My First Mission

mination to Persevere, Relying Upon God-Assuring

s. The quorum of which he became a member was organized the day he was ordained, and he was chosen to be its clerk. At the meetings of the

writing some time before it came his turn to speak; and then, when

ttempted to speak at quorum meetings, or testimony meetings, a

nning, which he always kept, and which he desi

ould, with the help of the Lord, always ask a blessi

lways done what was requested of him. But how many times he has seen young men and women d

and balky men and women are as bad in t

se themselves when called upon to do so. But right-feeling people admire boys and girls, young men and young women, who have the courage and go

erally anxious to appear to advantage; they desire the approbation of their fellows; and the fear that t

. There were only two or three of them who had ever spoken in public; but as he was the youngest of the party, and felt that he was but

mble, and he forgot all he ever knew. If the bottom had dropped out of his memory, it could not have been worse. He sat down, feeling a little ashamed; b

heard the gospel. It was held in a Seamen's Bethel, the minister having kindly offered it to the Elders for their meeting. One of the Elders spoke on the first princi

stomary to commence blowing the shell, and then our young missionary would be seized with trembling. The feeling of dread was terrible. He had been in places of peril where life was in danger; but he never felt as he did about preaching. He was alone and a stranger, and among a strange people.

had the privilege of hearing a sermon delivered by a Latter-day Saint. You can imagine how he felt. Here was a people anxious to hear, and yet how weak he was, and how full of fear and trembling! When he arose to give out the hymn the sound of his voice in that large building scared him. Then he prayed, and afterwards gave out another hymn. He had called mightily upon God for help. When he commenc

From that day to this he has never suffered from those dreadful feelings which oppressed him. Still, there are but few public speakers, especially in this Church, who do not have a nervous feeling when t

is sketch may help them to persevere. Never decline to ask a blessing, to pray or