her, and see if he can get him to
come here and preach in this neighborhood."

They then said I must have met him on the road. I told them that
I had come over the mountain trail, and said I was probably the
man he had gone for. They replied:

"Our father said that if you came this way, to have you stop and
stay here until his return, and to tell you that you are welcome
to preach at our house at any time."

This was on Friday. I took out my pencil and wrote a notice that
I would preach at that place on the following Sunday, at 10
o'clock, a. m. I handed it to the girls. They agreed to have the
appointment circulated. I passed on and preached at a place
twelve miles from there, and returned in time for my appointment.

When I arrived within sight of the place of meeting I was filled
with doubt and anxiety. I trembled all over, for I saw that a
vast concourse of people had come to hear an inexperienced man
preach the gospel. I went into the grove and again prayed for
strength and assistance from my Father in Heaven, to enable me to
speak His truth aright. I felt strengthened and comforted. As I
arose from prayer these words came into my mind:

"Truth is mighty and will prevail."

Thereafter I waited until the hour arrived for preaching; then I
approached the place where I had once been in a vision.

This meeting place was in a valley, near a cold, pure spring; on
either side was a high, elevated country; in the center of this
valley there stood a large blacksmith and wagon shop, surrounded
with a bower of brushwood to protect the audience from the sun.
This bower, in which I was to preach, would seat one thousand
people.

In the center of the bower they had erected a framework or raised
platform for a pulpit. I took my place and preached for one hour
and a half. My tongue was like the pen of a ready writer. I
scarcely knew what I was saying. I then opened the doors of the
Church for the admission of members. Five persons joined the
Church, and I appointed another meeting for that night. I again
preached, when two more joined the Church.

The next day I baptized the seven new members. I then arranged to
hold meetings at that place three times a week. I visited around
the country, seeking to convert sinners. The first converts were
leading people in that county.

Elisha Sanders and his wife and daughter were the first to
receive the gospel. Sanders was a farmer; he had a large flour
mill, owned a woodyard, a