Letter from Edward Franklin Soderborg, 2 December 1897
Salt Lake City, Utah,
President Woodruff:
Dear brother,
I received a letter from the missionary committee date Nov. 29
in which I was asked my feelings in taking a mission to
the Samoan Islands in company with Elder Eugene F.
Morris. Bro. Morris and I were notified of this call on
Nov. 26 by the Ward Bishoprick and we expressed our willingness
to them. As soon as we received the notice we presented ourselves
to bro's. Reynolds & Joseph F. Smith with whome we had a long
talk and all matters considered, we were councelled to decide
on as early a date to leave as possible. The next day we told bro.
Reynolds that we were willing to leave on the earliest date Jan. 3, 1898
and that we would be able to just gather the required sum by close
and careful work, feeling truly greatfull to God our Heavenly Father for
this call we desired to show our love to do good by not delaying matters
in the least but doing all in our power to encourage the blessings
of Him upon our weak minds and efforts, that our whole souls
may be completely filled with the blessings and power of God to do his will
among the dark nations and set a noble example. Although the call
was an awful suprise to us, very young boys, we ever pray to be faithful.
May I ever remain your humble brother,
E. F. Soderborg.
