David W. Patten's Healing of the Blind Woman

During his early missionary travels in the 1830s, Apostle David W. Patten frequently exercised the gift of healing among those who expressed faith in the gospel. On one occasion, while fulfilling his mission duties, he visited the home of a woman who had been blind, the wife of a man later identified in historical records as Ezra Strong. Patten arrived at the house near noon. After engaging the woman in conversation regarding her faith in the Lord and the principles of the gospel, and testifying of the truth, he proceeded to rub and anoint her eyes. Following this administration, she was instantly restored to sight. Her recovery was so complete and thorough that she was immediately able to rise and prepare dinner for the household. This event was one of many documented instances during Patten's ministry where he commanded the sick to arise and be made whole in the name of the Lord.