Chapter 8—Call to Travel
In my second vision, about a week after the first, the Lord gave
me a view of the trials through which I must pass, and told me that
I must go and relate to others what He had revealed to me. It was
shown me that my labors would meet with great opposition, and that
my heart would be rent with anguish; but that the grace of God would
be sufficient to sustain me through all.
After I came out of this vision I was exceedingly troubled, for it
pointed out my duty to go out among the people and present the truth.
My health was so poor that I was in constant bodily suffering, and to
all appearance had but a short time to live. I was only seventeen years
of age, small and frail, unused to society, and naturally so timid and
retiring that it was painful for me to meet strangers.
For several days, and far into the night, I prayed that this burden
might be removed from me, and laid upon someone more capable of
bearing it. But the light of duty did not change, and the words of the
angel sounded continually in my ears, “Make known to others what I
have revealed to you.”
Hitherto when the Spirit of God had urged me to duty, I had risen
above myself, forgetting all fear and timidity in the thought of Jesus’
love and the wonderful work He had done for me.
But it seemed impossible for me to perform this work that was
presented before me; to attempt it seemed certain failure. The trials
attending it appeared more than I could endure. How could I, a child
in years, go forth from place to place, unfolding to the people the holy
truths of God? My heart shrank in terror from the thought. My brother
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Robert, but two years older than myself, could not accompany me, for
he was feeble in health, and his timidity was greater than mine; nothing
could have induced him to take such a step. My father had a family to
support, and could not leave his business; but he repeatedly assured me
that if God had called me to labor in other places, He would not fail to
open the way for me. But these words of encouragement brought little
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