Willard Richards Receives Priesthood Blessing and Immediate Relief from Headache

During his early missionary service in 1837, Willard Richards documented a remarkable answer to prayer through the priesthood. On June 5, he wrote: 'I received a letter from Elijah Fordham, New York, on business, and on reading it felt a strong desire to start to Kirtland immediately; but, wishing to know the mind of the Spirit, I submitted the case to the Lord, praying that my head might be relieved from pain immediately, if it was the Lord's will I should start for Kirtland at daybreak, which prayer was answered. I started for Kirtland, and arrived on the 11th.' This direct answer to prayer through the laying on of hands by President Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon provided the confirmation Willard needed to begin a critical journey. The immediate relief from pain served as a spiritual sign that his decision was divinely approved.