Amanda Barnes Smith was one of the early pioneers of the church. This woman was put through more trials in her life than most people. Amanda Barnes was happily married and living in Missouri as a saint with her husband and five children: Willard, age 13, Sardius, age 9, and twins, Alma and Alvira, age 4, and Ortensia, age 2. At the disaster of Haun's Mill, she lost her husband and Sardius and little Alma's hip was blown off. Willard had escaped into the woods and had gone back to the mill to see if there were any survivors. That's when he found little Alma.
Amanda Barnes Smith did not know what to do with little Alma, whose hip was completely gone. She was so devastated that she got down on her knees and began to plead with God, asking him what she should do. At that moment, she felt great peace and the seventh verse of "How Firm A Foundation" came into her mind.
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, dessert to his foes
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake
I'll never, no never, no never forsake
That is when a miracle happened, she suddenly knew how to build her son a new hip. She was given the directions by Heavenly Father. Alma went on to walk again, lived a long and happy life and raised a family.
Amanda Barnes Smith lived out the rest of her years a very faithful person. Amanda Barnes Smith had faith that Heavenly Father could heal her son. Because of her faith, she was comforted by the holy ghost and Heavenly Father told her how to build her son a hip. She remained a faithful member of the church for the rest of her life.
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