Sun May 29, 1853

At 10 a.m. the meeting was called to order, and Elder Cannon was chosen president, Brs. Winchester and Napela clerks. I was called upon to speak first on the subject of priesthood, had a good flow of the spirit, spoke better than I ever spoke before on that subject. The house was filled with the spirit and many were seen to weep for joy. Br. H. followed on the doctrine of baptism for the dead. Br. Cannon followed on priesthood and concluded with a short lecture on the first principles, adjourned for half an hour, baptised 5 during the intermission.

Met again pursuant to adjournment; singing and prayer by Elder Keeler. Pres. C. addressed the congregation upon the nature of the offices which we expected to fill that afternoon, what they should teach and what they should not teach etc. After which, we ordained those who had been baptized last Sunday and today also, 11 in all. After which, we chose Brs. Napela and Kaleohano for the office of elder and they were unanimously voted for. Maiola, Maeweua, George Raymond, P. White, Kanahunahupu, Kapano, Kimo Pelio, Kulapulu were chosen for priest, Kekoa a teacher, Kaihumau a deacon.

I spoke to them on the nature of their duty etc, had much of the spirit. Prophesied to them that if they would keep the same spirit which they had received this day and go forth and magnify their offices, that it should not be long before there should be a mighty work done through their instrumentality and they should triumph over every opposing power and etc. Administered the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper and we all did rejoice much in the goodness of the Lord to us. [Had] prayer by Elder Hammond, adjourned to meet again at early candlelight.

Got the house prepared with lights, and came together according to appointment to ordain the officers who had been chosen; [had] singing and prayer by Elder K. After giving them much good instruction according to the promptings of the spirit, we proceeded to ordain them; had much of the spirit while ordaining, many blessings and prophecies were pronounced upon their heads. Continued our meeting until near midnight; the brethren that have not the language got very tired and weary, adjourned sine die. Napela’s wife was preached to; she belongs yet to the other church, but has a good spirit towards us. She has been healed several times by the elders. After meeting wrote a letter to Mrs. H. to send by Brs. Snider and Winchester.

Sat Apr 9, 1853

Attended meeting and read and explained 6th chapter of Matthew. Employed in the garden until noon. Latter part employed in cooking and reading the “Millennial Star” etc. About sundown Brs. MacBride and Green arrived from Wailuku, they were very tired. The conference broke up on Thursday the 7th instant. They had a good time. 1000.54 members represented; priests 8, teachers 29, deacons 49, elders 11. Read the revelation on marriage translated by Elder George Cannon. Br. Napela has obtained and provided a good house for the elders; he wants them to all come over there and go to school, he being their teacher. 4, we held an elders’ meeting; Elder Hawkins presided, Elder J.E.B. Winchester clerk, Br. H. opened the conference, Br. Cannon spoke on the different glories etc.

Fri Mar 11, 1853

Met according to adjournment, finished up the business of the conference; voted that we send to Liverpool for a supply of books, 500 copies of the Book of Mormon, 300 of The Voice of Warning, Orson Pratt’s letters and 2 dozen hymnbooks. Talked over the propriety of having a house of our own in Lahaina, and thought it well for me to buy one and land if possible. The brethren all felt a desire to see me have a home for my family, and are all willing to do all they can to assist me to it. May the Lord bless them for their kindness to me and mine. Sis. Lewis is lame in one foot. Met at Br. Burnham’s and had a blessing meeting for the Saints that have joined on these sands. Had a good time in the evening, met again for prayer and praise.

Thu Mar 10, 1853

Conference opened this morning at the same place by Br. Lewis. As the brethren were all willing to throw away all their feelings, [had] singing and prayer by Pres. Lewis. Pres. [Lewis] then stated the object of the conference, to appoint the new elders their several places of labour, and as it is so near the time for our annual conference we thought it best to call for a representation of the branches, which was accordingly given; then proceeded to appoint the elders their fields of labour. Br. N. Tanner was chosen by Br. Lewis as his first counselor, unanimously sustained; Br. Kearnes as second counselor carried unanimous. Afterwards Pres. Lewis said he expected the conference to reject Br. Kearnes as he was not his choice, but chose him to allay feelings if there should be any, but Br. MacBride was the man he wanted. This caused Br. Kearnes to feel bad and, in fact, all the conference the same. Br. Kearnes said he did not want to serve unless it was the will and mind of the Lord. Br. Lewis acknowledged he had committed an error and wished Br. Kearnes to forgive him, which he did. The conference still upheld Br. Kearnes as counselor. Through this Br. Lewis acknowledge[d] he was ignorant and meant no harm, and he would try to do better for the time to come. The rest were set off as follows: Br. E. Green on Molokai; Br. MacBride at Lahaina to preach in English for a season; Br. Snider at Wailuku; Brs. Allred, the twins, at Kula and Makawao; and Br. Lawson at Hana; Br. B. Gonson on Oahu. All felt pleased with their appointments, except Br. Gonson who seemed to feel a little dissatisfied at first, but I think it was all allayed before we left. Adjourned by prayer to meet again at 8 o’clock in the morning; a day of fasting and prayer appointed for tomorrow.

Wed Mar 9, 1853

This morning met in conference. Br. Bigler arose and nominated Br. Lewis as president of this, the Sandwich Islands Mission, and president of this conference. Motion was seconded and counted unanimous. The new brethren had some difficulty among themselves to settle, it was all on account of not rightly understanding each other. A good deal of time was consumed and some feelings hurt, yet I believed it resulted in good, at any rate, we all felt to learn wisdom and experience by it. It was thought best to adjourn to a more secret place where the brethren could give free vent to their feelings, as there was danger in being overheard by outsiders; accordingly adjourned till 8 o’clock tomorrow morning. Sis. Burnham is in great trouble about the new doctrine of marriage. The brethren all received it well as far as I know. Br. Cannon is quite sick. I feel very happy to be in the society of my brethren.

Thu Oct 7, 1852

Met according to adjournment; opened by singing and prayer by Elder Keeler. Not as many of the Saints present, but we had a good time. Taught them the principle of tithing; they rejoiced in it and appeared to be willing to go unto it with heart and hand. Mrs. H. and Sis. Lewis were present. Took dinner with Br. Napela; returned to Waichu all hands.

Wed Oct 6, 1852

This day held the native conference at Wailuku in the new church, Br. Cannon president. Opened by singing and prayer by Elder Hawkins; then proceeded to represent the branches, I represented Koolau with 161 members, Waichu 53, Wailua 7. Had a very good time in teaching the Saints and instructing them in the things of the kingdom; we all felt well, a perfect union felt through all our doings. Took dinner with Br. Napela. Returned to Waichu and held a meeting, where there much good instructions were given. Br. Woodbury spoke in tongues, I gave part of the interpretation. Adjourned until 9 o’clock tomorrow morning.

Fri Aug 13, 1852

This morning we held a little council meeting, in which it was resolved that Br. Hawkins commence to open up new places in and about Makawao and Hamakua and the region round about with Br. Uaua, a native priest, for his partner; that Br. Keeler continue on his side of the island in and about Kaupo, Kipahulu, and the region round about with Br. Kaleohano for a partner; that I should commence to open up new ground from Wailea round and towards Lahaina with Br. Napela for partner; and Br. George to continue the translation of the Book of Mormon until conference, the 8th of October next.

After breakfast, we had a meeting to bless one another for our several appointments. After sing[ing] the hymn commencing with “When shall we all meet again” and prayer by Br. Hawkins, Br. Cannon was blest, Br. Hawkins being mouth. He was blest in the translating of the Book of Mormon and etc. Next Br. Hawkins was called and blest, Br. Cannon being mouth. He was told that he should be blest in preaching the gospel to this people. His tongue should be as the pen of a ready writer and etc.

Next, I was called, but wishing to honor the old elders who had come first, returned in favor of Br. Keeler, not intending to grieve the spirit, but I am afraid I did not do right. Br. Hawkins too felt as if I had no right to call on him to be mouth, and felt as if I was a scheming about it and felt very much angered about it, for which I feel very sorry. He felt as if I was assuming authority that did not belong to me. This I feel to pray the Lord to forgive me of my waywardness and teach me to be humble and keep me in my right place all the time, that I may be willing to be taught by the meek and lowly spirit of Jesus, who taught that “whosoever would be greatest let him be the least in your midst” and etc. But we had a glorious time, the brethren blest me with a great blessing, Br. Cannon being mouth.

I was told that I should be blest in my mission upon these isles, that I should be blest in preaching the truth to the inhabitants of these isles, that they should seek me for counsel and mighty should be the words which should flow from my lips, that I should be blest in my family, that they should be blest from day to day, that I should be blest in my posterity down to the latest generations and etc., and that the Lord was pleased with me, and [was] exhorted to have faith and seek to be humble at all times and pliable in the hands of the Lord our Savior.

After dinner, we bid them farewell with our hearts full of love and joy and peace. Br. Hawkins went along with me to see Br. Baker about the thing he had reported about him and my wife. Br. Baker says he was wrong and is sorry for what he had done. Br. Hawkins gave him some good advice. He said he wished us to forgive him, which we did. He acknowledged that he had lied and that without any foundation. So we parted, Br. Hawkins returned to Br. Cannon’s, Brs. Cannon and Rice and Mrs. H. returned to Waichu.

Tue Jun 1, 1852

This day, fasting myself and all the family, and the churches at Wailuku and Kula, Koolau, Honoaula. In the afternoon went over to Wailuku to attend the council meeting, but found the brethren all engaged in prayer meetings. They had been up in the mountains to the places where we held our conference of May. They found the rivers very high, running down in torrents and raining upon the mountains; they wished to go over the river under a grove of kuikui trees to hold their meeting, but the river being so high made it dangerous crossing. So Br. Napela proposed to the Saints that they should kneel down and pray for the rain to cease and for the river to go down, so as to let them go over in safety to their meeting place. They accordingly all prayed and the rain ceased, the river went down quickly, and they went over and had a good time in fasting and praying before the Lord. This is only one instance of many where the Saints have had their prayers answered. They have great faith, I believe they have stronger faith than we have.

Tue Apr 6, 1852

This day met in a beautiful grove about one mile above Wailuku to hold our conference. The conference was opened by singing and prayer; then the representation of the branches; then chose 2 of the natives to be ordained as priests, Napela and Uaua; then chose a number of teachers and deacons. Afternoon set apart for the Lord’s Supper and prayer, had a glorious time. The native brethren enjoyed it very much. Br. Cannon had a large portion of the spirit. A little before sundown we adjourned until the 6th of October next. Mrs. Hammond was present.

Thu Apr 1, 1852

Br. Rice was ordained today. This morning at 10 o’clock we all repaired to a nice grove of Koa trees, where we selected one of the largest to hold our meeting under.

The meeting was called to order by Elder Cannon, he being chosen to preside at this conference. Br. Winchester was chosen clerk. The conference was opened with singing and prayer by the president, after which Br. Cannon made some very able remarks upon the organizing of the church in 1830 with 6 members, the spread of the gospel upon these islands only about a year or a little more since the landing of the elders upon these islands and we now number about 600 native members, also a thriving little branch of whites numbering about 15 or 18 members, 4 elders and teachers, 1 priest, 1 deacon. After Br. Cannon, followed Elder Hammond upon the gathering, and then followed Elder Hawkins who spoke upon the gifts. After we got through with the business of the conference, our motion being made, we adjourned for 1 hour.

This afternoon conference commenced again according to appointment, singing and prayer by Elder Keeler, then a general invitation was given to the brethren to use their liberty as the spirit directed. The brethren were all drawn out in prayer for the gifts and, indeed, we had the privilege of witnessing the manifestation of the spirit abundantly in prophesying. I never enjoyed myself so well in all my life, and it was so with all the brethren and sisters. The native brethren, what few were there, were filled with the spirit and prophesied by the power of the spirit. It will be long remembered by them. At about 4 o’clock we adjourned [for] some dinner.

In the evening held a prayer meeting for the gifts which was poured out in good measure upon the Saints, some in having visions and prophesying. We kept it up until 12 o’clock. Never saw Saints as young have so much faith.