The following is a record of the Spiritual Manifestation received through Elder Peter P. Gould of the Church of Christ (TL) a spirit filled Prayer and Testimony service held on Saturday morning, May 23, 1998, at Geneseo, Illinois.

Spiritual Manifestation

Elder Peter declared the words of the Hymn, "The Time is Far Spent.(1)" He emphasized our great need to hastening in our sacred duty to "Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Repent." ". Be fixed in your purpose for Satan will try you for the weight of your calling he perfectly knows."

Elder Peter then referred to a Spiritual Dream that had been given to the late Apostle Marvin Ely which marks the very time and day in which we live. He emphasized the words ". there would be no more convenient day than the present day ," given to Apostle Marvin Ely (2) just prior to him hearing the words, "enter in thou good and faithful servant." This event has been completed and the time for the smiting of God's hand is now before us.

The Spirit then rested again upon Elder Peter as he spoke these words;

"I say unto Samuel, write and declare these words:

Thus saith your Lord and your God; Arise and shake off the dust from your garments, O my people. For behold, the cry goeth forth; Prepare the way of the Lord -- Behold the bridegroom cometh -- Prepare yourselves to go out to meet him. Sanctify your hearts and cleanse your garments and let not the adversary of your souls distract you. 

For I have caused it to be written in my word that judgment shall be first poured out upon the house of God. Repent, therefore, lest my smiting judgments shall bring your utter desolation. For thus saith the Spirit. 

Amen. (3)"

1. The Time is Far Spent, Hymn 356, Zion's Hymnal, Church of Christ (TL), 1975. This Hymn was written by Eliza R. Snow and used by permission of The Church of Jesus Christ.

The Time is Far Spent The time is far spent, there is little remaining, To publish glad tidings by sea and by land; Then ahsten, ye heralds, go forward proclaiming, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven's at hand.

Shrink not from your duty, however unpleasant, But follow the Saviour, your pattern and Friend; Our little afflictions, tho' painful at present, Ere long with the righteous, in glory, will end.

Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you; The weight of your calling He perfectly knows; Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you; His arm is sufficient, tho' demons oppose.

Press on to the mark of eternal perfection, Determined to reap the celestial reward, That you may come forth in the first resurection, And feast at the supper of Jesus, the Lord.

2. A Dream, given to Apostle Marvin E. Ely, February 2, 1975. In this dream I knew it was conference time. The thought came to me that I might be asked to preach. I sat down in front of a small table and was concerned over the possibility of preaching. I began to write notes on a piece of paper.

The surroundings I was in was outdoors and many people were milling around me, concerned mainly with the cares and activities of life. I took a small piece of paper from my billfold and again began to write notes. A person offered me a larger piece of paper, but I indicated what I had was sufficient. This time I had no table but used a box which had been turned up on end.

Again there were people about me, little mindful of our day and were engaged in various activities of life which seemed to be taking most or all of their time. The thought came to me of the importance of taking time to prepare for this day in which we live (which precedes the time of the end and the second coming of Christ).

As I sat there the Holy Spirit came over me and the tears ran down my cheeks for I was very very concerned about this people; the same as if they had told me, that they would prepare at a more convenient day, for now they were too busy. (Cares of this life. Luke 21:34-35.)

Then it came to me that there would be no more convenient day than the present day. The words came to me that this was all the time there was, to prepare, and that there would be no more time given to prepare. (I knew that I had to preach that message.)

Then I heard the words, "Enter in thou good and faithful servant!" (I believe this means those who will prepare.) At this point, I was awakened by a clock radio, and only then did I realize that this was a dream for it had been so real.

3. RLDS Doctrine & Covenants Section 108:3c-4a.

". Yea, let the cry go forth among all people; Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom. Behold and lo, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord. Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour)."