G. S. L. City, May 5, 1862
Elder W. M. Gibson., Lahaina, Hawaiian Islands.
Dear Brother:
I had the pleasure of hearing read the last letter. Jan 16, No. 10. you sent the President, and was happy to learn that the Polynesian Saints were, under your guidance improving in agriculture pursuits. I readily appreciate the value of your teachings to them, and the necessity of a people understanding how to raise their own subsistence, erect comfortable habitations, clothe themselves with garments cut to the shape of their bodies, as well as wholly absorbing their minds with the bright hopes of the future reward of the faithful followers of Christ.
The labors of the Saints in this life are various, and diversified, as they necessarily have to keep in mind the providing for their temporal wants, and also by the labor of their minds strengthen themselves in the fact that the Kingdom of God is again set up on the Earth; to neglect the temporal brings men to miserable poverty, and to neglect the other dwindles them again into unbelief; it is necessary to learn to do both at once though the progress may be slower. The chief evidence of the truth of this work to the Saint of a few years standing is the enjoyment of the Spirit of the Lord in his diversified operations, thus the learner in the principles of the Gospel contrasting his present feelings with those previous to his admission into the Church at once discerns his progress in that kind of knowledge which comprehends more of the character of deity, and His designs for the exaltation and happiness of the human family after an experience in this life with its trials and labors prepares us to more fully appreciate those future enjoyments than we possibly could do if this life had been only designed for a condition of unalloyed happiness for us mortals.
If we enquire of the Saints what have they grounded their faith upon, they offer evidences in many varieties, some basing their beliefs on the peaceful state of their minds, and others relating a miraculous case of healing, or the answer to a prayer which they made under some trying exigency. The difference of faith existing among the Saints brings out the differences of their experiences. I like the poor [gap in typescript] lay my hands on my sick animals. Nine years ago a horse I was driving in a part of this Country up near [gap in typescript] took sick, unacquainted with the vetinary [gap in typescript] I laid my hands on my animal and rebuked [gap in typescript] in the name of Jesus Christ, to my great satisfaction and I may say surprise the animal immediately recovered and instead of remaining on the prairy that night alone I made another seven miles and reached a farm where I and my horse refreshed ourselves.
Indian superstitions are usually based upon the <belief in the> gifts and miraculous powers of <the> Holy Ghost, which were manifested years ago before their fathers fell into an apostacy which while it rebelled against the government of the Church retained a belief in ordinances, in answers to prayers, in miracles, in dreams, and an intelligence which measurably acknowledged the finger of the Lord in the transpiring events of their own lives, and in the prosperity of their nations. The preaching qualities you speak of among these is a remnant of that zeal and talent which was possessed in a powerful degree by their forefathers previous to the spirit of the Lord forsaking them for their sins and rebellion.
Your talent in so easily acquiring languages of these people enables you to so efficiently employ and direct their labors and with the co-operation of the best of the native Elders it is easy to predict that a now degraded people will in a few years arrive to an improvement in social and national greatness that will reflect honor upon those who now labor to produce it.
All the Abrahamic races as a consequence of these traits of character, which obtained for their great sire the appellation of being the friend of God Most particularly do we find the desire to worship in them. The opening of the book of Mormon shews that the belief in direct revelation induced Lehi who was that lineage, to leave their fatherland for Central america. Their desire to believe God is seen in many parts of sacred history far more than a disposition to dwell together free from jealousies and hatred with each other. This worshipping essentially distinguishes them from the masses of the remnants of Japhet, who labor diligently in government, art and science to the neglect of cultivating their relationship to the author of their being.
Last conference I with 21 others were appointed to foreign missions my destination is England, my native land, where I hope I shall bring some to a belief in the revelations of these last days.
The Deseret News gives an account that Capt. Hooper has started for the purpose of obtaining <our> admission in the family of States.
There has been a little sickness among us but we are now recovering.
The First Presidency are well [gap in typescript] as are the Twelve and other brethren you are acquainted with. Wishing Yourself and Tautah continued prosperity
I remain your Brother in the Gospel
George Sims