Howard Coray — Joseph Smith Prophesies 'You Will Soon Find a Companion' and It Is Fulfilled Exactly

Howard Coray (1817–1908) served as a clerk and scribe to Joseph Smith from April 1840 onward in Nauvoo, Illinois, helping to write the early history of the Church. In the summer of 1840, a casual moment between prophet and clerk produced one of the most vividly documented personal prophecies of Joseph Smith's ministry.

While walking beside Joseph Smith and looking at his horses, Joseph said to Howard, 'Brother Coray, I wish you were a little larger, I would like to have some fun with you.' Howard made a quip in reply, not realizing what he was inviting. Joseph, who was over 200 pounds, immediately grabbed the 130-pound Howard and they began to wrestle. Joseph locked Howard's leg and threw him, accidentally breaking his leg just above the ankle. Joseph felt terrible, carried him inside, pulled off his boot, and personally set and splinted the leg, attending to him all that day.

The next day, Howard made a bold request: 'Brother Joseph, when Jacob wrestled with the angel and was lamed by him, the angel blessed him; now I think I am also entitled to a blessing.'

Joseph looked at Howard 'very earnestly' for a minute, then said:

'Brother Coray, you will soon find a companion, one that will be suited to your condition and whom you will be satisfied with. She will cling to you, like to cords of death, and you will have a good many children.'

Nine days later, Howard was up walking. Two weeks later, nearly recovered, he attended Church — a mile away on foot. At the meeting, remembering the prophecy, he looked over the congregation. His eyes settled on a young woman he had never seen. Mrs. Harris introduced her: 'Brother Coray, I have the honor of introducing you to Miss Martha Knowlton, from Bear Creek.' Howard wrote: 'She had dark brown eyes, very bright and penetrating, at least they penetrated me, and I said to myself, she will do.'

They corresponded, courted, and were married on February 6, 1841 — barely seven months after the prophecy. Martha Knowlton Coray became the mother of twelve children — seven sons and five daughters — all of whom grew to adulthood. Howard later wrote: 'I will say in this connection that what the Prophet said in regard to the companion which I should soon find has been fully verified.'