The scriptures are replete with stories of how the Lord protects and guides the faithful who remember Him in humility and devotion. A friend of mine related to me several years ago a story about a brush with death he had experienced. As he was returning home from work one evening to rejoin his wife and family, he reached a stoplight at an intersection with a four-lane highway on the outskirts of Reno, Nevada. As the light turned green, there was no traffic in view from either direction, so he moved across the first two lanes to the center of the intersection. Suddenly, unexpectedly, he had the distinct impression that he was to stop immediately. “The Spirit told me to stop,” he said, “so I slammed on the brakes so hard I stalled the car just short of the next two lanes.” For an instant, he scanned the terrain and saw no other vehicle. Then, seconds later a whoosh of yellow exploded out of nowhere and streaked by at high speed only a few feet in front of him. Soon thereafter a police car loomed into view, skidded, careened to a near stop at the red light, and then barreled onward in pursuit of the other vehicle. As my friend gained his composure and slowly made his way along the highway, he felt the most overpowering sense of peace and gratitude. “Such an experience makes you know there is a God and makes you feel deep gratitude for His guidance.” He said a silent prayer of thanks. On the news that evening, a reporter recounted the outcomes of a high-speed chase involving a renegade youth in a yellow car who had run over and killed a pedestrian by speeding through an intersection in town. A policeman responded, and during the ninety–mile-an-hour chase on a four-lane highway heading away from town, the runaway driver narrowly avoided a collision with another vehicle at one of the intersections. The news reporter referred to my friend, who had narrowly escaped death.
The Lord counseled: “But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving” (D&C 46:7). (Richard J. Allen)
“The Lord Will Be Our Guide: Incidents on the Plains”
The following account illustrates the mercy of the Lord in guiding the Saints to a refuge of safety during the pioneer period of the Restoration:
It was a time that required faith to be exercised, for the affairs of the Saints were in a critical condition. We knew, however, that God had delivered us when we had relied upon Him, and we united with great zeal in imploring His blessing, that He might overrule everything in such a manner that we could return in safety to the society of our families and friends.
After leaving Winter Quarters we traveled on without interruption until we drew near to Fort Kearny. Our road was on the north side of the Platte, and Fort Kearney was on the south side. There were troops at the Fort and they were on the alert to prevent companies of men or any kind of aid passing over the road to help the “Mormons” in Utah; for they pretended to look upon our people as public enemies.
It was our custom at such times to hold a council, and take into consideration the best course to pursue. The Elders all came together and we prayed to the Lord, and asked Him to bestow upon us His Holy Spirit and to lead and guide us in our operations. When we unitedly decided in council upon pursuing a certain course we always felt that that was the mind and will of the Lord unto us.
It was decided at this council that we should avoid attracting the attention of the people of the Fort by passing it in the night.
Unfortunately, as it seemed at the time, it rained heavily that evening and we were only able to travel until a little past midnight. By that time ourselves and our animals were so thoroughly fatigued and the night was so dark that we were compelled to stop and tie up for the night.
Our reflections were not very pleasant, because we felt sure that when morning dawned upon us we would be in full sight of the fort, and undoubtedly would receive a visit from the officers and troops.
We awoke with the dawn of day, and instead of being able to see the fort, or its occupants being able to see us, we found our camp enveloped in a fog, the mist being so dense that it was with difficulty we could see each other. We traveled on in the fog until afternoon, by which time we were out of sight of the fort.
After leaving this point we had plenty of game, buffalo, antelope, etc., and we were able to obtain an abundance of fresh meat, which made this part of the journey exceedingly pleasant; for though in an Indian country, we had not the fear of the wild and savage red men that we had of those of our own color, who professed to be the loyal citizens of our government.
As we approached the junction of the North and South Platte, a herd of mules passed us. They were being driven in the direction of Fort Laramie and were traveling at a much faster gait than we were going. The men who were driving them saw us, and we fully expected they would carry the intelligence to the fort of our being close by. It was known that “Mormon” Elders were returning to the Valley, and the military were prepared to stop them, or to otherwise interfere with them.
When within half a day’s travel of Fort Laramie, another council was called to take into consideration the best course to pursue. We settled the matter by determining to rest on Sunday, rise early the following morning and pass the fort in daylight, as we felt satisfied the troops were informed of our approach by the men who had just passed us.
Monday was a beautiful day; we traveled on without interruption until we came in sight of the fort, which was about one o’clock, when one of the severest hailstorms any of us had ever seen broke upon us. The hail fell so rapidly that our animals could scarcely travel on account of their feet balling up with it. Our train had been seen from the fort and parties had started to meet us; but when the storm broke upon them, they were compelled to retreat to their quarters. The storm was too severe for them to remain out in it.
I learned afterwards that when the storm ceased a company of men had been sent from Fort Laramie to overtake us. They followed us as far as the North Platte bridge, and not being able to reach us at this point, they deemed it best to return again to the fort. We were not aware of this at the time; but having traveled leisurely from Kearny to Laramie, our animals were in much better condition than when we started; and fearing that the people at Laramie might make some attempt to stop us, we made forced drives until we reached Independence Rock on the Sweetwater. Thus the Lord again delivered us from the hands of our enemies in a most providential manner; for had it not been for this hailstorm it is altogether likely we would have been stopped. (B. F. Johnson, “Incidents on the Plains,” in Fragments of Experience [Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1882], 92)