“[Joseph said,] ‘You go with this man and heal his children,' at the same time giving me a red silk handkerchief, and said, 'After you lay hands upon them, wipe their faces with it, and they shall be healed; and as long as you will keep that handkerchief, it shall ever remain as a league between you and me.' I went and did as I was commanded, and the children were healed.” — Wilford Woodruff¹

In the summer of 1839, early Church members suffered from malaria after settling in Nauvoo, Illinois, which was swampy and mosquito-infested. Despite falling ill himself, Joseph Smith ministered to the sick, healing many through faith. One notable instance involved Wilford Woodruff, whom Joseph sent to heal twin children. Joseph gave Wilford a red silk handkerchief with specific instructions to wipe the children's faces with it after laying hands on them, promising that they would be healed. Woodruff followed Joseph’s instructions, and the children were indeed healed. Joseph told Woodruff that as long as he kept the handkerchief, it would "ever remain as a league between you and me.”^1,2

1. ”History of Wilford Woodruff,” Millennial Star no. 21, May 17, 1865

2. Heidi Bennett, “‘A Day of God’s Power,’” churchofjesuschrist.org