“Joseph was in Montrose & it was a day of Gods power there was many sick among the Saints on both sides of the river & Joseph went through the midst of them taking them by the hand & in a loud voice commanding them in the name of Jesus Christ to arise from their beds & be made whole & they leaped from their beds made whole by the power of God.” — Wilford Woodruff¹

The summer of 1839 was marked by a severe malaria outbreak among the Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo, Illinois. The swampy land around Nauvoo, teeming with mosquitoes, became a breeding ground for the disease, infecting hundreds, including members of the Quorum of the Twelve.² Those afflicted with malaria suffered from headaches, fevers, and vomiting, amongst other symptoms.³ For some, contracting the disease proved fatal.

Joseph and Emma Smith took many of the sick into their home, and despite falling ill himself, Joseph later rose from his bed and, filled with the power of God, went from house to house healing the sick. One of the most notable miracles involved Elijah Fordham, who was on the brink of death. Joseph commanded Elijah to rise and be healed, and he immediately recovered. He then went on to help Joseph heal others that same day.⁴

1. “Journal (January 1, 1838 – December 31, 1839)," July 13, 1839 - July 29, 1839, The Wilford Woodruff Papers

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

3. Malaria, The Mayo Clinic

4. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 34, 402-403