Writing &c.

Raining this morning, it afterwards cleared off and I concluded to start to Lahaina as I knew that Bro. H. [Hammond] was anxiously waiting for us there. I had expected Bros. Hawkins & Keeler but they had not arrived. There was a boy going in with animals and Bro. N. [Jonathan Napela] procured me one to ride after riding about 2 miles we were overtaken by a storm and was soon thoroughly drenched we travelled several miles in the rain when we arrived near the foot of the mountain as the rain did not abate the boy thought he would not risk crossing the mountain and therefore he returned. I kept on on foot & had a hard time crossing the mountain. I arrived in Lahaina about 4 o’clock.

Bros. Hawkins & Keeler arrived from Wailuku having walked all the way—Bro. [Judson] Gaston also came in from Wailuku with the intention of going to California. Bro. N. had procured 2 pair of shoes for them.¹

Bro. Gaston desired me to give him a recommend which I did—he started to-day. We are waiting anxiously for a vessel for Oahu [O‘ahu].

Still waiting for a vessel.²

Preached this morning and was followed by Bro. Hawkins. In afternoon had Lord’s supper and we all spoke and had a very good meeting.³

Bro. Winchester sent a letter by me to Bro. [James] Kipp in which he requested Bro. K. to let us have $20, which he (Bro. K.) owed Bro. John, to help defray our expences to Oahu.⁴ In afternoon we went on board; we bargained with the Capt. for cabin passage at $15, as the deck was very much crowded with natives and it bid fair to be a stormy night. I was very much seasick as well as Bros. Keeler and Hawkins. Those on deck must <have> had a miserable time as the seas dashed over frequently. On the morning of the 8th we anchored in the harbor and speedily landed and sought out Bro. Lewis. We [found] all <him & family> well and the following brethren from the valley: Wm. [William] McBride, Nathan Tanner, Benjn. [Benjamin] F. Johnson, Reddin A. Allred, Redick [Reddick] N. Allred, Thos. [Thomas] Karren, Ephraim Green, Jas. [James] Lawson, Egerton Snider; they all appeared well and in good spirits, they had been looking anxiously for us.⁵ They brought me no letters, but Bro. Joseph Cain, ever mindful and kind, <had> sent me a complete file of the News from the commencement of Vol. 2. Also an Extra [of the Deseret News, Sept. 14, 1852] containing much that was precious, a [Aug. 29, 1852] sermon by Orson Pratt on a certain principle [plural marriage] with the revelation given to Joseph [Smith] on the subject [Doctrine and Covenants 132], and various others principles and doctrines which had been revealed through the prophet Brigham [Young] which caused our hearts to burn within us and filled us with joy and thanksgiving, that our lots had been cast in this day and generation. The news from home was of the most heart cheering kind—the kingdom spreading on the right hand and on the left in the valleys of the mountains and abroad; there had been 109 elders sent out to England, France, Ireland, Wales, Germany, Berlin, Norway, Denmark, Gibralter, Hindoostan [India], Siam [Thailand], China, Cape of Good Hope [South Africa], Nova Scotia and British Provinces [eastern Canada], West Indies, British Guiana, Texas, New Orleans, St. Louis, Iowa, Washington City [Washington, D.C.], Australia, Sandwich Isles. The day was spent in reading conversing, &c. I called upon Bro & Sis. [Albion and Mary] Burnham and found them all well, also Bros. [David] Rice, [William] Franklin and [Edward] Dennis. In evening had a very good meeting at Bro. Burnham’s where Bro. I stopped together with Bros. Hawkins, Keeler, and McBride.⁶ Sis. B. appears to be much troubled at this new (to her) doctrine, Bros. B., Rice, &c., &c., believe it.

Conference was held this morning all the elders being present but Bro. [John] Woodbury who for some reason had not arrived.⁷ Bro. Lewis was chosen Pres. and I clerk; Bro. L’s course of conduct was discussed in regard to his coming here and taking the presidency here without any vote being taken whether we would accept him or not, &c., &c., and he confessed that he had blundered in this thing. There was then a motion made that we accept Bro. L. as pres. of this mission &c. and carried unanimously. Bros. Tanner and Karren were chosen counsellors to him. While speaking in relation to the choice of the counsellors, there were some latent feelings aroused in regard to the things on the journey which <it> was thought had better be adjusted before proceeding any farther with the conference. Conference was adjourned until morning.⁸ Bro. Johnson was taken sick with the fever to-day.

Having arranged all misunderstandings to the satisfaction of all concerned, we again proceeded with the business of the conference. There was a general representation made of the situation of the branches &c.⁹ The elders from home had brought no instructions from the First Presidency in regard to our return; they had merely heard that it was expected that I would return. Tomorrow was appointed as a day of fasting and prayer.

We proceeded to finish up the business of the conference this morning; immediately after the opening of conference Bro. Woodbury arrived; he was well and more fleshy than when I last saw him. We moved that we should send for books to England, Books of Mormon, Voices of Warning, O. [Orson] Pratt’s works,¹⁰ O. [Orson] Spencer’s letters,¹¹ Hymn Books, 3 Copies of the Millenial Star¹² as they issue from the press, these works to be obtained on commission. In afternoon we went down to Bro. Burnham’s and had meeting and blessed Bros. Burnham & Dennis and Bro. D’s wife [Hakuole Dennis] and daughter [Mary Dennis] and another woman. We had a very good time. In evening had another meeting & blessed Bros. Rice and Franklin & Wm. Henry, the son of Sis. Burnham and also blessed Bro. B. again as he desired me to bless him. We had also to confirm two <women> that had been baptised that afternoon. We had an excellent time and enjoyed a good flow of the spirit.

Met this morning according to the order in the upper room of the house where Bro. Lewis lived, we had an excellent time and I felt to appreciate it as a great privilege.¹³ After this meeting we had a short intermission and then met again for the purpose of blessing each other. The spirit of prophecy was poured out and we were melted down. I was filled very much with the spirit, and received an excellent blessing Bro. Lewis being mouth—that I should translate the Book of Mormon into the language of this people and that my name would be had in honorable remembrance among them—that I should do a great work among other people and learn many other languages—that I should have a numerous posterity and be blessed with plenty—it was a good blessing and one that was confirmatory of others that I had received. After blessing Meeting¹⁴ Bro. Hammond started home to Lahaina as his wife [Mary Jane Hammond] was in a delicate situation.

Held <native> meeting this morning and I preached enjoyed the spirit much and had quite an attentive congregation.¹⁵ Held another meeting in the afternoon. Bro. Hawkins preached and I followed—after meeting there were two who wished to be baptised and in consequence of a meeting that we had appointed at Bro. Burnham’s this evening, their baptism was deferred until to-morrow morning. In evening held meeting Bro. McBride preached.

Bros. Woodbury, [William] Farrer and I went up to attend to the baptism of the two who requested it yesterday—I officiated and we then confirmed them. <Bro. Lawson & I> Had a conversation this Tues afternoon with a captain of the name of Babcock, he seemed like an honest man and talked very candidly; he made me a present of an umbrella and Bro. L. a small carpet sack [carpetbag]. There was a British government steamer arrived in harbor this evening from Tahiti.

Bro. Tanner was taken very sick last night, we administered to him and he felt relieved. We made preparations to go to-day to Maui. Bros. McBride, R. A. Allred, R. N. Allred, Lawson, Snider, Hawkins, Keeler and myself as the vessel is to sail at 5 o’clock p.m. I had an interview with Mr. Fernander [Abraham Fornander] of the Argus a paper published in this place;¹⁶ he treated me very gentlemanly and said that if we wished at any time to publish any thing in regard to any injustice that might be done unto us we could have the privilege. I thanked him for his offer and said that if occasion should ever require we would avail ourselves of it. We started for L. [Lahaina] leaving Bros. Tanner, Johnson & Karren on this island Wednesd and Bros. Green & Woodbury to follow after us for Molokai [Moloka‘i].

We were all seasick I kept myself quiet, lying on my back all the time which prevented me from vomiting.¹⁷

Anchored in Lahaina roads this morning; we found Bro. Hammond and family all well. We went up to his place and stopped. He was making arrangements to purchase a place for himself; he had been able to get considerable through towards it by means of Sis. H’s school, and the prospect was good of their obtaining it.¹⁸

Busily engaged making benches for the meeting house

Reading &c. In evening had meeting among ourselves.¹⁹

Attended meeting in morning Bro. Keeler spoke. We again met at <the> usual time for morning services, Bro. Hawkins spoke and I followed. After meeting dinner we had an english meeting and had a pretty good attendance. I spoke but not feeling very well I gave way for Bro. Hammond. After dismissing the english meeting we had native meeting when Bro. H. called upon me to speak. At early candle lighting we met again in English meeting and I spoke and was followed by Bro. McBride. I attended no less than five meetings to-day.²⁰

Transcribing conference minutes to send to Bro. Lewis for home & England.²¹ Bro. H. had succeeded in purchasing the place to which I before alluded & we men folks all went over there to sleep. We met according to the order this evening after taking the necessary precautions and had a season of rejoicing.²²

Writing &c. In evening held a meeting among ourselves; we had a very good time and I felt softened down under the influence of the spirit. Bros. Green & Woodbury arrived²³

Held meeting again this morning according to the order and felt to be much refreshed by this meeting; these are privileges that I feel to thank my Heavenly Father for having bestowed upon me and I have gained knowledge upon various things in regard to these things that I was in doubt about. I was something in the situation of a workman who had learned a trade but had partly forgotten it and was destitute of tools to perfect themselves <himself> in it.

After breakfast held meeting again and we [had] an excellent time; Bro. Woodbury spoke in tongues and it went like fire through me for he spoke with power after he got thro’ Bro. Allred who presided in the meeting called upon us for the interpretation of it. I felt impressed to get up and speak and I done so although I did not know whether I had the interpretation or not. When I opened my mouth it came spontaneously with force and it was prophecy in regard to us and the work which was very cheering.²⁴ Held blessing meeting this afternoon for the natives. I arrived after the meeting was partly through.

The brethren Allred, Hawkins & Keeler started for Wailuku I had an idea of going to Molokai with Bro. Woodbury if we could get an opportunity before Sunday. About noon commenced raining.²⁵

Raining all day.

do. part of day. Bro. Hammond called at the Post Office and obtained two letters from the Valley for Bro. Hawkins, one letter from Anne & Angus [Cannon] with a few lines from Bro. Joseph C. [Cain] for me and four newspapers [Deseret News] and an almanac [Deseret Almanac],²⁶ and two papers for Bro. McBride. Anne says that Aunt [Leonora Taylor] has had poor health all summer; Chas. [Charles Lambert] is down with Uncle [John Taylor], working for him at the stone work at Utah [County], they had heard he was unwell and Mary Alice [Lambert] had gone down. Anne has been troubled with the rheumatism for seven or eight weeks in consequence of a cold. Angus has gone to the Printing Office to work for three years, $150 the first, $200 the second and $250 the third. George J. T. [Taylor] has gone to Utah [County] and is learning the Carpenter’s trade and studying French and German. David [H. Cannon] wants to be a carpenter. Leonora [Cannon] grows a little, Elizabeth [Cannon] is nearly as tall. Mary Ann [Taylor] has grown very tall. Angus says he wishes to see me & desires me to pray for him as he does for me; he says he has need of them—his letter breathes a good spirit. Anne says that he has got up in meeting to speak which has pleased her much. Joseph says that he will write next mail (Jan. 1st) he received my letter of last spring. He says that he is looking after my welfare there and he thinks that I will feel the influence of it when I arrive there. He says that Elizabeth [Cain] <(his wife)> is troubled with the liver complaint. I was both grieved and pleased to get this letter—grieved to hear of their ill health but pleased to hear that the Lord had spared their lives. I felt rejoiced to hear from Angus as I have felt somewhat uneasy about him and Davy. I feel to praise the Lord for having blessed me with kind and loving friends and I pray the Lord to save them in the his celestial kingdom.

Met this morning and I spoke and was blessed with the spirit, spoke on the apostacy of the churches. Held english meeting at 2 o’clock not many in attendance Bros. McBride and Hammond spoke. In afternoon had native meeting and I spoke and was followed by Bro. Woodbury.²⁷ In evening blessed Bro. Kipp.

Reading &c.

do. do. Bro. Hoopiiaina brought a letter horse from Wailuku for me to go over.

Bro. Snider & I started for Wailuku, he being the one appointed to stay at Wailuku with me, the rest intending to come over to conference on Monday. My reasons for not going to Molokai as I intended were, on account of the rain on Thursday, Friday & Saturday. We arrived in W. and found Bros. Keeler and R. N. Allred here and all well, Bro. Napela was at Kula.

Writing &c. Bros Keeler & Allred baptised 3 at Waiehu.