“You mistake me. I guess I’m a good enough servant of the Lord, so my own prayer would restore this arm without any of your help; yes, I guess the Lord and me could do it without you—if we thought it was best. Now pay attention. Do you believe in the resurrection of the body?” 

 “I do, Brother Brigham, and of course I didn’t mean to”—he was blushing now. 

 “Do you believe the day of judgment is at hand?” 

 “I do.” 

 “How near?” 

 “You and our priests and Elders say it will come in 1870.” 

 “Correct! How many years is that from now?” 

 “Twenty-three, Brother Brigham.” 

 “Yes, twenty-three. Now then, how many years are there to be after that?” 

 “How many—surely an eternity!” 

 “More than twenty-three years, then—much more?” 

 “Eternity means endless time.” 

 “Oh, it does, does it?” 

 There had been gradually sounding in his voice a ring of triumph which now became distinct. 

 “Well, then, answer me this—and remember it shall be as you say to the best of my influence with the Lord—you shall be responsible for this poor remnant of the seed of Cain. Now, don’t be rash! Is it better for this poor creature to continue with his one arm here for the twenty-three years the world is to endure, and then pass on to eternity where he will have his two arms forever; or, do you want me to renew his arm now and let him go through eternity a freak, a monstrosity? Do you want him to suffer a little inconvenience these few days he has here, or do you want him to go through an endless hereafter with three arms?” 

 The young man gazed at him blankly with a dropped jaw. 

 “Come, what do you say? I’m full of faith. Shall I—” 

 “No—no, Brother Brigham; don’t—for God’s sake, don’t! Of course he would be resurrected with three arms. You think of 

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