Following is a mission call from Church First Presidency to Parley P. Pratt:
To all to whom this Letter may come
This Certifies that the bearer, Elder Parley P. Pratt is one of the first Apostles ordained in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterdaysaints, is in full faith and fellowship with the same, and by the Authorities of said Church and the [?] of the General Conference assembled in this City on the 8th day of April, A.D.1854; was duly appointed a mission to establish a gathering place for the Saints at or near San Jose in the State of California, lay out a City, and take the oversight and Presidency of all the Churches in that region of Country, in connection with Elders Amasa
Lyman, Charles C. Rich, who are also Apostles in the aforesaid Church.
We invite the Saints, and all good men to give hear to his teachings, and counsels, as a Servant of God, and an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, sent to teach the children of Men, the way of Life and Salvation.
Brother Pratt, will be instructed from this place from time to time, concerning gathering the Saints on the Pacific Islands, and is at Liberty to establish other places of gathering, on the shores of the Pacific, and we pray our heavenly father, will bless him with wisdom, that so he may discharge his duty on this mission, with honor to himself the Holy Priesthood upon him, and the God that he serves.
Signed at Great Salt Lake City, Territory of Utah, United States of America, on the Third day of May A.D. 1854, in behalf of said Church.
[signed] Brigham Young
Heber C. Kimball }First Presidency
J. M. Grant
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The general conference of the Church was continued in the Tabernacle, G.S.L. City. Following are the minutes:
…Elder P.P. Pratt addressed the congregation.
The following persons were appointed and voted to go on missions—
Parley P. Pratt, to San Jose, to establish a gathering place for the saints.
Orson Pratt, Orson Spencer, to Cincinatti, to establish a gathering place for the saints….
[Deseret News, Apr. 13, 1854]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Apr. 8, 1854, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Aug. 2006]
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Eleventh General Epistle
Of the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to the Saints in the Valleys of the Mountains, and those scattered abroad throughout the Earth, Greeting:
Beloved Brethren:
Ever feeling a deep and abiding interest in the prosperity of Zion, and the advancement of our Redeemer’s Kingdom upon the Earth, and being also desirous of benefiting, cheering, and consoling the Saints in their warfare against the machinations of Saints, and the power of the adversary, we feel to dedicate unto you, a short time in delineating a few items of the history of the past, our general welfare, intentions, desires, &c., for your edification and instruction….
Elder Orson Pratt is still a the City of Washington, publishing the Seer, but will return this season….During the winter, common schools have been taught in the various wards; also evening schools for lectures, and the acquisition of various languages. Elder P.P. Pratt has taught the Spanish, D.B. Huntington the Utah and Shoshene dialects….
The appointment of Franklin D. Richards and the Elders who had left for England, was sustained by vote of Conference, and brothers Orson Pratt, Erastus Snow, Orson Spencer, and many others were appointed to missions in the United States. Brother Parley P. Pratt was appointed to preside in California, and will dictate the mission to the Islands and the countries bordering upon the Pacific Ocean….
Brigham Young
Heber C. Kimball
Jedediah M. Grant
Great Salt Lake City, April 10, 1854
[Deseret News, 1854]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Apr. 10, 1854, 1,4]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Aug. 2006]