“Elijah Able,” Doctrine and Covenants Stories (2024)
“Elijah Able,” Doctrine and Covenants Stories
1838
Elijah Able
A mission of faith and courage
The Lord called a man named Elijah Able to be a missionary. Elijah taught Eunice and Charles Franklin about the gospel of Jesus Christ. He told them about the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph Smith. Eunice and Charles believed what he taught and wanted to join the Church. Elijah baptized them.
Saints, 1:316
Elijah left to share the gospel in another town. One night, a few months later, he had a dream about his friend Eunice. In the dream, Eunice wasn’t sure anymore that the Book of Mormon was true or that Joseph Smith was a prophet. When Elijah woke up, he returned right away to check on Eunice.
Doctrine and Covenants 75:27; Saints, 1:315–16
Eunice was surprised to see Elijah at her door! Elijah’s dream was right: Eunice didn’t believe in the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith anymore.
Saints, 1:317
Elijah asked Eunice to come hear him preach at a school. As she heard Elijah’s words, she felt the Holy Ghost again. She knew the gospel was true!
Saints, 1:317
Elijah promised Eunice he would come back in two weeks to preach again. But some people in the town did not want him to come back. After Elijah left, they started telling everyone that Elijah had killed people. They offered a reward for anyone who found him.
Saints, 1:318
Eunice knew that the people were lying about Elijah. He had not killed anyone. He was a good man and a servant of God. She knew their lies would not stop Elijah from coming to their town to preach. Eunice told the people that Elijah would come back. “God will protect him,” she said.
Saints, 1:318
Elijah did return. He came to the same school where he had preached before. It was crowded with people who wanted him to be arrested. Elijah stood before the crowd. He said if they wanted to arrest him, they should do it now, before he started teaching. If not, they should let him teach.
Saints, 1:318
No one moved. Elijah waited, but the crowd sat in silence. Elijah sang a hymn, said a prayer, and taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. The power of God was with him. After he finished teaching, he talked to his friends Eunice and Charles and continued his mission in peace.
Saints, 1:319