Writing
about a miraculous healing performed by Joseph Smith, we read the following
from a non-LDS witness and source:
. . . it can not be denied that Joseph Smith
was a man of remarkable power--over others. Added to the stupendous claim of
supernatural power, conferred by the direct gift of God, be exercised an almost
magnetic power--an irresistible fascination--over those with whom he came in
contact. 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. John, and some other citizens of this place, visited Smith at his home 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 on 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 now on the earth to
cure her?" A few moments later, when the conversation had turned in
another direction, Smith arose, and walking across the room, taking the Mrs.
Johnson by the hand, said in the most solemn and impressive manner:
"Woman, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command thee to be
whole," and immediately left the room.
The company were awe-stricken of 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 up with ease, and on her
return home the next day she was able to do her washing without difficulty or
pain. (Amos Sutton Hayden, Early History of The
Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio; with Biographical Sketches of the
Principal Agents in their Religious Movement [Cincinnati: Chase and
Hall Publishers, 1875], 250)
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