120 years ago today - May 29, 1897; Saturday

At 3 o'clock this morning Pres[iden]t. Jos[eph]. F. Smith was awakened with the information that Elder Heber J. Grant was in extreme pain and peril. He at once visited him, and found Dr. Jos[eph]. S. Richards with the patient, strongly advising an immediate operation for appendicitis. Bro[ther]. Grant urgently requested the Dr. to administer morphine to him to alleviate the terrible pain. The Dr. declined to do so, unless he would consent to an operation, which Bro[ther]. Grant was unwilling at first to give. Pres[iden]t. Smith went to the Temple and consulted with Pres[ident]. L[orenzo]. Snow, and on their advice Bro[ther]. Grant consented.

Morphine was administered which gave him rest for two hours, when he was conveyed to St. Mary's hospital, where the operation was performed by Dr. Jos[eph]. S. Richards, assisted by several physicians. The appendix was found to be decomposed, and there was a great accumulation of pus in the abdomen. In consequence of this the operation lasted from 10:15 to noon, and the patient was reported to be in a very low and critical condition, with very little prospects of his recovery. About 3 P.M. he regained consciousness, and prepared remarkably well, considering all the circumstances. Word was sent to the Temples to pray for his recovery.

[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

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