L. F. Moench's Deliverance from a Storm at Sea

“With the exception of a little head wind, the weather was mild that night, and also the following day. We were making good time, and the passengers were in high spirits, anticipating a pleasant voyage. But on the morning of the 19th, I found that our steady wind had changed during the night, and that a fierce north-west storm was disputing our progress. The waves met us with a roar that was deafening, and gave a mournful reply to the whistling wind, and soon the whole ocean was a seething, boiling pot. The great steamer, the Arizona, which had so proudly cut the waves, now seemed to stagger and tremble under the heavy blows of the sea. The scene was grand, yet terrible. During this terrible agitation of the waters, I was constant in my prayer, and dedicating my journey to the Lord, and asking Him to modify the winds and the waves, I did, as usual, feel confident that no serious accident would occur. I felt a peace of mind that was truly comforting, and which I know was the result of the Spirit of God. I had fasted and prayed, and I felt that I was in the hands of the Lord. At about eleven o'clock we were permitted, through the goodness and mercies of God, to put our feet upon land again. We felt exceedingly thankful that our lives had been preserved. This I attribute mainly to fasting and silent prayer, and my prayer while the act itself acted as a natural consequence, of all surplus matter in my system, leaving but little for the storm to blow.”

— L. F. Moench, The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, Vol. 50, No. 52