The Adversary Tries to Prevent Martin Harris from Going to Utah — He Is Bewildered, Near Death, and Miraculously Recovers

In August 1870, at the age of 87, Martin Harris was finally about to travel to Utah to rejoin the Church after 39 years of separation. Just before his departure from Kirtland, Ohio, a singular incident occurred that he himself interpreted as a snare of the adversary.

Edward Stevenson, who had come to escort him, recorded:

'A very singular incident occurred at this time. While Martin was visiting his friends, bidding them farewell, his pathway crossed a large pasture, in which he became bewildered. Dizzy, faint and staggering through the blackberry vines that are so abundant in that vicinity, his clothes torn, bloody and faint, he lay down under a tree to die. After a time he revived, called on the Lord, and finally at twelve o'clock midnight, found his friend, and in his fearful condition was cared for and soon regained his strength. He related this incident as a snare of the adversary to hinder him from going to Salt Lake City.'

The next day he resumed his journey and arrived safely in Utah, where he was rebaptized, received his temple endowment, performed baptisms for his dead, and spent his final years bearing testimony of the Book of Mormon.