Sarah Gorde, Wasted to a Skeleton and Disjointed Since 1839, Is Restored After Believing the Tract of Joseph Smith's Mission and Baptism at Maxstoke (1847)

“Sister Sarah Gorde, resident of Maxstoke, near Coleshill, on the 25th of September, 1839, had a very severe confinement, which left her in a low and afflicted state, and for the space of seven years and a-half was almost in continual pain. Her blood seemed to run cold within her veins, for she was scarcely ever warm. She had doctors in attendance, and sometimes three, and also applied to others; but despite of all their exertions she found no relief. She wasted in flesh until she was reduced almost to a skeleton; her joints were dislocated from the time of her confinement; walk from home was impossible, for she could not ride without great pain, and it was with the utmost difficulty that she could get about the house. But finally a small tract fell into her hands belonging to the Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints, and while reading the account of the visitation of the angel to our beloved Joseph Smith, her heart was filled with joy; the spirit of testimony fell upon her mind, and she was satisfied that the day of her redemption was nigh at hand, and believed firmly that she would walk again. At this time she was ignorant of the doctrines that we preached, but she firmly believed that God had raised up Joseph to be a prophet to this generation. After a few days investigation she was baptized by Elder W. Bramall in the month of April, 1847, and when she was confirmed he told her that she should be healed according to her faith. This promise filled her heart with joy, and in three weeks from the day and hour that she was baptized she was able to walk without pain; her joints, which had been weak for so many years, became strong, and since then she has enjoyed good health and been enabled to fulfil the duties that devolve upon a mother with a family. — Millennial Star 11:18”