FRAGMENTS OF EXPERIENCE, SIXTH BOOK OF THE FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES.

Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day Saints.

JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR OFFICE,
Salt Lake City,
1882.

PREFACE.

In issuing this, the Sixth Book of the FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES, we trust that it will meet with the same kind reception that its predecessors have. Perhaps no books that have ever been published in our Church have become so popular in so short a time as the volumes of this Series which have already been issued. They have tended towards supplying a want which has long been felt in our community, and we feel assured that they have done a great amount of good.

Young minds, as a rule, are not attracted by those publications which treat specially upon doctrine. They are usually too profound for young people to grasp and fully comprehend the ideas that are contained in them. To the person with fully matured mind and well-developed reasoning faculties they may appear ever so simple, and even fascinating, but to most young people they are uninteresting, to some positively distasteful. And yet there is scarcely a child but can be taught principle in the form of narrative, wherein the application is made for him in scenes from real life, and appreciate it. There is no more sure way of instilling into the mind of a child faith in God and in the work which He has established upon the earth than by illustrating it with incidents from actual experience. The lesson, too, is likely to be all the more effective in the persons whose lives are held up for examples are those with whom the child is acquainted and in whom he has confidence. The lives of many of the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints abound in incidents which, if written and published, would tend to inspire those who might read them with faith in God and a spirit of emulation. We hope a more general interest may soon be felt throughout our Church in writing up such incidents. That the host of children now growing up in the valleys of the mountains appreciate and are ready to profit by their perusal there can be no doubt.

The FRAGMENTS OF EXPERIENCE herein contained are collected at random, but many valuable lessons may be drawn from the incidents narrated, and we trust that the seed which they may sow in the hearts of those who peruse them will be productive of a rich yield of fruit in the kingdom of our Father.

THE PUBLISHER.

CONTENTS.

HELP PROM THE LORD.

Mission to Illinois when a Boy—Attempt of a Deacon to Put me to Shame—Open my Bible to the Passage Required—Prove our Position Correct from the Scriptures—Befriended by an Infidel—Preachers Assault on the "Frogs"—The "Frog" Replies.

EARLY EXPERIENCE OF A LATTER-DAY SAINT.

Hear the Gospel by Chance—Compunction at Speaking Lightly of the Prophet—Join the Church—A New Suit of Clothes—Opposed by Relatives—My Old Friend, the Bible—A Dream—Required to Renounce "Mormonism" or Leave the House—My Relatives Refuse to Speak to me—They Pawn my Clothes—I Recover Them—Violence Used—My Clothes Torn—My Mother's Death—My Brothers Quarrel, and call upon me to Settle their Difficulties—My Brother Sick—Healed in Answer to my Prayer.

DISOBEDIENCE TO COUNSEL.

Driven from my Property by the Mob—Desire to Return and Recover some of it—Counseled by the Church Authorities not to Go—Persist in Going—Visit a Friendly Family—Amiable Intention of my Debtors—Meet two of Them They Threaten my Life—Despair of Getting Anything and Try to Start Home—Beaten over the Head with a Pole—Barely Escape with my Life—Ashamed to have my Friends Know It—The Lesson I Learned.

LORENZO DOW YOUNG'S NARRATIVE.

CHAPTER I.

My Mother's Promise—Chased by Wolves—A Remarkable Dream—Thrown from a Horse—Providentially Saved—Religious Revival—Preachers Try in vain to Convert me—Ridiculed for not Playing at Cards—Read Infidel Works—Their Effect—A Vision.

CHAPTER II.

Marriage—A Vision of Other Worlds—My Reluctance at Returning to a Mortal Existence—A Promise with Conditions—I Exhort Others to Faithfulness.

CHAPTER III.

I Take to Preaching—Make Many Converts—Refuse to Baptize Them—They are Baptized by a Campbellite Preacher—Urged to Join the Campbellites—Refuse, and the Devil Tempts me—I Grieve the Spirit, but Regain it Through Fasting and Prayer—Hear the Gospel—Visit from Elder Gifford—He is Threatened with Tar and Feathers—My Brother and I Defend Him.

CHAPTER IV.

Converted—Start for Missouri—Called to Preach "Mormonism" without being Baptized—Join the Church—Voyage to Pittsburg—Preach the Gospel and Establish a Branch—Experience as a Trunk-maker—Mission to New York—Speak in Tongues—Effects of Preaching Counteracted by Lies—Second Voyage Down the Ohio—Providential Delay.

CHAPTER V.

Removal to Kirtland—Work upon the Temple—A Lesson— Sickness—Pronounced Incurable by Doctors—Healed in Answer to Prayer—Cured of Lameness—Removal to Missouri—Commencement of Hostilities—Surrounded by a Mob—Face Death—Rescued.

CHAPTER VI.

Warned to Leave the Country or Renounce "Mormonism"—Wife and Children Threatened—A Boy's Pluck—Forced to Flee for our Lives—Property Confiscated—Battle of Crooked River—Providentially Saved—Far West Besieged—Escape to Iowa—Pursued—Providential Snow Storm.

AN INSTANCE OF DIVINE INTERPOSITION.

Visit to Scotland—Meet Old Friends—Return to Liverpool—About to go by Steamer to Bristol—A Voice Warns me not to Go—Turn Back—Short of Money—Means Providentially Provided—Journey to Portsmouth—Sequel to the Warning—The Steamer Wrecked.

MY LAST MISSION TO THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.