Relief Society Healing and Anointing Practices Recorded by Eliza R. Snow (1842)

In 1842 Eliza R. Snow documented and practiced the Relief Society's use of anointing, blessing the sick, and other healing administrations. Snow explained that for women the practice of blessing the sick was a natural extension of the Relief Society's charitable work and that when Relief Society sisters anointed and blessed the afflicted, miraculous healings occurred. She recorded numerous instances in which 'the sick and the lame' were healed through faith, prayer, and priesthood administration, beginning in Nauvoo and continuing into the pioneer period. Snow defended the practice, explaining that honoring holy priesthood covenants empowered women to minister healing through faith and divine power. These accounts appear throughout her diary, discourses, and Relief Society records and were presented as part of the early Relief Society's regular charitable and ecclesiastical ministry.

Fuller account of this event (as retold in Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book, entry for April 28, 1842, recorded by secretary Eliza R. Snow; The First Fifty Years of Relief Society):

Mrs. Durfee bore testimony to the great blessing she received when administered to, after the close of the last meeting, by Prest E. Smith & Councillors Cleveland and Whitney. she said she never realized more benefit thro’ any administration— that she was heal’d, and thought the sisters had more faith than the brethren. Prest. Joseph Smith arose and said— that the sisters should not go around contrary to the will of the husband— that Sister Durfee should have told her husband— that he did not want to check any faith— but when a woman administers to the sick, her husband should be acquainted with it— that there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face with water— that it is no sin for any body to do it that has faith, or if the sick has faith to be heal’d by the administration. He further remark’d— if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let every thing roll on— that the church is still in its infancy— that the time will come when we must be perfectly united— that we must be one in all things— that the time will come when we shall be able to do all things in the name of the Lord— that the Lord will not always be with us in person— but he will send his spirit— that the time will come when we shall be able to heal the sick, cast out devils &c. and that no matter who believeth; these signs, such as healing the sick, casting out devils &c. should follow all that believe whether male or female.