Knowing Joseph Smith the Prophet

🪨 A powerful, lesser-known miracle from LDS Church history among the Shoshone people (and from one of my relatives!): In 1880, missionary Amos Wright (who spoke fluent Shoshone from childhood) was called by Elder Charles C. Rich to serve among the Eastern Shoshone on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. His labors were incredibly fruitful — he baptized Chief Washakie and his family of 17, plus over 300 Shoshone total in just weeks, many in secret groups at night to avoid trouble. But the most extraordinary moment came on his lonely return journey through the mountains. Wright camped alone when he heard a horse neighing. He discovered a small campfire with three Shoshone braves. He joined them for the night — but soon fell violently ill, writhing in pain. He believed it might even be a divine judgment. The braves were alarmed: if he died, the white settlers would blame them. They searched the brush for remedies with no luck. One suggested prayer. Wright asked if any were members of the Church. One replied he was. Wright (still in agony) ordained him on the spot and asked for a blessing. The man laid his hands on Wright’s head and prayed. Relief came immediately. Wright then asked about the other two — they were also baptized members! He ordained them too. All three placed their hands on his head and gave him a blessing. Wright later wrote in his November 18, 1880 letter to President John Taylor: “The moment they took their Hands from my Head I happened to be Entirely well, but I would be afraid and ashamed to say that I was Healed in any Other way Only by the Power of God. And whether the sick were healed through my ministrations or not I think I was Healed through the ministrations of those 3 Indians.” A tender, reversal-of-roles miracle: the missionary who had brought the gospel to the Shoshone was healed by three new Native American brethren exercising priesthood power for the first time. Pure evidence that the Restoration belongs to all of God’s children — and that faith and authority work both ways. ✨ *image was a custom painting which my family owns.* Sources: history.churchofjesuschrist.… familysearch.org/en/search/c…

Lesser known LDS Church History Story time: September 22, 1827 The exact night Joseph Smith received the golden plates from Moroni. Heber C. Kimball (who knew nothing about Joseph or the Restoration yet) was awakened by shouting. His neighbor dragged him outside. In the sky, Heber and others saw a massive heavenly army marching from east to west: soldiers with muskets, bayonets, knapsacks, officers with swords — they could even hear the clashing and jingling of weapons and the sound of marching feet. A full battle scene unfolded overhead, visible for hours. Later, Heber realized it happened the very night the plates were delivered. He and Brigham Young (miles away) both witnessed similar signs that same evening.