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If You Are of The Lord I Will Be Healed

In the year 1805, twenty-two-year-old Joseph Murdock was injured while lifting a heavy, green log. From that point on, he was crippled, unable to work, and never free of pain. Add to that the fact that as the years passed, Joseph came down with consumption, which today is known as tuberculosis. By 1836, Joseph Murdock was so ill that those caring for him simply gave up. His son Joseph recorded:

An Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by the name of Jonathan Dunham called at our home and appeared to be anxious to see my father. He went to father’s side, and father asked him if he really believed in the new religion. Elder Dunham replied that he did, with all his heart and soul, that it was the true religion restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the same gospel that was practiced by Jesus Christ. My father said to Elder Dunham, “Either you have the true gospel or you are the greatest imposter in the work of the Lord,” Then he said, “Now, if you have the truth and are of the Lord, I want you to pray for me, and lay your hands upon me, and if you are of the Lord I will be healed, and if you are an imposter I will not be healed.” Elder Dunham knelt down and prayed for father and got up and laid his hands on his head and blessed him and asked the Lord to heal him of his long sickness and suffering.

The family records continued,

Joseph wrote that his father fell into a deep sound sleep, his face peaceful and serene, and for the first time in years untroubled by pain. In the morning, he awoke rested and refreshed and called for his clothes. Sally, at first refused to give them to him, but he told her, “I am a well man, give me my clothes.” So she did as he asked and he dressed himself and for the first time in years walked to the table where he ate breakfast with his family. Sally had been ill for many years also and was often confined to her bed, although we don’t know what her ailment was, but after Elder Dunham administered to her, she was made well in a day, and suffered no further afflictions for the rest of her days.

The entire family joined the Church. Then in 1842, Joseph Murdock Sr. suffered a stroke and was again crippled. It was at this time that the family began the very difficult journey to join the Saints in Nauvoo. By the time they arrived, Joseph had become deaf and deranged and was unable to even stand up. His son, Joseph Stacey Murdock, was determined to get him to the Prophet Joseph Smith. He did so and left this record:

Brother Joseph made him a promise in the name of Israel’s God that if he would be baptized in the Mississippi River seven times, he should be made whole in one week. This was complied with and he was made whole in the time set apart, never to be anymore afflicted in life.

It was Joseph Stacy Murdock who would later in his life compose these meaningful words that became one of our most beloved hymns.

Come, listen to a prophet’s voice,

And hear the word of God,

And in the way of truth rejoice,

And sing for joy aloud.

We’ve found the way the prophets went

Who lived in days of yore.

Another prophet now is sent

This knowledge to restore.

This testimony comes from a man who knew.

Source: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/KWJD-VKH

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/library/hymns/come-listen-to-a-prophets-voice?lang=eng