Chapter 1 (Feb 22)

1st Elder Curtis
An account typed by the fingers of Elder Curtis.  A record of God's dealings with the people of Tustin third.  Their acceptance and rejection of the message of the one Messiah who came and will come again.  The struggles and joys of the missionaries in the land of Anaheim California.  Their success and failures, their righteousness and wickedness in the land.  The judgments of God upon the people and the great joy of the mission life.  Written and recorded by Elder Curtis, or in other words, I, Elder Curtis typed these things.

Chapter 1

1.  I Elder Curtis having been born of amazing parents and having grown up in the knowledge of the Gospel, did live after the manner of happiness all of my days.  Yea, having seen much joy and also suffering in my day I proceed to give an account of the twentieth and twenty first year of my life.  For behold I did go forth to the land of Southern California that perhaps I might be an instrument in the hands of God to be the means of saving a few souls, if it be in the wisdom of God.  Yea, having enjoyed the first fifteen months of my service, I proceed to give a more in depth record of my doings.  And I did repent of my great neglect in writing these things to the point of much regret and sorrow.  Nevertheless, having known the goodness of God--his everlasting forgiveness and peace--I thence proceed.

2. And it came to pass that I did have a week of much joy and success, for behold, we did teach Sister Malarkey twice and did help her to see the importance of these things.  And we did teach Sister Marroquin and exhort her to attend church that she might have the joy of the gospel in her life.  Yea, we did have a day of much learning and growth on the fourth day of the week, being Thursday, after the accounting of time according to the missionaries.  For behold we did meet as a zone and did learn from Brother Droubay, insomuch that our learning was great and the outpouring of the spirit was upon all people.

3. And I did go to the land of the singles on the sixth day of the week to be with Elder Jones, that we might preach the gospel together, that perhaps we might learn from each other.  And we did go up and worship the Lord on the Seventh day, according to the commandments of God and did eat dinner with a Spanish family, having been away from the Spanish culture for much time I did rejoice exceedingly for the food and wholesomeness of the people.  And behold Elder Lee did press with much force that we should leave the library that we might continue with our day.  Therefore, I do close my record for this day and do give peace and love to all.  And I, Elder Curtis, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, to make them mighty, even to the power of deliverance.  And thus it is.  Amen.