California
By letters from Elder P.P. Pratt to Governor Young, and Elder G.A. Smith, dated at San Francisco, August 23rd, we learn the following:
Elder Pratt and all the Elders who went from here with him were in good health. Elders, George Q. Cannon, Hawkins, Henry Bigler, and Farrar had arrived from the Islands on their way to Utah. Elder Badlam is studying the Chinese language, and an intelligent Chinaman is reading the Book of Mormon and other of our publications, with interest. Business was very dull; the markets were glutted; no money afloat; and many chances to buy goods cheaper than in New York.
[Deseret News, Oct. 26, 1854]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Oct. 26, 1854, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Aug. 2006]
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G.S.L. City, January 29, 1855
Elder E. Snow:
Pursuant to my commencement last month, I would say: Our California mail arrived on Saturday last. We have had no mail from the East for two months….
The California mail brings a great many accounts about one Elder Pratt, who has been preaching Patriarchial matrimony in California….
George A. Smith
[St. Louis Luminary, Apr. 14, 1855]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jan. 29, 1855, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Aug. 2006]
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Departure
On the 10th inst., Charles C. Rich, one of the Twelve, started on his return to San Bernardino, accompanied by Elders George Q. Cannon, Joseph Hull, and Matthew F. Wilkie. Elders Cannon, Hull and Wilkie go from the Deseret News office and will proceed to San Francisco to assist Elders Parley P. Pratt and Orson Hyde in establishing a printing office in that city for the purpose of establishing the Book of Mormon in the Hawaiian language, a newspaper, and such other publications as the cause of truth may require.
Elder Cannon translated the Book of Mormon into Hawaiian, while on his mission to the Sandwich Islands, and will attend to the proofreading of that work, and be the foreman in the news office.
With such an array of ability, judgment and skill, the establishment on the Pacific coast will be of vast utility in disseminating correct principles.
[Deseret News, 5:77]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, May 10, 1855, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Aug. 2006]
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Elder John T. Caine wrote from Honolulu, Oahu, S.I. as follows:
The Elders for the Pacific Mission left G.S.L. City on the 4th and 5th of May, in company with Gov. Young and suite who were making a visit to the southern settlements, in whose agreeable company we traveled to Cedar City, where we parted, they returning home, and we pursuing our way to the Pacific. Our company was under the charge of Elder Parley P. Pratt….
[History of Brigham Young, 1855:49]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, May 14, 1855, 3]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Aug. 2006]