Franklin Stuart Nuttall Parkinson, age 21- From his missionary journal.
April 26-1907- FridayI arrived in Salt Lake City in good time, leaving Ogden at 8:30A.M., and reported at the Presidents office to arrange for transportation. After a few moments spent there, I arranged, through a letter from Bishop John Watson, Ogden fifth Ward, addressed to Jos. W. McMurrin, to be set apart a Seventy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Bro McMurrin set me apart and gave me a license to act in that office.
I went from his office to Patriarch Jno. Smith’s residence, where I received a blessing which is very good and promises much. At 1:30 P.M. I met with the balance of the missionaries to leave within the next few days, at the temple to be set apart for my mission. I was set apart by Apostle Teasdale, who gave me a very impressive blessing. He promised me success and a good mission, friends and good health. Apostle Grant was then asked to give us the necessary instructions. He has, for the past few years been president of the European Mission and knew just what instructions were for our best good. He impressed upon us that “work-work-work” was the only sure cure for homesickness and invited us to try it, that we should avoid women and wine, that we should never enter a house of vice, avoid anything of an evil nature. Bro. McMurrin then spoke of how necessary it is for a Mormon Elder to have good manners. He spoke of etiquette on the train, at the hotel, on the ship and at any place we might go. He told us that prayer was our only way to commune with God, and that God is our very best friend, that we should be extremely prayerful and exhort other to be the same, that our last kiss, for the next three years should be upon our mother, sister, wife or sweetheart, and Jno. Smith told me not to allow a woman to take hold of my arm, that even that was too great a liberty to allow any woman while in the field. Bro. McMurrin further blessed us and gave a great deal other advice of which holding down expense and not going for pleasure was the greater part.
After securing all necessary tickets and advice I arranged for a room and went to bed, it being only 7 P.M. I consider to-day very important in my history.
April 27-1907-Saturday
After making sure all arrangements for my trip were complete I met cousin Annie Parkinson, who is studying in Salt Lake City, and we spent the day enjoyably together. She arranged with me to send a few things to Leo, her brother, who is doing missionary work in Switzerland. Of course I was pleased to act as agent in taking such blessings, because I know the Elders love to get things from home.
I returned to Ogden in the evening and spent my time with Emma.
During the past ten days we have had grand weather. Crops are up and growing nicely.
April 28-1907-Sunday
After spending a pleasant day with friends, Emma the chief one, and doing the last preliminary work necessary, I boarded the D. & R.G.W. train. The sun was just going down as I kissed the few friends who had come to the depot to see me off. Of course, I did not like to leave friends to go to a land of strangers but being called I desire to go willingly and therefore leave with a hope of doing much good both to myself and others.
