Lucy Walker Kimball — Joseph Smith Prophesies and She Receives a 'Powerful and Irresistible' Witness from the Lord (1842–1843)

Lucy Walker, a young woman living in the Smith household in Nauvoo, had a remarkable spiritual experience that demonstrates Joseph Smith's prophetic gift of spiritual guidance and the Lord's willingness to confirm truth to those who seek Him in faith.

Lucy Walker had been brought into the Smith home after her mother's death, and Joseph and Emma Smith had taken her in and cared for her as a member of their household. In 1842–1843, Joseph Smith introduced Lucy to the principle of plural marriage — a principle that had been revealed to him by the Lord but that was extremely difficult for the early Saints to accept.

Lucy was understandably troubled. The principle was contrary to everything she had been taught, and it required a level of faith and sacrifice that was almost overwhelming. Joseph Smith did not pressure her or compel her. Instead, he gave her prophetic counsel: he told her to pray to her Heavenly Father and ask for a witness of the truth of the principle. He assured her that if she would pray in faith, the Lord would manifest the truth to her.

Lucy followed the Prophet's counsel. She searched the scriptures and prayed earnestly to her Heavenly Father for a testimony of the truth. The result was a remarkable spiritual manifestation. She later recalled that she received a "powerful and irresistible testimony of the truth of plural marriage." The Lord answered her prayer with a witness so strong that it overcame all her doubts and fears.

When Lucy told Joseph Smith of the witness she had received, he responded with confirmation: "Thank God, you have the testimony. I too have prayed." His response revealed that he had been praying for her — that he had been interceding with the Lord on her behalf, asking that she would receive the witness she needed.

This account is remarkable as a miracle of spiritual guidance and prophetic ministry for several reasons:

— Joseph Smith did not rely on persuasion, pressure, or argument to help Lucy accept a difficult principle. Instead, he pointed her to the Lord and prophesied that she would receive a direct, personal witness. This is the pattern of a true prophet: he directs people to God, not to himself.

— The witness Lucy received was "powerful and irresistible" — not a subtle feeling, but a divine manifestation that overwhelmed her doubts and fears. This was a direct, personal answer to prayer, confirming that the Lord communicates with those who seek Him in faith.

— Joseph's response — "Thank God, you have the testimony. I too have prayed" — reveals his own spiritual labor on Lucy's behalf. He was not a detached leader giving instructions; he was a prophet who prayed for those under his care and rejoiced when the Lord answered.

— This account demonstrates that the spiritual gifts of prophecy, spiritual guidance, and direct revelation were active in the daily lives of the early Saints under Joseph Smith's leadership. The Lord was willing to confirm truth directly to individuals who sought Him in faith, as Joseph directed them to do.

Lucy Walker later married Heber C. Kimball and remained faithful to the Church throughout her life. Her account stands as a powerful witness of Joseph Smith's prophetic gift of spiritual guidance and of the Lord's willingness to answer the prayers of those who seek Him in faith, even in the most difficult and challenging circumstances.