After a past missionary companion leaves the church and begins to slander it, Jim Welker's father denounces the church in ward conference and apostatizes himself. Jim feels self-conscious returning to Mutual two months later. He feels as if everyone is judging and scorning him for his father's actions. When he is selected to participate in an oration competition, he hopes that he can help his father through winning the contest, but another boy steals his speech. Right before he is supposed to speak, he prays for a new topic to speak on, and he receives inspiration in coming up with a speech on the fly about having the courage to be one's self.