The Mysterious Letter
 
January 11, 2004
 
I am a young man. I am simple and do not know the proper way to address you. But I have been commanded of God to stand upon the wall as Samuel and to tell you of a dream I had. For this reason I have chosen to send you letters describing this dream. I do this in humility and trust in God.

I beheld this valley before it became Short Creek - before it became Colorado City. I saw a stream that had cut its way into this sandy valley and I saw children playing on the banks of this sandy creek. And while they were children, I recognized them as the town fathers I have come to trust and love. I beheld the children of John Y. Barlow. And a voice that filled my soul and my heart spoke to me in the dream and it said, "Behold, these children are pure in blood and hold the birthright to this sacred valley. They were chosen by God to carve out of the very wilderness you see a community where the people can raise themselves up unto God's glorious work."

And, I beheld this happen. I watched as our beloved prophet, Leroy S. Johnson, clung to John Y Barlow's words. I watched as Leroy S Johnson became the steward of these lands administering the just laws of God to this people. I watched him govern over the children of John Y Barlow in a just and fair manner. And I saw how this place we live in was carved out of the wilderness by the will of God through these men. And I beheld that within their hearts they knew of their birthright and their duty to act as protectorates of this sacred place. And I saw that in all things they acted to this end, that by their sweat, their tears, and their very blood they stood true to their birthright.

I witnessed the Fifty-three Raid. I watched in tearful reverence as Dan Barlow run himself near to death to warn of the police he saw coming. I saw the tears upon the cheeks of the mother's of this community who lamented for their husbands and feared for their children. I saw the life blood of this place in secret and strange places praying, pleading, and begging unto God that he might restore them to there sacred homes, to their sacred priesthood husbands. I beheld the sons of John Y Barlow through these difficult times become true priesthood men, true defenders of god's work. I beheld, in particular, Dan Barlow apply himself to the building up of this kingdom unto God. And I saw that he was given great wisdom to understand the workings of government and man and that he did use his understanding to bring peace to this community, that he cultivated many important relationships of respect with the world.

I witnessed a great speaker raised up under Leroy S Johnson and I witnessed this speaker fill the hearts of his children and this people with unbridled love and devotion to God. I stood in awe ready to stand the tide forever having been so moved by his words for he stood as Aaron stood to Moses. And I beheld that this man knew the prophet better then any man of his time. I beheld that he received special knowledge through the mouth of God and that many things he was told he held near and dear to his heart and that he has yet to reveal some of these things. And I beheld that this man carried the true birthright of John Y Barlow; I beheld that it was Truman Barlow and that he was a just and true man worthy of his calling.

I watched as many men with their wives and children become disillusioned and left the care of our beloved prophet Leroy S Johnson. And I saw that in this time of sorrow the sons of John Y Barlow did hedge up the rift that formed in our prophet's heart having lost so many dear friends and that through the strength and love of the sons of John Y Barlow he was able to continue on down the road together with the faithful, the pure, the meek, and the mild.

I witnessed a great patriarch, Joseph I Barlow, raised up unto God’s work under the direction of Leroy S Johnson. And I did witness this patriarch apply himself with a fervor to the defense of God’s work and God’s sacred lands and to the institution of the UEP. And I saw that some were fearful of his fervor and did resent him.

I watched as the sons of John Y Barlow place the mortal frame of their prophet into the ground and unto God. And I beheld that in this time the sons of John Y Barlow did receive a new steward, Rulon Jeffs, to administer the laws of God unto them. And I saw that he was a just and fair prophet and administrator. And I beheld the mortal frame of this prophet also placed into the sacred earth.

And darkness crept into my dream and a great fog did form. I witnessed as many of the labors of our forefathers went unrecognized and unappreciated. And I did see the world's respect begin to whither for the people's work. I beheld a harsh time in which forgiveness was abandoned. And I beheld too many families destroyed for petty reasons. I beheld children torn from their fathers and mothers torn from their husbands. I beheld the people of God crying in the darkness for God to deliver them. Fear filled my heart and I too prayed for deliverance.

And in the darkness a light began to form and rays of light penetrated everywhere and bathed my heart in joy. I beheld the prophet John Y Barlow before me and he did speak unto me and told me many things that did feel my heart with cheer, things that I cannot share. For this reason I shall not reveal my identity. The prophet then instructed me to look and I beheld a great meeting of men and I beheld the prophet Rulon Jeffs in glowing glory before me and I beheld the mantle of the prophet pass onto the pure blood of John Y Barlow. And I beheld the eldest of the sons of John Y. Barlow, Louis Barlow, did receive the mantle and that his being was filled with wisdom and words of God. I beheld John Y Barlow command unto his son to step up to his calling and to forsake his birthright no more, that his time of remaining quiet has passed, that he was chosen before the world was created to do an important work and that the time for his calling had come. I then watched as he addressed each of his sons telling them in turn to defend their birthright and that God had marvelous plans for his people should they stay true, should they stay pure in heart, meek; and mild.

I beheld John Y Barlow address our beloved bishop, Fred M Jessop who had been away from the view of his people. And I saw that our bishop had become weak and feeble and that age had crept upon him. And I saw that through vices of man he was stripped of the right to share the love of God with his people and I beheld that he wept. And my heart ached and I wept not alone for I saw the pure and the meek and the mild weeping with me. I witnessed the great prophet, John Y Barlow, thank him for the lifetime of love's labor that he put into building this community. And I saw the bishop, true and honorable in his methods, give this compliment to God. And I wept for I felt in my heart that he might pass from us too soon.

I woke and marveled at this dream and the Spiriit of God did burn in my bosom and I resolved to do as I had been instructed. I wish also to express my love and devotion to the prophet as shown to me by God and to commit myself to God through his wisdom.
 
Originally written January 11, 2004
 
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