Zion's Camp's Foundered Horses Restored the Same Day After the Brethren Humble Themselves (Indiana, 1834)

While Zion's Camp was traveling through Indiana in May 1834, internal discord arose among the brethren, particularly involving Sylvester Smith. Upon reaching the state line and encamping for the Sabbath on May 17, Joseph Smith was called to mediate a dispute. Perceiving a rebellious spirit in Sylvester Smith and others, the Prophet warned them that they would face misfortune, difficulties, and hindrances, telling them, 'You will know it before you leave this place,' and urged them to humble themselves before the Lord. The following morning, Sunday, May 18, the camp discovered that nearly every horse had been so severely foundered that they could scarcely be led a few rods to water. The men recognized this calamity as a direct consequence of their discord. Joseph Smith told the brethren that the affliction was a witness that God was watching over them and over-ruling their affairs. He promised that if they would humble themselves before the Lord, they would know the hand of God was in the misfortune, and their horses would be restored to health immediately. By noon that day, the horses were as nimble as ever, with the exception of one of Sylvester Smith's horses, which subsequently died.