Gifts of the Gospel

GIFTS OF THE GOSPEL. BY SAMUEL L. ADAMS.

"The blind receive their sight." Matt, xi: 5.

Editor of the Era: Dear Brother: Some time ago, a gentleman by the name of W. T. Morgan, wrote through the Deseret News, asking for testimonies of the truth of Mormonism by actual receivers of the same, as he wished to correspond with them. I wrote him an account of my first outward personal experience in what is called "Miracles," which occurred when I was about sixteen years of age, while I was an apprentice boy. The said Morgan has never replied to me. It is over twelve months since I wrote— September 24, 1897. Should what I said to him be of any use to you it is at your service. Samuel L. Adams.

St. George, Utah, Sept. 24, 1897. W. T.Morgan: Dear Sir: I this day saw and read your letter in the Deseret News, and I decided to write you; should my subject please you, you may call again. I am sixty-four years of age, reared till nineteen in England. Since then I have made Utah my home, coming here on the third day of September, 1852. My early life was spent in helping to build up this then forbidding country; this will account for my lack of education. But heaven be thanked I have been blessed with a portion of the Spirit of God, and a good memory, and through these aids I am prepared to prove the truth of what is called "Mormonism." I united myself with the

Church at the age of fifteen, and from that time to this I have witnessed the hand of God moving everywhere. I was told that if I would embrace

the Gospel with an honest heart I should know the truth of the doctrine myself. This I surely sought to do. I was baptized in a river, as Christ our Savior was, and came up out of the water, and hands were laid upon me for the gift of the Holy Ghost; and I bear record that that gift came upon me. My eyes were opened to see the things of God; my tongue to speak forth His praise. I sought the gifts of the Spirit, and the gift of faith came upon me; when I was sick, I would call for the Elders of the Church, and was healed by the power of God. I will relate one special circumstance. I took a severe cold in my eyes, (bear in mind I was an apprentice boy) and my eyes were both blood-shot, and for several days I was compelled to give up my work. I

became totally blind in one eye, and the other was so nearly blind that I had to be led wherever I went. This brought me to receive abuse and taunts from my shopmates. I was the youngest of three apprentices. It was my duty to listen to the morning bell, and go down and open the doors to let the men in to work; this I failed to do for several days. One Thursday evening I asked my bed-fellow to lead me to a Mormon "night meeting." He did so, and on my return I called at the home of Brother and Sister Stokes, two members of the Church, where two Elders were going to sleep for the night. When I arrived at the house, my guide left me at the door, as he thought it was getting very late. (Bear in mind my eyes were two balls of blood in appearance, and felt as though a handful of sand had been thrown into them.) I was suffering greatly, and it was near 11 o'clock. I, trembling, said to those Elders, will you anoint my eyes and pray for me? They cheerfully consented. Elder Clark anointed me, and Elder Hodgert was mouth in prayer. While their hands were upon my head, the sore, sandy feeling all left my eyes. Being late, Ijust thanked them and left for home. I had a joyful heart, I could see

the gas lights in the street lamps, but I did not realize my true condition tillhalf past five the next morning. That night I got my ears boxed by the mistress of the house where I lived who was waiting at the door for my coming home. She followed me through the hallway to the foot of the stairs, telling me of my conduct, being unable to work and being out at this late hour, and it raining and damp. I did not say a word but

made for bed. Morning came, the bell rang, and I went down to answer the door; the first man I saw said, "Hello! Sam, are you better?" I said, "I feel so." I went back into the house and struck a light in front of a large mirror, when to my joy I saw a pair of eyes as clear of blood as they ever were in my life. I went into the shop to my vise, lit my gas

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and started to work. At 8 o'clock, a man that worked two vises from me came in to work, and putting his right hand upon my left shoulder he pulled me around, and looking me full in the face, said: "Hello! those Elders of Beelzebub have been performing a miracle upon you, have they?" With that he kicked and cuffed me till my friend and bed-fellow stepped up with a rod of steel in his hands, and declared he would protect me. "And are you a Mormon, too?" he asked. "No," replied my friend, "but if I could learn as much in six years as he has learned in six months, I would be baptized tonight." And that night he was baptized. Now, my friend, this was the beginning of outward signs and miracles to me; and I bear record before God, that mine has been a life of miraculous events, from that day to this. The evidences to prove Joseph Smith a Prophet of God are not few, but legion. I am only one of many thousands in many countries, who are able to tell such things, and bear record from whence they come. And in the language of the Savior, I say to you, "If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.'' Trusting this will find a lodgment in your heart, I will close, praying God that you may never rest at ease till you have obtained the forgiveness of your sins, and the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, for your guide. I am yours truly, Samuel L. Adams.