Joseph Smith Heals Heber C. Kimball — Raised to Serve England Mission (1837)

In the spring of 1837, Heber C. Kimball had been called to serve as one of the first Latter-day Saint missionaries to Great Britain (Joseph Smith had told him, on June 4, 1837 in the Kirtland Temple, that he was called to open the door of salvation in England). Shortly before the missionaries were to depart, Kimball suffered a severe back injury — described as a "stitch" incurred while chopping and hauling firewood for his family — and was laid prostrate in bed, unable to move without crying out in pain.

Upon hearing of Heber's condition, the Prophet Joseph Smith came immediately, accompanied by Oliver Cowdery and Bishop Edward Partridge. According to eyewitness testimony recorded by Vilate Kimball, they knelt in prayer over Heber, with Joseph acting as the voice. Joseph then took Heber by the right hand and commanded: "Brother Heber, I take you by your right hand, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and by virtue of the holy priesthood vested in me, I command you, in the name of Jesus Christ, to rise, and be thou made whole." The accounts report that Heber was healed and was able to go forth to serve the mission to England.