It was February 17, 1847 at a place called Winter Quarters Nebraska. Perhaps a more burdened man could not be found for hundreds of miles than was 46 year-old Brigham Young. His were a people in exile. More than 12,000 of them scattered over 10,000 square miles living in huts, tents and even wagon boxes. They were looking to him for everything: leadership, food, shelter, and even a permanent home. As the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, it fell to him to lead the Latter-day Saints after the death of Joseph Smith. It was a responsibility he neither asked for, nor sought, but once called, he exercised untiring determination.

Now, in the winter of 1847, hundreds of his people had died. Enemies from within and without challenged his right to lead, and opposed him at every turn. When it was all over with, history would remember Brigham Young as the man who finished what Joseph Smith started, but right now all of that’s in the future, and Brigham Young’s greatness was yet to be.

About noon on Wednesday the 17th of February 1847, Brother Brigham lay in his bed asleep and very – very ill. He later recounted a dream. I quote:

“I dreamed that I went to Joseph. He stood by a window and to the southwest of him it was very light. I was in twilight and to the north of me it was very dark; I said, ‘Brother Joseph, the brethren you know well, better than I do, you raised them up and brought the Priesthood to us. The brethren have a great anxiety and if you have a word of counsel for me I would be glad to receive it.’”

And then Brigham continued:

“Joseph stepped toward me, and looking very earnestly, yet pleasantly said, “Tell the people to be humble and faithful, and be sure to keep the spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small voice; it will teach you what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it. They can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other spirits; it will whisper peace and joy to their souls; it will take malice, hatred, strife and all evil from their hearts; and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness and build up the kingdom of God. Tell the brethren if they will follow the spirit of the Lord they will go right. [Be sure to tell the people to keep the Spirit of the Lord; and if they will, they will find themselves just as they were organized by our Father in Heaven before they came into the world. Our Father in Heaven organized the human family, but they are all disorganized and in great confusion.]” (1)

Well, Brigham Young followed that council, and lead his people to the Rocky Mountains to colonize the west. And he lived by that council the rest of his life.

It would seem to me then that one of the most important things we can and should do with our time each day is exactly that: Prepare ourselves to be worthy and obedient to the influences of the Holy Spirit. And then, we too now and ever after will go right.