THE TESTIMONY OF MIRACLES--THE EVIDENCE OF FULFILLED PROMISES.
It has been already remarked that Christian writers have attached
too much importance to miracles as evidences of the divine authority
of those who worked them; for the reason that in some instances the
prophets of God have worked no miracles; in other instances impostors
have worked miracles, and it is predicted for the future that the
spirits of devils will have power to work miracles to deceive men.
I have also pointed out the fact that miracles are not, properly
speaking, events which take place in violation of the laws of nature,
but that they take place through the operation of higher laws of nature
not yet understood by man; hence the occurrences which are called
miracles are only so in appearance, and we may confidently expect the
day to come when they will cease to appear as miraculous.
I say that Christian writers have attached too much importance to
the testimony based on what are called miracles; and yet I would not
be understood as ignoring the importance which may attach to them as
collateral evidence. When the miracles follow the claimants to divine
authority in fulfillment of their promises, the testimony becomes very
important indeed; for the reason that if certain miraculous gifts or
powers are promised by the claimants of divine authority and then they
do _not_ follow--then, granting of course that their disciples comply
with the conditions upon which the promises are based, the failure in
the fulfillment of their promises would prove them impostors. More
especially would miracles under these circumstances be strong proof of
divine authority if the promises were of a nature beyond the power of
man to fulfill, or of Lucifer to imitate. For example: Peter on the day
of Pentecost, in the boldest manner conceivable, told the people on
condition of their repentance and baptism that they should receive the
Holy Ghost.
That, I take it, was a promise that could not be fulfilled by the
agency of man; and still more revolting to reason would it be to
suppose that the spirit of devils could influence the fulfillment of
such a promise. It would be insulting to the dignity of God--blasphemy
of the first degree--to say that agencies of Lucifer could confer
the Holy Ghost. However great the powers which God in his wisdom has
permitted Lucifer to retain, to confer the Holy Ghost, or in any manner
to operate through or by it, is not one of them. If this promise made
by Peter, then, is fulfilled, the people to whom he made it would have
most positive proof that he held divine authority. Or, on the other
hand, if this or any other promise of heavenly gifts or powers, though
of a subordinate nature to the great promise of the Holy Ghost, should
fail of fullfilment--provided always that the conditions were complied
with--it would be all that was necessary to prove that the one making
it was an impostor.
It is in the light of these reflections that I propose to submit the
evidence of miracles to the divinity of Joseph Smith's mission. That
is, making their chief weight as evidence consist in the fact that
they are possessed and enjoyed by his followers in fulfillment of his
promises to them.
John the Baptist, when he conferred the Aaronic Priesthood upon Joseph
Smith and Oliver Cowdery, told them that this Priesthood did not hold
the power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost; but that
such power would be given to them later. Subsequently they received the
higher or Melchisedek Priesthood under the hands of Peter, James and
John, which gave them the authority promised by the Baptist--the power
to lay on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
In September, 1832, on the occasion of a number of Elders coming into
Kirtland from their missions in the Eastern States, six of them met
together, and Joseph Smith received a revelation directing their future
labors, in the course of which the following commandment and promise
were given to them: "Go ye into all the world, and whatsoever place ye
cannot go into ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into
all the world unto every creature. And as I said unto mine apostles,
even so I say unto you, for you are mine apostles, even God's high
priests; ye are they whom my Father hath given me--ye are my friends;
therefore, as I said unto mine apostles I say unto you again, that
every soul who believeth on your words, and is baptized by water for
the remission of sins, _shall receive the Holy Ghost._" [1]
I thought proper to call attention to the fact that Joseph Smith
claimed to have received power through ordination by heavenly
messengers to confer the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands; and
then that afterwards in this revelation a promise of the reception of
the Holy Ghost is made to all those who will believe the testimony of
the servants of God in the new dispensation and be baptized for the
remission of their sins. Accordingly Joseph Smith and the Elders of the
Church have made this promise to all the inhabitants of the earth, and
upon as many as have complied with the conditions prescribed, they have
laid their hands and said--"Receive ye the Holy Ghost." If this promise
that they shall receive the Holy Ghost fails, then the men making the
promise stand convicted as impostors. If it is fulfilled, since, as
already remarked, neither man nor the agencies of Lucifer can fulfill
such a promise--God only--then it stands as very positive evidence
that Joseph Smith through whom the promise is made was divinely
authorized, and that he conferred divine authority upon others. If
he was authorized to impart the Holy Ghost by an ordinance of the
gospel, it follows also that he was divinely authorized to preach a new
dispensation of the gospel, and re-establish the Church of Christ on
earth. The only question that remains to be considered is, do those who
comply with the conditions receive the fulfillment of the promise?
For over sixty years the gospel has been preached among nearly all the
nations of the earth, during which time hundreds of thousands have
received the message, and they have testified that to them the word
of promise made to the ear has not been broken to the hope--but they
have realized its fulfillment. Not always, and indeed not frequently,
in the earth-quake, or the whirlwind, have they seen the evidence of
having received the Holy Ghost; but in the whisperings of the still,
small voice of the Comforter, which fills the soul with assurance;
which enlarges while it quickens the intellect; makes broader while
it sanctifies the affections; shows things to come, or testifies that
Jesus is the Christ; through adversity or affliction is a voice in the
ear saying, when those who have it would turn to the right hand or to
the left, this is the way, walk ye in it; or which, though it brings
together men and women from all nations and tribes of the earth, with
all their diverse customs and peculiarities, yet makes them one people;
blends all their desires in the accomplishment of a common purpose,
and enables them to dwell together in perfect peace and unity. Such is
the manner of its operations--and in such operations the saints have
evidence of its existence among them; and the whole Church of Christ
is ready and does testify to the world that the Holy Ghost is given in
fulfillment of the promise made through Joseph Smith.
Following the promise of the Holy Ghost, in the revelation quoted,
is this array of promises: "And these signs shall follow them that
believe. In my name they shall do many wonderful works; in my name [2]
they shall cast out devils; in my name they shall heal the sick; in
my name they shall open the eyes of the blind, and unstop the ears of
the deaf; and the tongue of the dumb shall speak; and if any man shall
administer poison unto them, it shall not hurt them; and the poison
of a serpent shall not have power to harm them. _But a commandment I
give unto them, that they shall not boast themselves of these things,
neither speak them before the world; for these things are given unto
you for your profit and for salvation_." [3]
The last part of the passage I have written in Italics that it might
be the clearer understood that this promise of the miraculous gifts
enumerated was not made that servants of God in the new dispensation
might have evidence of what are commonly looked upon as miracles to
point to in attestation of their divine authority; but are blessings
given to the saints for their profit and salvation. For the very
reasons that they were not given as evidence of divine authority,
but as a promise of blessing to the saints, they will become all
the stronger proof of divine authority in the ministry of the new
dispensation, provided it can be proven that they follow those who
believe. And I want to say, also, that because of the commandment
that the servants of God shall not boast of these powers before the
world is the very reason that so little has been said of them as proof
of the divine mission of our New Witness; and even now I make their
chief weight as evidence consist in the fact that their enjoyment is
the fulfillment of a promise made by the God of heaven through Joseph
Smith, which if it had not been fulfilled would prove him beyond all
question an impostor. But I affirm that these promises are fulfilled in
the experience of those who believe in, and accept the new dispensation
and offer the following testimony in evidence:--
In the month of April, 1830, Joseph Smith was visiting at the house
of a Mr. Joseph Knight, at Colesville, Broome County, New York. This
gentleman had rendered the prophet some timely assistance while
translating the Book of Mormon, and he was anxious that Mr. Knight and
his family should receive the truth. While in Mr. Knight's neighborhood
the prophet held a number of meetings. Among those who attended
regularly was Newel Knight, son of Joseph Knight. He and the prophet
had many serious conversations on the subject of man's salvation. In
the meetings held the people prayed much, and in one of the aforesaid
conversations with the prophet, Newel Knight promised that he would
pray publicly. When the time came, however, his heart failed him, and
he refused, saying that he would wait until he got into the woods by
himself. The next morning when he attempted to pray in the woods, he
was over-whelmed with a sense of having neglected his duty the evening
before, in not praying in the presence of others. He began to feel
uneasy and continued to grow worse both in body and mind, until upon
reaching home his appearance was such as to alarm his wife. He sent
for the prophet, who, when he came found Newel in a sad condition and
suffering greatly. His visage and limbs were distorted and twisted in
every shape imaginable. At last he was caught up off the floor and
tossed about most fearfully. The neighbors hearing of his condition
came running in. After he had suffered for a time the prophet succeeded
in getting him by the hand, when Newel immediately spoke to him, saying
he knew he was possessed of the devil, and that the prophet had power
to cast him out. "If you know I can, it shall be, done," replied the
prophet; and then almost unconsciously he rebuked Satan and commanded
him to depart from the man. Immediately Newel's contortions stopped,
and he spoke out and said he saw the devil leave him and vanish from
sight.
"This was the first miracle which was done in this church, or by any
member of it," writes the prophet; "and it was done not by man, nor by
the power of man, but it was done by God and by the power of Godliness;
therefore let the honor and praise, the dominion and the glory, be
ascribed to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen."
The following account of a miraculous healing is to be found in Hayden'
History of the Disciples (Campbellites); and is the statement of
witnesses hostile to the prophet and the work in which he was engaged:
"Ezra Booth, of Mantua, a Methodist preacher of much more than ordinary
culture, and with strong natural abilities, in company with his
wife, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, and some other citizens of this place,
visited Smith at his house in Kirtland, in 1831. Mrs. Johnson had been
afflicted for some time with a lame arm, and was not at the time of
the visit able to lift her hand to her head. The party visited Smith,
partly out of curiosity, and partly to see for themselves what there
might be in the new doctrine. During the interview the conversation
turned upon the subject of supernatural gifts; such as were conferred
in the days of the apostles. Some one said: 'Here is Mrs. Johnson
with a lame arm; has God given any power to men on the earth to cure
her?' A few moments later, when the conversation had turned in another
direction, Smith rose, and walking across the room, taking Mrs. Johnson
by the hand, said in the most solemn and impressive manner: '_Woman, in
the name of Jesus Christ, I command thee to be whole;_ and immediately
left the room. The company were awestricken at the infinite presumption
of the man, and the calm assurance with which he spoke. The sudden
mental and moral shock--I know not how better to explain the well
attested fact--electrified the rheumatic arm--Mrs. Johnson at once
lifted it with ease, and on her return home the next day she was able
to do her washing without difficulty or pain.'" [4]
When the saints first settled at Commerce, afterwards called Nauvoo, it
was a very unhealthy locality. Malaria was prevalent and other people
who had tried to make a settlement there had failed. The exposure to
which the saints had been subjected in their expulsion from Missouri,
made them easy victims to the malaria. By the middle of July, 1839,
the greater part of them were stricken down of the fever, and in the
most helpless condition. From the 21st of July to the 23rd, inclusive,
there were remarkable manifestations of the power of God in the church
through the administrations of the Prophet Joseph to the sick. His own
account of the matter in his journal is extremely brief, it stands thus:
"Sunday, 21st. There was no meeting on account of much rain and much
sickness; however, many of the sick were this day raised by the power
of God, through the instrumentality of the Elders of Israel ministering
unto them in the name of Jesus Christ."
"Monday and Tuesday, 22nd, 23rd. The sick were administered unto with
great success, but many remain sick, and new cases are occurring
daily." [5]
Another hand, however, has recorded the manifestation of God's power
on that memorable 22nd of July, 1839, that of Wilford Woodruff, now
President of the church, and I quote his account of it.
"In consequence of the persecutions of the saints in Missouri, and
the exposures to which they were subjected, many of them were taken
sick soon after their arrival at Commerce, afterwards called Nauvoo;
and as there were but a small number of dwellings for them to occupy,
Joseph had filled his house and tent with them, and through constantly
attending to their wants, he soon fell sick himself. After being
confined to his house several days, and while meditating upon his
situation, he had a great desire to attend to the duties of his office.
On the morning of the 22nd of July, 1839, he arose from his bed and
commenced to administer to the sick in his own house and door-yard, and
he commanded them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to arise and be
made whole; and the sick were healed upon every side of him.
"Many lay sick along the bank of the river; Joseph walked along up to
the lower stone house, occupied by Sidney Rigdon, and he healed all the
sick that lay in his path. Among the number was Henry G. Sherwood, who
was nigh unto death. Joseph stood in the door of his tent and commanded
him in the name of Jesus Christ to arise and come out of his tent, and
he obeyed him and was healed. Brother Benjamin Brown and his family
also lay sick, the former appearing to be in a dying condition. Joseph
healed them in the name of the Lord. After healing all that lay sick
upon the bank of the river as far as the stone house, he called upon
Elder Kimball and some others to accompany him across the river to
visit the sick at Montrose. Many of the saints were living at the old
military barracks. Among the number were several of the Twelve. On his
arrival, the first house he visited was that occupied by Elder Brigham
Young, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve, who lay sick. Joseph
healed him, then he arose and accompanied the prophet on his visit to
others who were in the same condition. They visited Elder W. Woodruff,
also Elders Orson Pratt and John Taylor, all of whom were living in
Montrose. They also accompanied him.
"The next place they visited was the home of Elijah Fordham, who was
supposed to be about breathing his last. When the company entered the
room, the prophet of God walked up to the dying man and took hold of
his right hand and spoke to him; but Brother Fordham was unable to
speak, his eyes were set in his head like glass, and he seemed entirely
unconscious of all around him. Joseph held his hand and looked into
his eyes in silence for a length of time. A change in the countenance
of Brother Fordham was soon perceptible to all present. His sight
returned, and upon Joseph asking him if he knew him, he, in a low
whisper, answered 'Yes'. Joseph asked him if he had faith to be healed.
He answered, 'I fear it is too late; if you had come sooner I think
I could have been heald.' The prophet said, 'Do you believe in Jesus
Christ?' He answered in a feeble voice, 'I do.' Joseph then stood
erect, still holding his hand in silence several moments; then he spoke
in a very loud voice, saying, 'Brother Fordham, I command you in the
name of Jesus Christ, to arise from this bed and be made whole.' His
voice was like the voice of God, and not of man. It seemed as though
the house shook to its very foundations. Brother Fordham arose from his
bed, and was immediately made whole. His feet were bound in poultices
which he kicked off; then putting on his clothes he ate a bowl of bread
and milk and followed the prophet into the street.
"The company next visited Brother Joseph Bates Noble, who lay very
sick. He also was healed by the prophet. By this time the wicked became
alarmed and followed the company into Brother Noble's house. After
Brother Noble was healed, all kneeled down to pray. Brother Fordham was
mouth, and while praying, he fell to the floor. The prophet arose, and
on looking around he saw quite a number of unbelievers in the house,
whom he ordered out. When the room was cleared of the wicked, Brother
Fordham came to and finished his prayer.
"After healing the sick in Montrose, all the company followed Joseph to
the bank of the river, where he was going to take the boat to return
home. While waiting for the boat a man from the West, who had seen that
the sick and dying were healed, asked Joseph if he would not go to his
house and heal two of his children, who were very sick. They were twins
and were three months old. Joseph told the man he could not go, but he
would send some one to heal them. He told Elder Woodruff to go with the
man and heal his children. At the same time he took from his pocket a
silk bandanna handkerchief, and gave to Brother Woodruff, telling him
to wipe the faces of the children with it, and they should be healed;
and remarked at the same time: 'As long as you keep that handkerchief
it shall remain a league between you and me.' Elder Woodruff did as
he was commanded, and the children were healed, and he keeps the
handkerchief to this day.
"There were many sick whom Joseph could not visit, so he counseled the
Twelve to go and visit and heal them, and many were healed under their
hands. On the day following that upon which the above-described events
took place, Joseph sent Elders George A. and Don Carlos Smith up the
river to heal the sick. They went up as far as Ebenezer Robinson's
one or two miles--and did as they were commanded, and the sick were
healed." [6]
The manifestation of God's power was by no means confined to the
personal ministry of Joseph Smith, nor to the land of America. God
honored the ministrations of those who received authority through his
prophet, and poured out his blessings on those who received the message
in distant lands, as will be seen by the testimony I now introduce.
The following is an Editorial in _The Merlin,_ a non-Mormon paper,
published in Merthyr Tydvil, Wales, under the caption of an
"_Extraordinary Occurrence_."
"During the night of Friday week (Sept. 22nd, 1848) between the hours
of eleven and twelve, a very extraordinary occurrence took place in
Newport. A young man named Reuben Brinkworth was, in 1840 (?) at
Bermuda, on board the _Terror,_ Commodore Franklin, in the Arctic
expedition, when, in the midst of a storm of thunder and lightning,
he was suddenly deprived of both hearing and speech, and in that
deplorable condition returned to Stroud, in England, of which place
he was a native. He has since been residing with Mr. Naish, basket
maker, Market Street, Newport, who, with several other persons, is
attached to the community of people known as 'Mormons.' Persons of
this denomination have been able to communicate their doctrines to
Brinkworth, by means of writing, signs, and the finger alphabet. His
sad condition they allege, excited their sympathy for his spiritual as
well as temporal welfare; and their doctrines made very considerable
impression upon him--perhaps, more especially, because their creed was
that God did perform miracles in these days as he did in the days of
old, and a miracle might be wrought in his favor. On Friday night week,
the young man was seized with a kind of fit, in which he continued some
time; and on his recovery he was called upon, by sight, [7] to believe
in the Savior, that the healing power of God might be exercised in his
behalf. He was moreover earnestly entreated to be baptized; but this
was very strongly opposed by a person in the room. The deaf and dumb
man, however, signified his acquiescence. He was taken to the canal and
baptized in the name of our Savior; and immediately on coming up out of
the water, he cried out, "Thank the Lord, I can speak and hear again
as well as any of you!" He now speaks fluently and hears distinctly;
which miraculous circumstance is attributed to the power of Providence
by the friends of the young man; who called at our office with him, and
gave us the details. We have heard from another source that this happy
change in the young man's condition is supposed to have been produced
by the action upon him of the electric fluid during the thunder storm
of the Friday night. We shall not take upon ourselves to decide this
matter."
Subsequently Mr. Reuben Brinkworth himself made a statement of the
miraculous event, and it was published in the _Millennial Star,_ from
which I quote it.
"On the 2nd of July, 1839, I entered on board the _Terror,_ Commodore
Sir J. Franklin being then about to set out on a voyage of discovery
for a northwest passage to India. Upon returning to England we landed
at Bermuda on the 16th of July, 1843, and in the afternoon of the same
day a terrible thunder storm occurred, in which I was suddenly deprived
of my hearing and speech. At the same time five of my comrades, viz.,
John Ennis, William Collins, John Rogers, Richard King, and William
Simms were summoned into eternity. I remained insensible fifteen
days--perfectly unconscious of all that was passing around me; but upon
the return of reason, came the dreadful conviction that I was deprived
of two of my faculties. I well remember the period, and shall ever
continue to do so--language cannot describe the awful sensations that
pervaded my mind when I became fully sensible of the reality of my
condition.
"I will here remark, that the subject of religion had never troubled my
mind; nor did the calamity I was called to suffer awaken any feeling
akin to it; nevertheless I felt a certain feeling of gratitude that
I had not met with the same fate as my more unfortunate companions;
yet I must, to my shame, confess that it was not directed to the
Great Disposer of all events, who could have taken my life as those
of my companions, had he willed it. But it was not his design. I was
spared, and am now a living witness of his loving kindness to the most
abandoned sinners, if they will turn and seek his face.
"At that time I was about nineteen years old. After remaining at
Bermuda about three weeks, we again set sail for England, and reached
Chatham on the 14th of December. I remained there only fourteen days,
after which I went to London, and, by the kind assistance of some
gentlemen, entered the deaf and dumb school in Old Kent Road, where I
remained for ten weeks, but not liking the confinement, and being from
home, I became dissatisfied and unhappy, and resolved to leave it, and
accordingly did so. I then went to George Lock's, Oxford Arms, Silver
Street, Reading, with whom I lived eighteen months, supporting myself
the whole of that period upon the wages I earned on board the _Terror._
I afterwards went to Rugby not to remain there, but on the way to my
mother at Stroud, Gloucestershire.
"I will here relate a circumstance of cruelty of which I was made the
sufferer; being thirsty, I stepped into a public house to get something
to drink; there were gentlemen in the parlor, who, seeing that I was
dumb, motioned me to them, and put many questions in writing, which I
answered in the same manner. While I was thus being questioned, one
of the men went out and brought in a policeman, who hauled me away to
the lock-up in which place I was kept all that night, the next day,
and following night, and on the morning of the second day I was taken
before a magistrate who ordered me to be taken to a doctor, where I
underwent an operation, namely having my tongue cut in two places;
he became satisfied that I was both deaf and dumb, and then I was
discharged. From the treatment I had received I was determined to go to
another of the magistrates of that town, to whom I related by writing
what had happened. He said very little to me, more than that he would
write to London respecting it, and I have since heard from a gentleman,
that the magistrate who examined me, has been removed from his office.
I then continued my journey to Stroud, which I reached without any
other inconvenience, and remained there two days. I then went to
Newport, Monmouthshire, and occupied my time in teaching the deaf and
dumb alphabet for about three years, at the end of which I became
acquainted with the Latter-day Saints. At that time I was lodging
at a public house, kept by James Durbin, sign of the "Golden Lion,"
Pentonville. One of the customers of this house became acquainted with
me and prevailed upon me to go and live with him and his brother, who
was a member of the Latter-day Saints' Church. There I first became
acquainted with the doctrines taught by this people, by reading and by
means of the finger alphabet. I continued to investigate them for about
three months, when I felt convinced of the truth of those doctrines
which have since become so beneficial to my temporal and eternal
welfare. On the 22nd of September I had been, by means of the deaf and
dumb alphabet, conversing freely with some of the Saints, and had fully
determined to be baptized that evening; therefore I expressed my desire
to receive the ordinance of baptism, and was taken to the canal early
on the morning of the 23rd, and baptized in the name of the Father, Son
and Holy Ghost; and upon my head emerging from the water, I heard the
voices of persons upon the towing path, and this was the first sound
I had heard since my deprivation upon the island of Bermuda, in 1843.
With my hearing came also my speech, and the first words that I uttered
were, 'Thank the Lord, I can speak and hear again as well as any of
you.' I scarcely need state my own surprise at the moment, but such it
was, and it appears marvelous in my own eyes, not that God is possessed
of such power, but that he should manifest it in my behalf. I have much
cause to praise him and glorify his holy name, for in obedience to his
divine commands, I not only received the remission of my sins, which I
esteem above all earthly blessings, but also the removal of my deafness
and dumbness; and now I can hear as distinctly and speak as fluently as
I ever did, although I have been deprived of both these faculties for
upwards of five years, not being able to hear the loudest noise, nor to
use my tongue in speech.
"There is a mistake in the _Merlin_ of the date of my landing at
Bermuda, it should have been 1843, instead of 1840. The same error
appeared also in the _Millennial Star,_ No. 22, Vol. X, which was
caused by extracting the account from that paper.
"The following individuals are witnesses to my baptism:
"HENRY NAISH,
"JOHN ROBERTS,
"JOHN WALDEN. Members of the Church.
"JANE DUNBIN,
"THOMAS JONES,
"JACOB NAISH. Non-Members." [8]
I quote the following cases from one of the publications of the
church--the _Millennial Star_--from which alone could be selected
enough of such incidents to fill a large volume. These letters were
addressed to Elder Orson Pratt, one of the Twelve Apostles of the New
Dispensation, who in 1848-50 was Editor of the _Star_ and President of
the European Mission:
THE BLIND HEALED.
BERRIEN, MONTGOMERYSHIRE, NORTH WALES,
May 23, 1849.
I feel it my bounden duty to make the following narrative known to
the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ, to show that the
manifestation of the power of God attends this church, in the last
days, as it did the church of the early Apostles, viz:--My daughter
Sophia Matilda, aged eight years, was in the month of May, 1848,
afflicted in her eyes; she soon lost the sight of her left eye, and
on applying to medical aid, instead of the sight being restored she
immediately lost the other, the surgeon stating that the pupils were
closed, and feared she could never be restored to her sight. I was
advised to try an eminent surgeon in Shrewsbury, in the county of
Salop, where in June, 1848, I sent her and her mother, as she was
now quite blind, and the poor little creature's sufferings were
indescribable, though the Lord enabled her to be patient in her
afflictions; she remained in Shrewsbury a fortnight but found no
benefit, and as the last resource to human aid, I was advised to
send her to an eminent oculist in Liverpool (Dr. Neile) under whose
treatment she was relieved, and a gradual improvement took place, to
our great joy, until the Autumn of the same year. I corresponded with
Dr. Neile, who desired me to continue the treatment he had prescribed,
but it was all to no purpose, for she relapsed into the same state as
before, and was in total darkness the whole of the winter, suffering
acutely, and by February of the present year, 1849, she had wasted to
a mere skeleton, when my brother-in-law paid me a visit previous to
his embarkation to California, and told me that if I would have faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ, and call for the Elders of the church, he
believed she would be healed. I also soon was enabled to believe and
obeyed the command of St. James. The church put up their prayers for
us, and I found, thanks to the Giver of all good, some improvement ere
the ordinance was performed. On the following Sabbath, Elder Dudley and
Richards, from Pool Quay, came to my house, performed the ordinance
upon my child, the pain soon left her, and she was soon by the power of
God and the prayers of the faithful restored to sight and health and,
thanks be to Almighty God, she is still in the enjoyment of these great
blessings; trusting you will rejoice in the Lord with me for his great
mercies manifested to me, I remain, etc. etc.,
HENRY PUGH. [9]
* * * *
Some years ago, the author speaking in Farmington, the county seat of
Davis County, Utah, had occasion to refer to this instance of healing,
and at the conclusion of his remarks a gentleman of the name of James
Loynd arose and said he was well acquainted with the circumstance, as
the person healed was a relative of his, and said the incident above
related was true in every particular. Happening to remember this when
making his selection of cases of healing that have occurred in the
church, I wrote this gentleman and here give my letter to him and his
reply:
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. Dec. 31, 1894.
_James Loynd, Esq.,_ Farmington, Utah.
DEAR BROTHER:--A number of years ago, when delivering a public
discourse in your village, I had occasion to refer to some of the
testimonies to remarkable cases of healing in the church that were
collected and published in the _Millennial Star_ by Elder Orson Pratt.
My recollection is that after I had read one of the many cases
published by Elder Pratt, you arose in the body of the house and
testified that the person healed--I think restored to sight--was a
relative of yours, perhaps your wife.
If the circumstance still lives in your memory I wish you would confirm
my statement of the case, as I am about to go to press with a book
where your confirmation of my recollection will be of service to me.
I trust you will pardon me for thus intruding upon you, but believing
you have an interest in the great cause of truth I make bold to trouble
you.
Very truly, your brother,
B. H. ROBERTS.
* * * *
FARMINGTON, UTAH., Dec. 16th, 1894.
_Elder B. H. Roberts,_ Salt Lake City.
DEAR BROTHER:--I very distinctly remember the circumstance of you
speaking some years ago in Farmington, and my confirming one of
the cases of healing read by you on that occasion. It was the case
of Sophia Matilda Pugh, who is now my wife, Sophia M. Loynd. The
circumstance of her receiving her sight, is accurately stated by
her father in a letter to the _Star_ (Vol XI). It is now forty-six
years ago since the miracle was performed. Sophia M. Loynd, who was
then healed in so remarkable a manner, is still alive and joins me
in signing this letter to you. She is fifty-four years old, in good
health, and a living witness to the miraculous power that is in the
church of Christ. She says that this case of healing is what brought
her parents into the church. They immigrated to Utah, where they died
in the faith. I have written this in the presence of my wife, have read
the same to her and she now joins me in saying that you may make such
use of it as you choose.
Very truly yours,
(signed) JAMES LOYND,
SOPHIA M. LOYND.
* * * *
HEALING OF ONE BORN BLIND.
BRISTOL, November 25, 1849.
DEAR PRESIDENT PRATT:--As you were so kind as to publish the letter
I sent, dated July 9, 1849, containing an account of the miraculous
power of God, displayed in the healing of Elizabeth Ann Bounsell,
which made quite a stir amongst the pious Christians of this city, I
now venture to write to you again, and say that the above circumstance
caused many to call at the house to see if it were true. And upon
seeing, many rejoiced, others mocked, saying, "She would have got well
if the Elders had not laid their hands upon her." Among the latter,
was one _would-be_ great man, by the name of Charles Smith (who has
written a flimsy attack against the Saints,) who said it was not enough
to satisfy him. So the mother took another of her daughters, and put
her upon his knee, and said, "Sir, is that child blind?" After he had
examined the eyes he said "She is." "Well," said the mother, "she was
born blind: and now she is four years old; and I am going to take her
to the Elders of our church for them to anoint her eyes with oil and
lay their hands upon her; and you can call again when you have time and
see her with her eyes opened; for I know the Lord will heal her and she
will see." "Well," said he, "if she ever does see it will be a great
proof." Accordingly the mother brought the child to the Elders and
Elder John Hackwell anointed her eyes, and laid hands upon her, only
once, and the Lord heard his prayer, so that the child can now see with
both of her eyes, as well as any other person. For which we all feel
thankful to our Heavenly Father, and are willing to bear testimony of
it to all the world.
Yours in the kingdom of God,
GEORGE HALLIDAY.
P. S.--We, the father and mother of the child, do here sign our names
to the above, as being true.
WILLIAM BOUNSELL.
ELIZABETH BOUNSELL. [10]
No. 12, Broad Street, Bristol.
* * * *
BONES SET THROUGH FAITH.
RUMFORD, May 1st, 1849.
DEAR BROTHER GIBSON:--At your request, I now sit down to give you
a short account of the goodness and power of God, made manifest
in my behalf. About two years ago, while working at my trade of
coach-builder, while assisting in removing a railway carriage, I
dislocated my thigh, and was conveyed home, and my parents not being
in the church, and no Elders in the town, (viz. Sterling) medical
skill was called in, but from the swelling it could not be set. I was
again examined by a Doctor Jeffrey, and one Taylor of Glasgow, who
said that a kind of jeal had gathered in the hip joint, and before it
could be set this must be removed by cupping; so I was cupped with
twenty-four lances but it did no good and I lingered in great pain for
three weeks when it was proposed that I should again be cupped; but I
was determined that it should not be; and hearing from you that Elder
Samuel W. Richards, from America was coming to Sterling, I told my
friends that when he came they would see the power of God, and I should
be healed. Accordingly, when he came, he anointed me in the name of the
Lord, and the bone went into its place, and I got up in the morning and
went to my work, to the astonishment of doctors and friends. I am now
a traveling Elder, and have a great deal of walking, but experience no
inconvenience from it. I can get a dozen witnesses to attest to the
truth of this cure both in and out of the church.
I remain your brother,
JAMES S. LOW.
* * * *
NANTYGWNITH, GEORGETOWN, MERTHYR TYDFIL,
September 14, 1850.
DEAR PRESIDENT PRATT:--I enclose a testimony of a miraculous case of
healing which has taken place a few days ago in Abercanaid; I saw the
brother in his affliction and the accompanying testimony he bore at
my house more than two miles distant from his. I send it to you with
permission to do with it as you think proper.
WM. PHILLIPS.
* * * *
THE TESTIMONY OF DAVID RICHARDS.
MERTHYR TYDFIL. September 10, 1850.
On Friday, August 23rd, 1850, at about eleven o'clock while I was
working among the coal, a stone fell upon me, about 200 pounds weight.
I was carried home, and the doctor who was present said he could do
nothing for me, and told those around me to wrap me up in a sheet that
I might die. There was a lump on my back as big as a child's head.
The doctor afterwards told one of my relatives, about six o'clock in
the evening, that I could not recover. Elder Phillips called to see
me, attended to the ordinance of the church for the sick, and while
commanding the bones in the name of Jesus, they came together, making a
noise like the crushing of an old basket; my strength returned, and now
I am able to go some miles to bear my testimony to this great miracle.
The doctor who called to see me was astonished, and said in the hearing
of witnesses that my backbone was broken; but that it now was whole,
and that I was now recovering as well as any man he ever saw. Many of
our greatest enemies confessed that I was healed by the power of God,
and while coming here today, many who heard of my accident were struck
with the greatest amazement. But I thank my Heavenly Father for his
kindness towards me, hoping I shall live to serve him more faithfully
henceforth than ever.
Witnesses,
D. RICHARDS.
MORGAN MILLS,
THOMAS REES,
JOHN THOMAS,
HENRY EVANS. [11]
* * * *
LEPROSY HEALED.
No. 9 GUARDIAN STREET, SPRINGFIELD LANE,
SALFORD, May 19, 1849.
Last winter, a young woman addressed me in the Carpenter's Hall, the
daughter of a fustian cutter, named Lee, residing in Cook Street,
Salford, and said her parents were desirous that I should go and see
her brother, who was very bad with a leprosy. I went in company with
one or two of my brethren. I think I never saw anything so bad as the
boy was (the small pox excepted); the whole lower part of his face and
under his chin, as well as the back of his hands and wrists, were one
entire mass of scabs; indeed, you could not have inserted a needle
point, they were so thick. He was eight and a half years of age, and
had been afflicted since he was six months old; they had him at the
Manchester Infirmary and the Salford Dispensary, and are at this time
paying the surgeon's bill who attended him as a private patient. The
surgeon told his parents he could do nothing for him, as the disease
was too virulent for medicine to reach it. His parents told me they did
not know what it was to get a regular night's rest with him, and it
frequently took three hours to wash him. The first night we went they
were not disturbed during the night, and in three weeks he was entirely
free, and his flesh was renewed like that of a young child.
JOHN WATTS.
* * * *
To all whom it may concern. This is to certify, that I was seized
with a disease like the leprosy, in the year 1837, and tried all that
I could to get a cure, but I could not, and all the doctors that I
applied to could do me no good; and it continued with me over all my
body till the month of September, 1843, when I went and was baptized
into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by William
McFarland, Elder of the church, on the first of September, 1843, and on
that same night the leprosy left me.
JENET RIDD.
Witnesses,
WILLIAM McFARLAND,
JAMES CRYSTAL,
ALEXANDER RIDD. [12]
* * * *
The instances of what are usually called miraculous cases of healing in
the church are by no means confined to the past, they take place today
and are of frequent occurrence. By permission of Elder Heber J. Grant,
one of the Twelve Apostles, I give herewith a letter of his written
to his cousin, Mrs. Julia MacDonald, living in St. George, Utah, that
relates a case of quite recent date.
TOOELE CITY, April 28th, 1894.
MY DEAR COUSIN JULIA:--I am half inclined to the opinion that you
will be thinking that I have entirely forgotten the promise which I
made you, some time ago, to write about the case of healing, that
came under my observation in connection with my brother Hyrum. I have
not forgotten the promise, but I have been pretty busy with my usual
duties, and the conference matters which needed attention before and
since April 6th.
* * I will, to the best of my ability, now redeem my promise about
giving an account of the young lady healed by the Lord. Some years
ago, as nearly as I can now recall it is about seven or eight years,
my brother Hyrum was living in Salt Lake City, he had charge of the
business of Grant Brothers' Livery Co. The employees of the Z. C. M.
I. shoe factory arranged with our company to carry them to Calder's
Farm to spend the day. Just before dark it looked quite like a storm,
or commenced storming, I do not now recall which. My brother, who
had driven one of the large drags down to Calder's, called the party
together, and told them he felt that it was the proper thing to start
for the city before it was dark, for fear of an accident on State Road.
The people declined to start for the city, and Hyrum then and there
warned them that he was not to be responsible for any accident that
might happen.
Coming from Calder's in the rain and dark, the drag driven by my
brother was turned over, and one young lady had some bones broken, and
in addition being so badly exposed, she took cold and the result was
pneumonia. She got very low and the doctors had a consultation and
decided it was an impossibility for her to recover. Hyrum felt very
bad indeed when he learned her condition and that the doctors had said
that the young lady could not live more than two days, and that they
did not think she would live more than twenty-four hours. He came to
see me and said that he had had a testimony that in case he and I would
go and administer to the young lady she would get well. I was pleased
to go with him, but when I got to the house where she lived I looked
at her and felt that she was dying, and told my brother that I did
not think there was any use of blessing her, but he turned and said,
"Did I not tell you that I had had a testimony that if we would bless
her that she would get well?" I felt ashamed of my refusal to bless
the girl, and we then administered to her, and, while I had my hands
on her head, I got a testimony that she would recover. I met Brother
Wm. H. Rowe, [manager of the shoe factory] soon after I left the young
lady's home, and he was feeling very badly, and told me that she was
going to die. I then assured him that he need have no fears, as I had
been blessed of the Lord with a testimony that she would recover, and I
then explained to him what my brother had told me, and of our visit to
the home of the sick sister. The next morning the doctor in attendance
upon her called at the livery stables and told my brother that there
was a wonderful change in the girl's condition, and that he could not
possibly account for the improvement, and that he now had hopes of her
recovery. My brother informed the doctor that he had no difficulty in
accounting for the change, and he then told him of our visit. He, the
doctor, did not have any faith that our visit had anything to do with
the improvement in the sister's condition, notwithstanding the fact
that he had admitted that he could not account for her improvement.
The girl recovered, and the last I heard of her she was still working
in the Z. C. M. I. Shoe Factory. I have a faint recollection that I
was told that she was married, but of this I would not be sure. I have
never seen her since I called with Hyrum at her house, and I do not
know whether or not her family ever knew that she was given up to die
by the doctors. I think the sister's name was Maria DeGray, but in
case you wish to use her name I will make sure that this is correct.
With love and best wishes to each and all of the folks, not forgetting
yourself, I remain,
Your affectionate cousin,
HEBER J. GRANT.
The following account of a case of healing is taken from the _Juvenile
Instructor,_ one of the leading periodicals of the church, the pages of
which are replete with such accounts of healing by the power of God as
is here presented:
HEALED OF BLINDNESS.
As near as I can remember, it was in the month of June, 1879, that I
was engaged in building a rock cellar for Vernee Halliday, in Provo
City. About noon, after finishing the walls as high as I could from
the inside, before drawing my lines off to go outside, I looked along
the wall to see if every rock was in keeping with the line, when I
saw a small corner of a rock a little out of place. With my hammer I
tapped it very lightly to bring it to its proper position, keeping my
eye along the line to see when it came to its place. While doing this
I felt as if something had touched my eye, but nothing to cause me any
uneasiness. At the time I did not think more of the affair.
I worked all the afternoon and the next forenoon, but felt my eye
beginning to get very hot, and water came therefrom. In the afternoon
my eye became worse, and was inflamed to such an extent that I could
not see; my head also became so affected that about four o'clock I
was obliged to cease work and go home. Arriving there my wife, seeing
my eye in such an inflamed condition, got me into a dark room, and
from that time till very early the next morning she used about two
packets of tea in making strong lotions to bathe my eye to keep down
the inflammation. At four o'clock in the morning I got a handkerchief
on my eye, and went away to arouse Dr. W. R. Pike. When I arrived at
his house he was attending a man from Payson. This done, he asked me
what he could do for me. I told him of the inflammation of my eye and
the pain in my head, and said I wanted him to examine it and see what
was the matter with it, or to tell the cause of my suffering. After
examining my eye he said there was one-third of the lens of my eye
entirely destroyed. The center of the lens was gone and only a little
on each edge remained. He said it had been struck with something
rough like a rock, and that I would never see again with that eye. He
described the transparency of the eye, and assured me that it could not
by nature be restored. He said it was likely to take away the use of
my other eye at any time, and that a white opaque substance would grow
over my eye so that I could never see any more.
After leaving his office, I met on the street a Mr. Harrison, who had
formerly lived in Salt Lake City. He told me of Dr. Pratt, who had
just returned to Salt Lake from the East, where she had been studying
the eye, and had done a great deal of good. I therefore went the same
day to see her, but had then to be led by my wife. When we arrived in
Salt Lake it was too late for her to do anything with my eye that day,
and she told us to come back the following morning at ten o'clock. We
did so, and after hearing my story she examined my injured member by
the aid of many glasses, and told me the same as Dr. W. R. Pike had
done. She allowed my wife to look through the glass at my eye, and she
described its appearance as that of a wound from which a dog had bitten
a piece. Dr. Pratt then took me by my front hair, and pushing my head
back, was about to take my eye out. I inquired what she was about to
do, and she answered me that she was going to take it out and put in a
glass one.
My wife seized her arm, and I scrambled out of the chair saying, "No
you don't, or you will shoot me first."
I then asked if she could give me a lotion to check the pain. She
took a small vial and put one drop of its contents in my eye, which
immediately took away all pain. She then gave me a prescription, which
I had filled, and then went home.
Just as both doctors had said, the opaque matter gradually grew on
my eye for three or four weeks, at the end of which time I could not
distinguish my own wife standing so that her dress touched my clothes,
unless she spoke. Up to this time I had not been able to work, and I
was getting dissatisfied.
About that time the quarterly conference took place in Provo. On the
Sunday morning I found my way to conference, still with the napkin
on my eye. There were present of the general authorities, Presidents
George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith and Apostle John Henry Smith.
During the morning meeting I made up my mind to have them administer to
me for my sight, and at the close of the services I went to the vestry
where they were attending to this ordinance for many who were there
before me. When I entered Brothers Joseph F. and John Henry Smith came
and shook hands with me, enquiring what was the matter, and what I
wanted them to do. They introduced me to Brother George Q. Cannon, whom
I had never before known. I knew the Brothers Smith in the old country.
I was told to take a seat, and when they had attended to the rest they
would administer to me, and that I would get my sight. After they got
through with the others they came to me. I cannot now call to mind who
anointed, or who confirmed it, but this I do know that from that very
hour the white, opaque matter that had gradually grown over my eye as
gradually began to disappear, until my eyesight was completely restored
and has remained to this date as perfect as it ever has been. To this
fact myself and family, and others yet living in Provo can testify.
While suffering with this affliction I reasoned that as God made the
eye He also knew how to repair and restore a damaged one, and I testify
to all to whom this may come that He did restore sight to the blind one.
ROBERT McKINLEY. [13]
Let me assure the reader that these cases of healing the sick, opening
the eyes of the blind, unstopping the ears of the deaf, etc., are
but as a handful of earth to a mountain. It would require volumes
to contain the testimonies of the Saints to the fulfillment of the
promises of the Lord made through the great modern prophet; but what
is set down in this chapter will doubtless be sufficient to prove the
fulfillment of his promises. The church has taken little or no pains to
publish accounts of "miracles." But the fact that more than sixty years
after these promises of the gifts of healing, etc., were made to the
church, the chief reliance of the Saints in times of sickness is upon
the anointing with oil and the laying on of hands by the Elders--and
this throughout all the branches of the church--it must be evident even
to the most skeptical that the promises of Jesus Christ through Joseph
Smith have been realized, or else long ago the faith of the firmest
would have failed them.
Footnotes
1. Doc. and Cov. Sec. lxxxiv: 62-64.
2. i.e. in the name of Jesus Christ.
3. Doc. and Cov. Sec. lxxxiv: 65-73.
4. Hayden's History of the Disciples, pp. 250-I.
5. Hist. Joseph Smith, Mill. Star, vol. xvii, p. 355.
6. The same event is spoken of at some length in Parley P. Pratt's
Autobiography, p. 325.
7. Mill. Star vol xi: p. 301-2
8. Mill. Star vol. xi: p. 188-9.
9. Mill. Star, vol. xi, p. 337.
10. Mill. Star, vol. xi, p. 202-3.
11. Mill. Star. vol. xi, p. 187.
12. Mill. Star, vol. xii, p. 312.
13. _Juvenile Instructor,_ vol. 29, p. 434.