Elder Hinckley was intrigued with one heckler who always seemed to know when
they were there. He enjoyed sparring with the detractor and his cohorts. Many Sunday
afternoons the missionaries repeated the experience at Regents Park. The exercise
probably did more for the missionaries than for the masses, for if a missionary was
timid, as Elder Hinckley was at the outset, he got over his fear quickly. Street meetings
taught the elders to speak with confidence amid confusion and to maintain presence even
before a hostile audience.

        Elder Wendell J. Ashton, who was transferred to the British Mission office in the
spring of 1935 to serve as associate editor of the Millennial Star and as Gordon's
companion, said: "We didn't baptize many people in London in those days, but Elder
Hinckley was a knockout in those street meetings on Hyde Park corner. We learned
to speak quickly on our feet, and Elder Hinckley was the best of the bunch. He gained
tremendous firsthand experience defending the Church and speaking up courageously
for its truths."

        One morning during their study session, President Merrill showed Elder Hinckley
several London newspapers containing reviews on a newly published book claiming to
be a history of the Mormons. The book, however, was less than flattering. "Elder
Hinckley," President Merrill instructed, "I want you to go down to the publisher and
protest the publication of this book." Gordon's immediate reaction was one of fear:
"Why are you sending me? I am just a boy, and you're a distinguished man. Why don't
you go yourself?" He kept his thoughts to himself, however, and agreed to go.

        Although his exterior appeared calm, Gordon's stomach churned. The assignment
was more than a little frightening. But he went to his room and knelt in prayer, wondering
if this was how Moses felt when the Lord told him to go and see Pharaoh. Believing the
Lord would help him, he caught the underground to Fleet Street and the offices of
Skeffington and Son, Ltd., of England, publisher of the offending book.

      With the boldness of a young missionary, Gordon presented his card to the receptionist
and asked to see Mr. Skeffington. She disappeared into an inner office, then returned to tell
him that the publisher was too busy to give him an audience. Elder Hinckley announced that
he was there representing the Mormon church, that he had come five thousand miles, and
that he would be happy to wait. During the next hour the receptionist darted back and forth
to Mr. Skeffington's office. Finally she indicated that Gordon could have a few minutes with
the publisher. At that, Elder Hinckley walked into a large office and introduced himself to the
man, who was puffing on a long cigar. With a look of disdain that clearly communicated,
"You're bothering me," Mr. Skeffington asked what he could do for the young American.
Gordon produced the book reviews that had run in the newspapers and began to talk.

        At first the publisher was defensive, but as Elder Hinckley reasoned with him and
explained the problems with the book just published, Mr. Skeffington suddenly softened.
"I am sure that a high-principled man such as yourself would not wish to do injury to a
people who have already suffered so much for their religion," Elder Hinckley concluded.

        At that, the publisher made a remarkable concession and agreed to recall the books
from the bookstores and add to each copy a disclaimer stating that the text should not be
construed as a history of the Mormon people, who had a respected and courageous history,
but should be regarded as fiction without any basis in fact. Elder Hinckley realized that this
was an extraordinary decision for a businessman who had much to lose and nothing to gain
financially for his effort.

        Mr. Skeffington was true to his word. He recalled the books, and when they were
returned to bookstore shelves the promised disclaimer had been added. From that time
forward until he passed away, the publisher stayed in touch with Gordon by sending him
an annual Christmas card. "It was a tremendous lesson to me," Elder Hinckley later said.
"I came to know that if we put our faith in the Lord and go forward in trust, he will open
the way. We need have no fear about defending that in which we believe. I've never
forgotten it. That experience left a mark upon my life." . . .
 
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