The following case of several miraculous
healings were discussed in Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 11
(1849):284-85
Miraculous Healings by Faith
Leamington,
August 4, 1849.
Dear
Brother [Elder Parley P. Pratt],--While visiting the different branches in this
conference, I find that the power of our God has been displayed in a wonderful
manner, and that the Saints have great cause to rejoice. Scores can bear
testimony to the truth of the gospel, for impressed to send to you, and if you
should deem them worthy of a place in the STAR you can insert them.
Sister
Sarah Gorde, resident of Maxstoke, near Coleshill, on the 25th of September,
1839, had a very severe confinement, which left her in a low and afflicted
state, and for the space of seven years and a half was almost in continual
pain. Her blood seemed to run cold within her veins, for she was scarcely ever
warm. She had two doctors in regular attendance, and sometimes three, and also
applied to others; but in spite of all their exertions she found no relief. She
wasted in flesh until she was reduced almost to a skeleton; her joints were
dislocated from the time of her confinement; to go from home was impossible,
for she could not ride without great pain, and it was with the utmost
difficulty that she could get about the house. But finally a small tract fell
into her hands belonging to the Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints, and
while reading the account of the angel to our beloved prophet, Joseph Smith,
her heart was filled with joy; the spirit of the living God fastened the
testimony upon her mind, and she was satisfied that the day of her redemption
was nigh at hand, and believed firmly that she would walk again. At this time
she was ignorant of the doctrines that we preached, but she firmly believed
that God had raised up Joseph to be a prophet to this generation.
After a
few days investigation she was baptized by Elder W. Bramall in the month of
April, 1847, and when she was confirmed he told her that she should be healed
according to her faith. This promise filled her heart with joy, and in three
weeks from the day and hour that she was baptized she was able to walk without
pain; her joints, which had been weak for so many years, became strong, and
since then she has enjoyed herself, and been enabled to fulfill the duties that
devolve upon a mother with a large family.
Also her
son, John Gorde, had, when nine years old, the misfortune to dislocate his
thigh. The medical fraternity were called upon, who endeavored to set it, but
in consequence of its being swelled so much they were not able; and thus it
remained for the space of eight years, and so powerful was its effect upon the
constitution that it stopped the growth of his body; his leg hung loose, so
that he could turn it any way he pleased. Finally he heard the gospel of
Christ, and in one week after the baptism of his mother he was immersed in the
liquid grave, and wonderful to relate he lost his lameness, his body began to
grow, and from that time he has enjoyed good health, and from appearance no one
would suppose he had ever been feeble at all.
I remain
yours in the gospel of Christ,
ALFRED
CORDON.
Miraculous Healing--Sectarian Parsons Confounded
Bristol,
July 9, 1849.
Dear
President Pratt.--Having seen so many testimonials in the STAR of late,
concerning the gift of healing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, I forward the following to you on the same subject, for insertion in
your bright luminary of the latter-day, desirous of adding my testimony to the
many concerning this glorious work. On the 8th of May, 1849, Elizabeth Bounsell
brought her daughter Elizabeth Ann to be anointed with oil, as the child had a
discharge in her neck--a decided case of scrofula. For four years the child was
pronounced incurable by the most eminent of the faculty, and had been
discharged from the infirmary as a hopeless case of ulceration. A few days
before she was brought to us, Elder John Hakwell anointed her with oil, and
laid his hands upon her, and the discharge ceased, and in a week it was healed
up, and child was out skipping about. She is a wonder to saint and sinner. Some
of the sectarian parsons have been to see her, and the sermon the mother
preached, and the testimony she bore, almost struck them speechless.--This
person may be seen or written to at No. 1, Lower Castle Street, Bristol.
There
have been many other cases of healing in this city, which are highly
satisfactory to us who have seen them, but may not be to others. I am also
happy to say that the work of God is onward in this region. We have baptized
between two and three hundred since I came here, and our prospects are good.--I
feel happy to inform you that I have been down to Devonshire, and preached to
the people in that county about three weeks, in which time I succeeded in
baptizing and organizing eighteen persons into a branch. Since I left, I have
sent Elder Edward Frost, who has taken a room in South Moulton, and has
baptized as many more, making between thirty and forty Saints in that part, called
the North Moulton Branch.
May the
God of Joseph bless and direct all his faithful servants in the kingdom is the
prayer of,
Your
obedient servant,
GEORGE
HALLIDAY.
Healings.
Holbeach
Bank, July 18, 1849.
Dear
President [Parley P.] Pratt,--Having seen so many cases of healing by the power
of God in these last days, I feel anxious that you should be made acquainted
with what has been done in this part of your great field of labor.
One of
our members, a botanical practitioner, says that under their best treatment the
case could not have been cured under six months.