The dictionary defines dreams as a sequence of sensations, images, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind, a fanciful vision, a fancy of the conscious mind…
Over the years I have had many dreams, most were nonsense or at least I did not understand them or did not see any relevance in my life. A few times my dreams have revealed some future events or answers to prayers.
A Time of Prophesy, visions and Dreams
The Savior said, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams”.(Acts 2:1-2, 4, 14, 16-18 in the Bible). We are living in the last days before the second coming of the Savior so this scripture has application for us.
A Conscious Dream of the Future
In the 1970’s Merrill Batman tells of his conscious dream or vision of the future. “I had another dream. It was more mundane. I remember leaving my office and entering the secretarial area. Four secretaries were at work on IBM Selectric typewriters. The noise was deafening as the keys struck the paper. In my mind’s eye I saw the day when silent typewriters would replace the noisy ones. I dreamed of a typewriter that had a screen where the typist could see what was being typed, and the printer would be across the hall in a soundproof room driven by an electrical connection.” (Merrill J. Bateman remarks entitled “Light, Visions and Dreams” to the students of BYU September 18, 2000)
The Lord Can Answer Prayers in Nightly Dreams
Maria Uribe explains the circumstances of dream answering her prayer.
“When I was a young girl, I desperately wanted my brother, Juan Fernando, to run and play like other children. When I asked my mom why he couldn’t, she said he had suffered a severe brain injury at birth from lack of oxygen and would never be able to do those things. My brother spent his entire life in bed. Because I was raised in the Church, I understood and accepted his condition and knew the greatness of his spirit. Nevertheless, my young heart longed for him to be like others, even though I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to watch him walk or run or speak. I was worried about who would take care of him if the rest of the family died before he did. In heartfelt prayers I pleaded with Heavenly Father not to take us before He took Juan Fernando. I knew He would answer me.
My brother was 16 when he died on a cold winter afternoon, leaving a tremendous void in our family. A few days after he died, I fell asleep while thinking about him and had a beautiful dream.
“I was walking, but my vision was dimmed by clouds. I could see something in the distance, so I continued walking slowly toward it. As I drew closer, I saw that it was a wagon full of beautiful flowers. While staring at them, I noticed a handsome young man, dressed in white, standing by the wagon. I paused a moment, trying to recognize him, and then I realized it was my brother. I was so happy to see him. He spoke to me, and I wanted to hug and kiss him. Then I woke up.
“I was so grateful that I heard his voice and saw him looking whole. I can only imagine the moment when we will meet again. I’m sure there will be hugs and kisses and loving words—all thanks to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Because of the Savior we will all rise from the grave and can be reunited as families, never to be separated again.
I remember the words of Amulek: ‘The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame’ (Alma 11: 43 in the Book of Mormon) I know I will see my brother again someday.”
Personal Experience with a Dream Answering My Prayer
When I was a young missionary for our church, I meet a family that I grew to love. The family had problems and I did not know how to help them. I prayed earnestly for divine guidance. One night I had a dream that one of my church leaders I greatly respected came to me and asked what I was doing to help this family. I said I did not know what to do. He told me what to do and then I had a vision of the future decisions and events of the family. When I awoke I was so pleased and I did for the family what I was instructed to do.
Used some of the article by Maria Isabel Parra de Uribe printed in the July 2011 Ensign