The Spirit Whispers to Joseph Hovey While Gravely Ill on the Trail — His Fever Breaks in the Same Moment

In September 1846, during the pioneer exodus across Iowa, Joseph Hovey was being ravaged by fever and ague. Both he and his wife Martha were desperately ill. One morning he was struck with the most violent attack yet — he could not stand, collapsed into the wagon, burning with fever.

He lay prostrate, contemplating how much longer he could endure. He prayed for faith. Then:

'At this same time the good spirit seemed to whisper to me that if I would go to Brother Joseph Young he would tell me words whereby I should be healed. The testimony of the spirit was powerful to that degree that my fever broke and I did sweat profusely.'

The fever broke at the very moment the spiritual witness came — before he had even acted on it. He told his wife what had happened and she wept, saying she had received the same testimony.

Brigham Young himself later administered to Martha Hovey when they reached the ferry crossing. Martha died at Winter Quarters on September 16, 1846, surrounded by faith and peace.