Some Mistakes Made While Preaching the Gospel

SOME MISTAKES MADE WHILE PREACHING THE GOSPEL. BY ELDER W. A. MORTON. I pen these few lines in the hope that they may serve as a danger-signal to young, inexperienced elders who shall be called to go to the nations of the earth to proclaim the gospel of peace. I pray you, my dear, young brethren, particularly to notice the last four words of the foregoing sentence—the gospel of peace, not the gospel of contention. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of "peace and good will to all men," and whatsoever is more than this cometh of evil. In sending forth his disciples to preach the gospel, the Master said unto them, "Be ye, therefore, wise as serpents and harmless as doves," and he has given the same admonition to the elders in these latter-days. Bat we have not always observed this counsel. Many of us have acted very unwisely, at times, and have brought trouble upon our heads, and injury to the cause of Christ. Let me tell you one of the first mistakes I made after I became a member of the Church. I had accepted the gospel with an honest heart, and had re- ceived from the Lord a very strong and convincing testimony that I had done his will. I very properly became very zealous in the work of God, and was anxious to see all men, if possible, be- come partakers of the gifts and blessings of the gospel. I purchased a Ready Reference, and commenced a careful study of the various portions of scripture sustaining the principles and ordinances of the gospel. I memorized a great many verses of scripture on faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy

410 IMPRO YEMENT ERA. Ghost, divine authority, apostasy, restoration, etc. There was such an abundance of scripture, in proof of these things, that I marveled many times why people refused to believe them. But I saw, after a time, that the words of the prophet had been fulfilled, and that the days had come when "darkness covered the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people." I was very anxious to get into conversations and arguments with people concerning the principles of the gospel. Several times I was attacked by my friends and compelled to give a reason for the hope that was within me. On such occasions, the Lord heard my prayers, and I was enabled to confound those who stood up in opposition to his work. The success which attended me made me somewhat conceited, and I began to strut around like a theological game rooster, looking for some one with whom to fight. I would have considered it a pleasure trip to have traveled twenty miles, if at the end of the journey I could have found a preacher to debate with. I loved debates, thinking that by vanquishing my opponent I could get many converts to the faith. But I can truthfully say that I have not known a single individual who has been converted by attending our theological prize-fights. If I were going out into the world to preach the gospel, I would avoid, as much as possible, debates and contention. I would not, as I did in my early days, make a football of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and challenge people to kick with me. I would try even to keep in mind the counsel of our Savior: "Contend against no church." I must now tell you one of my first mistakes while preaching the gospel. One evening, while returning to my home, I saw a short distance ahead of me, a preacher of the Plymouth Brethren. Here was an opportunity for discussion. I quickened my step, and in a short time overtook him. I felt equal to the combat. I was familiar with the doctrine of this sect. I knew how, with my scriptural sword, I could completely disarm him. Victory was mine. No, my dear brethren, I have a different story to tell. With shame and confusion, I retired from the field, a sadder but wiser man. How was I defeated? you ask. The Lord took every pas- sage of scripture away from my memory, and when the young