Speaking in Church

A conference was called by James Gunn McKay to be held in Cardiff, Wales. Brother Fred Day and his counselors had hired a large hall to accommodate the anticipated crowd. The event had been well advertised. President David O. McKay would be there. This was the first conference of the Welsh and Bristol district since the beginning of World War I. The theme of the conference was the question that most people were asking, "Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going?" Just before the morning session started, President Day came up to me and said, "Will you talk upon the first subject as well as your own?", which was "Why am I here?" The girl who was given the first subject was ill and could not attend. I was very frightened but the Lord helped me and President McKay told me later that I had done very well. After the meeting a woman came up to me and asked what seminary I had been attending to have such knowledge of religious matters. I told her I had not been to any college. She was astonished and asked how I had gained so much knowledge. I told her that anyone can gain such knowledge through study and prayer and the help of the Holy Ghost.

I have really enjoyed studying the gospel through the years and have eagerly sought for knowledge with all the earnestness of my soul and the Lord has blessed my efforts. I have enjoyed my teaching assignments and any opportunity to share the gospel with others.

I spent many holidays with Ellen roaming those beautiful Welsh hills. Her mother was such a dear, faithful soul. I loved Ellen very much. In 1923 she emigrated to America. I visited Varteg a couple of times after that but it wasn't the same without her. She lives in Salt Lake City now and I have often visited her there and we often talk about those lovely days spent together.

I have mentioned before about the Thatcher family in Bath. It wasn't too far away from Bristol and I spent many pleasant weekends there going by train. There was Elsie, Lily and Jim, who were around my age. We had lots of fun together. They also emigrated to America in 1923 and lived in Provo. There was also the Bryant family I have mentioned before. Grandma Bryant, her daughters, Edith and Elsie, her Granddaughters, Nellie and Dora. Elsie was deformed with curvature of the spine. She was a lovely person and I grew to love her, especially after Nellie's death.
I might mention here some friends I made at work who became members of the Church besides Paul. There was her sister, Emma, a girl named Mabel Howe and her fiancée. They were all baptized by my father in the river Frome. Mabel died in 1927 of TB. I have been able to do her Temple work.