Witnessing the Cholera Epidemic and Divine Deliverance

“This night the cholera burst forth among us, and about midnight it was manifested in its most virulent form. Our ears were saluted with cries and moanings and lamentations on every hand; even those on guard fell to the earth with their guns in their hands, so sudden and powerful was the attack of this terrible disease. We were not able to obtain medical aid, and had to rely on the arm of Jehovah. I laid hands on the sick and rebuked the destroyer, but I soon found that I was struggling against an influence that was not of man. When the cholera made its appearance, Elder John S. Carter was the first man who stepped forward to rebuke it, and upon this, was instantly seized, and became the first victim in the camp. I then saw that it was useless to contend with the destroyer, and I told the brethren that if they would humble themselves before the Lord, and covenant to keep His commandments, and obey my counsel, the plague should be stayed from that hour, and there should not be another case of the cholera in the camp; the brethren covenanted to do this, and the plague was stayed from that hour, and there did not another case of the cholera make its appearance in the camp.”

— Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 2:118–119