Great Salt Lake City
January 30th 1855
Philip B. Lewis, B. F. Johnson
The Brethren on the Sandwich Island Mission,
Dear Brethren,
Having received letters from Bro. Johnson and others, I feel it a duty, as well as a privilege to address you a letter.
I rejoiced to learn your prosperity in proclaiming the Gospel of salvation unto the children of men. The remarkable success which has attended the preaching of the word to those natives proves that the Spirit of the Lord has been with you in your labors. I am also happy to learn of the safe arrival of the last missionaries at the scene of their labors. They were good boys at home and I expect that they will do them selves credit upon their missions abroad. It is a glorious cause to be engaged in, dispensing the principles of truth, life and salvation to those who sit in darkness, and specially encouraging when the seed <sown> falls into good and honest hearts. There is no more holier, more philanthropic or responsible calling than that in which we are alike engaged, the building up of the kingdom of God upon the earth. It should engage the most untiring exertions of every Saint and it matters not in what capacity we serve provided we do those things which are devolved upon us. There is no more pleasant calling than preaching the Gospel where a person lives in and enjoys the spirit of his mission, no matter what discouraging circumstances surround him he can rely upon that never failing resource, the Holy Spirit of our God, the Comforter, to the way worn, weary wanderers. This cheers us on and renders easy the performance of those duties and labors which are incumbent upon us to cherish & preserve in our own bosoms the spirit of God, preserving ourselves pure and holy from all the wicked abominable practices of this adulterous generation. How close we should live to the Lord and with what care and constant watchfulness we should cleave to him , with constant prayer to, and communion with him in order to have his assistance to enable us to overcome and preserve ourselves fit instruments in his hands for the work of the last days-- that we be not deceived by the enemy of all righteousness and led into by and forbidden paths
My counsel to all the Elders is to think of these things and consider well their daily walk, that they bring not reproach upon themselves, abstain from the very appearance oi evil, so shall their joy be full when they shall have overcome, fulfilled their missions and again return to the society of their friends and brethren whom they have left in these sequestered vales, so shall they meet with heavens approving smile when the Lord makes up his jewels, and be prepaired to enter that boon of rest, immortality and glory in store for the friends of our God.
We are progressing at about the usual rate, a general time of health prevails and we have great cause of thankfulness for the peace and prosperity which every where surrounds us, we have no disturbance with the Indians in the Territory, but they are quite hostile about Laramie and along the road, so much so as to stop the mails upon that route. It is expected that large forces will be sent against them from the States in the Spring.
The Sugar Works on Kanyon Creek commenced operations yesterday, it is an extensive improvement.
The South wing of the State House at Fillmore which is now roofing, and it is expected that the Legislature will meet in it hereafter. The Endowment house upon the Temple Block is nearly finished; and we are now laying stone in the Temple Foundation. The weather has been so remarkably fine as not to hinder that work more than about a month this winter so far.
The Public Hands intend having a party in the Social Hall on the 13th & 14th proximo. That building has been occupied during the winter with Theatres and parties about as hitherto, although many of the performers have passed to other scenes, and upon a different stage. So it is in life, one generation passes away and another comes on to occupy their places, and so it will continue untill we all meet again in our Fathers Mansions from whence we came to perform our parts upon this dark orb, which admits no ray of light, but but borrows all, even to reflect its own image. As with the earth, so with us, not only our light is borrowed, but our life, our spirits, our bodies, our minds, our strength, wisdom and intelligence, all are borrowed and may be required of us at any moment. Therefore let us act well our parts in the Theatre of life that we may draw down the applause of him who rules, directs and governs all.
In regard to returning from your missions, the brethren who have been long absent must consult the interests of the mission and their own feelings in relation thereto; they know how they are situated & what is incumbent upon them, and when they can learn so as not to retard the work. I have no wish for those to remain any longer until those last sent shall have sufficiently acquired the language to be able to take the work upon them.
The friends of all the mission so far as I am acquainted are <well and> will doubtless more or less send letters by this mail. I need not therefore descend to particulars as you will most probably obtain every interesting item from that source, suffice it to say, so far as regards myself, that my health is tolerably good for me to enjoy in the winter, and is somewhat improving this pleasent weather. I think I shall be well as usual upon the return of warm weather.
Brothers Heber, Jedediah and George A. desire to be remembered to all the boys who went from here last summer, and bid them all be of good cheer as they expect, although they went from here mere boys, they will return men, yea valiant warriors and giants in the cause of truth.
In your settlement at the gathering place what ever improvements are made should be of a character that will sell when the Saints wish to leave.
You should take pains to teach the natives to cultivate the earth, that they may be qualified to earn their own support.
If some of the native brethren would accompany you that come here the ensuing season I should be pleased to see them, and if they find by trying our winter that they can endure this climate, I shall be glad to have them gather to this place as fast as the way shall open for them to do so.
I wish to be remembered to my nephew John Young and feel to bless him together with all the rest of the brethren who are on that mission.
Elder Cannon is with us and doing well; he was married last fall to a daughter of Bishop Hoagland Remember we always are mindful of you all, and that you are not forgotten when we seek for wisdom through the Channel of the holy Priesthood in high places. Remember me also to the faithful native brethren and especially to Na wa hine who wrote to me, tell him to write again, and I will answer his letter. I wish him to tell me all about his feelings, his experiences and his history, and also about his friends & other native brethren, also his trials if he has any, but tell him if he will remain faithful that the good Spirit will bless him, and he will feel to rejoice all the day long.
Brethren be wise in counselling those poor natives, and seek to implant in their minds the principles of virtue, and godliness. Enforce them gently to the paths of rectitude by precept and example too, and the God of their Fathers accept of your work & inspire them to turn from their iniquity and learn to know him, and Jacob again be encircled in His arms of mercies. Which may God grant for Christs sake Amen
I remain faithfully & truly
Your Bro. in the Gospel of Christ
Brigham Young
P. S.
Bro Cannon will be sent in due time probably the ensuing season, and will take his people with him.