In June of 1844, while Joseph Smith was on
his way to Carthage Jail, he told his brother
Hyrum and W. W. Phelps about a dream he had
had a few nights prior. W. W. Phelps did not
publish the account until 1862, but when he
did, he titled it: Joseph Smith's Last Dream.
Joseph Smith said: "While I was at Jordan's
in Iowa the other night, I dreamed that myself
and my brother Hyrum went on board of a large
steamboat. Shortly after we went on board,
there was an alarm of fire, and as delay was
folly, I and Hyrum jumped overboard and tried
our faith at walking upon the water. At first,
we sank in the water nearly to our knees,
but as we proceeded, we increased in faith
and were soon able to walk upon the water.
We proceeded on the bosom of the mighty deep
and were soon out of sight of land. The ocean
was still; the rays of the sun were bright,
and we forgot all the troubles of our Mother Earth.
Just at that moment, I heard the sound of
a human voice, and turning round, saw my brother
Samuel. He informed me that he had been lonesome
and had made up his mind to go with me across
the mighty deep.
We all started again, and in a short time
were blessed with the first sight of a city.
The next scene was more than I can describe:
The greeting of old friends, the music from
a thousand towers, and the light of God, Himself,
at the return of three of His sons, soothed
my soul into a quiet and a joy that I felt
as if I truly was in Heaven.
I gazed upon the splendor. I greeted my friends
. . .
I awoke.
And lo, it was a dream.
