Lewis Barney: An Early Latter-day Saint Convert, Pioneer, and Autobiographer (1808–?)

Lewis Barney (born 8 September 1808 in New York) was an early convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who left a first-person autobiography recording his life in the Church. Born in Cayuga County, New York, he moved with his family to Ohio in his childhood and there encountered the restored gospel. Brother Barney gathered with the Saints, settled for a time in Grass Valley in Sevier County, Utah, and later in New Mexico and Arizona. In his own record he wrote that 'the Lord blessed him' through a long and faithful life. His autobiography is a faith-promoting witness of an ordinary Saint who, across a whole faithful lifetime, saw the Lord's sustaining hand.

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

In the spring of 1839, two Mormon elders, John E. Page and James Mulholland, came into our neighborhood and preached the gospel. I went to hear them and was convinced of the truth of their message. I was baptized by Elder John E. Page on the 15th day of April 1839. I felt that I had found the truth and was willing to follow it, no matter what the cost. I was soon after ordained an elder and began to preach the gospel to my neighbors and friends. I felt the power of the Lord with me in my labors, and many were brought to a knowledge of the truth through my testimony.