An Unnamed Missionary's Guidance by the Spirit in Speaking

“I was once called upon, by appointment, to speak to a mixed congregation of Saints and inquirers. I had been in the district for some weeks, and I felt quite anxious to appear to advantage. I had prepared a subject, but when I stood up, my ideas were in a state of confusion; I forgot all I ever knew; it seemed as though the bottom had dropped out of my mind; I felt that it could not have been worse. I was a little ashamed, and felt that the Saints would all be called upon before me, and I would be left to think that I was a failure. In my perplexity, I bowed my head and breathed a silent prayer to the Lord for help. I was determined not to fail if I could help it, as the people were anxious to hear. The prayer was short, but it was earnest, and it was heard. I opened my mouth, and the Spirit of God rested upon me, and the thoughts that I desired to express came to my mind, and I spoke for over an hour with a freedom that I have never known before. I felt that I was being led by the Spirit of the Lord, and it was a source of great joy to me.”

— Unnamed missionary, The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star