Erastus Snow — Healing of a Woman in Copenhagen

Shortly after arriving in Denmark to open the mission in 1850, Erastus Snow was called to the bedside of a woman who was severely ill. Acting in his capacity as an Apostle, Snow administered a priesthood blessing for her recovery. The woman experienced an immediate and complete healing, an event that Snow and his companions recorded as a divine manifestation intended to open the hearts of the Danish people to the restored gospel during a time of intense local opposition.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

The first miraculous healing which took place during the administration of the first missionaries in Denmark seems to have occurred during the latter part of September 1850 in the city of Copenhagen. In my younger days, I suffered from consumption (tuberculosis) and was given up by three doctors as being incurable. This was before I became a member of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. When I became a convert to Mormonism I felt that I had only a short time to live. I could not walk without leaning upon a walking cane or staff and suffered with unceasing pain in my breast. Brother Erastus Snow advised me to consult a somewhat popular physician in Copenhagen who had the reputation of being successful in treating the disease from which I suffered. In the meeting the following Sunday, Brother Snow asked me what the doctor had said and I immediately told him. He invited me to come to his office the next day. As Brother Snow had not yet acquired a good knowledge of the Danish language, he had to converse with me assisted by an interpreter. While I sat and waited the pain in my breast made me nervous and I felt inclined to go home, but when the strangers had left, Brother Snow took me by the hand and said, 'The Lord has heard your prayers and has seen your faith. You shall be healed and live to be a mother in Israel.' He then anointed me with oil and laid his hands upon my head and rebuked the disease. I felt a warm sensation pass through my body and the pain left me instantly. I threw away my cane and walked home without any assistance, and from that day to this I have never felt any pain in my breast.