A Vision of the Future

Orson F. Whitney prophesied that the gospel would be preached to the “high and mighty, even to kings and nobles” and that it would “penetrate and climb to places hitherto deemed inaccessible.” Nephi Anderson, in his novel Added Upon, seeks to illustrate the fulfillment of this prophecy.

            Henrik Bogstad is a rich and respected man. He lives in Norway—a country so far distant from the Utah-based Mormon community as to be considered “inaccessible.” Furthermore, he lives in a mountainous region. Missionaries would have to physically "climb" to reach the various houses and communities. Henrik decides to join the church after talking to the missionaries; despite the disapproval of his fiancé, close family members and the community. He is then characterized as diligently righteous in his sharing of the gospel and performance of family history work. Through this character development, Anderson not so subtly depicts the realization of Whitney’s declaration, down to the last detail. The description of Henrik’s conversion provides a hopeful type for the conversion of many great men and women to the truth of gospel.

            During the millennium, the King of Poland visits Zion. The King is guided around the glorious city and expresses his amazement at its advances and majesty many times. Throughout the tour, commentary between the King and the guide emphasizes the superiority of Zion to Poland. When it comes time to leave, the King is so impressed he wants to stay and live in Zion. Once again, a man with worldly power and honor is brought into the kingdom of God. The society of the saints, once despised and dismissed by the world, now leads and surpasses all other nations. 

         Anderson primarily uses the characters and setting to create a detailed vision of the future Orson F. Whitney described in his “Home Literature” sermon.