Elder T. Whitaker’s Experience During Missionary Labors in Scotland

“In the latter part of my mission I determined to make special effort to find some who were praying anxiously and sincerely for a visit from a messenger sent by God. I found Elder E. H. Gowans willing to accompany me in the undertaking. We had a remarkable experience that will not soon be forgotten by either of us. From Glasgow we walked as far north as Aberdeen, distributing tracts by the way, and endeavoring to get to speak to the people of the Gospel by their firesides. In this we were refused, seeming unable to admit strangers, especially “Mormons,” whom they have been warned against and educated to fear. The distance walked was about 200 miles, the last 55 without food. At Edinburgh, Dundee, and Aberdeen we were cared for by the Elders who are there located; and at Arbroath by an aunt of Brother Davidson. We were often hungry, and sometimes weary, but the Lord was with us, and we felt that we were doing His work. We were not always successful in getting the people to listen to us, but we felt that we had done our duty, and that the responsibility of rejecting the message rested with them. We were often treated with coldness and indifference, but we were also treated with kindness by some who were not of our faith, and who were willing to give us a meal or a night's lodging. We felt that we were in the hands of the Lord, and that He would provide for us, and He did. We were never left to suffer for the want of the necessaries of life, and we were always able to find a place to rest our heads. We felt that we were being prepared for the work that lay before us, and that we were being taught lessons that would be of value to us in the future. We were thankful for the experience, and we felt that it had been a profitable one for us.”

— T. Whitaker, The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star