Captain James Willie, Facing the Storm

To listen on Youtube click here:
https://youtu.be/y37L9AF2FR4

To listen on Spotify click here:

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/krystine-stephenson/episodes/James-Willie-Prayer--Willie-Handcart-Company-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints-e32ji3l
James Willie, the Captain of the infamous Willie Handcart Company was charged with bringing a group of Saints across the plains with handcarts. James Willie was a spiritual leader first and foremost, and was very capable and responsible leader. Even with the talented James Willie as the head of the company there was problem after problem for the members the the Willie handcart company. Brother Willie did his very best, inspired and led this group of Saints to Utah. The role of James Willie was a heart-wrenching role but his reliance on the Lord kept him going through these extreme challenges.

Many of the Pioneers shared miracles that were witnessed while crossing the plains, and this experience was recorded about the faith of Captain James Willie.

"The wind. . . kept blowing harder until it became fierce. Clouds arose [and] the thunder and lightning were appalling. Even the ox teams ahead refused to face the storm. Our captain. . . stepped into the middle of the road, bared head to the storm, and every man, as he came up, stood by him with bared head-one hundred carts, their pullers and pushers, looking to their captain for counsel. The captain said "Let us pray." And there was offered such a prayer! He told the Lord our circumstances. He talked to God, as one man talks to another, and as if the Lord was very near. I felt that he was; and many others felt the same. Then the storm parted to the right and to the left! We hurried on to camp, got our tents pitched, and some fires built, when the storm burst in all its fury!"

Joseph Worthlin said:

"Every person here today lived at one time in heavenly realms. We walked with our Heavenly Father. We knew Him. We heard His voice. We loved Him.

And although we were eager to enter mortality and continue our progression, we must have regretted the separation that would accompany it. We must have sorrowed that a veil would cover our eyes and the bright memories of our lives would be cloaked in the forgetfulness of mortality. How we must have yearned to stay close to our Father in Heaven. How we must have covenanted to ever reach after Him and commune with Him.

Undoubtedly our separation from our Heavenly Father was softened when He promised that as we sought after Him in prayer, He would reach toward us.

As we approach our Heavenly Father in the name of Christ, we open the windows of heaven. We can receive from Him truth, light, and knowledge.

Prayer is the doorway through which we commence our discipleship to things heavenly and eternal. We will never be alone so long as we know how to pray.

I leave you my witness that our Heavenly Father lives and answers prayers. Jesus is the Christ. The Prophet Joseph Smith restored the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. This church today is led by a prophet of God, President Gordon B. Hinckley. I am not alone in proclaiming these truths. Through the power of prayer, millions of people throughout the world add their voice to the growing chorus. God speaks to man today! He directs His church.

It is my earnest desire that members of the Church will reexamine their own lives through the context of prayer. That we may ever lift up our voices to our Heavenly Father and fill our souls with celestial light is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

References:

"Follow Me to Zion" (page 9) by Andrew D. Olsen and Jolene S. Allphin, Art by Julie Rogers

"Improving Our Prayers" by Joseph B. Wirthlin January 21, 2003