Writings from the Western standard published in San Francisco, California

Preface

In compiling these writings in their present form, I am carrying out a design which I have cherished for some years, and which I have only awaited a favorable opportunity of putting into execution. Some time ago it struck me that the editorial articles of the Western Standard, though possessing but little interest now for the public — the occasions which called them forth having passed away — might be of such value in my children's eyes in years to come, as to repay me for collecting them before they were scattered and lost — which, as they were published originally, was likely soon to be the case — and embodying them in a portable form. So much has been written by various Elders upon all the subjects which I have touched upon, that I should never have presumed to republish these writings with the idea of offering them for general sale, or circulation, among the brethren and sisters. With the general reader they had, at the time of their publication, answered the purpose for which they were designed, and I had every reason to be satisfied therewith But for my children, measuring their feelings by what my own would be under similar circumstances, however destitute the articles may be of literary merit and other qualities, I have hoped they would possess an abiding interest, — not only because they were my writings, but because of the peculiar

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circumstances under which they were first issued, the nature of the obstacles which had to be encountered, and the senseless opposition which had to be met, in the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus in its fulness and the building up of Zion according to the revelations of the Almighty, at the time the Western Standard was published. As a reflex of their age, also, they may, in days to come, afford food for interesting and profitable reflection.

In incidentally alluding, in conversation with some of (he brethren, to my intention to compile these writings in book form, whenever I should have a favorable opportunity, several of them expressed a desire to possess the work, if ever it'should be published, and desired me to issue a sufficient number to supply them with a few copies; these requests caused me to modify my original plan, and I have published a few more copies than I at first thought of doing. Elders Joseph Bull and William H. Shearman kindly proffered their services — both being much interested, through their past labors in connection with the Standard, in the preservation of its editorial articles — to aid me in the publication of the book. The opportunities afforded by the Millennial Star printing office of publishing this work, with their proffered aid, have induced me to complete my design. These articles were written so hastily — there being, in the beginning, but Brothers Bull, Wilkie and myself to do the selecting of extracts, editing, type-setting, proof-reading, folding and mailing — that the first portion of nearly all of them was in type before the latter portion was written.

GEO. Q. CANNON.

Liverpool, May 10th, 1864.

Introduction

At a Conference of elders, held at Wailuku, Sandwich Islands, October 6th, 1853, a committee was appointed to take measures to obtain a printing press, type, and every thing necessary to publish the Rook of Mormon — which I had been blessed in translating from the English— in the Hawaiian language. This committee was composed of Elders Benjamin F. Johnson, Philip B. Lewis, and myself. During the following winter, we felt warranted in ordering all the materials needed for this purpose, having, by collection and borrowing, succeeded in raising the amount necessary for their purchase. The press, type, paper, etc., were obtained at New York and were shipped from there, in a vessel coming round Cape Horn, for the Sandwich Islands. Before they reached the Islands, however, Elders Henry W. Bigler, James Hawkins, William Farrer and James Keeler (Brother Keeler did not reach Honolulu in time to accompany us on our return, and therefore remained another year) and myself, had been released to return home, nearly five years having elapsed since we left there. Upon the arrival of the press at Honolulu, Elder Parley P. Pratt, who was then presiding in California and the adjacent countries in and on the Pacific, was communicated with, and, after correspondence between himself and the

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VI INTRODUCTION.

Presidency of the Islands' Mission, it was deemed the better plan to remove the press and the printing materials from the Sandwich Islands to San Francisco, California, where Elder Pratt intended to publish a paper. These materials were accordingly shipped to San Francisco,

Soon after my return to the Valley I received an intimation from President Brigham Young that I would be called, at the ensuing conference, to return on a mission to the Sandwich Islands. Before this conference was held, however, the news had reached the Valley that the printing press, type and paper, had been removed from the Islands to San Francisco, and, as my labors were likely to be more available at that point, now that the press was removed there, I was called, at the Spring Conference in 1855, to take a mission to California to labor in connection with, and under the direction of Elder Parley P. Pratt. Elder Pratt was to act as editor of the paper, wrhich it was expected we would publish; President Orson Hyde, who had been appointed to establish and take charge of a settlement in Carson Valley, was requested to superintend the financial business of the undertaking; and I was to publish the Book of Mormon in the Hawaiian language and to take charge of the printing and the publication of the paper, writing for it also as I should have opportunity. Being requested by President Young to select two elders to accompany me, to assist me in my labors, I chose Elders Joseph Bull and Matthew F. Wilkie, who were, therefore, also appointed at this same Conference, on this mission. Starting from Great Salt Lake City on the 10th of May, 1855, in the company of President Charles C. Rich, and passing through San Bernardino, California, at which place

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there was then a large settlement of our people, presided over by Elders Amasa M. Lyman and Charles C. Rich, we reached San Francisco in the latter part of June.

In the preceding March, Brother Parley had issued a prospectus for a periodical, — " The Mormon Herald ;" but receiving scarcely any encouragement, and not being aware of the arrangements which had been made at the April Conference to strengthen him, he had made up his mind, as he had been some time absent from home, to return there. We reached San Francisco a few days after his departure from that city. By starting after him immediately, I succeeded in obtaining an interview with him, at the place of rendezvous for himself and company, and from him learned all the particulars concerning the condition of the Mission. Finding that I had been called to labor under his direction, he deemed it wise, as he was leaving, to set me apart to preside over the Pacific Mission, subject to the direction of any of the Twelve Apostles who might visit or be called to labor in that part. Prospects in San Francisco for the establishment of a printing-office and newspaper, I found to be of the most discouraging character. There were but few saints in the city, and those in the adjacent country were considerably scattered, many of those who had recently been baptized having gathered home, or to San Bernardino. The few who were left, and with whom I was brought in contact, seemed to have no faith that such an enterprise, as the publication of a newspaper advocating our doctrines, could be successfully carried out. Several causes, which I need not here refer to, had contributed to produce a feeling of distrust in a mission of this character. One of the leading brethren in

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San Francisco remarked to me, after hearing from me the nature of my mission, that if I had a thousand dollars in my pocket I might be able to accomplish the labors assigned unto me. I told him I had not the thousand dollars ; but yet, with the help of God, they would be accomplished. I need not dwell on the difficulties that had to be contended with ; the Lord opened our way in a most signal manner, and I proved, most satisfactorily, the truth of the sentiment advanced by the Prophet Nephi — a sentiment so important and truthful that it should be impressed on every heart, — " For I know/' he said, " that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." It really seemed to me that money grew in our hands, and that five dollars — though considered a very small amount in those days in California— would go further and accomplish more, than four times the amount would under ordinary circumstances.

An office was secured on the principal street in town, and we (Brothers Bull, Wilkie and myself,) immediately commenced the publication of the translation of the Book of Mormon in the Hawaiian language. Two thousand copies of this work were issued and sent down to the Islands. While publishing this work, and attending to the other labors which devolved upon me, I maintained a constant correspondence with President Brigham Young. He still favored the publication of a newspaper, and appointed me to be its editor, and, by his kind, fatherly and hopeful counsels, gave myself and the elders laboring with me, continual encouragement in our labors. On the 23rd of February the first number of the Western Standard was

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issued. Elders David M. Stuart, William H. Shearman, Charles W. Wandell and Henry G. Boyle, and other elders, labored assiduously in the ministry, and rendered every assistance in procuring subscribers and other aid. Friends were raised up on every hand, and though our pathway was not free from obstacles, yet the work moved off so successfully that we felt greatly favored and blessed of the Lord.

For a period of nineteen months the publication of the Standard was continued. In the fall of the year 1857, the march of the United States' troops on our people in the valleys of Utah, and the probability of a collision and determined hostilities ensuing, caused the recall and withdrawal of the elders from the various fields abroad to their home in the fastnesses of Zion. Sending my family home ahead of me, in charge of my brother David (who had been sent on a mission to California the year previous,) and in company with some other elders, I remained in San Francisco until the 3rd of December, 1857, when Elders Orson Pratt, Ezra T. Benson and other elders having arrived from England en route for the Valley, several of my fellow-laborers and myself started home with them to take part in the defence of our liberties and homes. .