J. C. Hailes's conversion and testimony

“I was born in the year 1882, in the town of Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. I joined the Royal Navy in 1900, and served on the battleship Vengeance. During my time in the service I felt very anxious to know who Joseph Smith was and about the Book of Mormon. I could ask no one on board, as religion is held very lightly in the navy I am sorry to say. I was struck with the kind spirit of the young man who gave me the book. He was an utter stranger to me. I was walking down the street in Chatham, when a young man, Elder G. M. Howell, came up to me and asked me if I would like to read a book. I took it, and found it to be 'The Voice of Warning.' I read it through, and it opened my eyes to the truth. I continued to investigate the gospel for five months, although I was convinced of its truth almost as soon as I heard it, but I lacked courage to accept it. I prayed more earnestly to my Father in heaven. I was baptized in the sea at Eastney, Portsmouth, by Elder G. M. Howell, on the 14th of August, 1905. My relatives were very much opposed to my joining the Church, and I had to suffer a great deal of persecution from them, but I knew that I had found the truth, and I was willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel. I might add that I have prospered temporally as well as spiritually which I attribute to the paying of tithes. I have always tried to obey the laws of the gospel, and I have been blessed in doing so.”

— J. C. Hailes, The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star