Heber C. Kimball’s mission to England was difficult at the beginning.  England sent out many missionaries herself and was seen as something of a religious authority.  Heber C. Kimball was worried that they wouldn’t receive his message because, as an American Mormon, he couldn’t have any authority at all in their eyes.  In his certainty of his weakness, he cried “mightily to the Lord for wisdom and for that comfort and support which” he “so much needed.” 

Heber C. Kimball and the other missionaries came to Liverpool with no means at all.  And Heber was surprised to see in the streets at one moment, the rich, and, the next, the obvious poor.  He wasn’t used to seeing such sharp differences in class (and he fell, having no money, in the lower).  He (and the others) found lodging in a room belonging to a widow.

These Mormon missionaries called on the Lord for guidance, asking where they “should be most useful in proclaiming the gospel and in establishing and spreading His kingdom.”  They received answer in the form of a strength and determination given of the Holy Spirit “to go forward, come life or death, honor or reproach.” 

They also felt moved to proceed to Preston, England.  They found lodging there in another widow’s room.  One of the missionaries, Brother Fielding, had a brother nearby, a Rev. Mr. Fielding.  Mr. Fielding was interested in interviewing the Mormon missionaries and was given for his interest an account of the purpose of the Mormon mission and the new, restored Church which the Lord had given again to the world. 

The next day was Sunday and the missionaries “went to hear Mr. Fielding preach.”  Mr. Fielding invited them, after, to have one of their number preach in the afternoon.

That these Mormon Americans were going to preach was spread around the town.  By afternoon, a large group of people were gathered to listen.  Heber C. Kimball was the Mormon missionary appointed to speak – and he spoke about the first principles of the gospel (faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost).  He also described the nature of the Mormon Church, that Church restored by the hand of God through Joseph Smith.  Another missionary, Brother Hyde, testified of the same after.

The Mormon missionaries were asked to preach again in the evening.  This time, Brother Goodson preached and the testimony was borne by Brother Fielding.  Wednesday evening was the next time allotted for the Mormons to preach – and Brother Hyde spoke this last time.  At this point, many were convinced and believed.  They rejoiced “exceedingly that the Lord had again visited His people, and sent His servants to lay before them the doctrine of the gospel ‘and the truth as it is in Jesus.’”  

And at this point, Rev. Mr. Fielding withdrew his invitations.  The Mormons were no longer allowed to preach in his chapel.  He said that the reason was that the Mormon missionaries “had preached the doctrine of Baptism for the remission of sins, contrary to our arrangement with him.”

These missionaries didn’t think it right not to preach baptism and remembered no agreement saying that they wouldn’t.  Mr. Fielding, being brothers with a Mormon missionary, who had written him letters about Mormon doctrine, wasn’t unaware of the doctrine of baptism either.  However, he believed in infant baptism and if he had come to believe in baptism by immersion, he would have to undergo it himself, after years of preaching.  This would undermine him as a minister – this would undermine his entire position in society.

Although Mr. Fielding was, at first, a friend to the Mormons, he turned to emphatic opposition.

His congregation remained interested, however, partly because before the Mormon missionaries came, Mr. Fielding had spoken so highly of one of them – his brother – that he “could not place more confidence in an angel than he did in the statements of his brother respecting this people.”  His congregation, thus, “had for some time been praying for” their “coming.”

But the Mormons now had “to preach in private houses,” which, because of the continued interest and enthusiasm, wasn’t a problem.  Another reverend asked them not to baptize “any of his members,” but they insisted that anyone who wanted baptism would have it.

And they wanted it.  The Mormon missionaries baptized nine people shortly afterward.

– This story is taken in excerpt and paraphrased from Preston Nibley’s Missionary Experiences, published in 1942 by Deseret Book.  Heber C. Kimball is the author.  You may want to check out the book and read the complete story in Heber’s own words.