In the Lorenzo Snow manual there is a sub-heading (on page 25) “Ministering to Individuals.” It talks about leaders ministering to individuals and not letting their leadership callings get in the way. The example given is an event in 1891 where Lorenzo Snow raised a child from the dead:

“After standing at Ella’s bedside for a minute or two, President Snow asked if we had any consecrated oil in the house. I was greatly surprised, but told him yes and got it for him. He handed the bottle of oil to Brother Clawson and asked him to anoint Ella. [President Snow] was then mouth in confirming the anointing.

“During the administration I was particularly impressed with some of the words which he used and can well remember them now. He said: ‘Dear Ella, I command you, in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, to come back and live, your mission is not ended. You shall yet live to perform a great mission.’

“He said she should yet live to rear a large family and be a comfort to her parents and friends. I well remember these words. …

“… After President Snow had finished the blessing, he turned to my wife and me and said: ‘Now do not mourn or grieve any more. It will be all right. Brother Clawson and I are busy and must go, we cannot stay, but you just be patient and wait, and do not mourn, because it will be all right.’ …

“Ella remained in this condition for more than an hour after President Snow administered to her, or more than three hours in all after she died. We were sitting there watching by the bedside, her mother and myself, when all at once she opened her eyes. She looked about the room, saw us sitting there, but still looked for someone else, and the first thing she said was: ‘Where is he? Where is he?’ We asked, ‘Who? Where is who?’ ‘Why, Brother Snow,’ she replied. ‘He called me back.”

From this story it seems as though I should expect leaders to raise my child from the dead. What am I to expect of myself, and what is fair to expect from leaders based on this story?

Taking the story deeper than the surface, what should I do in likening that example to myself?

What kind of expectations should we have for our leaders?