The 'Truth Will Prevail' Banner Unfurls Before the First Missionaries in Preston (1837)

Upon arriving in Preston, England, in 1837, the first LDS missionaries to the nation—Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Joseph Fielding, Willard Richards, John Goodson, Isaac Russell, and John Snider—found themselves as strangers in a foreign land. They were not overburthened with financial means, arriving at the town via coach during an active political election day. As they stood on the sidewalk with their luggage, feeling the weight of uncertainty, a large banner was suddenly brought out from a nearby hotel and carried into the middle of the street. It was unfurled in the breeze before them, displaying the words 'Truth Will Prevail' in brilliant, dazzling golden letters. Interpreting this event as a divine omen, the missionaries adopted the phrase as a guiding theme and confirmation that their message would take root and prosper in England. Historical context identifies the location as an area commonly used for political rallies during the period, where various party banners were displayed. The missionaries' ministry in Preston subsequently became the foundation for the Church's long-term growth in the country.

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

We were then strangers in a strange land, and not overburthened with silver or gold. We proceeded pretty directly to Preston, by coach, where we arrived amid a great display of banners, it being the day of the election of members to Parliament. The streets were crowded with people, and the windows were filled with ladies, all seemingly in high spirits. We were directed to a lodging house, where we put up our luggage, and then went out to look for a place to preach. We were led by the Spirit to the house of the Rev. James Fielding, who was a brother to Joseph Fielding, one of our company. We were kindly received by him, and invited to preach in his chapel, which we did. But while we were thus engaged, a very large banner was at that moment brought out of the hotel near where we stood, carried into the middle of the street before us, and then unfurled in the breeze, displaying upon its brilliant and dazzling folds, in large golden letters, 'Truth will Prevail.' This was a cheering sight to us, and we took it as a favorable omen of our success, and a confirmation that the Lord would cause the truth to prevail in that land, and that it would prosper and spread among the people.