256 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 



this, called upon their prophet, Joe Smith, to perform 

 a miracle in public before all comers, which was to 

 prove to those of their own people who still doubted 

 the doctrine, the truth of what it advanced (the 

 power of performing miracles was steadfastly declared 

 to be in their hands by the prophets) and to enlist 

 those who wavered in the Mormon cause. 



The prophet instantly agreed, and declared that, 

 upon a certain day, he would walk across the broad 

 waters of the Missouri without wetting the soles of his 

 feet. On the appointed day, the river banks were 

 thronged by an expectant crowd. The Mormons sang 

 hymns of praise in honour of their prophet, and were 

 proud of the forthcoming miracle, which was to set 

 finally at rest all doubt as to his power and sanctity. 



This power of performing miracles and effecting 

 miraculous cures of the sick, was so generally believed 

 by the Mormons, that physic was never used amongst 

 them. The prophets visited the beds of the sick, and 

 laid hands upon them, and if, as of course was almost 

 invariably the case, the patient died, it was attributed 

 to his or her want of faith ; but if, on the contrary, the 

 patient recovered, there was universal glorification on 

 the miraculous cure. 



Joe Smith was a tall fine-looking man, of most 

 plausible address, and possessed the gift of the gab in 

 great perfection. At the time appointed for the per- 

 formance of the walking-water miracle, he duly attended 

 on the river banks, and descended bare-foot to the edge 

 of the water. 



