“Right this way,” he heard Ann say.
Will used all his strength to open his eyes.
Ann spoke to a man Will had seen talking to President Garn in the past. “Thank you so much, Job.” She turned toward the other man. “And thank you, Brother Harper.”
Both men moved until they stood directly over him. The room was cramped with the other afflicted people taking up several cots, but Mrs. Brower and Ann sandwiched themselves in between the sickbeds and the men.
“Mr. Boyd,” Job said. “We are so pleased you wish for a blessing. My name is Job Smith, and Brother Harper is here as well, and we understand from Miss Fowles that it is hard for you to speak.”
He nodded. Ever since the blasted sores had ravaged his tongue and mouth and spread throughout his body, any words were extremely painful.
Job continued. “A blessing comes from God. We believe the scriptures when they say, ‘The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away.’ Do you understand?”
Again, Will found the strength to nod. With every word, his desire to receive a blessing increased.
“Healing is a matter of God’s will. But your faith, combined with the faith of those aboard this vessel, is important. Do you have faith, Mr. Boyd?”
The question hit him hard. That was the crux of everything it seemed—a question he’d wondered about for far longer than his sickness. He felt so inadequate in so many ways. God had every right to give up on him, that much was certain. Before this voyage, Will had never paid heed to God, so why should He pay attention to Will now?
“Even a small bit of faith can grow, you know,” Brother Harper added.
Will felt a hand on his. He knew even without looking over that it was Ann reassuring him. The fact that she dared to touch him while he was in such a state sent a measurable amount of peace through him. Something in the firm hold of her hand felt like she was adding her faith too. And knowing she believed bolstered his own fledgling bit of hope.
Will swallowed against the fire in his throat. “I do,” he managed. “At least, I am trying.”
“That is all God asks,” Job continued. “Any healing is a miracle, but the true God is a God of miracles. Shall we proceed, Mr. Boyd, with your consent?”
Will nodded again and, because it felt like he should, he closed his eyes. Both men put their hands on his head, and Job cleared his throat.
He began speaking by invoking the power of the Holy Melchizedek priesthood in Will’s behalf. Then he continued. “Dear God, we ask Thee, if Thou art willing, to spare William Boyd’s life and heal him from this disease. The passengers and crew of this ship need his guidance. We ask Thee, if it be Thy will, to allow him to once again become a great force in the success of this journey.”
Job paused and Will tensed. Why wasn’t he continuing? Was it because he could feel Will’s wickedness? He wanted to believe, he wanted to hope, he prayed silently for forgiveness and another chance, but maybe it was too late—
Job drew a breath and finally continued. “William, the Lord has a great work for you to do. We bless you to come to understand the love God has for you. Indeed, God has a great work for you to do, if you are willing. We bless you with the ability to demonstrate the faith requisite to accomplish a miracle.”
He closed in the name of Christ, and the others echoed an “amen.”
Will opened his eyes. “What now?” he asked before he could stop himself.
“We wait,” said Job. “And pray our faith will bring forth a miracle.”
Will nodded slowly. The blessing had mentioned his own specific faith. He resolved to increase his belief. He would not give up in any way and would rely on God to fulfill His promise.
“Thank you,” he whispered. Both men wiped at their teary eyes. Will looked at the women beside them. “And thanks to both of you.”
Mrs. Brower nodded and left the room after patting Will on the shoulder.
“Shall we offer blessings to those newly ill?” said Brother Harper.
Job agreed.
Ann moved closer to the second man and Will heard her whisper, “Job, do you think it’s safe for you to be around the sick—with Adelaide and Cyrus and all—”
His fuzzy thoughts briefly cleared, and he put together the familial pieces and what Ann had said earlier. Job was Ann’s brother-in-law. The one married to her sister with the sweet baby, Addy, that already died on ship. If he remembered right, their last name was Smith.
“I shall be all right,” Job answered. “You were resting a few days ago when I came to bless some of the others, and a few of those have already improved. I feel that God is preserving me as I administer to the sick here, and He keeps me safe.”
Will noticed Ann smile and tip her head toward her brother-in-law, but she said nothing.
