David, Morgan - Testimony

TESTIMONY OF MORGAN DAVID, FELINFOEL

Dear Brother,--Behold I am sending you these lines; and if you wish they are at your service:—

            I was eighteen years with the Baptists, and I was quite fervent, while my eyes were not open, rather I accepted everything during my time with them, and they offered no proof for anything; but when I took note of the behavior of their preachers, together with their financial principles, my interest began to cool, and I paid greater attention to everything I heard from the pulpits, namely that it was just as necessary to receive the Holy Ghost as it was for Christ to die, and I heard prayers for it, and I prayed for it, and there were special meetings to pray for a more abundant pouring out of it on the churches; but never did I see its effects or feel its influence, and consequently I came to the determination that the Holy Ghost was not be enjoyed in this age. I supposed that only the word could be obtained, yet I knew that it was a spiritual act to worship God; and in the midst of this confusion I could not enjoy the religion of the Bible. Several times I wanted to relinquish my membership in despair upon seeing everyone like myself. Well, that it is the way it was with me while I was a Baptist. But I grateful to my Heavenly Father that he did not allow me to flounder in the midst of this darkness any longer, rather he sent his servants, the Latter-day Saints, with the eternal gospel in the fulness of its blessings to the neighborhood; and although I took no notice of them at first, I am now thankful to my Heavenly Father for permitting me to take time to listen to them, for despite how much I heard against them, that they were “ready Satanists”, etc., yet I saw that what they preached, together with the testimony they gave, was in accordance with the New Testament; but I hesitated with respect to the truthfulness of their promise, namely that I would receive a similar testimony from God through obeying the plan which they had obeyed. I observed carefully the men who were testifying, to determine whether or not they were deceitful. I saw that filthy lucre was not their motivation, rather they paid their own way. Then after I found their doctrine to be completely scriptural, I decided to obey the plan by being baptized; and I am thankful to God, who knows hearts, and who gave me a testimony by giving me the Holy Ghost as they had. I know now that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, because it corresponds to the church that Jesus established on the earth; it has apostles and prophets, together with all the offices and spiritual gifts, to perfect the saints, for the work of the ministry, to build the body of Christ; and I beseech all my former dear brothers and sisters to do the same as I have done. This at present from your humble brother.

            Morgan David.