“In the Presence of Personages Seen and Unseen”
In addition to gathering with living prophets, seers, and revelators, however, an additional sacred blessing is the miracle of who else is present at General Conference. Wilford Woodruff once reported that “during my travels in the southern country last winter I had many interviews with President Young, and with Heber C. Kimball, and George A. Smith, and Jedediah M. Grant, and many others who are dead. They attended our conference, they attended our meetings.”[xi]
The Saints were not alone when they gathered, and Wilford Woodruff wanted to testify of that. And of course nothing has changed since then. To name just one example, at the funeral of President Joseph Fielding Smith, Bruce R. McConkie was given a vision showing him that Joseph F. Smith and others from the spirit world were in attendance.[xii]
The reality of such visitors was underscored by President Harold B. Lee, who—on the occasion of his solemn assembly—spoke of “personages” in attendance who were unseen as well as of those who were “seen.” He added: “Who knows but that even our Lord and Master would be near us on such an occasion as this,” and then quoted the Lord’s statement to an earlier conference of Saints: “Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me” (D&C 38:7).[xiii]
All of this gives context to President Nelson’s announcement at the beginning of the April 2020 Conference: “I know that God, our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, are mindful of us. They will be with us throughout the proceedings of these two glorious days.”[xiv]
All of these remarks help us prepare for General Conference more deeply. Hearing them, we know we will not only be gathering with those we can see and hear, but also with others, from the other side of the veil, whom we cannot see and hear—but who will be present nonetheless.
https://latterdaysaintmag.com/miracles-happen-at-general-conference/?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=scot-maurine-proctor&utm_content=Delight+in+Learning+More+about+the+Brethren
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