Dreaming of Gethsemane

When I was in seminary I remember a teacher reading a quote to us. It was about a dream that Orson F. Whitney had about the Savior. I remember it had a huge impact on me. From time to time that dream will cross my mind. It did today. I had to share it with you. As I read it I can almost feel the same desperate desire to be with the Lord. Sometimes a thought, story or quote can be just enough to remind us of our goals and aspirations in this life. They can be just what we need for the little course corrections we need from time to time. This one certainly serves that purpose! Especially when we remember that it all truly is up to us!

                                                                     Painting by: Del Parson

"One night I dreamed that I was in the Garden of Gethsemane, a witness of the Savior's agony. I stood behind a tree in the foreground, Jesus, with Peter, James and John, came through a little wicket gate at my right. Leaving the three apostles there, after telling them to kneel and pray, He passed over to the other side, where He also knelt and prayed. 'Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.'

As He prayed tears streamed down His face, which was turned toward me. I was so moved at the sight that I wept also, out of pure sympathy with His great sorrow. My whole heart went out to Him. I loved Him with all my soul and longed to be with Him as I longed for nothing else. 

Presently He arose and walked to where those apostles were kneeling -- fast asleep! He shook them gently, awoke them, and in a tone of tender reproach, and untinctured by the least show of anger or scolding, asked them if they could not watch with Him one hour. 

Returning to His place, He prayed and then went back and found them again sleeping. Again He awoke them, admonished them, and returned and prayed as before. Three times this happened, until I was perfectly familiar with His appearance -- face, form and movements. He was of noble stature and majestic mien, the very God that He was and is, yet as meek and lowly as a little child. 

All at once circumstances began to change. Instead of before, it was after the Crucifixion, and the Savior, with those three apostles, now stood together in a group at my left. They were about to depart and ascend into Heaven. I could endure it no longer. I ran from behind the tree, fell at His feet, clasped Him around the knees, and begged Him to take me with Him. 

I shall never forget the kind and gentle manner in which He stooped and raised me up and embraced me. It was so vivid, so real that I felt the very warmth of His bosom against which I rested. Then He said, 'No, my son; these have finished their work, and they may go with me; but you must stay and finish yours.' Still I clung to Him. Gazing up into His face--for He was taller than I--I besought Him most earnestly. 'Well, promise me that I will come to You at the last.'  He smiled sweetly and tenderly and replied, 'That will depend entirely upon yourself.'" I awoke with a sob in my throat, and it was morning."

Before you go, have a listen to this! This sweet song is the perfect way to sum this up!