LACK OF ABILITY.
If he has not done so before, a young missionary, just beginning
his labors, will soon discover his lack of ability to express his
thoughts as he would like to. He may fully believe in the Gospel or
may even have a strong testimony of its truth, yet he will find that
it is not so easy to intelligently and fluently explain his reasons
for the belief within him. He may be somewhat familiar with passages
of scripture that go to prove the truth of the ideas he entertains
concerning the Gospel but cannot readily turn to nor repeat these
passages. By contrasting his ability in this line with that of
missionary companions who have been longer in the field, he keenly
senses this fact. As is sometimes the case, he may have gone to his
field with the expectation that the Lord, through His Holy Spirit would
inspire him with words to say, immediately when he made the attempt to
speak, without any study or thought upon his own part. In his little
experience at home he might have observed the remarkable improvement
in some young man's speaking abilities after performing a mission. Not
knowing what discipline this particular young missionary had to go
through while absent, a person may thoughtlessly get the idea that his
ability was acquired without much effort.
It is not long, however, before the new missionary realizes that it
is necessary for him to do his part if he expects to make progress.
He learns the truth of the saying, "The Lord helps those who help
themselves." He discovers that he must store his mind with knowledge
in order that the Holy Spirit may bring things to his remembrance.
He finds that the Lord does not, unless for special purposes, reveal
direct through His Spirit truths that are already known to mankind: for
has He not commanded His children to "search the scriptures," to seek
"out of the best books words of wisdom," and to "seek learning even by
study, and also by faith"? These facts dawn upon his mind in an early
stage of his experience. His very first attempt to present the Gospel
in private conversation or by public speaking may cause him to realize
the necessity of study and preparation. He may perchance, as is most
likely, be confronted with a question that he cannot answer. He is
baffled for the time being, but it only serves as an incentive to study
and prepare to meet the question in the near future.
The writer recollects hearing of an instance where a young missionary
who had newly arrived in the field, went to visit his relatives with
the view of talking to them about the Gospel. His relatives, thinking
perhaps that they were not well enough posted to discuss the subject
with him and show wherein he was in error, as they supposed, sent for
their minister to have him hear and answer their missionary kinsman's
doctrines. The result of the conversation was very humiliating to the
young missionary. While he knew he had the truth, the minister was
easily able to vanquish him in argument, being versed in theological
sophistry and posted on the scriptural passages that suited his
purpose. The effect of the interview proved to be of much benefit to
the Elder, although embarrassing at the first. The experience made him
resolve to study earnestly and meet his opponent at a later date when
he would set forth the claims of his people in a more satisfactory
manner. This resolution he carried out. After preparing himself he
sought another interview with the same minister at the home of his
relatives. This time he was enabled to confound the clergyman in every
argument brought forth to oppose him.
A somewhat similar instance was that of another missionary who had been
asked some questions regarding the doctrines of the Latter-day Saints
which he was not able to answer satisfactorily to himself. He felt
deeply mortified on account of his inability, and undertook to study
the questions thoroughly that he might not again be found unable to
answer them. He afterwards remarked that he had never studied so hard
before in his life; but he accomplished his object and felt well repaid
for his efforts, as they brought so much enlightenment to his mind.
Being compelled to beat a retreat may be somewhat disheartening for the
moment, but such an experience is what is needed to develop within the
mind of the missionary a thorough knowledge of the first principles
of the Gospel. With this added knowledge comes enlightenment through
the Holy Spirit, and his testimony of the truth of the Gospel is
strengthened. The more he learns about the Gospel the more beauty and
truth he discovers in it, and the greater is his faith. His interest
in the work grows, his enthusiasm is awakened and he becomes developed
in many ways. He is more anxious to declare his message to the people
and bear testimony to what he knows. His dread of obstacles decreases,
and he actually takes pleasure in surmounting difficulties that arise.
Opposition is a stimulant which he rather likes to meet.