In 1832 Orson Pratt and Lyman Johnson came from Ohio to Charleston, Vt., preaching of a new religion based on the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. They went through Winslow Farr, Town Selectman (councilman) and school board member in securing the schoolhouse for their meetings. After the meeting in which these two elders, not yet twenty one, taught the tenets of their religion, they were invited by Winslow to stay at his home.

After conversing on the principles of the gospel until late in the evening, Winslow invited them to pray. Orson Pratt prayed for the healing of Olive, who had been sick for nearly seven years with a liver complaint. Olive had been confined to her bed for most of that time. After prayer, Elder Pratt went to Olive's bedside asked her if she had faith to be healed? Elder Pratt then took her by the hand and said, 'Olive, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, I command you to be made whole.' She raised herself and sat up in the bed, called for her clothes, dressed herself, walked the room and sang praises to God. There was much rejoicing in the family that night and no sleep. Her neighbors and doctors were amazed at her recovery. She would outlive both of the young elders, dying in her 93rd year.

This miracle was recorded by the Vermont Historical Magazine and thus became part of state and town history. When I visited Charleston in 1992 both the Town Clerk, Jeannie Bennett, and the town historian, Richard Colburn, asked me if the Farr family I sought was the same one in which the miracle of healing had occurred. I replied in the affirmative.

When Lorin was about six years old he remembers his grandfather, Elijah, coming to visit with Winslow and Olive. Grandfather Elijah was a religious and devout man. He had attended the Congregational Church but had a falling out with that church because he found that the church covered up iniquity, screening members from justice. Elijah was very conversant with the scriptures, explaining to Winslow and Olive that when the true church was restored to the earth it would have apostles and prophets and all the gifts of the spirit enumerated in the scriptures. He also believed that the Jews would be gathered back to Jerusalem. Elijah knew they were living in the last days and felt his daughter, Olive and son in law, Winslow, might live to see the restoration of the gospel.

As a small boy, Lorin considered Elijah Freeman to be like John the Baptist as he overheard his grandfather talk to his parents about religion while he sat by their side in a small rocking chair. When the gospel was brought to the Farr's in Charleston, Vt., Lorin recognized right away that this was the gospel his had grandfather had spoken of over five years ago. Elijah had died a few years earlier, but his children lived to see his words come true.

Young Lorin believed the testimony of these twenty-one year old elders. He believed every word they said on that first night in this northern town's schoolhouse. Since that night he has never doubted that testimony, but saw it grow through his own faithfulness. One of the Elders, Elder Pratt, testified that the true church of Christ was on the earth with all the gifts and blessings of the gospel. He testified of the gathering of Israel to rebuild Israel. Based on the testimonies of Elders Pratt and Johnson along with his grandfathers predictions, Lorin was baptized at age 11 in the Clyde River near their frontier home. Elder Lyman Johnson baptized him. Lorin would often exclaim to the Elders as they taught him certain principles of the gospel, 'Why that is what my grandfather said!"

The gospel was taught to Farr relatives in Chesterfield Hollow, just outside St. Johnsbury. An old barn, later referred to as the Mormon Barn, stood on a meadow near the Gage River. Here the Snows and Badgers, relatives to the Farrs, heard the gospel. The barn belonged to the Snow family. The elders would sit on the high beams of the barn to teach. The ladies would sit in the hay and men and boys packed in wherever they could find room. A man recalled that a crowd would gather on the appointed day, usually a Sunday, to hear the missionaries. There would be a migration of the Snows and Badgers to Kirtland from this Vermont hamlet.

Winslow Farr became active in taking care of the members both in Northern Vermont and Lower Canada. The Farr home in Charleston became a rendevous for the traveling elders. The entire village became more conscious of religion due to the Farr family's conversion. Winslow was well respected in the community as was the rest of the family. Because of this respect, the community attempted to dissuade Winslow from his planned departure for Kirtland, Ohio to join the main body of the Saints. Winslow and Olive's relatives, the Snows and the Badgers, had already journeyed to Kirtland. Winslow's, cousin Erastus Snow, would become an apostle and an accomplished orator in Utah. Erastus's brother, William Snow, would later serve in the church on the Salt Lake High Council with Winslow. In the Spring of 1837 Winslow took his family down through Waterford to visit their relatives' graves on the Conneciticut River. Then it was on through rough roads and long distances to the far off shining city of the Saints, Kirtland, Ohio. There they could associate with the Prophet Joseph Smith and other strong leaders that were helping Joseph build the Kingdom of God. There they could behold the celestial temple of the Lord, built by the sacrifice of His saints.