Frederick Thomas Mackay's spiritual conversion to the Gospel

Frederick Thomas Mackay, a soldier in the 78th Highlanders stationed in Poona, East Indies, attributes his conversion to the Gospel and his subsequent LDS faith to his life experiences and being subjected to jibes and jeers for his interest in the Church. He views his being brought to the knowledge of the Gospel as a divine occurrence.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

Camp, Poona, Dec. 24, 1856. Dear Brother Richards—I take the liberty of writing to you, to inform you of the progress of the work of the Lord in this part of the world. I am a soldier in the 78th Highlanders, and have been in the service of the Queen for many years. I was many years wondering why I left a kind home, satisfied, to India, &c. I never could find out until I embraced the Gospel; for I do believe had such not occurred, I never should have become a Latter-day Saint; and through me, my wife, who is now in the home of the Saints. Dear brother, I do thank our God that I have been permitted to come on this earth, in this momentous age, even in this last dispensation. I have had to endure many things for the truth's sake, such as jibes and jeers from my comrades, but I have been enabled to bear them with patience, knowing that the Lord is my helper. I have been baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I feel that I have been born again. I am now striving to live my religion, and to keep the commandments of God. I am very anxious to gather with the Saints in Zion, and I hope the time is not far distant when I shall be permitted to do so. I remain your brother in the Gospel, Frederick Thomas Mackay.