James Alvey's conversion to the Church

“I was born in the year 1874, in the town of Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. My parents were honest, hard-working people, and they taught me to be the same. When I was a young man I began to take an interest in religion, and I attended the different churches in my native town, but I could not find the truth in any of them. I saw so much hypocrisy and inconsistency in the lives of the ministers and the members of the different denominations that I became disgusted with them all. I felt that if there was a God, He would not be pleased with such things. All these things affected me, and I finally came to the conclusion that all the religions of the world were frauds. This was the frame of mind I was in when I was visited by a "Mormon" missionary. This man was one of my own relatives, and in this I can see the hand of the Lord; for had a stranger called upon me I do not think I would have received him. But I am thankful to the Lord to-day that I opened my door to His servant. The missionary hailed from Southern Utah, and bore a strong resemblance to my father, and in a short time I learned that he was my father's cousin. I was the only one of my relations to extend to him a welcome. I invited him to my home, and he explained the gospel to me. I was surprised to find that the "Mormons" believed in the same gospel that was taught by the Savior and His apostles. I read the tracts he gave me, and I prayed to the Lord to show me the truth. The Lord answered my prayer, and I received a testimony that the gospel was true. Myself and my household accepted the gospel about thirteen months ago, and since that time have received many blessings from our Heavenly Father. I am now a member of the Sheffield branch, and I am trying to live my religion and to be a faithful Latter-day Saint.”

— James Alvey, The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star