Incredible Last Dream of Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, had what some believe to be a prophetic dream only days prior to he and his brother, Hyrum Smith's, martyrdom, that was actually recorded by W. W. Phelps.  Very few people have ever heard of this incredible dream, prior to now. Thanks to the work of Seth Adam Smith, who you might be familiar with for his outstanding LDS videos, the account of Joseph Smith's Last Dream is now ready to be told in the most unique way...

"In the summer of 2007, while working for retired church history instructor and author Paul Thomas Smith, I came across this little-known dream of Joseph Smith. Few pieces of literature have ever touched my mind and soul as deeply as this has and I’ve longed to share this dream with others." ~ Seth

So touched by this dream was Seth, that once believed to be authentic, he decided to present this sacred account by doing what he does best -- produce a video.  But this wouldn't be just any video -- this project was special.  It took Seth nearly four years to bring the vision that he had in his mind to fruition.


First, he needed to have a visual that would depict what Joseph Smith described in his last dream.  So, he commissioned LDS artist, Jon McNaughton, to create a painting. (pictured above) He then approached actor and author,  Bruce Newbold, and invited him to do the narration for the video. And finally, he had to have exactly the right music to bring the spirit of this account to life, and so he approached Rob Gardner of Spire Music.  This work of art, will leave you breathless...

"After years of waiting, and months of work, here is “Joseph Smith’s Last Dream...”

Seth Adam Smith

On might immediately question the authenticity of such an account, and rightfully so.   Author and  church historian, Paul Thomas Smith, shares his thoughts in this video, about what he believes to be an authentic account. 

The Validity of Joseph Smith's Last Dream

To learn more about Seth Adam Smith's video, Joseph Smith's Last Dream, please visit Seth's Blog. He goes into the complete background of how he discovered this relatively unknown account, shares with you his feelings about what the interpretation of the dream probably means, (and does an excellent job at it, if I do say so myself) and goes into the research that explains why he believes that this dream actually occurred.


UPDATE: Since the release of this video, the authenticity of the dream has been challenged by Ardis H. Parshall, a historian of Mormonism, who writes on Keepapitchinin -- a history blog.  Seth has respectfully updated his blog by sharing some of her opinions and cautions.  He also requests that anyone interested in learning more please visit his updated blog post. 


I have also made some very slight changes to this post, at the request of Seth.  However, I respectfully choose to keep the majority intact, as I have no problem whatsoever with the way this dream was presented here on this blog.  I'm not a historian, so I can only go by the spirit that I felt in preparing this post. (although some would suggest that my feelings were simply emotional) It was good then, and remains so. 


In Seth's own words.... (which he has also updated and I share here)

So what does it all mean?  Is the account of "Josephs Smith's Last Dream" written by W. W. Phelps true?  Franky, I don't know.  Furthermore, it's simply beyond my ability (educationally and spiritually) to confiem to you that this dream is true. 

However, whether or not it's true shouldn't make much of a difference. In the end, my faith does not rest on the possible "Last Dream" of a Prophet, but on the reality of his First Vision. I do not know whether or not Joseph Smith prophetically saw himself and his brothers walking on the water, but I do know that he saw God and Jesus Christ in a grove now called sacred. 

So whether fact or fiction, "Joseph Smith's Last Dream" is a beautiful and symbolic story. For me, it represents a marvelous bookend to his mission as a Prophet. It symbolically tells the story of his martyrdom not as a horrifying tragedy but as a beautiful triumph. The story first came to me during a difficult time---when I felt as though I was treading through deep water---and it symbolically pointed me back to the Savior. As I exercised more faith in Him, I found that I was soon "able to walk upon the water." 

My intent in creating the video, was to share this beautiful story with you, and hopefully inspire you (on your troubled waters) to seek out the Savior.

The first time I read it, I wept.

I had the privilege of viewing this video, prior to its release, to offer objective feedback.  I too, was brought to tears when I heard this account for the first time.  I knew this would be something special for members of the LDS Church, who love dearly these men who so bravely gave their lives for the Kingdom of God.  

Today marks the anniversary of Joseph's prophetic dream, June 23, 1844 --  On June 27, 1844, Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration, was martyred.  By his side was his beloved and ever faithful brother, Hyrum Smith.  One month later, his brother Samuel, mentioned in the dream, died of unknown cause.


Said Gordon B. Hinckley, 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, concerning the prophet, Joseph Smith...

"How great indeed is our debt to [Joseph Smith]. . . . It was he who brought us a true knowledge of God, the Eternal Father, and His Risen Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. . . . He brought us the marvelous Book of Mormon as another witness for the living reality of the Son of God. . . . Through him were restored the keys of the holy temples, that men and women might enter into eternal covenants with God and that the great work for the dead might be accomplished to open the way for eternal blessings." ~Ensign, Dec, 1997

tDMg
Kathryn 


My Testimony of the Book of Mormon