Missionary Preparation and Distinguishing Between Good and Evil Monitors

Reminiscence of missionary call and experience.—Necessity for preparation to go on missions. — Good and evil monitors always present.— Learn to distinguish influences, and follow the good. ¶

My brethren and sisters, it is truly a surprise to me to be called to address you on this occasion, but I have listened attentively to that which we have heard so far during this Conference, and can bear you my testimony that what has been said has been true and guided by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. While Brother McMurrin was speaking in regard to missionaries, my mind reverted to the time when I was called on a mission. I had been in poor health for about a year, and was called to go to Scandinavia. My financial circumstances were very low, I had no means with which to purchase transportation, etc., and there was no railroad here at that time to travel on, so I saddled my horse, mounted it, and started on my mission to Scandinavia without purse or scrip. On the road I sold my horse for a little money, and I met some friends who further assisted me. I left here on the seventeenth of May and arrived in Copenhagen on the twelfth of September, safe and sound. ¶

But that is not the point exactly which occurred to my mind. Speaking of the young Elders who are called upon missions, I desire to say that it is necessary for them to inform their minds while at home. They should attend the Mutual Improvement Associations, study the Scriptures and the Church works, that they may be prepared for missionary labor when they go to their fields. On my arrival I began to think, What are you here for? Why have you left your home and traveled this distance? The answer came to me, To preach the Gospel and lighten those who are in darkness, to assist in gathering scattered Israel, and the honest in heart from among the wicked. The next question I asked myself was, What will you say to them? What are the principles of the Gospel? In less than an hour I had asked myself a hundred questions and could not answer one of them. So I began to study. Once in a while I turned to the man who was presiding, and asked him certain questions, which he answered without hesitation. Says I, "Is that the correct answer to that question?" "Yes," said he. Well, I knew it as well as he did, when I came to think of it. A great many of our missionaries are not entirely ignorant of the principles of the Gospel, but they do not give them proper thought. They do not study the different questions and the proper answers, in order that they may be prepared to meet the opposition of the world and speak intelligently to those whom they are called upon to address. It has been my practice for years to advise young men to study, to inform their minds, and be prepared for the ministry when the call comes. ¶

Often in my official duties, when people come to me for their blessings, especially young men who are called upon missions, I admonish them to learn to listen to the whisperings of the good Spirit and be guided by it; to seek the Father for the gift of discernment, that they may not be deceived by the evil one, for we understand that when we would do good evil is present with us. It is necessary that we should learn to recognize the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, that we may understand the difference between it and the evil one. In my labors, I have often had the two spirits to contend with, and this has taught me to listen, so that when a question is asked I may, through prophetic vision, understand the proper answer. Often when I have asked questions under these circumstances I have heard distinctly, it may be said, two voices, and they are so near alike that it is a hard matter to distinguish between them unless you are acquainted and have learned to be guided by the proper spirit. I contend that every Latter-day Saint has a Monitor within him, and if he conducts himself in such a manner that he himself is truly satisfied with his labors, then he may feel assured the Lord is apt to be satisfied. We can never do wrong unless we are admonished that it is wrong. Before we take a wrong step or do something that we should not do, that Monitor will chide us and will give us a chance to reflect if we will accept the opportunity. There is, therefore, no reason why the Latter-day Saints should do wrong, if they will only be guided by the whisperings of God and the Spirit. ¶

I don't feel like talking longer. I ask God our heavenly Father to let His blessings rest upon us all, to guide us in the true path, to open the eyes of our understanding, that we may see aright, that we may comprehend the will of the Father, and have fortitude to press forward filling our missions and accomplishing the work assigned us. That the blessings of the Lord may rest upon all Israel, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. ¶