Hundreds Healed of Smallpox and Other Diseases in England and Montrose Through Priesthood Power (1837-1840)

In his testimony documented in the Journal of Discourses, Heber C. Kimball bore powerful witness to the miraculous healing power manifested through the Restoration priesthood. He spoke of being personally present during extraordinary scenes of divine healing.

Heber testified: "I have been many a time in houses where people were sick nigh unto death, with smallpox, and with other complaints, and they were healed by the power of God; I have taken them to the water, when they have been on the verge of the grave, and baptized them, and they have been healed. 'What, of the smallpox?' Yes."

Kimball described specific instances where individuals suffering from smallpox—one of the most feared and deadly diseases of the era—were brought to the very edge of death. These people were so near death that they appeared beyond any natural recovery. Yet through the power of the priesthood, they were completely healed.

Some of these healings occurred in Montrose, Illinois, where Heber records: "As to the circumstance brother Grant was speaking of in Montrose, I was with brother Joseph, and so was brother Brigham and many others, and hundreds were healed, and leaped out of their beds, and followed us."

Others occurred during Heber's missionary service in England, where he witnessed multiple healings of those suffering from smallpox and various other diseases. Of these English healings, he affirmed: "How many sick have been healed in Old England? I have been many a time in houses where people were sick nigh unto death, with smallpox, and with other complaints, and they were healed by the power of God."

Kimball invited verification from living witnesses: "If you do not believe it, call on many of those that were sick nigh unto death at that time, and are now living in these valleys, enjoying good health."

Brother Orson Hyde, who was present and heard Kimball's testimony, bore his own witness: "It is true."

Kimball concluded his testimony with emphasis: "There are numbers of people here that were sick nigh unto death, and brother Orson Hyde is a witness that they were just ready to die, and they are now here in a robust state of health. True? Yes, as true as that God reigns in the heavens; and there are thousands more in the Church who know it is true."

These miracles occurred both in America and in England during Heber C. Kimball's missions, demonstrating the universal power of the priesthood to heal all manner of sickness and disease through faith and the ordinances of the Gospel.