At a general conference of the church held at Nauvoo, April 6th, 1840, Apostles Orson Hyde and Hyrum E. Page were called to go on a mission to Jerusalem for the purpose of dedicating that land for the gathering of the House of Judah. They started upon this important mission but Elder Page failed to continue the journey beyond the border of the United States. Apostle Hyde therefore set out alone and accomplished the labor assigned at said conference. In a letter dated at Alexandria, November 22nd, 1841, addressed to Parley P. Pratt, Brother Hyde, said: "A few minutes now offer for me to write, and I improve them in writing to you. I have only time to say that I have seen Jerusalem precisely according to the vision which I had. I saw no one with me in the vision; and although Elder Page was appointed to accompany me there, yet I found myself there alone. The Lord knows that I have had a hard time, and suffered much, but I have great reason to thank Him that I enjoy good health at present, and have a good prospect before me of soon going to a civilized country, where I shall see no more turbans or camels. The heat is most oppressive, and has been all through Syria. I have no time to tell you how many days I have been at sea without food, or how many snails I have eaten; but if I had had plenty of them, I should have done very well. All this is contained in a former letter to you written from Java. * * * "On Saturday morning, October 24th, a good while before day, I arose from sleep and went out of the city, as soon as the gates were opened, crossed the brook Cedron, and went upon the Mount of Olives, and there in solemn silence, with pen, ink and paper, just as I saw in the vision, offered up the following prayer to Him who lives forever and ever: "O Thou! who art from everlasting to everlasting, eternally and unchangeably the same, even the God who rules in the heavens above, and controls the destinies of men on the earth, wilt thou not condescend through thine infinite goodness and royal favor, to listen to the prayer of thy servant which he this day offers up unto thee in the name of the Holy child Jesus, upon this land where the Son of Righteousness sat in blood, and thine _Anointed One_ expired. "Be pleased, O Lord, to forgive all the follies, weaknesses, vanities and sins of thy servant, and strengthen him to resist all future temptations. Give him prudence and discernment that he may avoid the evil, and a heart to choose the good; give him fortitude to bear up under trying and adverse circumstances, and grace to endure all things {37} for thy name's sake, until the end shall come, when all the Saints shall rest in peace.