Presidents Office
Gt Salt Lake City
May 1st 1866.
President Geo. Nebeker
Laie, Oahu, Sandwich Islands.
Dear Brother:
We have perused your letter of April 1st with great interest, and are pleased to hear from you respecting your own and the brethren's prosperity. You appear hopeful and determined to fill your Mission, and it is gratifying to witness this disposition, as without it there would be but little reason to expect success to attend your efforts. By persevering you will gain experience, and be able to overcome many of the obstacles with which you have to contend. The effect of your example upon the natives will be of incalculable benefit, if continued as you have begun.
The worms may trouble you in your crops; but by experimenting, you will learn the best season for planting, and the best measures to take to prevent their injuring your crops. If you had no difficulties to contend with, you would fail to get the experience, which you all need, in common with the rest of us, and would be so fascinated with the ease and pleasure of life in such a climate that a return to our northern latitude might be disagreeable to you.
The rise in the price of stock will be an advantage to you in raising means, also your wood-cutting and hauling.
You speak of paying the interest on the note promptly, and thereby get another year's grace. You should make your payments on the day stipulated, and not ask for any more time to be allowed you, if you can possibly help it. As you describe the condition of your stock it will be better to keep them another year then to part with them at a sacrifice. I told you in one of my letters that I am prepared to assist you in making your payment, should you need aid; but, as I then remarked, I would like you to advise me a little before you need it, that I may be prepared to respond to any call that may be made.
You speak about a place lying next to yours on the North, which contains about 15.000 acres, with sheep and cattle, which you say, is to be sold within a short time. You do not give us any idea of what the probable price will be; but if it should be offered cheap (that is: not cheap according to the place which you already have, for that was very dear) and it is an eligible place, it might be well to purchase it as a home for some of the native saints that might otherwise suffer.
There was a place on Hawaii offered to the brethren by Haalalea for $3,000, which his death prevented them from obtaining. It has been described as a property, though wild <and uncultivated> at present, yet likely to become valuable, being well-timbered. <with our industrial habits to make a good place for the natives to gather to.> From what I have heard there is a probability of this coming into market again. Unless it is worse than it has been described, and it should come into market at the same figures, or thereabouts, it should be secured at once. If that should not be offered for sale, there may be other well-timbered tracts of wild land offered cheap, which can be bought. Should you hear of any such, please advise me, or if they are very cheap you might engage them and I will pay for them.
I am gratified at learning of the erection of your new meeting house and the interest which is felt in it by the native Saints. The labors of the Elders among them ought to be continued, and they be stirred up to diligence in the duties of their religion. Your examples of cleanliness and industry will have there effect upon the people; they may not adopt your habits as readily as you wish, but they will be gradually elevated by your teachings and examples and the influence of the Spirit of God. You should be encouraged in your labors among them while you see any disposition on their part to profit by your instructions. You should impress upon the natives to be very obedient to the laws of the land. They have a good king, I expect, and a good government and should so live that no fault can be found with them.
Our conference, as you have doubtless learned by the papers, passed off in a very interesting manner. We had two days' meetings previous to the Conference, which with the Conference and the Convention meeting occupied nearly Six days. The instructions at the meetings were valuable and appreciated by those assembled.
The Spring has opened very favorably; the fruit trees are full of blossoms, and there is every indication at present of a good harvest. We are now having a heavy rain, that will be very refreshing to vegetation. The ground is being thoroughly soaked.
Fifty men, under the command of Col. Heber P. Kimball, started this morning for Sanpete County, to assist the people in gathering together in larger settlements; there will also be another command of fifty men go from Provo. The small settlements of Sevier Valley will be concentrated, and thorough and energetic measures be taken for defence against the Indians, who are manifesting considerable hostility to the whites.
If Brother Wright should wish to stay with you, and labor for the good of the Mission, he can do so; but if he, or any others do not have this disposition or wish, they are at liberty to return home. The brethren who are there should feel an interest in the Mission, and should labor for its success. It was for this purpose they were sent. Still we do not know but that too many were selected for the present condition of the Mission. While places have to be purchased at which the natives can be collected, and where they can be employed and taught, the brethren who have have gone from here should do all in their power to aid in paying for such places, and in guiding and assisting the natives.
With love to yourself and family and all the Elders and their families who are with you, and to the native saints, in which Presidents Kimball and Wells and Bro. Geo. Q. join, and praying the Lord to bless and uphold you in all your labors
I remain as ever,
Your Brother.
Brigham Young