"On Sunday, the 4th day of June, 1837," says Heber C. Kimball, "the Prophet Joseph came to me, while I was seated in front of the stand, above the sacrament table, on the Melchisedek side of the Temple, in Kirtland, and whispering to me, said, 'Brother Heber, the Spirit of the Lord has whispered to me: Let my servant Heber go to England and proclaim my Gospel, and open the door of salvation to that nation.' " The thought was overpowering. He had been surprised at his call to the Apostleship; now he was overwhelmed. Like Jeremiah he staggered under the weight of his own weakness, exclaiming in self-humiliation: "O, Lord, I am a man of stammering tongue, and altogether unfit for such a work; how can I go to preach in that land, which is so famed throughout Christendom for learning, knowledge and piety; the nursery of religion; and to a people whose intelligence is proverbial! Feeling my weakness to go upon such an errand. I asked the Prophet if Brother Brigham might go with me. He replied that he wanted Brother Brigham to stay with him, for he had something else for him to do. The idea of such a mission was almost more than I could bear up under. I was almost ready to sink under the burden which was placed upon me. However, all these considerations did not deter me from the path of duty; the moment I understood the will of my heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go at all hazards, believing that He would support me by His almighty power, and endow me with every qualification that I needed; and although my family was dear to me, and I should have to leave them almost destitute, I felt that the cause of truth, the Gospel of Christ, outweighed every other consideration."—(Life of Heber C. Kimball, by O. F. Whitney, pp. 116, 117).
[7]. The British mission was really an outgrowth of the work in Canada. "Several of the Saints in Canada," says Parley P. Pratt, in speaking of his labors there in the early spring of 1837, "were English, who had friends in England. Letters had been sent to them with information of the rise of the Church, and of its principles. Several of the Canadian Elders felt a desire to go on a mission to their friends in that country. At length, Joseph Fielding, Isaac Russell, John Goodson and John Snider, of the Canadian Elders, were selected for a mission to England. Elders Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde, of the Quorum of the Twelve, were selected to go at the head of the mission, and Elder Willard Richards was appointed to accompany them."—(Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, p. 183.)
[8]. Joseph Fielding was born in Honeydon, Bradfordshire, England, and was the son of John and Rachel Fielding. He emigrated from England and located in Upper Canada, near Toronto, in 1832. Together with his two sisters, Mary and Rachel, he received the Gospel under the ministry of Elder Parley P. Pratt in May, 1832, and soon after was ordained a Priest and joined the mission to England as recorded in the text of the history above.
[9]. Concerning the place and time of the birth of John Goodson nothing can be learned. He was, however, among those whom Elder Parley P. Pratt converted in Upper Canada during his memorable mission in that land.
[10]. Isaac Russell was born April 13, 1807, in Windy Hall, Cumberland County, England. His father's name was William Russell, and Isaac was the youngest of thirteen children. The family emigrated to America about 1817, settling in Upper Canada. In June, 1829, he married Mary Walton and made his home in Toronto, where he received the Gospel under the ministry of Elder Parley P. Pratt. He was ordained an Elder and engaged in missionary work in Upper Canada until he joined the British mission under the leadership of Elder Heber C. Kimball, as stated in the text.
[11]. John Snyder was born in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, November 11, 1800. He removed with his father's family to Upper Canada, near Toronto. His father died while John was yet a youth, but under the influence of his mother, a woman of strong character and upright life, young Snyder grew to manhood with strong religious sentiments. In 1833, he joined, with the late President John Taylor, an association of students of the Scriptures who were seeking for a profounder knowledge of the truth. It was to this association that Elder Parley P. Pratt was directed in 1836 and to whom he so frequently preached the Gospel that quite a number of them united with the Church, John Snyder among them. Soon after John Snyder was ordained to the Priesthood and joined the British mission as stated in the text.
Chapter XXXV.
Financial Conditions in Various Nations—Progress of the British Mission—Conferences at Far West and Kirtland.