It is fashionable today to minimize the
accomplishments of Christopher Columbus and dethrone him as the hero
of the discovery of the Americas. All manner of evil is attributed
to him, and his critics dredge up all
The prophet Nephi was shown a vision of
Columbus' future voyages of discovery. He prophesied “I
looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from
the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit
of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth
upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in
the promised land (1 Ne. 13:12).”
This
being true, we can assume that Columbus, although a mortal with
faults common to man, was chosen and accepted of God. In fact, from
his record we read that he felt that he was inspired in his quest (1), and he may have even received a direct revelation from
the Lord. Many biographers ignore this incident, but in my opinion
it was more than a simple random dream, and was an answer to his
fervent prayers.
From
a letter that he penned to the sovereigns of Spain on July 7, 1503 he
tells of this incident, an incident that occurred as he was severely ill and
separated from the other members of his expedition.
"I
was outside [of the harbor] on so dangerous a coast [the coast of Panama], utterly alone,
in a high fever and in a state of great exhaustion. Hope of escape
was dead. I toiled up to the highest point of the ship, calling in a
trembling voice, with fast falling tears, to the war captains of your
highnesses, at every point of the compass, for succour, but never did
they answer me. Exhausted, I fell asleep, groaning."
"I
heard a very compassionate voice, saying: 'O fool and slow to
believe and to serve thy God, the God of all! What more did He for
Moses or for His servant David? Since thou wast born, ever has He had
thee in His most watchful care. When He saw thee of an age with which
He was content, He caused thy name to sound marvellously in the land.
The Indies, which are so rich a part of the world, He gave thee for
thine own; thou hast divided them as it pleased thee, and He enabled
thee to do this. Of the barriers of the Ocean sea, which were closed
with such mighty chains, He gave thee the keys; and thou wast obeyed
in many lands and among the Christians thou hast gained honourable
fame. What did He more for the people of Israel when He brought them
out of Egypt? Or for David, whom from a shepherd He made to be king
in Judea? Turn thyself to Him, and know now thine error; His mercy is
infinite; thine old age shall [not] prevent thee from achieving all
great things; He has many heritages very great. Abraham had passed a
hundred years when he begat Isaac, and was Sarah young? Thou criest
for help, doubting. Answer, who has afflicted thee so greatly and so
often, God or the world? The rewards and promises which He gives, He
does not bring to nothing, nor does He say, after He has received
service, that His intention was not such and that it is to be
differently regarded, nor does He inflict suffering in order to
display His power. His deeds agree with His words; all that He
promises, He performs with interest; is this the manner of men? I
have said that which thy Creator has done for thee and does for all
men. Now in part He shows thee the reward for the anguish and danger
which thou hast endured in the service of others.'”
"I
heard all this as if I were in a trance, but I had no answer to give
to words so true, but could only weep for my errors. He, whoever he
was, who spoke to me, ended saying: 'Fear not; have trust; all
these tribulations are written upon marble and are not without
cause (2, 3).'”
Such an answer would be a great blessing to any mortal, and any of us would be honored to be so acknowledged by the Lord. Perhaps
this is why, when all the noble deceased founders of the United States were
baptized in the Saint George temple, under the direction of President
Wilford Woodruff, Christopher Columbus was among the number. Not only that, but he was honored with the calling of a high
priest in the Lord's kingdom to assist in the Lord's work in the spirit world. As for me, I would be honored to have Columbus as an acquaintance and friend.
(1) "With a hand that could be felt, the Lord opened my mind to the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. . . . This was a fire that burned within me who can doubt that this fire was not merely mine, but also of the Holy Spirit." Columbus.
(1) "With a hand that could be felt, the Lord opened my mind to the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. . . . This was a fire that burned within me who can doubt that this fire was not merely mine, but also of the Holy Spirit." Columbus.
Original Source: The Voyages of Christopher Columbus, Being the Journals of his First and Third, and the Letters Concerning his First and Last Voyages, to Which is Added the Account of his Second Voyage Written by Andres Bernaldez. Now newly Translated and Edited, with an Introduction and Notes, by Cecil Jane. London: The Argonaut Press, 1930.
(3) Orson Hyde, an early apostle of the restoration, identifies this messenger as Moroni. In a patriotic disscourse in the original tabernacle on July 4, 1854 he called Moroni the “guardian angel of America.” He said, “That same angel of God that appeared to Joseph Smith presides over the destiny of the United States of America.” Elder Hyde said that he [Moroni] was in the camp with George Washington. He [Moroni] helped George Washington when he had trouble. He said that same angel was with Christopher Columbus and gave him deep impressions and dreams and visions respecting the new world. He said that same angel was with Columbus on the stormy deep. He guided his frail vessel to the desired haven, and he calmed the troubled elements. (The Angel Moroni by Elder Glen L. Rudd. Brigham Young University-Idaho Devotional, March 11, 2003 )
(3) Orson Hyde, an early apostle of the restoration, identifies this messenger as Moroni. In a patriotic disscourse in the original tabernacle on July 4, 1854 he called Moroni the “guardian angel of America.” He said, “That same angel of God that appeared to Joseph Smith presides over the destiny of the United States of America.” Elder Hyde said that he [Moroni] was in the camp with George Washington. He [Moroni] helped George Washington when he had trouble. He said that same angel was with Christopher Columbus and gave him deep impressions and dreams and visions respecting the new world. He said that same angel was with Columbus on the stormy deep. He guided his frail vessel to the desired haven, and he calmed the troubled elements. (The Angel Moroni by Elder Glen L. Rudd. Brigham Young University-Idaho Devotional, March 11, 2003 )