Fulfillment of patriarchal blessing for Elder Dotson

“The mission of Elder Dotson has been of special interest and satisfaction to him. Some years ago, while nearly all of his relatives were not in sympathy with our faith, he received a blessing in which was a promise that he, if faithful, would have the privilege of bringing many of his kindred into the Church. When this promise was made, the Elder could see no possibility of its realization, as his relatives were far removed from him both by distance and doctrine. Time passed on, and he reached the age generally considered too far advanced for missionary labors in the South; but at last he received a letter from the Presidency of the Church extending to him an invitation to take a mission to the Southern States. But this did not clear away all difficulties. After his arrival at Chattanooga there were about ten chances to one that he would get in a conference in which his relatives did not reside. True, Brother Dotson might have suggested that he work in a locality near his kinsfolk, but he had no idea that such a right belonged to it. It was his belief that the servants of God appointed for that purpose were perfectly competent to discharge their duty. This belief was strengthened in him when he received an appointment to labor in the neighborhood where his relatives resided. Not all the barriers were yet removed from his path, however. His relatives were not at all eager to join themselves to his faith. It was not until after he had worked diligently among them that he saw prospects of the fulfillment of the patriarch's promise; and just at this time threats of violence against the 'Mormons' in that neighbourhood gave occasion for the Elder to seek quarters less hostile to truth-tellers. After a little, the threatened violence subsided. He then went back and soon baptized eleven of his relatives, among whom was his aged father. — Millennial Star 68:4”