Rhoda Richards Healed of Life‑Threatening Cancer Through Priesthood Blessing (c.1835)

Rhoda Richards (1784–1879), sister of Apostle Willard Richards, recorded that shortly after her baptism and confirmation into the Church (about 1835) she was “greatly afflicted with the raging of a cancer, about to break out in my face.” Having previously had a similar growth removed, she knew the agony of such an operation and was desperate to avoid renewed surgical trauma. One Sabbath after the morning service she spoke with the presiding elder and requested to be administered to “according to the pattern that God had given, that the cancer might be rebuked and my body healed.” The elder called upon the sisters present to unite their faith and prayers and upon the brethren to come forward, lay their hands upon her, and bless her in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. As Rhoda testified, “It was done, and I went home completely healed, and rejoicing in the God of my salvation.” The several published accounts preserve her autobiography and testimony of this miraculous healing through priesthood administration.