See here for background.
North Carolina.
I know the gospel is true and the power of God unto salvation. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of the living God. And how do I know it? The elders teach it to me and I know it is true. – Mary Whisenhunt, Winston-Salem, N.C.
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I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. I have been cursed and ordered away from the house of one that was dear to me because of my faith. But I know “Mormonism” is the true gospel of Christ, and I cannot deny it. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and the Book of Mormon the word of God. – Elizabeth Wilson, Winterville, N.C.
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I am thankful today to my Heavenly Father for a testimony. I do know this is the true Church of Christ. God’s Spirit bears witness to my spirit that this is the true and everlasting gospel that is being preached in these latter days. – Mary E. Garrason, Hampstead, N.C.
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I feel today that I can bear my testimony in truth that the gospel that is taught by the servants of God is true. I was baptized about two months ago. I would not be anything else but a “Mormon.” I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. This is my testimony. Amen. – Minnie Ellis, Jacksonville, N.C.
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My testimony is that the latter-day work taught by the elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints is true. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I also know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. I am a “Mormon” and I am not ashamed of it, and I grow stronger every day. I love the name I bear. I pray God that this work will roll on until it covers the earth. – Alice Lockamy, Jacksonville, N.C.
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This is to bear my testimony to the truth of the gospel taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know without a doubt that Joseph Smith was a true prophet sent of God to set up His Kingdom for the last time, and that the Book of Mormon is true. I hope to be able to fulfill all righteousness, and have a part in the first resurrection. – W.A. Steinback, Union Ridge, N.C.
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My testimony is that the gospel is being taught by the Latter-day Saints, that the Book of Mormon is God’s work, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I have investigated the work for myself and have a testimony that the world cannot rob me of. May the Lord help me to live according to this knowledge. – Jacob F. Hiatt, White Plains, N.C.
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My testimony is that the gospel is true as taught by the Latter-day Saints. – Mary M. Hiatt, White Plains, N.C.
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My testimony is that the gospel taught by the Saints is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. I have read the New Testament through. I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints three years. – Zeb Vance Hiatt, White Plains, N.C.
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I believe the gospel is true as taught by the “Mormons.” I believe the Bible. – Nathan Hiatt, White Plains, N.C.
Ohio.
I have many reasons for believing the Book of Mormon to be true. I have experienced many things which prove to me that we have the true gospel of Christ. If it were not true, and not pleasing to God, it would have died long ago. It will satisfy the longing soul where nothing else can. If you don’t believe it, try it. – Sarah C. Shinkle, Hillsboro. Ohio.
Oklahoma.
Dear brethren, sisters and friends, and whoever may read these words of mine: It is with a glad heart and humble spirit that I have the privilege of bearing my testimony to you of the truth of the gospel as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I verily know that it is of God, for He has revealed it to me. – Jas. C. Puckett, Temple, Okla.
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As I have a testimony of the gospel, I wish to bear it to the world. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and I know that the elders are true servants of God. I have belonged to the Church about 8 years, and the truth grows plainer as we study. Liahona The Elders’ Journal is a great help to me. – S.B. Fisher, Lawton, Okla.
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I know the gospel is true that is taught by the humble elders. Through faith and prayer and the laying on of hands I have been restored to health and I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. I could mention other cases of healing if space would permit. – Mrs. L.A. Fisher, formerly Miss L.A. Arrington, Lawton, Okla.
South Carolina.
I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a little over four years, and I know that the gospel is true, and is the same that was taught by the Savior and His apostles. I have been able to understand the scriptures far better since I was baptized. I we keep the commandments of God He will bless us with an abundance of this world’s blessings. My mother and I have been blessed since we were baptized. – Annie Greig, Camden, S.C.
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I have belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 8 years. I can truly say that it is the true church, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God sent to do the work he did. I have been made to feel this through the Holy Ghost and the laying on of hands of the elders. I hope to live and die in the faith. – Mary K. Evans, Lugoff, S.C.
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I have been a member of the church about 8 years. I always make elders welcome in my home. I believe they are servants of God; if not, there is no hell nor heaven and the Bible is no good. I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that there is a God and a hereafter. I desire your prayers that I may become more right. – Emanuel Evans, Lugoff, S.C.
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Christ said that at His second coming he would be ashamed of those who had been ashamed of Him; therefore I am not ashamed of the gospel. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. – James Nelson, Lugoff, S.C.
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I know that the gospel is true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God; and I know that the Church he organized is the Kingdom that Daniel said should be set up in the last days, never more to be thrown down nor given to another people. I have been blessed by accepting the gospel, and God has answered my prayers. – Izzie Nelson, Lugoff, S.C.
Tennessee.
I have never had a direct divine manifestation of the truth of the gospel as taught by the Latter-day Saints, but from the evidence submitted I have been convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that through his instrumentality the true gospel with all of its original gifts and blessings, has been restored to earth for the last time, or that the last dispensation has been duly inaugurated. This should command the serious attention and consideration of every living, accountable soul. My wife and I intend to be baptized this summer. – J. Allen Steadman, 2002 W. Heiman St., Nashville, Tenn.
Texas.
I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the living God. I also know that the gospel is true, that’s taught by the Latter-day Saints. – J. Franklin Cude, Gilmer, Texas.
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To the World – Greeting: I bear testimony to you that I know the gospel is restored to earth, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Take heed to the message that the “Mormon” elders bring to you. For it is a message from God. I am your sister in the cause of truth, Mrs. Sarah Cude, Gilmer, Texas.
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I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ eleven years. I know I have accepted of the gospel in its purity. I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet of god, and the Book of Mormon is His Word. All can obtain this testimony by sincerely repenting, and obeying the gospel; and it will be a source of comfort and consolation in the hour of trial. – Mrs. Alice Turner, Goodrich, Tex.
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The first missionaries I ever saw were Elders J.G. Duffin and — Bond. ((Probably Joseph Alright Boot Bond.)) I began to investigate and read the Bible for ten months. I began to investigate and read the Bible for ten months. I made a vow to the Lord that I would neither eat, drink nor sleep until He showed me whether the “Mormons” were right. I went all day and until three o’clock the next morning and neither ate nor drank. I went to bed, but remained awake. I thought I was in a fine room. About midway a curtain was let down right by me and I heard a voice speak to me on the other side of the curtain. The voice said this: “You go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.” I called my wife and said to her: “I am ready to be baptized.” She answered that she had been ready for six months. When the first elders came along we accepted the truth, and the older we get the stronger we get in the faith. Brothers, sisters and investigators, it is useless for me to tell a lie in this world or in the world to come; but it is the truth from heaven. – H.R. Grasham, Kemp, Texas.
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I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God unto salvation. It has been made known to me by the Holy Spirit. – Miss Annie Hicks, Southmayde, Texas.
My favorite feature is back. I wasn’t sure how you were going to handle general conference being on the usual Sunday you post this, so I’m glad you didn’t skip a month.
Different things have stood out to me each time – this time it’s the emphasis on the Bible. Maybe that’s me, since they’re alphabetized by state. I also can’t help but notice the editor’s care to include quotation marks around every reference to “Mormons” – and a couple of references to “The church of Christ.”
Oh, I’m glad to know you enjoy this series, Seth! I decided to keep to the pattern of posting on first Sundays rather than adjusting for Conference or holidays or whatever.
I’m in the midst of what may be a barely doable tabulation of the topics mentioned in testimonies for a possible paper. Since the testimonies were almost all received in a rush before publication was begun, the writers were not at all copying from each other, so I think the tabulation would be a fair representation of what the missionaries were teaching or wha5 was most important to church members back in the day.
Grateful for these testimonies. I hope I can have faith like theirs.
Ardis, that will be interesting. I hope you can finish it, and choose to share some of the results here.