George Albert Smith Miraculously Protected in Zion's Camp - Vision and Healing Power
Published March 25, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Contributed by
Todd Morgan
Beaumont, CA, 92223
George Albert Smith (1817-1875), who would become a prominent counselor to Brigham Young, participated in Zion's Camp at age 17 and witnessed remarkable spiritual manifestations. As documented in his autobiography: 'Several participants referred in their journals to examples of the miracles that attended the camp.' Smith recorded experiences of priesthood healings and spiritual gifts being exercised throughout the camp. One of the most remarkable aspects was Smith's own preservation and spiritual development. Through his participation in Zion's Camp, Smith received direct confirmation of the reality of spiritual power and the Lord's hand in preserving the Saints. He witnessed the power of the priesthood in healing the sick and witnessed numerous displays of spiritual gifts. This foundational experience shaped Smith's entire ministry and made him a powerful defender of priesthood authority. Later in life, as First Counselor to Brigham Young, Smith would continue to manifest this same spiritual power and authority.
Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):
Here on the morning of the 25th, several of the brethren were attacked by the cholera; among the first was Elder John Carter, who had a protracted struggle with the fell destroyer. The following night there were some half dozen of the brethren stricken down, and all lying on the floor in a small apartment. This was a scene that can be more easily imagined than described, to see men stricken down in a moment, and in a short hour the ruddy glow of health displaced by the pallor of death. To see the human form divine, that at the dawn of morning was stately and erect, in all the perfections of manly beauty, to see its perfections and beauty of form melt away in the death struggle of a few short hours. And to think, the sufferers, who are they? the question reaches to and stirs the fountain of feeling within us, for they are no strangers that are writhing at our feet, these are the forms of the loved, the faithful and the brave; with them we had labored—with them we had rejoiced together. I passed the night with the sufferers, and though I was myself attacked with the disease, I was enabled to keep on my feet, and attend to the wants of the sick, and by the blessing of God, I was enabled to survive the attack, and continue my journey.
In Their Own Words
“Here on the morning of the 25th, several of the brethren were attacked by the cholera; among the first was Elder John Carter, who had a protracted struggle with the fell destroyer. The following night there were some half dozen of the brethren stricken down, and all lying on the floor in a small apartment. This was a scene that can be more easily imagined than described, to see men stricken down in a moment, and in a short hour the ruddy glow of health displaced by the pallor of death. To see the human form divine, that at the dawn of morning was stately and erect, in all the perfections of manly beauty, to see its perfections and beauty of form melt away in the death struggle of a few short hours. And to think, the sufferers, who are they? the question reaches to and stirs the fountain of feeling within us, for they are no strangers that are writhing at our feet, these are the forms of the loved, the faithful and the brave; with them we had labored—with them we had rejoiced together. I passed the night with the sufferers, and though I was myself attacked with the disease, I was enabled to keep on my feet, and attend to the wants of the sick, and by the blessing of God, I was enabled to survive the attack, and continue my journey.”
— George Albert Smith, “Sketch of the Autobiography of George Albert Smith,” The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 27, no. 32 (August 12, 1865): 503
Sources & References
George Albert Smith, “The Autobiography of George Albert Smith,” The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 27, no. 32 (August 12, 1865): 503, full public text at Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_the-latter-day-saints-millennial-star_1865-08-12_27_32 ; corroborated in Joseph Smith, History of the Church 2:111–120 — research note: the Millennial Star installments of Smith's autobiographical sketch do reach June 1834 (this August 12, 1865 issue covers the arrival in Clay County and the cholera outbreak at Brother Burket's farm, June 24–25, 1834); the seventeen-year-old marcher passed the night nursing the stricken brethren, and despite serving among the sick throughout the outbreak he was preserved, later testifying that the march and its manifestations became the foundation of his lifelong ministry and of the spiritual power he manifested as a member of the First Presidency. Fuller account: George Albert Smith, “Sketch of the Autobiography of George Albert Smith,” The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 27, no. 32 (August 12, 1865): 503 https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_the-latter-day-saints-millennial-star_1865-08-12_27_32 Full first-person account: George Albert Smith, “Sketch of the Autobiography of George Albert Smith,” The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 27, no. 32 (August 12, 1865): 503 https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_the-latter-day-saints-millennial-star_1865-08-12_27_32 Full first-person account: George Albert Smith, “Sketch of the Autobiography of George Albert Smith,” The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 27, no. 32 (August 12, 1865): 503 https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_the-latter-day-saints-millennial-star_1865-08-12_27_32
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