Months ago I started this series to post the brief testimonies published by hundreds of Latter-day Saints in 1907, intending to post an installment each Fast Day. Somehow that fell through the cracks. So we begin again today, with a series that may well last throughout 2019. See here for more background.
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In the issue of Liahona The Elders’ Journal dared March 28, there appeared an editorial article conveying an invitation to Saints and friends in the several missions of the United States to express in writing such a testimony of the gospel as they were able to bear and forward the same for publication, during the present month. In the number dated April 4 this invitation was repeated, and in this edition, beginning on the first page, we reproduce some of the testimonies that we have been receiving up to the present writing. Only a portion of them can be given at a time, their number is so great, which is what we expected. From week to week others will appear until all that come to hand during the month of April are published. It is the present intention to limit to this month the invitation for Saints and friends in the missions to send in their testimonies for publication.
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Who are the persons that thus record these solemn declarations in support of the truth and divinity of a religious system which has met with such prejudice, opposition and persecution? With few if any exceptions they are total strangers to every member of the staff of this journal, so far as acquaintance in the usual sense of the word is concerned. Excluding family relationships, it is quite evident that these witnesses are all, or nearly all, total strangers to each other. Of nearly all of them it may be said that they are strangers to all save a very few of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose teachings they so earnestly confirm; they are scattered Saints who have never met more than a few of their brethren and sisters. In some cases the elders who brought them the gospel seem to be the only believers in it whom they have ever known.
Most of them are recent converts who have not had either time or opportunity to become thoroughly versed in the tenets of their new belief; they might show little skill in defending the same against an able opponent. Yet behold the clam, perfect and joyful certainty with which they testify to having found the truth, the true plan of salvation, the pearl of great price!
What manner of persons are these witnesses? As they are total strangers to us, we cannot answer from association. But that they are intelligent is proved by the way they write, and by their use of language. This will be evident when we state that most of their communications have been edited very little and are given practically verbatim. Much editing would have distracted from their strength and beauty. That the writers are brave is proved by the fact that they have volunteered to support an unpopular cause. That they are devout and sincere is proved by the spirit and sentiment breathed in their words. That they are truthful and qualified witnesses is proved by all the attending circumstances.
Had they not been very much restricted in the matter of space – they were asked not to exceed sixty words – many of them could and no doubt would have recited a rich and wonderful religious experience. Some of them could not satisfy themselves within a limit so narrow, and we did not enforce the rule; but none of them wasted any words. How any man who has any confidence in human nature or veracity, can read the testimonies of these witnesses and not feel that their source lies in that which is superhuman, is inexplicable.
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Note how widely scattered are the contributors to this remarkable symposium. Many states of the Union and even Canada are represented. Obviously collusion to deceive is impossible. A few of them testify to a belief only. Nearly all of them, in language most earnest and impressive, testify to possessing absolute knowledge. Are they dupes of some delusion? Are they laboring under some hallucination? Let those who answer these questions in the affirmative, tell us whether there are any certainties in religion, or even any realities in human life.
Life is real. The scriptures are true. The promises of God never fail. Here in the testimonies of these witnesses, is a fulfillment of what God has promised, namely, that all who do His will shall know that His gospel is true, and that all who repent and are baptized shall receive the Holy Ghost, which will lead them into all truth and bear record of it to their souls. This means new and continuous revelation from God to all of His children who serve Him in the appointed way. Christian generally oppose this principle, but how is lost and fallen man ever to be saved without it? In the midst of the darkness and confusion that cover the Christian world, how can he strait and narrow path that leads to eternal life ever be found without new revelation from God?
One of the chief objects in publishing these testimonies, is to aid in convincing the children of men that the God of their salvation is a God of revelation, who will show the truth and manifest His will to all who approach Him in a prayer of humility and faith. Another object is to show to seekers after truth that the heavens have been opened in modern times, that angels have again begun to visit the earth, that prophets and inspired men are now laboring among mankind, and that a new volume of scripture, the Book of Mormon, containing the fullness of the gospel of Christ in such plainness that no one of common intelligence need fail to understand it, has been brought forth by the power of God to the present generation of the earth’s inhabitants.
To our brethren and sisters who have placed on record in the pages of Liahona The Elders’ Journal their testimonies to the truth of the gospel as revealed form heaven in modern times, and taught by the Latter-day Saints, we wish to say: You have done well; tens of thousands will read your words, which will aid in creating faith in the earth, and saving the souls of men. The Lord will bless you for this thing that you have done.
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Testimonies.
Alabama.
I wish to bear my testimony to the restored gospel. I know it is true, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know this myself. The Lord is no respecter of persons, and all may know the same. The Savior said that if any man would do the will of the Father he should know of the doctrine, whether it was of God or man. – John B. Gaylor and Marguerette E. Gaylor, Alabama City, Ala.
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By the light of the Holy Spirit that is in me, I know of a truth that the gospel that the elders preach is true; also that Joseph Smith was a prophet of these last days, and also that the Book of Mormon is true. The Spirit of Christ gives me the knowledge and understanding and light. – J.J. Baker, Auburn, Lee Co., Ala.
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I seat myself to express myself as to a knowledge of the truth of the gospel that I have embraced. I know that it is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. The signs have been sufficient to perfect my belief beyond all doubt. – Robert Carroll, Blue Springs. Ala.
Florida.
In the course of a business letter, Sister Addie R. Sheffield, of Waylonzo, Fla., says: “I have been a member of the Church two years, and I do feel happy to know that the right way has been shown to me before it was too late, for I do know that it is the right way, and that the only way wherein a person can be saved is by living up to the gospel as taught by the Latter-day Saints.”
Georgia.
I know that the gospel is true, that Jesus is the Christ and that Joseph Smith was a true and living prophet of God. The Church we represent is divinely authorized of God. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church of God. I bear my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. – Benjamin Richardson, 1132 D’Antignae St., Augusta, Ga.
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I have been reading considerable of late of the work of the Latter-day Saints, and it looks so beautiful and seems so good I ask the prayers of all the Saints, that I may see the right way, and have a clear understanding that I may know it is true. – John M. Webb, Waycross, Ga.
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It does indeed give me great pleasure to bear my testimony to the truth of the gospel as taught by the Latter-day Saints. I can say with joy I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, as were all of his lawful successors down to the present time. I say it in the name of Jesus. Amen. – Rebecca Webb, Waycross, Ga.
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It gives me pleasure to bear my testimony to the true and everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it is true and I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, and I say it in the name of Jesus. Amen. – Hattie McCook, Waycross, Ga.
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I will try to bear my testimony. I have been a Latter-day Saint nine years. I am so glad that I live to know the truth. I know that Brother Joseph Smith was a true prophet of the living God. I know that the gospel is true. I also know that the Book of Mormon is true. The Savior said if we would do the will of the Father we should know of the doctrine. – Sarah J. Culpapper, Meigs, Ga.
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I have a few words to speak in behalf of the cause of truth. My faith grows stronger day by day, and I know that the gospel preached by the elders of Israel is the true and everlasting gospel. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of the living God, or he could not have established the true Church as Christ set it up in the days of the apostles. – S.A. Benton, Pavo, Ga.
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I have a few words to say in behalf of “Mormonism,” so-called. I do wish everybody could see the light as I see it. I know Joseph was a true prophet of God, set apart and ordained to set up His Kingdom in these the last days May God bless and prosper this great latter-day work until the knowledge of God covers the earth as the waters cover the sea, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. – E.J. Benton, Pavo, Ga.
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I united with the Church April 1, 1888, and it has been my lot to live where there are no Saints. I bear my testimony that it is the true and everlasting gospel. I am not ashamed of the gospel, and am thankful to my heavenly Father that I am worthy to be a “Mormon.” – Mrs. A.R. Baker, Barnett, Warren county, Ga.