Concerning Dreams and Visions

First, I have not seen any visions or dreams regarding the signs of the times or events that are coming up. So, I cannot adequately explain or even attempt to explain with any certainty what others have seen. 

I'm not even sure those who have the dreams and visions feel like they can accurately interpret the meaning of all that they see and hear. 

Personally, I think it would be great to have such experiences, but if I did, I would be much, much more cautious about what information I share. And I might not share much, if anything. Because I haven't had any of those dreams or visions, I can express my opinions of what they might mean. But they are my own thoughts, interpretations, and opinions. 

However, I do try to do reading, study, research, and a lot of thought about how things might relate, or fit into the every evolving puzzle. Often it feels like finding new pieces to the picture, or discovering a piece that I thought fit in one way is actually turned around or should go into another location. Kind of like how a little child might try to force a piece into the puzzle because it looks like it will fit, and it might actually, sort-of fit, and so I go with it until I discover it's in the wrong place.

I do know that sometimes when people are shown something they are often not given the exact meaning of what they are seeing. Sometimes it is symbolic, sometimes it's literal, sometimes it's both. And the person seeing the vision/dream may interpret what they see or hear through the filter of their own experience. And most recognize that the dreams/visions they receive are primarily for them and, possibly, for those under their stewardship.

I'm sure most of those who have seen visions/dreams expect them to come to pass sooner rather than later, unless they are specifically told it is of a far in the future event. And, many have probably had visions or dreams that did happen sooner, while other dreams/visions are still waiting to happen.

It is purely my interpretation of Hector Sosa's statement--regarding Obama being the last president--that Obama would be the last president to serve a full-term, and that is a more recent (last few months) interpretation based on additional information that I thought was relevant. I don't know what Hector saw or heard exactly to lead him to make the statement he did. I also know I could be wrong, Trump hasn't been sworn in yet. Obama could retain the presidency in some way.

Regarding the future, it is fluid. I really believe that there are few events set in an exact timeline. I believe the Second Coming is one of those events, and we cannot make it come sooner or later. But, all the events leading up to that time are dependent. I think that the sooner we become ready, and help others to be ready, then it will be better overall. I think there is no reason why we could not have had a Zion society for decades already, and well before the Second Coming, except we are (generally speaking) too prideful, selfish, worldly, and unwilling to keep all the commandments.

Repentance and prayers of the righteous can cause destruction to not come, to be delayed, or postponed. But, when the people become wicked again, and fail to repent, the prophesied destruction will come. Eventually the people will become so wicked that the righteous will need to leave or they will face the same destructive forces. The faithful who are listening and being led by the Spirit in their lives will be able to escape the worst. If a righteous person fails to follow the Spirit, does that make them suddenly wicked?  If the prophet gives counsel and the Spirit confirms it to you, but you don't follow the counsel you are then subject to whatever the consequences might be for failing to follow the counsel.

I've read or listened to the last couple interviews Julie Rowe gave. She did appear to give some specifics, particularly in the latest interview regarding this past week with Black Friday. Again, I don't know what all of her experiences have been, or why she may have interpreted or said some things in the ways she did.  

Personally, I take these interviews more as reminders. Are my preparations up-to-date? How are the groceries? Do the cars need gas? If an earthquake were to happen tomorrow, or the next day, are we ready?

It's too easy to become complacent, or think we have done everything we need to do to become prepared. So, when someone comes out with what appears to be specific dates of some catastrophic event, my personal alert-o-meter goes up a little, but I try not to tie myself to what that person has stated. We cannot place our faith in people. I really try to rely on the Spirit for guidance, and that is a struggle.

From some of the accounts that I've read, even those who have received visions/dreams have a hard time determining exact meanings, and often their interpretation is lacking.

While I am not placing the dreams and visions of people into the same category as the written scriptures, by the Lord's anointed prophets, consider the following. Very likely you have read some scripture and received some kind of understanding as to its meaning. Then, some time later--possibly even years later--you read the same scripture but get a new understanding to the meaning. Does it mean the first interpretation was wrong?

Julie, Hector, and many others have seen many of the same events in dreams or visions. Some of the many dreams/visions I have read are more symbolic, and many appear to be literal. And much of what is described concerning the catastrophic events of the last days match what are described in the scriptures.

One of the biggest problems we have is we want to put a time on every event, such as X will happen on Y date. We tend to prefer certainty, predictability, and knowing what will happen and when. 

But the Lord wants us to learn to have faith, to put our trust in him, and to submit ourselves to his will. How does knowing when and where a disastrous event will occur help us increase our faith and trust in God, or to submit to his will? Especially when such events can be postponed or delayed if the people repent and return to God.

Unless the messenger from God explicitly states the exact time, and makes sure it is clear what that time frame is, such as X will happen in 2 years of mortal time, then we really cannot place an exact time on the event. It is my understanding that time is measured very differently, or not considered at all, by spiritual beings. When they consider time, they tend to see it as measured in mortal existence compared to their perception. 

For eternal beings, a mortal time of 100 years is a very short time. A mortal time of less than several years would be considered imminent to someone who measures a day as being 1,000 years. A thousand year-day would make each hour (of a 24-hour day) equal to 41.7 years of mortal life, or every .7 years (a little more than 8 months) being about 1 minute of that 1,000 year-day. 

The word imminent does not mean something WILL happen immediately, although most people tend to think that is what it means. It means something is "likely to occur at any moment; impending....projecting or leaning forward; overhanging" (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/imminent). Basically it means the conditions are right that the event could happen without any additional warning. It doesn't mean there won't be an additional warning, just that it could happen.

So, if a spirit visitor informs you something is imminent, but doesn't specify what exactly that means, or whether it is according to heaven or earth's time, then we really don't know an exact time frame. All we know is that the conditions for the event to happen are ripe for that event to happen at any time, but that time could be immediately for us or in several years.

It is my opinion that if those receiving the visions and dreams allow their mortal experiences to flavor their spiritual experiences, then it would become very likely that the mortal sense of time will impose its meaning on anything that they hear or see that references a time.

An example of how we try to make sense of prophesied events is in the Book of Revelation. I've read that book a few times, but I don't remember ever finding any specific statement that states there will be seven years of tribulation. There are, however, several different events which have shorter time periods associated with them, with most of those time periods being about 3.5 years. But there are also some events with even shorter time frames.

From my understanding, the seven years of tribulation idea has come about from combining a couple of the 3.5 year periods, and from some of the visions of Daniel, where there would be a peace agreement for about 3.5 years and then it would be broken off.

However, nowhere does it specifically state there are only seven years of tribulation. I believe those specific events will have the time frames indicated, but those events could happen concurrently, overlap to some extent, consecutively, or even have a space of time between them. It is my belief that how and when these events transpire is dependent on various factors, including the righteousness and wickedness of the people.

If I'm wrong, I'd appreciate an official scriptural or modern day prophet statement that makes such a statement. The closest I've found are references to the "days" along with tribulation. Of course, a prophetic "day" is generally understood to refer to a year, but there is no specified number of "days of tribulation."

Returning to dreams and visions, I also believe that those who have these experiences try to interpret them based on their own experience. Maybe they see a child in the dream, and the child only looks a little older so the person then believes the dream/vision is in the near future. But, maybe the interpretation is more along the lines of when the child is older, but there is no definite time frame. 

If the person saw an adult in the dream/vision and was not told that the person they saw was their child, would the person experiencing the dream/vision know for certain it was their child? By seeing the child a little older the person can recognize their child, and see that the child is older but there isn't a definite time. The parent really doesn't have much context to work with in seeing their children as an adult because they are used to seeing the child as younger. I'm not saying this is always the case, just a possibility. 

The prophets in the scriptures were often shown things they could not understand, and many tried to interpret them using what they were familiar with. and understood. The Book of Revelation has lots of those examples. But, we really do not know what exactly the person saw, only what they are attempting to describe. Then we try to match their description with something we are familiar with and understand.

One example is the description of the locusts. Originally I had heard these as describing helicopters. But within the last couple years I think the description better matches some of the small drones that are being developed, particularly for military use.

So our understanding can evolve as we gain more experience.

The end point is, when someone shares their dreams or visions, consider  the general nature of the dream/vision. Specifics, such as dates, can be considered but don't bet on them. However, you should continually hedge your bets, meaning you should always be watching and ready. Use the dreams and visions of others as an aid to bring you closer to God, but not as a crutch. 

Don't rely on the person who is sharing the dream or vision, especially if they do not have any priesthood stewardship over you or your family. Don't put your faith in them, their dream/vision, or interpretation of the dream/vision as being the absolute truth. That person is as fallible as any other, and most likely any interpretation they may give of their experience will be subject to being filtered through their own experiences and understanding. However, give them the benefit of doubt that they are trying to share what they believe is true, especially if their motivation is really to help bring people to Christ. Take what they have shared and then seek for your own guidance through the Spirit.

I read some general authority state--I think it might have been either President Benson or President Kimball--something to the effect of, "Who is your friend? The one who tells you all is well, or the one who is warning you, and trying to help you become better prepared physically and spiritually." (This isn't the exact quote, but it's the general meaning of what was said).