"The mission of Elder Dotson has been of special interest and satisfaction to him. Some years ago, while nearly all of his relatives were not in sympathy with our faith, he received a patriarchal blessing, in which was a promise that he, if faithful, would have the privilege of bringing many of his kindred into the Church. When this promise was made the Elder could see no possibility of its realization, as his relatives were far removed from him both by distance and doctrine. Time passed on and he reached the age generally considered too far advanced for missionary labors in the South; but at last he received a letter from the Presidency of the Church extending to him an invitation to take a mission to the Southern States. But this did not clear away all difficulties. After his arrival at Chattanooga there were about ten chances to one that he would get in a conference in which his relatives did not reside. True Brother Dotson might have suggested that he work in a locality near his kinsfolk, but he had no idea that such a right belonged to him. It was his belief that the servants of God appointed for that purpose were perfectly competent to discharge their duty. This belief was strengthened in him when he received an appointment to labor in the neighborhood where his relatives resided. Not all the barriers were yet removed from his path, however. His relatives were not at all eager to join themselves to his faith. It was not until after he had worked diligently among them that he saw prospects of the fulfillment of the patriarch's promise; and just at this time threats of violence against the 'Mormons' in that neighborhood gave occasion for the Elder to seek quarters less hostile to truth-tellers. After a little the threatened violence subsided. He then went back and soon baptized eleven of his relatives, among whom was his aged father." An Elder who was lately in the mission field relates that he had often thought while at home that he would like to perform a mission abroad; but having no education--not being able to read or write--he feared he would never have the privilege. An opportunity at last came for him to go, yet he still lacked education. While in a meeting about this time the inward promptings of the Spirit made known to him that if he would go the Lord would be with him; that he would be enabled to learn to read and write, and that he should fill a useful mission. He relied upon the promise received and went forth in obedience to the call made of him. Although past the prime of life, he readily acquired the arts of reading and writing. As a missionary he soon became very successful. By his humble efforts he was the means of bringing a number of souls to a knowledge of the truth, and within a short space of time he and his missionary companion baptized some nineteen people.