FIRST TEMPTATION TO MISSIONARIES.
It is not an infrequent occurrence that, when a man is called to take a
mission, temptation is at once presented to him to make excuses; and he
can see many apparently good reasons why he should be excused from the
obligation; and here begins his first struggle. A striking illustration
of this is conveyed in the following narrative:
Several years ago a man of very moderate pecuniary circumstances, and
who had a family of small children dependent upon him for support, was
engaged as a common laborer on a railway. One night he had a dream that
impressed itself upon his mind. All that he could distinctly remember
of this dream was that he received two letters, the contents of which
he did not know. One letter, he understood by his dream, was from the
manager of the railway company for which he was working, and the other
was from the President of the Church, who at that time was the late
John Taylor.
The man felt that this simple yet unusual dream had some
significance, though he could not at the time satisfy himself as to its
meaning. Pretty soon, however, it was made clear to him, and he was led
to acknowledge that it was an inspired dream given to prepare his mind
for what was coming. Word was conveyed to him from one of the railroad
department managers that he had been selected to occupy another position
in the employ of the company, where his work would be more agreeable
and he would receive a larger salary. This was indeed joyful news to
him, as he was then with his small earnings, having a hard struggle to
make a livelihood for himself and his family. Almost simultaneously
with this welcome message came a letter from the President of the
Church, stating that he had been selected to take a mission to a far
distant land, and asking him if he was willing to accept of the call.
Here was a temptation placed before him. The questions that for a time
perplexed him were: should he respond at once to the call to fulfill a
mission? or would he not be justified in excusing himself for a year or
two, and by so doing, with his advance in wages, save means to support
himself and family during his absence? However justifiable the latter
proposition appeared to him he rejected it and decided to accept the
mission. He fulfilled it to the best of his ability, and in later years
testified that he was better off financially than he would likely
have been had he remained with his former employers and received the
advanced wages offered.
A similar instance to the one just narrated was that of a young man
who recently filled a mission. After receiving his call to go upon
a foreign mission he sought and secured work in a mine. By this
employment he hoped to raise sufficient means by the time set for
his departure to take him to his field of labor, and, if possible,
something towards paying his expenses while absent. The work he
received about the mine was ordinary labor; but his employers soon
learned that he was a trustworthy man, and just about the time when he
had promised to start upon his mission an offer of a better position,
with good wages, was made to the young man. Under other circumstances
he would gladly have accepted such a tempting offer; but he had already
given his word that he would accept the call into the Lord's vineyard,
and he was determined to keep his promise. He refused the situation
so kindly offered, and went upon the mission assigned him. He lost
nothing in the estimation of his employers by this course. He had been
straight-forward with them from the first, having informed them of his
intention to leave at a certain time, and of the object he had in view
when he applied for work. So well pleased were they with his services
that they assured him he could get employment from them on his return
if he desired it.
Some few years ago an Elder in the Church entertained the desire to
some day fulfill a mission abroad. He did not feel that he was in a
condition financially to go at that time, as he was in debt to the
amount of some twenty-six hundred dollars. He calculated that if he
was fortunate in his affairs he would be able to pay his debts in
the course of a few years, and would then offer his services as a
missionary. Before he had an opportunity to pay any of his debt he
was called to take a mission to Europe. He at once made up his mind
that he would try and go, trusting in the Lord to prepare the way for
him. He went upon his mission and before his return his wife had the
whole of his indebtedness paid off. His business was that of a farmer,
and, although during his absence his work had to be entrusted to more
or less disinterested parties, his farm yielded better returns, than
his neighbors' farms. He acknowledged that the Lord had certainly
blessed him for his obedience to the call made of him. Besides this, he
enjoyed better health while away from home than he had for some years
previously. He has recently returned after fulfilling a useful mission,
feeling thankful for the privilege of going abroad in the service of
the Lord.
Some who have been asked if willing to perform a mission have suggested
that their call be postponed for a certain length of time in order to
become better prepared. A number of such missionaries have been heard
to admit that it would have been better for them if they had accepted
the call at once; and some have, after asking for an extension of
time, changed their minds and reported themselves ready to go without
availing themselves of the time given for preparation, finding that the
longer they remained the farther they were from being ready.
The late Apostle Parley P. Pratt, in his "Autobiography," relates that
upon one occasion he hesitated before starting upon a mission that
had been assigned him. He was in debt, and was building a house, and
desired to finish it before leaving. Before it was finished the house
took fire and was burned. Elder Pratt then decided at once that he was
ready to fulfill his mission. He looked upon his misfortune as a rebuke
for not responding when first called. Upon deciding to go, his friends
came to his assistance, his debts were cancelled, and thus his way was
made clear to perform his duty.