Edward Critch's Powerful Farewell Testimony
Published October 5, 2026 at 2:49 AM
Contributed by
Millennial Star Research
Elder Edward Critch of Chesterfield, while addressing a social Tea Party in Mansfield, gave a brief history of the introduction of the Gospel to that town by Glaud Rogers and himself about 24 years prior. As he bore his farewell testimony, the Holy Spirit came upon him with such power that many non-Saints were moved to tears.
Fuller account of this event (the complete account as preserved in The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, Vol. 37, No. 14, April 6, 1875, page 221):
Elder Edward Critch, of Chesterfield, while addressing a social tea party in Mansfield, gave a brief history of the introduction of the Gospel to that town by Elder Glaud Rodger and himself, about 24 years ago. As he bore his farewell testimony, the Holy Spirit came upon him with such power that many non-Saints were moved to tears.
In Their Own Words
“Elder Edward Critch of Chesterfield, gave a concise history of the introduction of the Gospel to Mansfield, by Glaud Rogers and himself, about 24 years ago. While he was speaking the Holy Spirit came upon him, and he bore a farewell testimony (as he intends to emigrate the present season), to the Gospel as revealed through Joseph Smith, and to the kingdom of God as it is now established upon the earth. His testimeny was so powerful and convincing, coming as it did from a faithful old man, about to leave his native country and kindred for the love of the truth, and by the Spirit, that many who are not Saints were melted to tears; and I do not think there was one heart in that hall but was convinced that he spoke the truth from heaven. When he sat down my heart was so full, I could not refrain from testifying to the truths which he uttered, and to the Spirit which inspired him being from the Lord. — Millennial Star 37:14”
Sources & References
The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star (Manchester, later Liverpool, England, May 1840–1970), 6 April 1875 (Vol. 37, No. 14). https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_the-latter-day-saints-millennial-star_1875-04-06_37_14 (account extracted verbatim from the issue's Internet Archive OCR text; research confidence: high) Complete account: The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, Vol. 37, No. 14, April 6, 1875, page 221 https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_the-latter-day-saints-millennial-star_1875-04-06_37_14
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