G. S. L. City July 25th 1854
Bro. John Nebeker, and the
brethren at Fort Supply.
Dear Brethren,
Bro Hyde has just shown me a letter he received from you dated at your place on the 12th inst, together with a reply of about four pages of foolscap, containing answers in full to certain charges contained in your letter, concerning the disposition of the donation made for the Mission, by sundry persons last fall & winter. To save time & trouble, I told Bro Hyde not to send his long reply, but that I would answer that myself.
My answer to all the brethren who feel to complain about the disposition of those donations is simply this: if Bro Hyde owes any of you anything on that account, and is not able to pay it, I will assume it for him and pay it myself. Just tell the brethren that he is not accountable nor amenable to them for his Office, & conduct; furthermore it would be wisdom for them to hold their tongues about that, and turn their attention to something more profitable to themselves, and the success of the mission whereunto they have been appointed. Labor, Faith, and patience, and very frequently Self denial are as requisite to perform or carry out any enterprize especially in this Kingdom, and we have no other business on hand, nothing else to do than the work of our master who is Christ the Lord.
Brethren this is, and should be our constant aim. The Mission among the Shoshones, to carry out our views and designs must be accomplished, and will be eventually if we fail this time trying, whether grain can be raised in Green River County or not; although I am not discouraged yet about that; the spring season here was cold and rather backward, yet our crops were never better. Other locations may also be found which will produce grain; yet I expect to have that mission fulfilled, and obtain the desired influence among that Tribe, and if those who have been called upon to fulfill it, leave, or cannot endure a little separation from their families, or feel willing to go forth in the name of the Lord for the benefit of Israel, others will be found to take their places who will reap the reward, when they shall return unto the knowledge of the Lord even the God of their fathers.
I write this because I find a spirit of complaint, of hardship, among some of you, and an anxiety to leave the mission to its own fate without effectually having accomplished anything. This Gospel must go to the Nations of the earth, every kindred, tongue, & people must be made acquainted with it, and many have been to the most distant nations. Many are now absent, and have labored for many years, and many more will go, as they will be sent from time to time; but can we not leave a few short months, here among the Mountains for the benefits of Israel, without having our minds filled with discontent. I wish to ask a question? How many of that mission are now absent from the Station among the Indians? Who among you, has been the man to step forward and say I will go with them in their wanderings, ingratiate myself into their confidence, and work with them until I can make them understand our principles, and have them know that we are their best friends, and desire to do them good.
Bro John Harvey will be the bearer of this letter, and I wish to say that you are all at liberty to come away, except a sufficient number to remain to take care of the goods left with you by Bro Rockwell, until the company now forming for that trade can come & receive them.
I wish Bro Isaac Bullock to have charge of the goods as he is one of the Company, they will be turned over to him. Bro James Brown will be retained here until the Indians come, when he will return, and also be one of the company.
Trusting & praying that you all may have the spirit of your mission to rest upon you
I Remain
Your Brother in the Covenant of Truth
Brigham Young