On the morning of the 22nd, the Prophet Joseph Smith arose from his bed of sickness, when the power of God rested upon him, and he went forth administering to the sick. He commenced with the sick in his own house, then visited those who were tenting in his door-yard, commanding the sick in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to arise from their beds and be made whole, and they were healed according to his words. He then went from house to house and from tent to tent, on the bank of the river, healing the sick by the power of Israel's God as he went among them. He did not miss a single house, wagon or tent, and continued this work up to the "Upper Stone House," where he crossed the river, accompanied by P. P. Pratt, O. Pratt, John Taylor, John E. Page and myself, and walked into the cabin of Brother Brigham Young, who was lying very sick, and commanded him in the name of the Lord Jesus to arise and be made whole. He arose, healed of his sickness, and accompanied Joseph and his brethren of the Twelve. They went into the house of Brother Elijah Fordham, who was insensible and considered by his family and friends to be dying. Joseph stepped to his bedside, looked him in the eye for a minute without speaking, then took him by the hand and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to arise from his bed and walk. Brother Fordham instantly leaped out of his bed, threw off all his poultices and bandages, dressed himself, called for a bowl of bread and milk, which he ate, and then followed us into the street.
We then went into the house of Joseph B. Noble, who was also very sick, and he was healed in the same manner.
Joseph spoke with the voice and power of God.
When he had healed all the sick by the power given unto him, he went down to the ferry boat, when a stranger rode up almost breathless and said he had heard that "Jo" Smith was raising the dead and healing all the sick, and his wife begged of him to ride up and get Mr. Smith to go down and heal his twin children, who were about five months old. Joseph replied, "I cannot go, but will send some one." In a few minutes he said to Elder Woodruff, who lived in Montrose, "You go and heal those children. Take this pocket handkerchief, and when you administer to them, wipe their faces with it, and they shall recover." Brother Woodruff did as he was commanded, and the children were healed.
The mob leaders when they saw men, whom they thought were dying, arise from their beds and pray for others, stood paralyzed with fear, yet those same men would have killed Joseph and his brethren if they had had an opportunity.
Joseph recrossed the river and returned to his own house, and I went to my home, rejoicing in the mercies and goodness of God.
This was a day never to be forgotten by the Saints, nor by the wicked, for they saw the power of God manifest in the flesh.
CHAPTER XV.
START UPON A MISSION UNDER DISTRESSING CIRCUMSTANCES—INCIDENTS OF THE JOURNEY—A DRUNKEN DOCTOR GIVES ME A TABLE-SPOONFUL OF MORPHINE—MY LIFE SAVED THROUGH THE PRAYER OF FAITH—BRETHREN LEAVE ME TO PROCEED TO KIRTLAND—THEIR FEAR THAT I WOULD DIE—I PREDICT THAT I WOULD RECOVER AND REACH KIRTLAND BEFORE THEM.