Healing of David Evans through Baptism

David Evans of Rhymney, who had been a former member of the Church, had been confined to his bed for six years with rheumatic fever contracted while working in a damp mine. He was completely helpless, unable to move his hands or feet, and his wife had to care for him like an infant. He expressed a desire to be rebaptized. Elder Thomas E. Jeremy promised him that if he rendered obedience to the Gospel, the Lord would heal him. After Elder Thomas Evans baptized him, he experienced a powerful sensation through his previously benumbed members, restoring feeling and mobility. By the time Elder Jeremy returned on October 12, 1863, Evans was significantly improved and able to move his hands and feet, with the expectation of returning to work.

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

On the 31st of July last I visited a brother at Rhymney, of the name of David Evans, who had been confined to his bed for the long period of six years. He related to me the cause of his illness, and said that he had been working under ground in a damp place, which brought upon him the rheumatic fever, and ever since he had been unable to rise from his bed. He had been a member of the Church, but had been cut off for some time. He expressed a great desire to be baptized, and said he believed that if he were baptized he should be healed. I told him that if he would render obedience to the Gospel, the Lord would heal him. Brother Thomas Evans, with the assistance of another brother, baptized him in a few days after I left. On the 12th instant I called at his house again, in company with brothers William Lewis and Jonas N. Beck, and to my great satisfaction I found him very much improved in health. He told me in the presence of the above-mentioned brethren, that after he was baptized he felt something move powerfully through his benumbed members, restoring a sense of feeling and a very agreeable sensation through his whole system. He can now with ease raise his hands towards his head and move his feet, which he could not do previous to his baptism. He hopes to follow his daily avocation in life in a short time.