“During the winter of 1834-35, Heber attended the theological school established in Kirtland. Here originated the lectures on faith, formerly in the book of Doctrine and Covenants. It was the custom, at these meetings, to call upon a certain number to speak for the edification of others. Heber, on one occasion, was invited to address them on the subject of faith. Every passage of scripture bearing on the theme having been quoted by previous speakers, and not wishing to repeat what they had said, he was left to depend entirely upon the Spirit. He began by relating the following anecdote, the incident of which had occurred in his own family:
“ ‘My wife, one day, when going out on a visit, gave my daughter Helen Mar charge not to touch the dishes, for if she broke any during her absence she would give her a whipping when she returned. While my wife was absent my daughter broke a number of the dishes by letting the table leaf fall, and then she went out under an apple tree and prayed that her mother’s heart might be softened, that when she returned she might not whip her. Her mother was very punctual when she made a promise to her children, to fulfill it, and when she returned she undertook, as a duty, to carry this promise into effect. She retired with her into her room, but found herself powerless to chastise her; her heart was so softened that it was impossible for her to raise her hand against the child. Afterwards, Helen told her mother she had prayed to the Lord that she might not whip her.’
“Heber paused in his simple narrative. Tears glistened in the eyes of his hearers. The Prophet Joseph was weeping like a child. He told the brethren that that was the kind of faith they needed – the faith of a little child, going in humility to its Parent, and asking for the desire of its heart. He said the anecdote was well-timed.”
Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, pp. 69-70.