The Mysterious Miracle Worker

Could This Have Been One of the Three Nephites?

In 1858, At just 2 months old, Elizabeth Stolworthy had a bad fever, and was close to leaving this earthly home.

Her mother, Matilda, was distraught. She had already lost 5 babies and she did not know how she could possibly survive losing another. She knelt down on her knees and pleaded with the Lord to save her little girl's life.

Before she even stood up, the front door swung open and a strange old man who strode into the room. He said, “Sister, something sent me to this home. Are you all well?”

I imagine Matilda’s mouth widened in surprise.

“I have a very sick baby,” she managed to reply.

“Well Sister, she is not going to die. The evil one has taken your babies but he is not going to take this one,” he reportedly said. And then he placed his hands Elizabeth’s head and blessed her. He blessed baby Elizabeth in a language her mother could not understand. When he was done, he said “She will live to an old age, raise a large family and become a leader among women.” And with that he left, but before he closed the door he said, “Peace be unto this home.”

It is unclear how exactly they knew this, but all of the telling’s of this story say that her daughter was “instantly healed.” I can’t even imagine the relief that must have flooded Matilda’s body in that moment.

Soon after the man left, Matilda realized that she had forgotten to say thank you. So she ran after the strange old man to thank him, but as she looked up and down the road he was nowhere to be seen. She asked around the town but nobody had seen anyone matching his description.

Matilda always believed that this man must have been one of the Three Nephites. (the disciples that were translated and blessed to stay on Earth bringing souls to Christ.) What do you think?

Have you ever had a mysterious encounter? I’d love to hear about it!

Ott, L. J. (2016). Life history of Elizabeth Stolworthy Jolley: Works Progress Administration Biography Sketches. J. Willard Marriott Digital Library. https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6m069nm