Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 1 (1844 - 1868)

Ms 7, 1849

Affliction of Mrs. Hastings

March 11, 1849

Previously unpublished. See also Annotations.

While engaged in prayer at the house of Brother Leonard Hastings of New Ipswich, N. H., the Holy Ghost was breathed upon us, and I was taken off in vision and borne by an angel above this dark world. The angel showed me the afflictions of Sister Hastings. I asked the angel if it was God who had afflicted her. The angel said God suffered it to be so. 1LtMs, Ms 7, 1849, par. 1

Then the angel pointed to the earth and shewed me a person who was short and thick. I saw Satan pouring upon this person a stream of darkness, as a sunbeam is poured forth from the sun, and as it came upon him he bloated. His head seemed larger than usual, and his face was red and much bloated. While in this state, Satan used this person as an agent to affect and afflict Sister Hastings. I saw that this was the cause of Sister Hastings’ sickness, and that the object of this person was to afflict unto death, so that his iniquity might be covered which might otherwise be exposed. 1LtMs, Ms 7, 1849, par. 2

I saw that Satan had the full control of this person, and that others beside Sister Hastings were affected by him. I saw his garments all covered over with the blood of souls. I saw that this person was a vessel of wrath fitted for destruction, reserved for the seven last plagues, if God can bear with him until that time. 1LtMs, Ms 7, 1849, par. 3

I saw that the angels from God had hovered about Sister Hastings, and comforted and strengthened her, or life would have departed from her. I saw that it was time for God to work and deliver her. I also saw that if God’s servants had united in prayer with strong and living faith with Sister Hastings in her dwelling, the power of the enemy would have been broken before this, and that now his power is completely broken. 1LtMs, Ms 7, 1849, par. 4