The Mormons, whether guilty or not, were accused by common consent of the orthodox and irreligious part of the community.

Hatred of the adherents of the new sect began to rise in all the neighbouring country, as a ripple rises on the sea when the wind begins to blow; the growing wave broke here and there in little ebullitions of wrath, and still gained strength until it bid fair to surge high.
About Christmas time there were a number of cases of illness in Kirtland.

Joseph Smith healed one woman, who appeared to be dying, by merely taking her by the hand, after praying, and commanding her to get up.

After that he went about with great confidence to others who were stricken, and in many cases health seemed to return with remarkable celerity.

It is hard to understand why the report of this, going abroad with such addition as gossip gives, should have greatly added to the rage of the members of other religious sects.