John Q. Cannon's Divine Guidance and Success in Posting Missionary Invitations in Winterthur

John Q. Cannon, while serving as a missionary in Winterthur, Switzerland, faced a challenge in distributing handbills inviting people to an upcoming Latter-day Saint conference. After local officials refused to give permission for the posters, citing the disapproval of the majority, Cannon determined to proceed by posting them anyway at his own responsibility. Despite the posters being torn down within two days, he felt that they had served their purpose, and he was able to hold a highly successful conference with significant attendance that exceeded his expectations.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

I inquired of the commissioner whether we might post up our invitations without state permission, and even without the majority's consent, may we not? Yes, he replied with an expressive shrug, if you will take the responsibility of any disorderly demonstration that may take place. I said I was willing to do that, and would not be looked upon as a violator of the laws at all, but rather as one acting in accordance with my right to preach the Gospel; and I bowed myself out and commenced the work at once. It is mentioned that after all our posters did little good, for they were within two days torn down, we console ourselves with the reflection that at least those who tore them down read them, if no one else did.