1 Ne. 1:16; 2:1-2; 3:2; 10:2; 15:21; Gen. 15, 20, 28, 31, 37, 40, 41; Judges 7; 1 Kings 3; Dan. 2; Matt. 1, 2, 27; Conference Report, Apr. 1974, pp. 173-174; Mormon Doctine, McConkie, p. 208; Ensign, Mar. 1993, p. 64; BYU Studies, v. 23, No. 3, pp. 52-53; Articles of Faith, Talmage, p. 229
“Oh, I’m not here to tell you that every dream you have is a direct revelation from the Lord—it may be fried liver and onions that may have been responsible for an upset nervous disorder. But I fear that in this age of sophistication there are those of us who are prone to rule out all dreams as of no purpose, and of no moment… . Let me read you what Parley P. Pratt said about this matter. ‘In all ages and dispensations God has revealed many important instructions and warnings to men by means of dreams. When the outward organs of thought and perception are released from their activity, the nerves unstrung, the whole of mortal humanity lies hushed in quiet slumbers in order to renew its strength and vigor, it is then that the spiritual organs are at liberty in a certain degree to assume their wanted functions… . Their kindred spirits, their guardian angels, then hover about them with the fondest affection, the most anxious solicitude. Spirit communes with spirit, thought meets thought, soul blends with soul, in all the raptures of mutual pure and eternal love. In this situation the spiritual organs … our spirit body has eyes to see, ears to hear, tongue to speak, and so on … the spiritual organs are susceptible of converse with Deity, or of communion with angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect. In this situation we frequently hold communion with our departed father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter, or with the former husband or wife of our bosom whose affections for us, being rooted and grounded in the eternal elements, issuing from under the sanctuary of love’s eternal fountain, can never be lessened or diminished by death, distance of space, or length of years.’ When we begin to understand that, beyond sight, as Brigham Young said, is the spirit world right here round about us. If our spiritual eyes could be open, we could see others visiting with us, directing us. And if we will learn not to be so sophisticated that we rule out that possibility of impressions from those who are beyond sight, then we too may have a dream that may direct us as a revelation.” (Harold B. Lee, BYU Devotional, Oct. 15, 1952)
“I believe in dreams… . The Lord has given me dreams which to me are just as real and as much from God as was the dream of … Lehi who through a dream led his colony out of the old country across the mighty deep to this promised land… . I had a dream which I am sure was from the Lord. In this dream I was in the presence of my Savior as he stood in mid-air. He spoke no word to me, but my love for him was such that I have not words to explain. I know that no mortal man can love the Lord as I experienced that love for the Savior unless God reveals it to him. I would have remained in his presence, but there was a power drawing me away from him. As a result of that dream, I had this feeling that no matter what might be required of my hands, what the gospel might entail unto me, I would do what I should be asked to do even to the laying down of my life.” (George F. Richards, Conference Report, Apr. 1974, pp. 173-174)
“I did have a dream one time. To me it was a literal thing; it was a reality. I was very much oppressed, once, on a mission. I was almost naked and entirely friendless… . While in that condition I dreamed that I was on a journey, and I was impressed that I ought to hurry—hurry with all my might, for fear I might be too late… . Finally I came to a wonderful mansion… . As I passed towards it, as fast as I could, I saw a notice, ‘Bath.’ I turned aside quickly and went into the bath and washed myself clean. I opened up this little bundle that I had, and there was a pair of white, clean garments, a thing I had not seen for a long time… . I put them on. Then I rushed to what appeared to be a great opening, or door. I knocked and the door opened, and the man who stood there was the Prophet Joseph Smith. He looked at me a little reprovingly, and the first words he said: ‘Joseph, you are late.’ Yet I took confidence and said: ‘Yes, but I am clean—I am clean!’ He clasped my hand and drew me in, then closed the great door. I felt his hand just as tangible as I ever felt the hand of man… . I was determined to test whether this was a dream or a reality… . So I purposely thrust myself up against the Prophet. I felt the warmth of his stomach. He smiled at me, as if he comprehended my purpose… . When I awoke that morning I was a man, although only a boy [of fifteen years old]. There was not anything in the world that I feared. I could meet any man or woman or child and look them in the face, feeling in my soul that I was a man every whit… . I felt the hand of Joseph Smith. I felt the warmth of his stomach, when I put my hand against him. I saw the smile upon his face. I did my duty as he required me to do it, and when I woke up I felt as if I had been lifted out of a slum, out of a despair… .” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, pp. 541-543)