I was taken away a distance of about seven miles, and was standing upon a vast plain at the mouth of a valley a little south of where Macedonia now is, in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. A vast multitude of people, with their horses and modes of conveyance, was shown me, coming from the northward in great confusion, looking in every direction—appearing to be very anxious about something which I at that time could not understand. After the multitude had passed there appeared a beautiful woman, neatly and plainly dressed. The guide that was with me said that was the true Church of God. I was made to understand that the confusion represented the distracted state of the world, and that the church was set up in the midst; and all invited to accept the gospel. Following that was a confused condition of the Israelites as represented among the Indians, and many things that I did not at that time understand; and also the exit of the Cutlerite people from their homes was plainly shown, and a rebuilding of their place, Manti, which has been literally fulfilled, many years since. The guide told me to look. I then saw a representation of the sons of perdition, which was shown by large, finely built men who had obtained the right to the crown, but were lying upon their backs, bound with cords, with no power nor hope of being extricated.

He again said, "Look!" and I beheld concourses of people, of all imaginable kinds that represented the Telestial World. He again said, "Look!" Multitudes appeared, as far as eye could see; all of one size and same dress, but were all of a dark color. I was made to understand that this represented the Terrestrial World, and especially the African race and those who were ignorant but honest, who received not the gospel.

Another time I was told to look, and to behold Jacob's ladder. There appeared a ladder leading from the earth to an aperture in the heavens, to which persons would come and ascend and descend in succession; some, however, would come and look up and turn away, as though the task was too great and the ascent too difficult.

I was still again told to look and I should see Christ on a white horse, as did John upon the Isle of Patmos; and at once the scripture in Revelation 19:11-15 came to my mind. At this moment thick darkness came over me, so that I could not see anything. Doubts began to arise in my mind, and the thought came that I would not behold what the angel said I should; but soon my sight seemed to extend a great distance, and I saw a kind of grey light which I can only liken to the sun shining through a fog. It seemed to approach nearer and nearer, until I was again wrapped in the vision. Looking up into the heavens, there appeared the aperture again, but more beautiful than before; the description of which I shall not attempt. All at once, at one side, a very bright round ball appeared; as large as a very large wagon-wheel, and as bright as the sun. In the center of this was a white horse, on which sat a man whose brilliance was equal to the sun shining in his strength. I looked to see the sword which is spoken of in Revelation 19:15, for up to this time I had supposed that it would have the appearance of a literal sword; but the angel told me it was not a literal sword, but the sword of his Spirit, dividing asunder both joint and marrow. I then looked and saw a halo of rays proceeding from his mouth, with which he would thresh the nations; and by it the gospel would be proclaimed to the nations, before the great day of the Lord would come. I seemed to wither, and shrink into nothingness because of the great power. But that vision passed away to make room for still another.

The angel that was with me then told me to go with him to the place where the New Jerusalem should rest, and behold the Celestial City. I accompanied him, traveling in the air with perfect ease, a distance of over one hundred miles; and as we approached the place, there appeared the city—four-square, with her magnificent walls. We approached on the north side. Several companies approached, mostly women, some of whom I knew; and they halted near the outside of the gate, where were stationed a number of persons, three of whom I knew and shook hands with—one of these had passed behind the veil, two are still living. The crowd then passed into the city through the north gate. I with my guide went inside the walls, to view the beauties of the city. I wish I could give in words that which was made known in this view. There was a pureness and whiteness that I have never seen elsewhere. The whiteness was not like snow, for that would be too white. It was not like electricity, for that is too blue—not soft enough; not like gas-light, for that is too red, but such a soft haziness about the appearance that made one feel at home. The houses, streets, and pavements, together with the enclosures, were all alike,—the same mellow beauty. Angelic beings were clothed with the same pure white, and could travel space with much more ease than we move in our sphere. I looked for the sun, and was told that the city did not need the light of the sun or the moon, but the Lord God was the Light thereof. Not until then was I able to understand how the length, breadth, and height were equal. I am able to see that the space above the city was susceptible of navigation to the extent of the length or breath. I noticed that the same general appearance of mellow whiteness was set forth in the beings who were climbing Jacob's ladder, the white horse, the city, and the angels who were wafted with such ease in space over the New Jerusalem. —Autumn Leaves, April, 1888.