UTAH TERRITORY, PRESIDENT'S OFFICE, GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, _Sept. 10, 1856_. ELDER PARLEY P. PRATT. _Dear Brother_--As you are about to leave on your mission to the States, we feel to give you a word of counsel for your guidance. We expect that your principal occupation will be to travel and preach the gospel in different places, as you shall be led by the spirit of the Lord. We are informed that there is quite a large number of Saints in the southwestern part of Virginia, which it is our wish you shall visit and instruct in the principles of the gospel. Owing to the extra duties of delegate being placed upon Brother John Taylor, it is suggested that you also aid him in writing for _The Mormon_, and such other duties as may devolve upon you by the united counsel of brethren now in charge on that mission. As you are expected to return the ensuing season, we do not consider that it would be wisdom for you to have the burden of the mission to rest upon you, but rather that you should aid the brethren for the brief period which you will remain with them. If Brother Snow should be able to resume _The Luminary_, we should be pleased to have you assist him also in writing for that publication. We believe that, by thus devoting your time during the ensuing winter, you will render the brethren now upon that mission effective aid, and be a comfort and consolation to the brethren and Saints who shall have the pleasure of your ministerial administrations, and be blessed with your society in this your short visit to the Saints in the States; and that the Lord will bless you abundantly with His spirit, and enable you to perform your mission with honor and satisfaction to yourself, and His divine acceptance, is the prayer of Your brethren in the Gospel of Christ, BRIGHAM YOUNG, HEBER C. KIMBALL, J.M. GRANT, _First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints_. After receiving the foregoing appointment my time was employed chiefly in settling up my business and preparing for the journey eastward. _September 7, 1856_. I preached my farewell discourse in the Tabernacle, in which I bore testimony to the Book of Mormon and of the calling of Joseph Smith, and of his Presidency and Apostleship. At noon, the same day, gave instructions and strict charge to my son, Parley P., concerning my business, and the duties that would devolve upon him in my absence. At 5 P.M. met with my quorum in prayer, in which President Young and others laid their hands upon my head and set me apart for my mission to the States--confirming and sealing upon my head all the keys and powers of the eternal priesthood, so far as they were held upon the earth--"and that I should always be numbered among those that were faithful to the priesthood, both in this life, in the world of spirits and in the resurrection."