Pres. Young attended council, with Presidents Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards, the Twelve, several Presidents of Seventies and others….Elder Parley P. Pratt stated his circumstances and said he was prepared to go or stay. Pres. Young said he did not feel by the spirit to put it upon Brother Parley to go so soon. Brother Addison Pratt could tell the islanders a few things, and, with the brethren we would send with him do all that was wanted immediately. Pres. Young told Parley P. Pratt that he wanted him to visit Chili on his route. He also stated that he wanted to settle a colony in Walker’s valley next season and send another down to the Gila river to raise cotton and sugar cane.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, May 27, 1849, 2]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]