Heavenly Power Envelops Philo Dibble After Baptism

On the evening of his baptism on October 16, 1830, Philo Dibble spent the night at Dr. Frederick G. Williams' home. While in bed that night, he felt what appeared to be a hand upon his left shoulder, and a sensation like fibers of fire immediately enveloped his body. The fire passed from his right shoulder across his breast to his left shoulder, then struck him on his collar bone and went to the pit of his stomach, after which it left him. He was enveloped in a heavenly influence and could not sleep for joy. The next morning he started home a happy man. This supernatural manifestation of divine power at the time of his baptism was the beginning of his spiritual experiences in the gospel.

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

I was baptized by Parley P. Pratt, in the month of October, 1830, in Kirtland, Ohio. I went home with Dr. Frederick G. Williams, and stayed with him over night. While in bed that night, I felt what appeared to be a hand upon my left shoulder, and a sensation like fibers of fire immediately enveloped my body. The fire passed from my right shoulder across my breast to my left shoulder, then struck me on my collar bone and went to the pit of my stomach, after which it left me. I was enveloped in a heavenly influence and could not sleep for joy. The next morning I started home a happy man. This supernatural manifestation of divine power at the time of my baptism was the beginning of my spiritual experiences in the gospel.