Share the testimonies of the “scattered Saints” in 1908 —
Kentucky.
I know that the gospel as taught by the Latter-day Saints is true, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and translated the Book of Mormon by divine inspiration. – Emma Ethington, Ky.
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I have a testimony of the gospel. I know it is true, and hope that I may ever live up to its principles. I know also that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, and an instrument in His hand in setting up His Church and kingdom in these latter days, as it was in ancient days. – Clara Ethington, Ky.
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It is a great pleasure to me to have the privilege of bearing my testimony to the truth of the gospel, and also the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith; I know that it was through his instrumentality that the gospel has been restored to the earth in its fullness and purity, as in days of old. I know also that the Book of Mormon is a divine record, and that the gospel I have embraced is true. – Miss Virgie Ethington, Ky.
Louisiana.
I cheerfully bear my testimony to the truth of the gospel as taught by the Latter-day Saints. I was baptized in the year 1900, and have been wonderfully blessed. I know that the gospel and the Book of Mormon are true, and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. – M.A. Barnhart, La.
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In 1903 I embraced the true gospel of Jesus Christ which was revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith, and I believe that we have the only gospel that is true, and that God has given a new revelation in these the last days. I believe God is going to give more revelation. – Mrs. A. McCrary, La.
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I testify in the name of Jesus Christ that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church, and that its doctrine and teachings are true; I also testify that all who receive this gospel with honest hearts seeking light and truth shall know that the doctrine is true. – George T. Friday, La.
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I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, that I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God; that he received the revelations of God for the benefit of mankind and that angels and ancient prophets visited him and delivered to him the keys of the dispensation of the fullness of times; I also testify that all who receive this gospel with honest hearts shall know that the doctrine is true. – Laura Franks, La.
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I testify that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church; I also testify that all who receive this gospel with honest hearts shall know the doctrine is true. – Elizabeth Franks, La.
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Although I am only a little boy only twelve years old, yet I do believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church and the only true church on earth. – Worldon Franks, La.
Minnesota.
I am very thankful to have the pleasure to tell the world how I feel about the gospel. Sincerely I believe it all true, and thank God for sending His message to our door. I wish to thank the elders and especially the two first ones, Frank Houston and Lester Bybee. My doors are open at any time for their meetings. – Lue Mayer, Minn.
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I feel it a pleasure, and duty to the elders that have been with us, to add my testimony to the truth of the gospel as taught by the Latter-day Saints. I belonged once to the Baptist church but now feel that we are “Mormons,” although not baptized yet. – Mrs. Edna A. Mayer, Minn.
Mississippi.
It is a great pleasure to bear my testimony to the world, as a witness of the gospel which has been restored in these last days, for I know it is the power of God as it has been taught by the elders. I know that the Lord will bless me, if I keep His commandments. – Miss Ada Waltis, Miss.
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I believe that we have the only plan of salvation now upon the earth, and that Joseph Smith was the instrument in the hands of God in bringing it about. I love our faith because it teaches me my relation to God, where I came from, and why I am here, and many other grand and glorious principles. – Miss Vallie Jones, Miss.
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I believe that the gospel as taught by the Latter-day Saints is true, because of the many blessings I have already received. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, just as divine as the Bible. I embraced the gospel in 1901. I am 66 years of age and am proud to say I am a “Mormon.” – Amanda McGhee, Miss.
Missouri.
I know that the gospel is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the living God, through whom the gospel was restored to earth, with the same officers in the Church as in ancient days when our Savior was on earth. I have an abiding witness from Him, which the world can not give. – James E. Ellegood, Mo.
North Carolina.
I take pleasure in adding my testimony with thousands of other Saints. I can neither read nor write, but I did hear a voice declaring unto me that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. This is my testimony, and I bear it in the name of Jesus. Amen. – T.C. Sholar, N.C.
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Although I live in far away North Carolina, I am as proud that I am a “Mormon” as any member in the stakes of Zion. Some may ask why. Because “Mormonism” is the power of God unto salvation, to all who will investigate and believe it. – Elizabeth A. Sholar, N.C.
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I take pleasure in bearing my testimony to the truth of the gospel as taught by the Latter-day Saints. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of the living God, and that the Book of Mormon is a divinely inspired record; for I received the promised blessings that are to follow the believer. – Evaline McDaniel, N.C.
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I have been a friend to the “Mormon” elders for several years, but never investigated the gospel as taught by them very much until last fall when I became interested. Now I can say with all my heart that I believe it is the only true gospel that is taught upon the face of the earth. I believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. I am not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but I hope and pray that I may be one soon. I take Liahona The Elders’ Journal. It is the best paper I ever read. – Rudolph Rippy, N.C.
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I am glad to say that the gospel is true which is taught by the Latter-day Saints. I have been a member for several years and my faith grows stronger every day. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I have a little girl who was healed by the power of the Lord. I know that the prayer of faith will heal the sick. I love Liahona The Elders’ Journal. It is a pleasure to me to read it. – Josie E. Rippy, N.C.
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I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was baptized a few days ago but I can bear my testimony to the whole world that I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, and that this is the restoration of the gospel before the coming of the Savior. – Mrs. Laura C. Overton, N.C.
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I had been an invalid for 7 years, confined to the house and bed. The elders visited us most every year after my health failed. A desire came into my heart to be baptized, but on account of my bad health I dreaded to go. At last I did as James tell us. I went to God that giveth liberally and He gave me strength to go. When I came out of the water, I felt like a new person. Those who witnessed it, said they saw a change in my countenance, and I can now bear testimony to the world that I know it to be the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. – Joseph L. Cahoon, N.C.
Oklahoma.
To the honest in heart: I was baptized a “Mormon” convert in 1887 about midnight in order to escape mob violence. The same spirit that crucified Jesus and martyred Joseph Smith also sought to destroy their followers. I believe Joseph Smith to be a prophet, divinely ordained to set up Christ’s Church upon the earth, for the last time. I believe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be the only Church of God upon the earth, and I am glad to risk my salvation on the doctrines and authority vested in this Church. I ask the honest in heart to investigate these truths before it is too late. – Willie M. Haggard, Okla.
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I know that the gospel is true, and that signs do follow those that believe, for there have been several cases of healing in our family. I am so glad that the true gospel has been sent that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. – Mrs. Priscilla J. Arrington, Okla.
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I was baptized 20 years ago last October, and have seen many things to strengthen my faith. Our sick have been healed time and again by the power of God through His servants, the elders. I have seen thousands of Saints and they are all of one mind as to the gospel; and I know it is true, and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. – S.M.E. Frain, Okla.
I was going to comment before that these testimonies mostly seemed quite repetitive, as if they’d been coached. However, this batch are each unique and with interesting details.
Thank you for your efforts in sharing them.
Glad you’re still reading these, charlene.
That repetition is something that I’m tracking for a paper I hope to publish, on these testimonies as lived religion. These were scattered saints, so they didn’t pick up the habits of testimony bearing that we see in our lifetime with our regular meetings — many of them may never have been part of a gathering larger than family plus missionaries. But did they pick up some repetition, of subject and/or wording, from reading earlier columns in the Liahona series? The posts here are not necessarily in the chronological order in which they were originally published, but that’s one question I’m tracking.
I’m glad you’re researching this. I was thinking more in terms of imitating the missionaries that converted them. Although at that time there was not a specific form of missionary lessons, perhaps there were printed pamphlets that were in common use?
You’re right about pamphlets, and about the lack of any uniform system of teaching. Missionaries were free to choose whatever tracts were available at the time — some of the older men used tracts that were very, very old, because they remembered them from earlier missions. Some missionaries chose the cheapest available tracts because they had to buy them themselves. My assumption is that the testimony of the missionaries generally followed those tracts, but maybe also whatever the patterns were in their homes in the West, and that that became the pattern for converts.
I don’t think I’ll be able to trace testimony styles back to specific sources, but I’m carefully tabulating the topics, and variations in those topics, as shown by these testimonies. It’s a lot of fun.