When Doctors Gave Up, Hannah’s Faith Didn’t

How One Woman’s Answer to an Angel Changed Her Life Forever

Hannah’s life was not an easy one. Her family went from riches to rags. Her sister, who was also her best friend, died when they were both young. She was ostracized from all of her friends after she decided to join the church, she survived an attempted stoning during her baptism, walked 1,000 miles to get to the Salt Lake Valley, dealt with the famine after arriving in the valley, and suffered through losing a number of her babies to illness.

Through all of those hardships, Hannah stayed faithful. Perhaps, that is why Heavenly Father chose her for this next challenge.

On a summer evening in 1870, Hannah was visited by an angel of the Lord. This angel had one simple but profound question: 

“Are you willing to suffer for His glory?” 

… hold up. 

This is where I become super impressed with Hannah. Because honestly, this is how I’m pretty sure *I* would have responded… 

“What do you mean? Haven’t I already suffered enough? I’m not sure… I don’t want to suffer…” I would have hemmed and hawed… I should probably work on that.  

Hannah however, was stronger than me. 

Because she simply said: YES. 

Before departing, the angel made Hannah a promise: “[You] shall come out of this sickness unscathed in body, sound in mind, and [your] hair shall not be changed.” 

The sickness that Hannah experienced was a pain in her leg that was so intense that she could no longer walk and was bedridden. She could no longer do her favorite thing: take a stroll in her garden. She missed joining with the Saints at church. As the years of her illness dragged on, I’m sure these were the things that made her worry she wouldn’t endure long enough to receive the promised blessings. She was strong but she was human! 

Over the years, she sought help from doctors. All of which told her she would never walk again.

Hannah didn’t believe them. Not only had she received the promise from the angelic visitor, but she had also received many blessings that all said the same thing: she would be healed. Hannah remained steadfast in her faith despite the doctors’ insistence.

Some of the blessings given to Hannah also confirmed a spiritual gift— the gift of writing. With this gift she was able to serve her friends, family, and community even as she remained bedridden. She listened to her friends' woes, and then would write them poems of encouragement. She worked on her autobiography (which I’m super grateful for, since this is how I learned all of this!). She also often composed hymns for church meetings, even though she was unable to attend in person. It was clear the Spirit was with her, because the composed hymns were always perfectly in line with the lessons, even though she had no idea what the lesson was going to be before hand. 

About three years into her sickness, she received a blessing from Orson Pratt, who was an original member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. (Can you imagine?) While he was in her home, she asked him why she hadn’t been healed yet. She knew she would be, but she was growing weary. 

Well… as it sometimes goes… he didn’t quite answer her question. Whether he didn’t know or didn’t want to answer I’m not sure, but he did speak words that were like a healing balm to her soul. She wrote in her autobiography that she knew he was speaking God’s words.

After those comforting words, Elder Pratt offered to give her a blessing. Hannah of course accepted! 

In the blessing, she was told once more that she would be able to stand and walk again, that she would be able to enjoy the beauties of nature, visit her neighbors, and worship with the Saints. Her gift of writing was confirmed and she was given “many other gifts and blessings” which she chose not to include in her autobiography. 

After Elder Pratt finished the blessing, Bishop Thurber, who had assisted in giving it, proclaimed that enduring the sickness seemed worth it to receive such blessings.

Dude. Easy to say when you aren’t the one suffering, eh? But as for her part, Hannah actually agreed with him. Must have been a mighty blessing.  

About a year and a half later, in May of 1874, Hannah’s only living son, Samuel Cornaby, was called to work at the Saw Mill for the United Order. (The United Order was essentially the pioneer's way of attempting to live by the law of consecration.) Hannah knew that she could refuse to let him go. She could keep him close by for help on account of her illness & the fact that she was still bedridden.

But she didn’t. Hannah had faith in the prophet and the United Order. She was proud that her son was willing to heed the call. 

The Sunday after Samuel got the call for the United Order, she felt weaker than she ever had before.

When Elder Darger came by to administer the sacrament, he agreed to give her a blessing. In the blessing he said: 

“Thus saith the Lord thy God, inasmuch as thou hast received the United Order with all thine heart and hast not withheld thy son, even thine only son, thy faith is tried, even as was Abrahams, thou shalt arise from thy bed and shalt stand on thy feet.” 

Instantly Hannah felt the healing power of the blessing ripple through her body. But she wasn’t ready to stand. Not yet. 

“You will soon be well.”  Elder Darger said, and then he left. Hannah knew he was right.

The very next day, Hannah called for her daughter Mary. She asked her to fetch some clothes. She felt better now and intended to walk around. 

I can only imagine what must have been going through Mary’s mind when she heard this pronouncement. Her mom, who she had waited on hand and foot for the better part of four years, was just going to get up and walk? Just like that?

I like to believe that she had faith in the blessings her mother had received, but it still must have made her a bit apprehensive because she asked Hannah if they had better wait for Pa to come home before attempting such a thing. 

Hannah refused to wait. For whatever reason, she wanted to share this moment with Mary, and Mary alone. Mary did as she was told and brought the clothes. Like a newborn colt unsure of its footing, Hannah walked. With Mary’s arm for support, she walked the length of the bed six times. 

Thanks to her remarkable faith, Hannah was healed!

Just as the angel promised, she was unscathed in body, sound in mind and not a hair on her head was changed. Within a month she was able to walk in her garden, visit her neighbors and go to church again. 

Because Hannah was willing to suffer, a miracle was made manifest.

Because Hannah was willing to suffer, we can look to her as an example of faithfulness through trials.

Are you willing to suffer for the glory of God? Am I? I wonder what good will come if we are.

p.s. This story, including quotes, can be found in Hannah’s autobiography which is free on google play books here.

Cornaby, Hannah. Autobiography and Poems . Salt Lake City, UT: J.C. Graham Company , 1881.