Sister Gates's Spiritual Manifestation in London

In 1902, while returning from a meeting of the International Council of Women in Europe, Susa Young Gates became seriously ill while visiting London. Seeking comfort and direction, she requested a priesthood blessing from Elder Francis M. Lyman, who was serving as the president of the European Mission at that time. In the course of this blessing, Elder Lyman promised her: 'You shall live to perform temple work, and you shall do a greater work than you have ever done before.' Gates recorded that this commission became a profound, driving force in her subsequent life. Reflecting on this experience later, she noted that while she had been interested in temple work previously, this specific manifestation impressed upon her the necessity to do more to assist all members of the Church in this cause. This pivotal moment launched her into decades of tireless advocacy, research, and organizational leadership in genealogical and temple work, effectively establishing family history as a central focus for Latter-day Saints.