Friday, September 4, 2020

Reports of Miraculous Healings among Early Latter-day Saints

 

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.