The Richmond palladium., 1867-04-18
A Mormon Miracle.

A Mormon Miracle.
The following account of an intended
miracle is related in a volume published
bv Or. Bennett, on Mormonism. 1t is
both curious and characteristic. We
have no doubt whatever that all the Nor
mon miracles we have heard about have
been performed i'm q similar manner. The
age Of miracles, like the age Of chivalry
is over; but impostors and impositions
are on the increase:
"Towards the close Of a fine summers
day, farmer in one of the Western
States found respectable looking man
at his gate, who requested permission to
pass the night under his roof. The hos
pitable farmer readily complied. The
stranger was invited into the house, and
a good and substantial supper placed be-
fore him. After he had eaten, the farm
er, who appeared to be a jovial, warm
hearted, humorous, and, withal, shrewd
old man, passed several hours of pleas
ant conversation with his guest, who
seemed to be very i'll at ease, both in
body and mind; yet, as if desirous of
pleasing his entertainer, replied courte-
ously and agreeably to whatever was
said to him. Finally, he pleaded fatigue
and illness as an excuse for retiring to
rest, and was conducted by the farmer
to an upper chamber, where he went to
bed About the middle of the nigh the
farmer and his family were awakened by
the most dreadful groans, which they
soon ascertained proceeded from the
chamber of the traveller On going to
investigate the matter, they found that
the stranger was dreadfully ill, suffering
the most acute pain, and uttering the
most doleful cries, apparently without
any consciousness of what was occur
ring around him. Everything that kind
ness and experience could suggest was
done to relieve the sick man, but all ef
forts were in vain; and, to the conster
nation Of the farmer and his family, the
guest expired in the course of a few
hours.
ain the midst of this trouble and anxi,
ety, at an early hour in the morning, two
travellers came TO the gate and requested
entertainment. The farmer told them
that he would willingly offer them hospi-
tality, but that just now his household
was in the greatest confusion, on account
Of the death of q stranger, the particu
lars of which he proceeded to relate to
them. They appeared to be much sur.
priscd and grieved at the poor mans cal
amity, and politely requested permission
to see the corpse. This, Of course the
farmer radily granted, and conducted
them to the chamber in which lay the
dead body They looked at it few
minutes in silence, and then the eldest of
the pair gravely told the farmer that
they were elders of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latterday Saints, and were
empowered by God to work miracles,
even to the extent of raising the dead
and that they felt quite assured they
could bring to life the dead man before
them.
1.-The farmer was. of course, consider
ably astonished at the quality and pow
ers of the persons who addressed him,
and rather incredulously asked if they
were quite sure they could perform all
they proposed to do. 'Oh, certainly
not a doubt of it, The Lord has COM
missioned us expressly to work miracles,
in order to prove the truth Of the proph-
ct. Joseph Smith, and the inspiration of
the books and doctrines revealed TO him.
Send for all your neighbors, that in the
presence of multitude we may bring
the dead man to life, and that the Lord
and his church may be glorified Of all
men,
tion, agreed to let the miracle workers
proceed, and as they desired, sent his
children to his neighbors, who, attracted
by the expectation of q miracle, focked
to the house in considerable numbers.
The Mormonite elders commenced their
task by kneeling and praying before the
body, with uplifted hands and eyes, and
with most stentorian lungs. Before they
had proceeded far with their prayers, a
sudden idea struck the farmer, who
quietly quilted the house for few min
utes, and then returned and waited patti
emily by the bedside for few minutes,
until the prayer was finished and the
elders we're ready to perform the miracle.
Befossthey began, he respectfully said
to them that, with their permission, he
wished to ask them . few questions upon
the subject Of their miracle. They re
piled that they had no objection. The
farmer then asked, You are certain you
can bring this man to life again ?
. asSVe afe"
"sHow do you know that You can 2
...We have just received revelation
from the Lord, informing NJ that we
can. ssssmsse II ~
- Are yoal sure that the revelation
wss from the Lord 2
.vsbaiKs9s os