"I venture to remark, first, that your countrymen, so far as a very limited intercourse and experience can enable me to judge, stand very little in need of instruction or advice as to public speaking from this side of the water. * * * * Suppose, however, I was to make the attempt, I should certainly found myself mainly on a double basis, compounded as follows: First, of a wide and thorough general education, which I think gives a suppleness and readiness as well as firmness of tissue to the mind not easily to be had without this form of discipline. Second, of the habit of constant and searching reflection on the subject of any proposed discourse. Such reflection will naturally clothe itself in words, and of the phrases it supplies many will spontaneously rise to the lips. I will not say that no other forms of preparation can be useful, but I know little of them, and it is on those, beyond all doubt, that I should advise the young principally to rely." (Extempore Speech, p. 42.) _PART V._ _The Modern Scriptures.--(A) The Book of Doctrine and Covenants.--(B) The Pearl of Great Price._ LESSON I. SCRIPTURE READING EXERCISE.[1] _(A) THE BOOK OF DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS._ ANALYSIS. REFERENCES. _I. The First of Direct Modern Revelations--Joseph History of the Church, Smith's First Vision._ Vol 1, Chap. 1. Pearl of _II. The First Compilation of Modern Great Price, pp. 81-7. Revelations--The "Book of Commandments."_ Note 1. Preface of Book of Commandments. History of the Church, Vol. I, pp. 221-226. Ibid 234-236, 270. New Witness for God, Chap. x. Note 2 and 3. _III. The Book of Doctrine and Covenants._ 1. History of the Book. History of the Church, 2. Character of the Book, its Composition. Vol 11, Chap. xviii. 3. Testimonies respecting it. Y. M. M. I. Manual (No. 10), pp. 21-27.