Divine confirmation of the ministry of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in America

During the persecution and growth of the Church in the United States, particularly during the winter and spring prior to May 1840, the Church experienced rapid expansion and divine confirmation, with hundreds being baptized in New York, Philadelphia, and surrounding areas. The editor notes that the Lord confirms the preached word with signs following.

In the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, the Church experienced significant growth during this period, with branches organized in towns such as Hornerstown and Toms River. Converts included prominent local citizens such as Anthony Ivins Jr. and William Appleby, who noted that the message of the restored gospel often defied local expectations and sparked intense interest. The movement was characterized by miracles, including healings and the exercise of spiritual gifts; for instance, Erastus Snow recorded the healing of Stacy Horner’s daughter after she was deemed incurable by a physician, leading to her subsequent baptism.