The healing power of the Holy Ghost on the ship General M'Clellan
Published October 4, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Contributed by
Millennial Star Research
During the 1864 voyage of the ship General M'Clellan from Liverpool to New York, the 800 Saints on board experienced numerous manifestations of the power of the Holy Ghost, specifically regarding healing and protection during a severe storm near the Banks of Newfoundland on June 9, 1864. Despite a terrifying night where the ship suffered a massive shock and flooding, faith and singing hymns restored confidence, and general health remained high throughout the trip.
In Their Own Words
“The power of the Holy Ghost, with its healing influences, has been often demonstrated in our midst. Were we to commence we might write a full sized volume upon the many evidences of this. Suffice it to say, no company could wish for a better, and, indeed, we very much doubt if they could havea pleasanter across the mighty deep than this company bas had... It was during this night that the ship experienced the gre shock it had ever before, since it has been a ship, received. It was caused by a heavy sea which rolled forward in her course and completely engulfed the bow of the ship, causing the after part of the vessel to rise to a fearful height... The night was foggy (the horn being blown every few minutes), and as icebergs had been seen, and felt, also—that is to say in the shape of cold weather—it was very naturally concluded that the ship had struck one of those formidable bodies and sprung a leak... A few Saints then got together and sang the hymn, “ Jesus, mighty king of Zion, Thou alone our guide be,” &c., which soon restored, to the timid and fearful, confidence and feelings of security. — Millennial Star 26:30”
Sources & References
The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star (Manchester, later Liverpool, England, May 1840–1970), 23 July 1864 (Vol. 26, No. 30). https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_the-latter-day-saints-millennial-star_1864-07-23_26_30 (account extracted verbatim from the issue's Internet Archive OCR text; research confidence: high)
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