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Vow for Healing

Vow for Healing

Last updated on: June 23, 2026 at 8:47 am by Delisa Hargrove

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Vow for Healing 2026-06-23T08:47:58-10:00 Delisa Hargrove

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While doing some research for a family history project, I came across this journal entry by my great-great-grandfather, John Bushman. It struck me because, while petitioning for a miraculous healing, I once vowed a vow as well, which culminated in the Lord blessing me according to my vow. I appreciated the opportunity to reflect on the miraculous healings in both our lives and on the eagerness I feel as I anticipate the Lord’s continued covenant blessings.

John Bushman

My great-great-grandfather, John Bushman

From John Bushman’s Diary

1 January 1905, soon after arriving home from Texas, [Grandfather lived in Joseph City, Arizona,] a sore appeared on my lower lip, just the same as I had cured seven years before. Sent directly to B. Dye, who had furnished treatment for the former cure. This medicine came January 29th; and I commenced to apply the treatment, but it didn’t seem to heal as before.

February 10, 1905, took daughter June, to Snowflake to take care of her sister, Maria, who has been sick for some time. Talked with Brothers Freeman and James M. Flake, who had both been to California to have cancers removed from their wives’ breasts; and they thought Dr. Chanley was a pretty sure cure. February 11, came to Woodruff and stopped with John Deadhead and talked with W. DeWitt, who had been to California and had a cancer removed from his lip that was much like mine.

February 12, while on my way home from Woodruff, I decided I would have to go to San Francisco to have my lip cured and had gathered part of the necessary money to pay all expenses. I was pouring out my soul in prayer, as I was riding along, and thanking my heavenly Father for the many privileges and blessings I had enjoyed in the Gospel, when I felt the presence of my wife, Mary, who had been dead over eighteen years, and an assurance that the gospel was true and that all would be well with me, and then I vowed that, if I did not have to go to San Francisco, I would give at least part of the means that the trip would cost to the Church.

Accordingly, in September, when I received pay from the sale of wool, I sent $100.00 to Joseph F. Smith with the request that $50.00 go to the fund to purchase the Center Stake of Zion. I sent $10.00 to nephew M. I. Bushman on a mission in England, and $40.00 tithing. This was to redeem my vow. The sore was all healed up in two weeks.

Below is the story of my vow for healing

I contracted a debilitating disease on my mission that ultimately sent me home a transfer and a half early. I was so devastated. I couldn’t walk. My mother had to help carry me to the bathroom. It wreaked havoc on every aspect of my life, and I was told I would be an invalid for the rest of my life.

My father gave me a Priesthood blessing commanding me to walk again and promised that I could return to BYU. I felt like I should make a personal covenant with the Lord that I would go to the temple every day and in return asked that He would strengthen me. This was personal revelation for my life. You can receive personal direction for your life.

That experience was the first time I really called on Jesus Christ’s enabling power. I didn’t really know what “enabling power” was then but followed the Holy Ghost’s prompting as it came to me. I’d only gone to the temple a few times before my mission, but I had this confidence that the temple really was the House of the Lord and was filled with His power, and I wanted Him to infuse His power into my mind and body.

I went to BYU. I attended the Provo Temple daily. I began to feel a physical change as I “plugged” into the temple every day. My body grew stronger and stronger as I fulfilled my part of the covenant. I graduated from BYU.

I still rely on that connection to the temple. I can still feel a physical decline if I don’t attend regularly. The power of Jesus Christ through the temple recharges me physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Experiences like these remind me how intimately involved, Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives! We can vow vows and He responds!

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