SIGNS THAT FOLLOW BELIEVERS.
Besides the miraculous aid and protection frequently afforded them
in their labors, the missionaries abroad often have occasion to note
remarkable manifestations of the Lord's power and goodness towards
others.
The signs that Christ promised should follow believers are as much in
evidence in these days as in former dispensations. The Latter-day Saint
Elders witness these signs from time to time among those who accept
their testimony and believe the Gospel. Often they are called upon to
administer the ordinance of anointing and laying on of hands upon the
sick and afflicted. As the result of such administrations they see some
wonderful manifestations of the power of God. A few such instances of
recent occurrence I shall here relate:
Some three years ago two Elders who were laboring in Warwick, England,
made the acquaintance of a lady who was so ill that she had been
confined to her bed for two years, and suffered great pain. They taught
her the Gospel, and told her that the miraculous signs which the Savior
said should follow the believers might be realized in her case if she
would exercise faith. She read the books they loaned her and believed
their words, and a day was appointed for them to come and administer to
her. They came upon the day appointed and the ordinance was attended
to. While their hands were upon her head, she afterwards testified, all
pain left her; and immediately after the conclusion of the ceremony she
was enabled to get up and walk. She retired to an adjoining room and
partook of refreshments. She was entirely healed from that time, and
was able to work and earn her own livelihood.
Elder Ephraim H. Nye, who at the time, June, 1899, was president of the
California Mission, gave the following account of a remarkable case of
healing which came under his observation:
"T. M. Shaw, of San Francisco was baptized a year ago last May. He was
a painter and was employed as such at the Mare Island Navy Yards, but
roomed at Vallejo.
"About ten days ago while at his work he suddenly fell to the ground
and was unable to rise. The post doctor was called and upon examination
found that he was stricken with paralysis; the whole right side being
affected. He was carried out and taken to his room in an ambulance. The
doctor proposed to give him some medicine but he positively refused to
take it, declaring that he would be all right as soon as he could send
for the Elders and have them come and lay hands on him. The doctor,
however, told him that he would never walk or have the use of his arm
or leg again, and in that condition he lay till the fourth day. In the
meantime his wife, Mrs. Shaw, wrote for me to come, but as I was away
the letter lay unopened, till she, becoming impatient, came to see why
we did not respond. On arriving here and making known the situation,
two of the Elders, F. B. Platt, president of the conference, and J. M.
Hess, went to Vallejo, arriving there about noon, and found Brother
Shaw in a pitiable condition. His right foot and leg, up to his knee,
were apparently as dead as though they were a part of a corpse; they
were cold and clammy, and so with the right hand and arm. He could not
move a finger or toe on that side. The Elders proceeded to administer
to him in the Lord's appointed way, anointing him with oil and laying
their hands upon him. After the prayer he at once began to open and
shut his hand, then raised it to his head. Mrs. Shaw as she saw him
do that, gave vent to an exclamation of surprise and delight. Elder
Hess asked him if he could now move his leg, at which he began to move
about; and calling for his clothes, dressed and walked about the house
and within an hour walked out and up quite a hill upon which the house
stands.
"During the morning before the Elders came, a kind-hearted neighbor
came in and while ministering to his comfort, pityingly remarked that
he would never walk again. He at once told her that if the Elders came
on that noon train, he would call at her house and see her during the
evening. She said, 'Never; it is impossible, you will never have the
use of that foot or hand again. 'Nevertheless, after climbing the hill
and returning, he declared his intention of visiting the lady. So,
accompanied by his wife, he walked to her house and knocked at the
door. The lady opened it, and on seeing him threw up her hands and
screamed with fright, while he, holding out the hand which had been
so cold and lifeless, but was now perfectly natural, offered to shake
hands with her and said, 'I told you I would come, and her I am;'
and seeing that he was there and his wife with him, the lady had to
acknowledge that a wonderful miracle had been performed."
Elder D. T. Edwards, a missionary who was laboring in Pennsylvania in
the early part of the year 1897, relates this instance of miraculous
healing:
"One little boy six years old had been sick with pains in his side
almost continually since his birth. His parents were told by the
doctors that he could live but a little longer, and he was also given
up by his parents. On being asked to administer to him, we performed
the holy ordinance. The pain left him, and he got up from bed soon
after. This was done nearly four months ago, and the longest he was out
of bed before, since his birth, has been five weeks. He is now well and
hearty, and looks better than he has done in his life before."
Many such occurrences as those mentioned above, and some even more
remarkable, might be related. Of course such cases of healing are not
witnessed only by missionaries abroad, they are of frequent occurrence,
among the Saints here at home. But to the missionaries who at times
meet with discouragements, they are a source of comfort and joy, as are
all the exhibitions of the Lord's goodness which they experience.