1. 1853 January, pp. 14–17—A Mormon Miracle

2. 1856 December, p. 291—Statistics about Latter-day Saints

The Methodist, January 1853, pp. 14–17

https://journals.library.wales/view/2005377/2005673/13

A Mormon Miracle

The following story was told by a man by the name of Mr. Tucker, who was one of the printers who printed the Book of Mormon the first time, which book was considered by them to be their Bible. The story is given here as it is given by Dr. Bennett in his book about the Mormons.

Towards the close of a fine summer’s day, a farmer, in one of the States, found a respectable-looking man at his gate, who requested permission to pass the night under his roof. The hospitable farmer readily complied. The stranger was invited into the house, and a warm and substantial supper set before him.

After he had eaten, the farmer, who appeared to be a jovial, warm-hearted, humorous, and withal shrewd old man, passed several hours in pleasant conversation with his guest, who seemed to be very ill at ease, both in body and mind, yet, as if desirous of pleasing his entertainer, replied courteously and agreeable 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 night, the farmer and his family were awakened by the most dreadful groans, which they soon ascertained proceeded from the chamber of the traveler. On going to investigate the matter, they found that the stranger was dreadfully ill, suffering the most acute pains and uttering the most doleful cries, apparently without any consciousness of what was passing around him. Everything that kindness and experience could suggest, was done to relieve the sick man; but all efforts were in vain, and to the consternation of the farmer and his family, their guest expired in the course of a few hours.

In the midst of their trouble and anxiety, at an early hour in the morning, two travelers came to the gate, and requested entertainment. The farmer told them that he would willingly offer them hospitality, but that just now his household was in the greatest confusion on account of the death of the stranger, the particulars of which he proceeded to relate to them. They appeared to be much surprised and grieved at the poor man’s calamity, and politely requested permission to see the corpse. This of course the farmer readily granted, and conducted them to the chamber in which lay the dead body. They looked at it for a few minutes in silence, and then the oldest of the pair gravely told the farmer, that they were Elders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and were empowered by God to perform 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!

The farmer was of course pretty considerably astonished by the quality and powers of the persons who addressed him, and rather incredulously asked if they were quite sure that they could perform all they professed to.

“O certainly! Not a doubt of it. The Lord has commissioned us expressly to work miracles, in order to prove the truth of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the inspiration of the books and doctrines revealed to him. Send for all your neighbors, that, in the presence of a multitude, we may bring the dead man to life, and that the Lord and his Church may be glorified to all men.”

The farmer, after a little consideration, agreed to let the miracle-workers proceed, and, as they desired, sent his children to his neighbors, who attracted by the expectation of a miracle, flocked to the house in considerable numbers.

The Mormon Elders commenced their task by kneeling and praying before they body with uplifted hands and eyes, and with most stentorian lungs. Before they had proceeded far with their prayer, a sudden idea struck the farmer, who quietly quitted the house for a few minutes, and then returned, and waited patiently by the bedside until the prayer was finished, and the Elders ready to perform their miracle. Before they began, he respectfully said to them, that, with their permission, he wished to ask them a few questions upon the subject of this miracle. They replied that they had no objection. The farmer then asked, “You are quite certain that you can bring this man to life again?” “We are.” “How do you know that you can?” “We have just received a revelation from the Lord, informing us that we can.” “Are you quite sure that the revelation was from the Lord?” “Yes; we cannot be mistaken about it.” “Does your power to raise this man to life again depend upon the particular nature of his disease? Or could you now bring any dead man to life?” “It makes no difference to us: we could bring any corpse to life.” “Well, if this man had been killed, and one of his arms cut off, could you bring him to life, and also restore to him his arm?” “Certainly—there is no limit to the power given us by the Lord. It would make no difference, even if both his arms and his legs were cut off.” “Could you restore him if his head had been cut off.” “Certainly, we could.” “Well,” said the farmer, with a quiet smile upon his features, “I do not doubt the truth of what such holy men assert, but I am desirous that my neighbors here should be fully converted by having the miracle performed in the completest manner possible. So, by your leave, if it makes no difference whatever, I will proceed to cut off the head of this corpse.” Accordingly, he produced a huge and well-sharpened broad axe from beneath his coat, which he swung above his head, and was apparently about to bring it down upon the neck of the corpse, when, lo and behold! to the amazement of all present, the dead man started up in great agitation, and swore he would not have his head cut off for any consideration whatever!

The company immediately seized the Mormons, and soon made them confess that the pretended dead man was also a Mormon Elder, and that they had sent him to the farmer’s house, with directions to die there at a particular hour, when they drop in, as if by accident, and perform a miracle that would astonish everybody. The farmer, after giving the impostors a severe chastisement, let them depart to practice their humbuggery in some other quarter.

The Methodist, (December?) 1856, p. 291

The Latter-day Saints

A work was published recently in German about the Mormons of North America, giving their number throughout the world. In American there are 68,700, of which number there are 38,000 in Utah, 5,000 in New York, 4000 in California, 5000 in Nova Scotia and Canada, and 9000 in South American and the islands. In Europe there are 39,000 of them; of this number 32,900 are in Great Britain and Ireland, 5,000 in Sweden and Norway, 1000 in Germany and Switzerland, 500 in France, and 500 in the rest of Europe. There are 1000 of them in Asia, and in Australia; and in the islands of the South Sea, 2400. In Africa 100, and on their journey 1800. Besides this, there are 8,500 of separatists from them, under the names Strangites, Rigdonites, and Whighites. The total number is 116,500, and it is supposed that their entire number everywhere is not over 126,000.