Doom!

Parowan man predicts end of world . . . again

By KELLEN JONES
UNIVERSITY JOURNAL

Some 20 years ago, as Leeland Freeborn flew home to Parowan from his Milford farm in his private airplane, fate took a turn for the worst.
Most people would think that getting in a plane crash, ending up in a coma for three weeks, then walking around with crutches for the rest of their life would be a negative experience.
In Freeborn’s case, he said he believes this experience wasn’t only life changing and positive, but prevalent to the world’s salvation.
Freeborn said that in his comatose state he passed through “the veil,” or into a life after death. He said he met God and his prophets, deceased family and friends, and learned many principles and a new perspective.
“When people get so near to death, they see a light or something,” Freeborn said. “Not me, though I don’t know why, but I passed all the way through.”
He said before he came back God gave him a blessing telling him of his new role and then he woke up. Since that day, Freeborn has told millions of people on many continents about his experiences, and has donned the name “The Parowan Prophet.”
Also, since his crash and coma, he said he has had multiple revelations. He said he has met and talked with God, and revealed the word of God and his prophets to everyone he possibly can.
He said he maintains a Web site and publishes a monthly flier to ultimately inform and educate populations on how to live and heed God’s warnings.
 Before his crash, Freeborn said he was a devout Latter-day Saint, holding leadership positions in both ward and stake congregations.
After the wreck, he said he believes in some of the doctrine that is taught and reads his scriptures every day.
He said he “keeps all of his covenants.”
Under his clothing, he said he still wears the same garments worn by Latter-day Saints.
Although Freeborn was excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints years ago, he said he is not bitter.
Freeborn said because of the laughter and persecution from the people he has told, Mormon or not, he believes these people just need to heed God’s warnings through him.
“I believe (Gordon B. Hinkley) is the president of the church, but not exactly a prophet of God,” Freeborn said. “(I believe) this because he has not prophesied anything that I am aware of.”
The two men have met face to face, he said, and Freeborn claims Hinkley is a “good man.”
Part of Freeborn’s beliefs and, as he said, through God’s orders, Freeborn practices polygamy.
He has many children and multiple wives. There are even a few children on the way at the age of 60.
Freeborn also said he insmore Mormon than anyone “because of the true meaning of Mormon.”
“I have had the opportunity, right here in Parowan, to meet with the prophets of old. Moses, Matthew, Peter, Paul, Joseph Smith and John Taylor,” Freeborn said.
Freeborn said persecution is natural when a different belief is introduced to an area.
“Can you imagine walking outside in the morning to discover 12 flat tires on your kid’s cars?” Freeborn said. “Can you imagine witnessing snow rushing through your front window because a rock has been thrown through it, or your children being beaten up on their way to school?”
“We’ve had cats and pets poisoned right here in our front yard.”
For these reasons, Freeborn said he has lived in Parowan alone since 1988, but said he has his family(s) near enough to keep in good contact.
He said six or seven of his older children have fallout shelters and both understand and heed his advice almost fully. But the younger ones are too young to make these decisions for themselves, Freeborn said.
Since he has lived alone, Freeborn said there have been no dramatic incidents related to his religious beliefs.
Revelation for Freeborn has no exact pattern, he said.
He said sometimes he may have a dream or vision, or revelation from God, to make prophecy on a certain subject three times a