Sidney Rigdon, First Counselor in the First Presidency, June 1835: “That part of the work of the Holy spirit in the salvation of men, which consists in giving them vision, forms one of the most important parts (of the Spirit’s work) in the salvation of men, and it is one that was always performed by the Spirit, as far as we have any account of the people of God in his revelations. There is no society of which we have an account in the revelations of God, that he acknowledged as his own, except they had visions among them, and that as long as they continued to walk according to the directions of the Holy Spirit: indeed it was essential to their character as saints; it would be a marvelous thing to find a body of saints on earth and yet there would be no visions among them; we will venture to assert that such a thing was never seen since the world began. We readily admit that a corrupt religion can exist, and false prophecies exist, and sectarian dogmas abound; men-made worshipers increase, and the world abound in a religion that the Lord was not the author of, and yet no visions be among them; but wherever the truth of heaven abounds, there will visions abound also; for it is a part of heaven’s scheme to save men, and without it, we are not authorized to say there is salvation; for all the people who were saved of whom we have an account, were of the number who saw visions; and such was the importance which the sacred writers attached to the seeing of visions, that Solomon says, in Proverbs, chap. 29: ver. 18, that where no vision is, the people perish. But in direct opposition to this, the people of this generation say, that where no vision is, there truth reigns and prevails; and where vision is there error and delusion abounds; but whether we should believe God or man, judge ye.” (“Faith of the Church,” Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate, vol. 1, no. 9, edited by John Whitmer [Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio: Published by F. G. Williams & Co., June 1835], p. 133; proof of authorship can be found on pp. 25–26 of the same publication.)
Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 1958: “Through supernatural means, by the power of the Holy Ghost, devout persons are permitted to have visions and to see within the veil. They are enabled to see spiritual personages and to view scenes hidden from ordinary sight. These visions are gifts of the Spirit. (Seventh Article of Faith.) They come by faith and vanish away when faith dies out. (1 Sam. 3:1; Isa. 29:9-14.) Thus they stand as an evidence of the divinity of the Lord’s work in any age. If the Lord is giving visions and revelation to a people, such group constitutes the people of God. If visions and revelations are not being received by any church or people, then that group is not the Lord’s people. By this test the identity of the true Church is known. (Moro. 7:30-38.) … Visions serve the Lord’s purposes in preparing men for salvation. By them knowledge is revealed (2 Ne. 4:23), conversions are made (Alma 19: 16), the gospel message is spread abroad, the church organization is perfected (D. & C. 107:93), and righteousness is increased in the hearts of men. And visions are to increase and abound in the last days, for the Lord has promised to pour out his ‘spirit upon all flesh,’ so that ‘old men shall dream dreams,’ and ‘young men shall see visions.’ (Joel 2:28-32.)” (Mormon Doctrine [Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, Inc., 1958], pp. 745, 747.)
Orson Pratt of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 15 Dec. 1856: “It has seemed good unto the Almighty to reveal to His people, in all ages, many glorious and important principles, through different gifts. Sometimes these revelations are given … through heavenly visions and dreams. … The Christians of the first century were continually led by dreams and visions. By revelations given in this manner, they were forewarned of many dangers; they escaped many calamities; and their lives were often very miraculously preserved. The great revelation given to John on the isle of Patmos was manifested to him by a vision. … Having, in this chapter, treated upon several of the most prominent Spiritual Gifts, the reader will be able to clearly discover the vast difference between the religion of heaven, as revealed in the Bible, and the false religions of the nineteenth century. … Where can you find the man of God who, by the power of the Holy Ghost, can see visions or dream dreams, or interpret the same by inspiration? … Modern Christianity answers, NOWHERE. … All are as dead in regard to the promised Spiritual Gifts, as the putrid carcases, mouldering in their cemeteries.” (“The Gift of Visions and Dreams,” Spiritual Gifts [Liverpool: 15 Dec. 1856], pp. 76–77, 80; paragraphing omitted.)
Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church, Dec. 1996: “Revelation no longer comes by vision, but in the ‘still, small voice,’ like that heard by Elijah.” (In Larry Witham, “Mormon growth now is global: ‘We don’t wobble,’ church leader says,” The Washington Times [Washington, D.C.: News World Communications, 3 Dec. 1996], p. A8.)
wow.
GBH sums it up nicely. A real honest answer, albeit a sad one. I wish members would wake up.
I find it interesting that in discussing apostasy, you post & value quotes from the men above who were deceived to believe that Joseph Smith practiced & preached polygamy.