. . . in Mannheim, . . . I got a position as Assistant Chemist in the laboratory under Theodor Schleich and Adam Philips both chemist's. While working there, my brother Adolph had accepted the gospel and was appointed missionary by or under Brother Goss, through Adolph I did get acquainted with the gospel, he took me and sister Gretchen to a meeting way out by Auderer's. And though I did protest at first against it, because I did not believe that the Lord had again spoken from heaven. But I must confess that as soon as I did hear the word of the Lord preached there in that little house by the wayside, and as my brother was explaining the truth or true gospel of the Lord that I could not hold back the tears of joy, I was then 22 Years old. And soon my sister Gretchen and I got baptized in the River Rhine at Ludwigshafen. Oh, how thankful we felt, and what a glorious outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord we did have in our meetings. Although very often the police were after us and we had to go sometimes many miles into a forest or some forsaken place where we could worship, as the Saints did of old. We were always rejoicing and singing the songs of Zion.
On 17 May 1886 my brother Adolf did emigrate to Utah.
On the 4th of December 1886 we got married and went by train to Heidelberg and from there to Mauer. In 1887 Gustav was born and in 1888 Elise. About this time (I cannot remember the date and year) while we were holding a meeting by Father Steingruber, one Sunday afternoon, there came four big policemen and one of them said (Im namen des gesetazeo schliessen wir eure versammlung) "In the name of the law, we stop your meeting." We had to quit and go home, but first we had to give our names and address, and I was asked if I was the priest, and of course I said yes, because at that time I did hold that office. Soon after we had to appear before court (in the old Kaufhaus) Brother Steingruber and myself. After Brother Steingruber was released, the Judge (Amtman Winder) asked me if I was a Mormon I said yes [-]. [p.3] He did ask many questions and if I was priest, yes I said (for I had been ordained to that office at that time), then the judge gave me that good advice—to stay away from that bad "sect" the Mormons. I then asked permission, to tell my experience since I am a Mormon. I said since I did join the so-called Mormons, I drink no more, I smoke no more, (although I never was a smoker) I try to be honest and upright and support my poor mother better now than before I was a Mormon. After some more advices from the judge, I did say that the Lord will surely punish this nation (Germany) for not allowing the servants of the Lord to preach the gospel. -No sooner had I said this, than the judge rose up and said with anger: "Do you mean to say, that I am no Christian? I like to banish you out of Germany." I said: Do as you please," for then and there I certainly had been under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Again I was warned not to be caught again in any Mormon meeting, then I was released. Before Brother Schleckman left Mannheim, I was ordained an elder and president of the two branches Mannheim and Ludwigshafen.
In the Year in 1890, 1st of June we did emigrate for America and then to Utah. We went on steamer down the Rhine, passed the City of Worms, stopped at Köln (Cologne) visited with Uncle Gustav, who was then engineer on the freight steamer "Gienanth." The famous Köln [Cologne] Dom (Cathedral) Uncle Gustav carried our Gustav, then 3 years old, and I carried Elise then 2 years old. From Köln we went further down the Rhine, passing Koblenz, Mainz, etc., and landed at [-] from there by train to Antwerpen, were we stayed over night. From Antwerpen by steamer across the North Sea to Hull (England). From there by train to Liverpool, staying in that city one or two nights. We went on the steamer ([Wyoming]) for America. While crossing the North Sea we all got very seasick. We were on the [-] just twelve (12) days and most of that time, I was very sick, Ma was better off than I. Only after we heard the cry of land did I [-] better. With us were as missionaries, Bro. Sjodal [J. M. Sjodahl], Inebrit [Irebuit], Henry Wintsch and others.
On the 25th of June we did arrive at Logan. We did stop there first with Brother and Sister Bessler. Then I found employment in the Tithing Office under Brother Lyman Martinsan and with Brother Lewis the choir leader. . . . [p.4]
BIB: Brox, George Jacob, Autobiography of George Jacob Brox, in private possession of Brooks Haderlie, pp. 3-4, typescript.
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