Robert Lee Pye (1883-1973) was an Englishman who emigrated to Canada in about 1911. In 1914 he wrote this letter to German E. Ellsworth, president of the Northern States Mission.

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It is two and a half years since I saw an Elder and pray that the Lord will open the way that I may once again enjoy associating with those of our faith, for nothing is more agreeable to me than to converse with those who delight to talk of the Gospel and the manifestations of the Spirit that they individually enjoy. There not being anyone here that I can tell it to, I would like to bear my testimony to you, for I have been greatly blessed of the Lord.

In my earliest childhood I had faith in God and at certain periods had a great desire to serve him. My mother was of the Primitive Methodist Church, but my father was indifferent to religion.

I was sent to various Sunday Schools for there is an opinion amongst certain people that it matters not which church you unite with so long as you are sincere. So I have attended Church of England, Primitive Methodist, Baptist Mission, Quakers and others, but still felt that all were not right and became very unsettled not knowing it was the doctrines of men that were wrong.

Then I began to think for myself and became disgusted with ministers and church members, and as is very common with young men, I fell to reasoning that since the clergy were not what they pretended to be, that all religion was a farce. As a child I had regarded the world with pure eyes; as a young man I saw the filth and went to the opposite extreme and tried to believe there was no God and agreed with infidels. … In the midst of this I sought only worldly pleasures and drifted with the crowd and yet at certain periods I seemed to be held in check. I saw myself as I was and sometimes made an effort for something higher and nobler only to fall back. It was the pleadings of the Spirit and in spite of all I felt there was a God thought I knew very little of him. … Then later, I had to undergo an operation and my thoughts turned to God, and I promised that if I restored I would strive to serve Him, and so at various periods of my life I have been checked in my downward course, yet only to continue in it till the age of twenty or thereabouts …

Then I became stricken with a serious complaint, becoming very deaf and completely lost my sight, and being shut out from the world and alone with my thoughts the Spirit had a chance to operate more freely, and after a year or so when I had sufficiently recovered my sight so as to be able to read, one of the first books I came across was a Millennial Star, published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So far I had never heard of Mormonism, but was so impressed with that book that I felt desirous of obtaining more. A sister being acquainted with Elders laboring in our town told them I wished to investigate and they sent me some tracts. Then it was that I felt I had at last found what I was seeking. A gospel so easy to comprehend, making clear that which I did not understand.

Elder Hugh Brown called to see me. I was impressed by the humility of the man and the brotherly spirit he showed, so different to the superior intolerant manner of the clergymen I had come in contact with; he asked if there was any question on doctrine I did not understand he could explain, but that which I had read did not cause any doubt. I was simply satisfied.

In the course of time I read the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. It did not shock me to hear all the churches had gone astray. I was of that opinion and with the true Gospel explained according to scripture it was evident. The thrill I felt at the testimony that the Lord revealed himself and His will to His people in these days! Was it true? I wanted it to be. I had been deceived so many times. Oh! to be certain. One thing I felt, if this is not the true Church then there is none, and finally I decided to do as Joseph Smith had done – inquire of the Lord.

Shortly after prayer, one night as I was in bed pondering over all I had heard, I felt lifted up and in the presence of God. Joy, I have never felt as I did on that occasion. I knew then that ll who deny revelation were false.

I applied for baptism and felt I could hardly await the appointed day. It is seven years since then and I have never for a moment had cause to doubt. I know as I live that Mormonism, so-called, is true and I pray that I may live faithful to the covenant I have made with God.m

It is two and a half years since I left England and I have not seen an elder since I came, but I enjoy the companionship of the Spirit which never fails; however, I look forward to the time when I shall again mingle with the Saints and partake of the Sacrament.

Although I have not had the pleasure of meeting you yet, I follow with interest the reports I read in Liahona and my heart is with you in your work and I hope that you may find many sincere searchers after truth.

Thanking you for your kind letter I will conclude,

Believe me to be,

Sincerely your brother,

Robert L. Pye

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Robert emigrated to the US in about 1922, and in 1927 he married. A note in the 1940 Improvement Era reads:

“The following verse was written by Robert Lee Pye, 57, totally deaf, almost blind, one of those numerous humble, heroic, and worthy but largely “unknown and unsung” persons. Thirty-five years ago he was dying in a hospital in England and, at that time, made a covenant with God, that if He would help him, and also show hi the Truth, he would follow the Gospel though it led to the cross! The Mormon Elders then came; he received a personal testimony of the truthfulness of Mormonism and embraced it, though his kin in England, wealthy people, utterly cast him out; and, though he has, from that time, known unremitting poverty and trouble to this day, his testimony remains, shining powerfully within him.”

Lord, let Thy Spirit come to me,
To turn my eyes from self, to Thee;
Thou art the life, the truth, the way:
So lead me in that narrow way
For though I look to all mankind,
I turn away, I still am blind;
But Thou, O light of endless day,
I know that should’st Thou lead the way
From where I am, up! up! to Thee!
To realms of light, Eternal Day!
I know, O Lord, I then shall see;
So lead me Lord, I humbly pray.