At the Fall Conference, 1852, held at Salt Lake City, nine Elders
were appointed on missions to the islands. They reached Honolulu in
the month of February, 1853. Their names were, Benjamin F. Johnson,
William McBride, Nathan Tanner, Reddin A. Allred, Redick N. Allred,
Thomas Karren, Ephraim Green, James Lawson and Egerton Snider. These
Elders were a great help to the mission. Nearly all of them were men
of experience. Their presence brought additional life and energy, the
effect of which soon became visible everywhere. The most of them took
hold of the work with zeal.
They brought with them the copy of the revelation on celestial
marriage, which was first published at the conference at which they
were called to go to the islands. They also brought the spirit of the
conference with them, and we all felt the benefit of it.
After their arrival, the work received a great impulse on the Island
of Oahu, and especially in Honolulu. That town was made alive with
excitement, and large numbers were baptized. A branch of the white
members was organized, over which Elder B. F. Johnson was appointed to
preside. Elders Tanner and Karren were chosen as counselors to Elder
Philip B. Lewis, the president of the mission. Upon the Islands of
Hawaii and Kauai, also, the work made great strides, and hundreds were
added to the Church.
I omitted to mention that Elder William Perkins, who had been appointed
on a mission to the islands, reached there, accompanied by his wife
and Sister John S. Woodbury, about the last of November, 1851. They
remained for some time, laboring to the best of their ability. Brother
Perkins was released to return home because of his wife's failing
health.
For the purpose of visiting the Saints and people on the Island of
Hawaii (the Owyhee of Captain Cook), I had occasion to sail to that
island in April, 1854.
In those days, money was very scarce with the Elders, and we had not
the means to transport us from island to island on the regular vessels
which sailed in those seas. I, therefore, in company with several of
the brethren, traveled, preaching by the way, through the hilly and
rough country that lay between Lahaina and Kawaipapa on eastern Maui, a
point considered the best to embark at to cross the channel to Hawaii.
Our company consisted of Elder R. N. Allred, who was at that time
president on the Island of Maui; Elder J. H. Napela, and four native
Elders belonging to Maui, who had been appointed to labor in the
ministry on the Island of Hawaii. Their names were Kaelepulu, Kapono,
Hoopiiaina and Peleleu.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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