accord with the
Bible and the gospel therein contained; that it purported to have
been given to another people, who then lived on this continent,
as the Old and New Testaments had been given to the Israelites in
Asia. I also found many passages in the Bible in support of the
forthcoming of such a work, preparatory to the gathering of the
remnant of the House of Israel, and the opening glory of the
Latter-day work, and the setting up of the Kingdom of God upon
the earth for the reception of the Son of Man, and the millennial
reign of Christ upon the earth a thousand years; all of which, to
me, was of great moment. My whole soul was absorbed in these
things.

My neighbor Stewart, who had just returned from Missouri, brought
the most cheering and thrilling accounts of the power and
manifestations of the Holy Spirit working with that people; that
the spiritual gifts of the true believers in Christ were enjoyed
by all who lived faithfully and sought them; that there was no
deception about it; that everyone had a testimony for himself,
and was not dependent upon another; that they had the gift of
tongues, the interpretation of those tongues, the power of
healing the sick by the laying on of hands, prophesying, casting
out devils and evil spirits. All of which he declared, with words
of soberness, to be true.

Stewart had been my playmate and my companion in former years.
His word had great influence on me, and strengthened my
conviction that the Book of Mormon was true - that it was a star
opening the dispensation of the fullness of time. I believed the
Book of Mormon was true, and, if so, everything but my soul's
salvation was a matter of secondary consideration to me. I had a
small fortune, a nice home, kind neighbors, and numerous friends,
but nothing could shake the determination I then formed to break
up, sell out, and leave Illinois and go to the Saints at Far
West, Missouri.

My friends used every known argument to change my determination,
but these words came into my mind, "First seek the righteousness
of the Kingdom of God, then all things necessary will be added
unto you "; and again, "What would it profit a man to gain the
whole world and lose his own soul?" or, "What could a man gain in
exchange for his soul?" I was here brought to the test, and my
action was to decide on which I placed the most value - my
earthly possessions and enjoyments or my reward in future, the
salvation of my never-dying soul. I too