John Borrowman: A Prayer Answered — A Death Sentence Set Aside After Falling Asleep on Guard Duty (1847)

John Borrowman (1816–1895) was born in Glasgow, Scotland, immigrated to Canada, and gave up his entire inheritance — the family farm he was rightful heir to — when he was baptized a Latter-day Saint on June 7, 1840. His father never forgave him. Borrowman moved to Nauvoo, worked on the Nauvoo Temple, served a mission in Canada that resulted in 250 baptisms, and then in 1846 enlisted as a private in the Mormon Battalion.

The crisis came toward the end of the march.

Exhausted from the ordeal of nearly 2,000 miles through desert mountains on desperately reduced rations, John Borrowman fell asleep while standing guard duty. A watchful sergeant reported him. In time of active military service, falling asleep on guard duty was a capital offense — punishable by death.

Borrowman was immediately imprisoned. He wrote in his journal:

'I have no bedding but my blanket and a cold, damp, brick floor to lie on.'

While confined, he read a friend's copy of the Book of Mormon, which brought him comfort. When his case was finally heard, the court sentenced him to three additional days in guard quarters, three hours daily in the cells, and $3 withheld from his pay — remarkably light, given that the charge could have cost him his life.

But then something more remarkable happened. The regular army colonel was informed of the sentence. He was not lenient — he was disgusted at its leniency. He believed the punishment was far too light. Yet he did not have the authority to overturn the sentence and make it harsher. So instead he set it aside entirely, saying it was better to have no punishment than one that was too light.

Borrowman accepted this outcome as a direct answer to his earnest prayers. He had asked God to be relieved of his burden. The burden was removed — by the very man who thought the original sentence was too lenient.