Elijah Fordham’s miraculous recovery from the brink of death by Joseph Smith

“On the morning of the 22nd of July, 1839, [the Prophet] arose reflecting upon the situation of the Saints of God in their persecutions and afflictions. He called upon the Lord in prayer, and the power of God rested mightily upon him. And as Jesus healed all the sick around Him in His day, so Joseph, the Prophet of God, healed all around on this occasion. He healed all in his house and dooryard, then, in company with Sidney Rigdon and several of the Twelve, he went through among the sick lying on the bank of the river, and he commanded them in a loud voice, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come up and be made whole, and they were all healed. As they were passing by my door, Brother Joseph said, “Brother Woodruff, follow me.” These were the only words spoken by any of the company from the time they left Brother Brigham’s house till we crossed the public square and entered Brother Elijah Fordham’s house. Brother Fordham had been dying for an hour, and we expected each minute would be his last. I felt the power of God that was overwhelming His prophet. When we entered the house, Brother Joseph walked up to Brother Fordham and took him by the right hand; in his left hand he held his hat. He saw that Brother Fordham’s eyes were glazed, and that he was speechless and unconscious. After taking hold of his hand, the Prophet looked down into the dying man’s face and said, “Brother Fordham, do you not know me?” At first he made no reply; but we could all see the effect of the Spirit of God resting upon him. Joseph again said, “Elijah, do you not know me?” With a low whisper, Brother Fordham answered, “Yes.” The Prophet then said, “Have you not faith to be healed?” The answer, which was a little plainer than before, was, “I am afraid it is too late. If you had come sooner, I think I might have been.” He had the appearance of a man waking from sleep. It was the sleep of death. Joseph then said, “Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ?” “I do, Brother Joseph,” was the response. Then the Prophet of God spoke with a loud voice, as in the majesty of the Godhead, “Elijah, I command you, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, to arise and be made whole!” The words of the Prophet were not like the words of man, but like the voice of God. It seemed to me that the house shook from its foundation. Elijah Fordham leaped from his bed like a man raised from the dead. A healthy color came to his face, and life was manifested in every act. He then called for his clothes and put them on. He ate a bowl of bread and milk and followed the Prophet out of the house.”

— Wilford Woodruff, as quoted in Meridian Magazine