Martha Thomas Healed of Severe Sun Pain Through Priesthood Administration

Martha Pane Jones Thomas documented a remarkable healing during her family's journey to Missouri. After only three days of travel from Kentucky, Martha was stricken with a severe disease called 'sun pain.' She recorded: 'Crossed the Tennessee river, laid over one day. The pain in my head was so severe I thought I would die. Mr. Thomas came into the tent and said, "Mother what can I do for you" "Oh I don't know, can you ask Brother Sherwood to administer to me?" "Yes". Now, this was something new to us for we had not seen anyone healed. He went and spoke to him: "Certainly" said he, "I was thinking about it but thought I would let her call on me." He came in the tent with Brother Smoot, and others, they laid their hands on my head, I felt a calm, quiet, spirit go from my head to my feet. He said I should be healed from that moment; so I was. The pain and soreness of my eyes were all gone. I got out of my bed, washed, ironed, baked, and was ready for my journey next day.' This remarkable healing demonstrated the power of the priesthood to cure even the most severe conditions.

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

Crossed the Tennessee river, laid over one day. The pain in my head was so severe I thought I would die. Mr. Thomas came into the tent and said, 'Mother what can I do for you' 'Oh I don't know, can you ask Brother Sherwood to administer to me?' 'Yes'. Now, this was something new to us for we had not seen anyone healed. He went and spoke to him: 'Certainly' said he, 'I was thinking about it but thought I would let her call on me.' He came in the tent with Brother Smoot, and others, they laid their hands on my head, I felt a calm, quiet, spirit go from my head to my feet. He said I should be healed from that moment; so I was. The pain and soreness of my eyes were all gone. I got out of my bed, washed, ironed, baked, and was ready for my journey next day.