Description

The Cure Was Complete

Sometime around 1884, Samuel and Verena Weber moved to Weinfelden, in the canton of Thurgau in Switzerland. Perhaps it was to find doctors that could help their son, Erwin, who was only 2-3 years old. He had a terrible skin disease. Heavy scabs covered his body from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, through which blood and pus would ooze. They kept his days and nights a constant torment. Medical science and every known remedy were tried, but nothing seemed to ease the awful condition which seemed to resemble nothing so much as that scourge of mankind, leprosy, and yet it seemed unthinkable that an innocent baby should be so stricken.”

Family records tell the following story:

It was while living there that a young Mormon elder knocked on their door one day announcing himself as a representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was Arnold Schulthess from Utah, only 18 years old. He could not have made an instant impression; he seemed so young, and he was talking about a religion they had never heard of. They listened for a while, scarcely hearing him, so engrossed were they in what seemed their more immediate problem, their stricken little son. Then they heard ‘Is any sick among you, let him call for the Elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith shall save the sick.’ [James 5:14-15]” Never had anyone claimed to have the power to heal. They listened as the concept was taught. “They believed him and they would exercise faith. Were there moments of doubt as they watched the young man anoint the scab encrusted head with oil. From that hour the allergy healed. The skin cleared and the cure was complete. The little boy ever after called Elder Schulthess, ‘Little Doctor’.

Samuel and Verena Weber were baptized June 26, 1886. Much persecution followed their decision. Finally in 1888, the Weber family emigrated to America, eventually settling in Freedom, Idaho. There they lived out their days raising a large family that honors them to this day.

Sources: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/KWVH-211