Review
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Title: Against the Wall – Johann Huber and the First Mormons in Austria
Author: Roger P. Minert
Publisher: Brigham Young University
Genre: History
Year Published: 2015
Number of Pages: 230
Binding: Hardback
ISBN: 978-0-8425-2933-4
Price: $23.99
Reviewed by Catherine Peterson for the Association of Mormon Letters
*Against the Wall – Johann Huber and the First Mormons in Austria* is an account of an Austrian man who challenged his hometown religious traditions and caused a battle for souls, including the souls in his own family. His struggles and courage sowed seeds for the nascent growth of the LDS Church in Austria.
Johann Nepomucemus Huber was a prominent farmer and owner of the largest farm in the village of Parz, near Rottenbach in upper Austria. Huber came from a large devout Catholic family. During a time of political upheaval where the Catholic church and political parties struggled for power, Huber aligned himself with the liberal movement that espoused “a strong central government, universal rights and German language and culture.” Such an unpopular stance challenged the conservative stronghold of the Catholic Church. The local clergy attacked him in the press and when he, in defense, answered, a battle of words ensued and his relationship with the local clergy was diminished so severely he vowed to never worship again at Rottenbach church. This disaffection put him in position to consider the new ideas of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
LDS missionary Martin Ganglmayer shared the message of the restored gospel with Huber. As he studied the Bible he realized that Catholic practices, such as the confessional and infant baptism, were not biblically based. His views widened the rift between him and the local Catholic authorities. Huber was not afraid to speak his mind or to share his new religion. The local Catholic leaders worked for many months to keep Huber in the church but he finally renounced Catholicism and was baptized. In a letter to the local vicar he wrote, “I’m living a happy life and have received knowledge of the gospel. I live within the house of revelation, not outside of it.” Because of Huber’s zeal for the gospel, eventually a small branch was established, and meetings were held in a room in Huber’s farm throughout the years.
Johann Huber withstood persecution, legal battles, accusations of insanity and social ostracism because of his new religion. In spite of his trials he maintained his large farm, raised a big family, all the while maintaining stalwart enthusiasm and setting a good example.
This book is well documented, meticulously researched and carefully footnoted. The paper trail, followed by the author, Roger P. Minert, includes primary sources such as letters, local province records, police reports, county office and court records, and diocesan records setting forth the history of an Austrian Mormon pioneer and his contribution to building the kingdom in Austria. Minert’s scholarly work gives context and richness to the story of the Church’s beginnings in the Catholic bastion of Austria.