[Elder Daniel Tyler, who now resides at Beaver, Beaver County, Utah, has furnished us with a number of items concerning the Prophet Joseph—not only incidents in his life, but some of his doctrines and interpretations of scripture, which are valuable to our young readers. Brother Tyler was born in Semproneous, Cayuga County, New York, November 23, 1816. He joined the Church in Springfield, Erie County, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1833.]
"At a conference in Nauvoo, Illinois, in the afternoon, while Sidney Rigdon was preaching one of his most powerful and eloquent sermons, the heavens began to gather blackness. He observed this and said to the Prophet, 'Is it going to rain?' He answered, 'Yes, and we had better dismiss the meeting, and let the people go home and not get wet.' The conference was held under a large tree. The speaker replied, 'I wish you to know I am not through, for I am as full of preach as my skin can hold,' and sat down.
"President Smith said to the audience. 'You had better hurry home as soon as the meeting is dismissed, or you will get wet. We are going to have a heavy rain.' The services were dismissed without singing, I think, when all started for their homes. Those who lived nearby reached their residences, while those from the suburbs had either to run into neighboring houses or take the pelting wind and rain.
"The writer, with several others, who resided in the eastern part of the city, while running at the top of their speed, reached an empty cabin just as the rain began to pour, where we remained fully a half hour, until the clouds moved away. The next day being fair, Elder Rigdon finished his discourse.
"On another occasion, when the Nauvoo Legion was on parade, the heavens began to blacken as if to rain. The people began to get uneasy, and some were preparing to leave. Joseph arose in his saddle and shouted, 'Attention, Legion! Don't break the ranks—it is not going to rain. If it rains enough to wet through your shirt sleeves, the Lord never spoke by my mouth!'
"It had already begun to sprinkle rain, but it ceased, the clouds passed away and drill continued as long as it was desirable. There are probably many living now who will remember these latter circumstances" ("Recollections of the Prophet Joseph Smith," The Juvenile Instructor, 27 [1892]).
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