President's Office
Great Salt Lake City,
May 30th, 1866.
President Geo. Nebeker,
Laie, Oahu, Sandwich Islands.
Dear Brother:
Your letter of the 19th ult. with accompanying Minutes of your Conference, came safely to hand a <few days ago and was perused with> interest. I am pleased at hearing of the good Conference that you had on the 6th of April, and that you were able to hold it in your own building under such favorable circumstances. The baptism of so many of the people on your land will be more pleasant for them and yourselves than if they were out of the Church.
It was the intention in sending the brethren who went from here last Spring to have them, and those who were already there, labor together for the good of the Mission, either in preaching or in working on a place or places where the people could be gathered and instructed in the practical as well as the theoretical principles of their religion. They were not sent there to work here and there, where they could make the most money, and to have that alone in view, neither was it expected that they would scatter, but it was hoped that by concentration places of effort, places might be secured and cultivated
profitably, where the natives might gather and be taught the arts of industry and those correct habits which are necessary for them to acquire to be the respected fellow-laborers of the white race in building up Zion. It was also hoped that, in taking this course, the brethren would do better for themselves individually then they would if they were to take a different course. We are gratified to learn that the most of the brethren are now laboring with you.
Respecting Brother and Sister Green, or any of the brethren and Sisters whose health may be failing: they are at liberty to move to some other part of the Islands, or to come home as their health and wish may require. We do not desire any of the Elders to stay in a field of labor where they cannot enjoy good health.
Everything has moved along very peaceably here since I wrote my last to you. Our enemies are never idle; but they seem to accomplish nothing in the way they desire. The sun rises and sets as regularly and shines as brightly, and we plant and sow and cultivate and build and enjoy the fruits of our labors as though they were not in existence and we had not an enemy in the world to disturb our peace.
We hear from the teams which left here this Spring to bring up the poor that they are progressing well and the stock are doing finely.
The Indians have not committed any further depredations additional to those of which I wrote you in my last. If the brethren will only keep on the alert, and strictly follow the counsel which has been given to them about forting and taking care of themselves and their stock, these Indian difficulties will soon be terminated.
Enclosed I forward you a statement of the notes which you left with me.
Accept my love and remember me to all the Elders, your family and theirs, in which Presidents Kimball and Wells and Brother George Q. join. You and the Elders have our faith and prayers for your success and continued prosperity in your mission. May the Lord bless you.
I remain
Your Brother,
Brigham Young