
Brigham Young's Visions of Joseph Smith
On two occasions after his martyrdom, Joseph Smith visited Brigham Young in a dream.
On August 17, 1845, 14 months after Joseph was shot and killed in Carthage Jail, Brigham Young wrote about a dream in which Joseph appeared to him to give him counsel about pushing people too hard to finish the Nauvoo Temple. Brigham wrote, "This morning I dreamed I saw brother Joseph Smith and as I was going about my business he says, 'Brother Brigham don't be in a hurry'—this was repeated the second and third time, when it came in a degree of sharpness."
On February 23, 1847, Brigham Young was in Winter Quarters making plans for the pioneer vanguard group to reach the Salt Lake Valley. Brigham wrote about a dream in which the Prophet Joseph appeared to him. Brigham Young told Joseph about how much he missed his companionship, and asked Joseph why he could not come with him. Joseph told him he would have to wait. Brigham then asked if Joseph had a message for Saints. Joseph responded,
"Tell the people to be humble and faithful and sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still 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, and it will take malice, hatred, envying, 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."
Sources:
"Secretary's Journal," 17 August 1845, Brigham Young Papers, MS, Church Archives
Manuscript History of Brigham Young, February 23, 1847