Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-23
THE MISSIONARY FIELDS
Success Through Opposition.
York York, Neb., Dec. 70, 1899.


TO the Editor;
Believing in the words Of our blessed
Redeemer: HE that loyeth father,
mother, son or daughter more than me
Is not worthy Of me-" | responded TO
a call and left my sunny home in
Woodruff, Arizona, on the 9th day OF
May, 1898, to fiji a mission TO the
Northern States. / was assigned the
State Of Nebraska as a field OF labor,
and spent the first month In the city
OF Omaha, where a branch OF the
Church is organized, after which l
spent three months in Cass county In
company with Elder Martin Christen-
SEN In this county, although a new
field, we made many warm friends and
some converts.
After our conference Of october End
and Srd, 1899, held at Omaha, together
with Elder VIM. Dickson we entered
the county of Boone, being, ] presume,
the first Elders in the county, for many
years at least. We found the people in
darkness concerning the Gospel and
many had heard Of "Mormonsm" only
as a system for the training of out
laws. Many would gaze with astonish-
ment when we told them we were
Mormon" Elders. why" says one,
an apparently intelligent man, 81
thought Mormonism' was dead long
ago. Did not the government break II
up?" But during our few weeks stay
In the county we made friends and We
feel confident not few seeds OF truth
fell on fertile soil. and will yield a
harvest In the Lords own due time.
We often find honest people who have
been taught from youth up that Nor
monism' embraced all that is degrad-
ing In its teachings. After hearing its
truths many become convinced. An
educated gentleman, a director of a
school, is a warm friend to us, his
house being open TO us, although we
were the first Elders he had met. He
says, / know your doctrine is true and
some day ! will Join the Church We
have sought winter quarters in the
city OF Columbus and here we found
some friends, and enemies not few,
One OF the latter is Rev. Russell, OF the
Baptist church. He assailed us in an
angry tone at dinner table in the hotel.
One little weapon he used | desire to
make mention Of Speaking of young
man whom he claimed had Just ar
rived from Idaho, he said this man had
been expelled from public school in
a Mormon settlement in Idaho be-
cause he would not teach polygamy
as branch of study.
We often find, scattered over the
land, sheep" that have drlfted from
the fold. but who still remember the
welcome call Of the true Shepherd.
wish 70 make mention Of one or two.
Dwelling in a comfortable home sur
rounded with the comforts OF life. is
one OF those good, true Utah boys in
whose bosom still burns the blaze Of
truth, kndled while roaming the pleas
ant hills and valleys OF Utah In the
days Of his youth. Many a weary Ell
der has found a comfortable resting
place under the roof OF Ara w. Sa-
bine's home near Bellwood, Neb.. and
the sunshine that turks In and about
that home makes it truly an oasis in
the desert. Mr.. and Mrs. n. II. Lyon.
the latter a Mormon" raised girl make
their kind hospitality felt toward the
Elders. Their home is near silvercreek,
Neb.
AT our late conference | was request
ed to join Elder Larsen, my future
companion, and assist in opening up
street meetings In the city OF Lincoln.
The writer took great interest in sound.
ing warning voice in that city.
In less than two months we held thir-
ty-slx meetings on streets where We met
ana talked with many leading city ON
ciais, and we did, am sure, scatter
many seeds OF truth, the fruits of which
at some future time will be gathered
On The l7th Of November. last. Elder
J. NJ. Larsen and ! entered this city,
and II seems We came In an opportune
time. We found the city flooded with
Helen Gould anti Mormon" pamphlets.
and people Were about ready 10 see the
other side OF this colOred picture The
people were as ignorant OF the "Mor-
mon question as the Filiplnos are OF
The United States government. On ar
rival we were met by bitter opposition
on all sides, but the Lord is eoftenlng
the hearts Of the people and many are
manlfesting a disposition 20 hear us ex-
plain our doctrine After being refused
The use OF the Congregational Raptist
and NJ. Il. churches, we were successful
through the kindness Of Inc members OF
the tniversalist church In getting that
church, where last Sunday the llih.
We spoke 10 quite a number who had
gathered 60 listen TO us. The Helen
Gould tracts as well as the great stir
and spludgc Of the over-zealous Christ
ians Is going 10 serve the cause OF the
Laiter-day Saints The little stone"
rolls softly and rapidly on. Even now
good results are following their work
and We are reaping the benefit.
Anyone having relatives In this vlcln-
Ivy VIII confer a favor by sending adj
dress TO undersigned, With a keen IN
teiest In the welfare Of Zion. remain
q lahnrar In The NlnaNarA ~ H. 1 -1rl