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Joseph Luff
The following testimony is found in the
Autobiography of Elder Joseph Luff,
pages 131–138. The book
and cassette
tapes of the book are available at the Restoration Bookstore
and online. The Autobiography of Joseph Luff is also available
at the Restoration Bookstore and online in cassettes.
On the following morning I heard Elder J. J. Cornish preach
on the first principles, and he announced the "Book of Mormon"
as his subject for the evening. During the afternoon service of
prayer and testimony there were manifestations in prophecy and
tongues, which, though producing considerable enthusiasm and furnishing
comfort to the Saints, did not bring any conviction to my mind
or pleasure to my heart. The old question of questions worried
me, "Are they of God?" What
would I not have given that day to have known just that one thing.
At night I attended, expecting to take notes on the strange
subject; but becoming interested, found it impossible to follow
closely and do much writing. At the close of the service I stepped
upon the platform, met the elder, and congratulated him upon his
success in making out so apparently clear a case for the Book
of Mormon. That while I could not say he was right, I was satisfied
the subject was worthy of a careful study, and it should be so
treated by me....
For the following evening a prayer and testimony meeting was
announced at the home of my wife's parents. It was customary among
them at that time to hold several meetings of this kind during
the week, so full of zeal and fervor were they. Having heard considerable
about the Book of Mormon, I secured a copy and shut myself up
in the parlor nearly all day to read it. While thus engaged I
was visited several times by as peaceful an influence as ever
pervaded my frame.... The persuasive force of that influence drew
tears from my eyes and praise from my lips almost involuntarily,
and my suspicions regarding the book melted under it. Just why
such was the case cannot by me be explained in a philosophical
way, but some, at least, of my readers who have been under like
influence can appreciate the condition as presented.
It was strange to me then, for it was no mere feeling of gladness
or ecstasy, but the distinct consciousness of a presence and power
near me that was associated in some way with the book. Whatever
my will may have been concerning the Book of Mormon, I certainly
could not, while under such an influence, condemn nor speak lightly
of it, for to have done so would have seemed like talking against
God. To urge any objection against the work one must get out from
under that halo; but no one while under it ever desires to get
away. I can easily understand how, had I been in a more susceptible
or receptive condition of spirit, the enlargement of this presentation
could have made Heaven feel very near, and the book exceedingly
precious.
At the prayer meeting quite a number were present, and all seemed
to be full to the brim of some gladdening grace, which was pleasing
to witness. When liberty was given for any to speak, I rose in
turn and expressed my confidence in God and my pleasure in beholding
their happiness. As to their religion or doctrine and church I
could not, like them, say I knew it was of God. One thing I did
know, however, namely, that my Heavenly Father had blessed to
me the church I was in; and, while I was anxious to obtain and
do all the good possible, yet I could never think of discarding
or renouncing that church and entering another until I was certain
that by so doing I would please Him better than by remaining.
I wished them well, and hoped their joy might never be less; but
I was in God's hands and did not feel like speculating or experimenting
with my soul or with its interests.
The meeting continued, and somewhere during its progress, when
all were kneeling and some engaged vocally in prayer, I mentally
commended my case to Heaven, asking my Father to overlook my presumption
if it appeared as such and to answer me that night whether or
not this was indeed His Church, whether I should be baptized therein,
and if that peculiar power which had visited me occasionally,
while investigating the doctrine, was really the Holy Spirit.
I further entreated that the answer might be given through my
wife's brother, Robert Parker, who was a member of the Church
and present, though not over ten years old. I knew there was no
guile in him; and I promised obedience to the first principles
upon being satisfied as to God's will being so. No mortal heard
that prayer, it was not voiced in human speech; but it ascended,
and I believe God heard it and forgave my presumption.
When the number so desiring had prayed vocally, the company rose
and was seated, and the singing and testimony were resumed. Soon
Robbie, as he was familiarly called, stood up and began to speak
as any child of that age would in testimony. He had not uttered
many words till his face became waxen and the tears started from
his eyes and flowed profusely down his cheek, and turning till
he faced me, he raised his hand and said, as nearly as I can remember:
"Verily, thus saith the Lord God unto you, O son of man,
Go now and obey my gospel, for this is indeed my Church. It is
my will that you shall be baptized at the hands of one of these
my servants, for you have received of my Spirit, saith the Lord."
Here was just what I had asked for. It had come through the channel
I had designated. It had brought the very information I had desired.
I knew the lad was not aware I had asked for it, and I believed
he had not power in himself to frame the answer as it was given,
even though the question had been known to him. Reader, what would
you have done under such circumstances? But, pardon me, I am here
to tell what was done by me, and not to interrogate others. Rising
from my seat, without emotion or display of any kind, I told them
all how I had asked for that revelation through the boy, and that
I now accepted it; that while I could not yet see as far, perhaps,
as they could into the doctrinal or prophetic mysteries, I was,
nevertheless, now ready to move forward as far as the light shone
ahead of me. I could see baptism and the laying on of hands, and
was ready for those ordinances. The question of authority with
me was not completely settled. I knew the elders had at least
as much authority as other ministers, with a strong showing of
more. The revelation just given implied
the genuineness of their calling, and I was content to use what
light I had and test the matter by obedience, trusting for more
light when it was really needed.
The entire company wept and rejoiced and when I took my seat,
Elder Cornish arose, and, walking over to me, spoke in tongues,
the interpretation of which was given and was of a nature to comfort
me in view of the step I had decided to take. It was about half
past ten, I believe, when the meeting closed, and it was supposed
that I would be ready to go with others for baptism two days later,
but as I expressed a desire to go at once, arrangements were made
for me. Quite a company repaired to the river Thames—scarcely
a quarter of a mile away, and in their presence, witnessed also
I hope by the angels and our Master and God, I took the most solemn
and important step of my life. Elder J. J. Cornish performed the
ceremony, and I arose from the liquid grave with a calm consciousness
that a just God would at least credit me with honest purpose in
what I had done.

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