Elder John M. Madsen Healed of Double Pneumonia as a Dying Child After a Priesthood Blessing

During his early childhood, Elder John M. Madsen of the Seventy was afflicted with double pneumonia. After examining the little boy, a doctor told his parents he could do nothing for him and offered no hope that he would live through the night. Soon the child sank into unconsciousness.

When his mother felt for his pulse and could find none, she prayed fervently, and the father gave the dying child a priesthood blessing. Immediately he recovered consciousness and began to feel better — and fully recovered.

Elder Oaks cited the account, related in the Friend magazine, as typical of the miraculous healings through priesthood blessings and the prayer of faith that are familiar to most members of the Church.

Fuller account of this event (the complete account as preserved in Rebecca Todd Archibald, “Friend to Friend,” Friend, Mar. 2000):

When I was a small boy, I had double pneumonia. The doctor told my parents that he could do nothing for me and that I would not live through the night. I became unconscious. My mother felt for my pulse and could find none. She prayed, and my father gave me a priesthood blessing. I immediately regained consciousness and began to feel better. I recovered completely.