders were received which required some of them to go to the country residences of wealthy gentlemen for the purpose of re- polishing furniture. It was the custom of all hands engaged in the shops to go to work at six o'clock in the morning, and after working about three hours have an opportunity to eat breakfast. After I had been about eighteen months in this establishment, I went one morning as usual at six o'clock, and had just put on a white canvas apron, preparatory to commencing the day's work, when the foreman hurriedly called me to come and assist one of the female polishers in carrying a quantity of bottles and packages of material down to the steamer, which was to convey her to Dumbarton, twenty miles west, down the river Clyde. Quickly tucking my apron around me, I picked up the articles and followed the young woman, who was hastening to catch the steamer. I found that she also had all she could carry, as it was likely she would be absent for several weeks. When we arrived at the steamer she insisted upon me accompany- ing her to Dumbarton, stating that after arriving there she had to take a conveyance and go several miles further west, and that she would need my help in carrying the bundles from the steamship to the vehicle, informing me that the foreman had said I might do so if she thought it advisable. The trip was made accordingly, and about nine a. m. she and the Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter. Ac- ceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in Section 1103. Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 2, 1918, $2 per annum. Address Room 406 Church Office Building, Salt Lake City, Utah.

588 IMPROVEMENT ERA numerous packages were duly crowded into an open cart, and I was thinking it would be two or three hours before I could reach Glasgow and get breakfast, when to my surprise, the driver said I would have to go with them because he would have to leave her some distance from the mansion, and my help would be again needed to carry the bundles. Holidays did not often come in my experience, and here was one un- expectedly given, including a sight of the sea, green fields, wooded hills, and many other pleasant things that, as resident of a big city, I seldom enjoyed; also, there was the likelihood of a good breakfast to be secured at the fine house where we were going, so on we went contentedly, though hungry. Sure enough, we found it quite a distance from the highway to the house, but it was an agreeable walk, along an avenue of grand old trees, and when we arrived and the young woman, with her issortments of bottles and packages, had been taken to the room allotted to her, I was ushered into the kitchen to get my longed-for break- fast. It was then about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and, as you can readily understand, I had an unusually good appetite; but the cook did not seem to appreciate that fact, as she placed before me a rather .limited supply of bread and a dish containing the remnants of some herrings that had been baked in spiced vinegar. However, I was hungry, and ate all I could of the rather unpalatable food. After this disappointing meal, having previously received a six- pence (twelve cents) to pay my return fare on the steamer, I started to walk the intervening distance from the gentleman's residence to Dumbarton. I had not gone a mile when it became evident that my late breakfast was not an agreeable one; my stomach seemed to have a decided objection to spiced herrings, and very soon thev and tlis accompanying bread were ejected, and I was more hungry than before I had eaten. - After a walk of about two hours, I arrived on the wharf at Dumbarton, earnestly trusting that a steamer would soon make its appearance, by which I might return home. I had no money except the sixpence with which to pay my fare; consequently could not purchase anything to eat. On inquiry I was told that the Glasgow boat was expected in a short time. When it came and was preparing to depart again, I stepped on board, and soon was gazing at the grand old castle of Dumbarton, as we steamed past its battlemented crags at the mouth of the harbor. After we had gone some distance out, I began to wonder why the steamer was not heading eastward in the direction of Glasgow. Presently the purser came around col- lecting fares, and I asked why the vessel was not turning toward Glas- gow. He almost paralyzed me by answering that we were going to Greenock first, and that if I wanted to go to Glasgow I would have to pay the additional fare. It was then manifest that I had been

A SPIRITUAL COMMUNICATION 5 89 misled by my informant on the Dumbarton wharf as to the steamer going to Glasgow. My consternation may be imagined when I tell you that Greenock, to which we were hastening, was about five miles further from home, or about tyenty-five miles in all. When I informed the captain of the vessel about my predicament I received no sympathy, but was curtly told that he could not help me out of the difficulty. Some time in the afternoon I was landed at the Greenock wharf, a busy place, where many steamers called on the way to Glasgow. I remembered that a relative of mine was employed on one of those boats, and as each tied up at the quay to unload and receive passengers, I went on board and inquired for him. But I did not find him, neither could I persuade any of the officials to take me to Glasgow, although I offered to give my jacket in security for pay- ment of fare. The afternoon and evening were spent in these fruit- less efforts, and all the time hunger was increasing. About nine o'clock at night there seemed to be no more steam- ers going to Glasgow, so I concluded there was no alternative but to walk all the way home — twenty-five miles, rather a dreary pros- pect for a boy hungry and tired as I was. Well, I started on the road to Glasgow, and was favored with a clear sky. In that north country the nights are comparatively short at that time of year (I believe it was early in September,) and it did not get dark until towards midnight. The moon and stars shone brightly, the air was cool and bracing, and, in spite of weariness and hunger, I seemed to walk with some degree of vigor. My determin- ation to make the effort had the needed effect of rousing my drooping spirits, and I trudged along almost cheerily. As the night advanced the country road became deserted and I was alone. The stillness produced within me a feeling of solemnity. The long fast I had undergone resulted not only in emptying my stomach but it also cleared my brain and my mental faculties became unusually active. I began to think upon a subject that had for some time past given me a good deal' of concern. My mother had been for nine years a member of the "Mormon" Church, and father was a bitter antagonist of that religion and people. My sympathies were with mother for many reasons that I need not state. I had accompanied her to meetings and greatly enjoyed the old-time experiences of the Saints, in which the gifts of the Gospel were frequently manifested, many speaking in tongues, and all filled with enthusiasm for the cause they had espoused, and anxiety to gather to Zion. For about two years previous to the time of this adventure that I am now relating, I had been rather irregular in attendance at "Mormon" meetings. I had become associated with Sunday schools of other denominations and was a singer for some time in a Unitarian Church choir. The prevailing ideas of sectarians regarding the alleged

590 IMPROVEMENT ERA wickedness of the "Mormons" in Utah had taken hold of my mind, and for a few months I had been trying to convince my mother that she should withdraw from the society of that people who were "every- where spoken against." She used to listen quietly to my quoted charge against the Utah "Mormons," then would tell me that those statements were falsehoods, manufactured by their enemies, and advised me to study the doctrines of the Church, and pay no attention to such reports. However, it seemed to me that what everybody said must be true, although I knew, of course, that my mother was a good woman, and the others of the same faith, with whom I was acquainted in Glasgow, were all worthy people, still it appeared probable that the stories told about the terrible doings of the Utah "Mormons" must be facts, else all the newspapers, and ministers of other churches, would not say so. By suggestion of my mother, I had interviews with some of the Elders, and they always forced me to the conclusion that "Mormon" doctrines agreed with the Bible; but concerning the people of Utah, there was only the testimony of the few interested, as I supposed, against the whole world. And now, as I walked the lonely road, this subject came uppermost in my thoughts, and, as I have already said, my mind was, apparently, more clear than usual. Looking upwards at the twinkling stars, deeply impressed by the circumstances then surrounding me on this lovely night, about the hour when all nature appeared to be at rest and my fellow- creatures asleep, involuntarily my soul was drawn out in earnest prayer, as never before, and I silently pleaded with God to make known unto me what I should do to gain His favor and eternal life. I will not attempt to tell the many desires that were expressed as I tramped along the lonesome road. My heart was full of solemn supplication, and, as mile after mile was passed, while thus engaged there gradually developed in my mind a firm conviction that I ought to yield obedience to the Gospel as taught by the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in spite of the bad reputation that the Utah members of that Church bore in the world. I was led to remember that the Saints in former days had a bad reputation, and that the Savior was crucified because of the lies that were told about Him. When I, at last, decided that I would, as soon as possible, apply for the privilege of baptism, a deep feeling of satisfaction rested upon me, a peaceful influence plainly indicating that the Spirit of God had inspired my mind, and that in making this resolution I was doing right. It would take too long to describe my feelings, or tell the thoughts that crowded my mind that long night of fasting and prayer. The impressions then made have been enduring, and I regard that experience as among the most important and valuable of my lifetime. I arrived home about five o'clock in the morning, completely exhausted, faint with hunger, feet blistered and bleeding, and had

A SPIRITUAL COMMUNICATION 591 to rest the next twenty-four hours before I could go to work again. A few weeks after, on the 25th of October, 185 7, I was baptized in the river Clyde, very early on a Sunday morning. The heavenly joy experienced when I came out of the water was a testimony to me that I had done right. That same day I was con- firmed, and the Holy Ghost was imparted unto me, by the power of which I have ever since been enabled to declare that I know the Church of God is established upon the earth, that He hears and an- swers the prayer of faith, and that He acknowledges the Latter-day Saints as His people. The incident I have thus related has given me a high appreciation of the value of fasting and prayer, even though the fasting was not voluntary in this case. I feel sure that if I had had plenty to eat before being compelled to make the prolonged walk as described, my mind would not have been so clear, and, in all probability, I would not have thought about those important matters that finally resulted in my compliance with the Spirit message that was imparted unto me, in answer to the humble petition I offered under those trying cir- cumstances. .;. ' -^grfJ ^^S 1 ' Jh is * ' <(S3K ^W*^rf-^'jZm <7 Vii m " ^f|'^"( ?#..' £■ V; . _f*^il( fl " "Crater of the Moon," one of nature's great wonderlands. Lava fields extend twelve to thirty miles. Lost River, Idaho, Fathers and Sons' outing.