Labors in the Vineyard: Twelfth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-Day Saints.Various
Religion
Labors in the Vineyard: Twelfth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-Day Saints.
Various
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Missions
I picked up my carpet-bag and umbrella and went to the door with a
prayerful heart to God that he would protect us, and I walked out
between many of them. It appeared that they did not see me or they did
not notice me. The mob was arranged on both sides of the door, with
their weapons drawn ready to strike at the first sight of us; and as
my partner came out the leader of the band called the attention of his
men to give some instructions how to deal with us, and thus he slipped
past them unseen. I took him by the arm and we started down the street.
In the darkness of the night they could not see us. About this time
the owner of the house came to the door and they asked him where the
"Mormons" were. He replied that they had gone out just that minute.
They said they knew better; "for," said they, "they have not passed us,
and you had better bring them out, or we will knock your house down."
At that they broke into the house and, not finding us, they took the
master and journeymen out and beat them almost to death.
In this deliverance we see the prediction of President Heber C. Kimball
fulfilled; for he said that I should be brought into many close places,
and it would seem that death stared me in the face; but, if I would
be faithful to my mission, the angels of God would deliver me in all
trials, and I should return in safety to the Church and to my home.
In all of my travels on that island for two years and a half, I found
that when there was a good work to be done in a city, we met with the
greatest opposition; for in this same place, where we received such
cruel treatment, we afterwards preached, and baptized, and organized a
branch of the Church with many members.
We next went to a city called Picton, and, by this time, the Lord had
made us bold to declare His gospel, for such light had burst upon our
minds as we had never thought of before; and by this time I had learned
to read and write, and had learned arithmetic very well. We applied
for the court-house and obtained it from the judge of the district. We
appointed a meeting for Friday evening, and we then put up some cards
stating the time of meeting. At the time appointed the people assembled
and filled the house. For two days my companion had been marking
passages in the Bible, and on this occasion he was intending to deliver
a fine discourse. The meeting was opened and he arose, took his text
and commenced with great importance. He had not spoken more than five
minutes when he got to the end of his sermon, for he could not say more
than "Amen." Then I was introduced to the congregation as Elder Potter,
with the remark that I would continue the subject of the gospel. I
arose with fear and trembling; for it was the first time in my life
that I had stood in a pulpit. Before me was a large Bible and prayer
book. I must say that my mind was confused; but I took a text from the
Bible that lay open before me. It was from the Prophet Amos:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account