Women Allowed to Lay Hands on Sick for Healing Through Faith — Eliza R. Snow (April 28, 1842)
Respecting the females laying on hands, he further remark’d, there could be no devil in it if God gave his sanction by healing — that there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face with water — that it is no sin for any body to do it that has faith, or if the sick has faith to be heal’d by the administration.
Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book, p. 36, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Women May Administer to Sick Through Laying on of Hands — Eliza R. Snow (April 28, 1842)
Prest. Smith continued the subject by adverting to the commission given to the ancient apostles “Go ye into all the world” &c. no matter who believeth; these signs, such as healing the sick, casting out devils &c. should follow all that believe whether male or female. He ask’d the Society if they could not see by this sweeping stroke that wherein they are ordaind, it is the privilege of those set apart to administer in that authority which is confer’d on them — and if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let every thing roll on. . . .
Prest. S. then offered instruction respecting the propriety of females administering to the sick by the laying on of hands — said it was according to revelation &c. said he never was plac,d in similar circumstances, and never had given the same instruction.
He clos’d his instruction by expressing his satisfaction in improving the opportunity.
Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book, p. 36, 41, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Women May Possess Blessings of the Priesthood & Heal Sick, Cast Out Devils, Etc. (April 28, 1842)
Journal of Joseph Smith
Gave a lecture on the pries[t]hood shewing how the Sisters would come in possession of the priviliges & blesings & gifts of the priesthood— & that the signs should follow them. such as healing the sick casting out devils &c. & that they might attain unto. these blessings. by a virtuous life & conversation & diligence in keeping all the commandments
Journal, December 1841–December 1842, p. 94, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Martha Jane Knowlton Coray
At two o’clock P.M. I met the members of the “Female Relief Society” and after presiding at the admission of many new members gave a lecture on the Priesthood shewing how the sisters would come in possession of the privileges, blessings, and gifts of the Priesthood, and that the signs should follow them, such as healing the sick, casting out devils &c and that they might attain unto these blessings by a virtuous life and conversation and diligence in keeping all the commandments.
History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842], p. 1326, The Joseph Smith Papers.
