The Faith of a Little Child: Helen Kimball's Prayer Softens Her Mother's Heart (Winter 1834-35)

In the winter of 1834–35, a theological school was held in Kirtland, Ohio, attended by the Prophet Joseph Smith and the leading men of the Church. It was the practice at these gatherings for the leader to call upon certain members to speak on doctrinal subjects. On one occasion Heber C. Kimball was invited to speak on the subject of faith. Previous speakers had examined every phase of it from a scriptural standpoint, and not wishing to repeat what had already been said, Elder Kimball related an incident from his own home as a practical illustration of faith.

His wife, going out on a visit, had charged their little daughter Helen not to touch the dishes, promising her a whipping if she broke any in her absence. While her mother was away, Helen broke a number of dishes when the table leaf fell. The child then went out under an apple tree and prayed that her mother's heart might be softened, that when she returned she might not whip her. Her mother was always punctual in fulfilling promises to her children, and on returning she took Helen into her room to carry out the promised punishment — but found herself utterly powerless to chastise her; her heart had been so softened that it was impossible for her to raise her hand against the child. Afterwards Helen told her mother that she had prayed to the Lord that she might not whip her.

Tears glistened in the eyes of his hearers as he finished the simple narrative, and the Prophet Joseph wept like a child, telling the brethren that this — the faith of a little child — was the kind of faith they needed.

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

In the winter of 1834-5, a theological school was held in Kirtland, attended by the Prophet Joseph Smith and the leading men of the Church. It was the practice at these gatherings for the leader to call upon certain members to speak on doctrinal subjects. On one occasion Heber C. Kimball was invited to speak on the subject of faith. Previous speakers had examined every phase of it from a scriptural standpoint, and not wishing to repeat what had already been said, Elder Kimball related an incident from his own home as a practical illustration of faith. My wife, one day, when going out on a visit, gave my daughter Helen charge not to touch the dishes, for if she broke any during her absence, she would give her a whipping when she returned. While my wife was absent, my daughter broke a number of dishes by letting the table leaf fall; and then she went out under an apple tree and prayed that her mother's heart might be softened, that when she returned she might not whip her. Her mother was very punctual, when she made a promise to her children, to fulfil it; and when she returned, she undertook, as a duty, to carry this promise into effect. She retired with her into her room, but found herself powerless to chastise her; her heart was so softened that it was impossible for her to raise her hand against the child. Afterwards, Helen told her mother she had prayed to the Lord that she might not whip her. Tears glistened in the eyes of his hearers as he finished the simple narrative, and the Prophet Joseph wept like a child, telling the brethren that this—the faith of a little child—was the kind of faith they needed.