I understand that no Bishop has yet been appointed for this place. I
would like to learn the feelings of the brethren here in regard to
this matter, and will be pleased to have you inform us.
[Bishop Maughan moved "that President Brigham Young nominate the man
to be Bishop, and we will say Amen."
This unanimously met the feelings of the brethren.—Reporter.]
The instructions to the people of this settlement will be committed to
paper, that they may be constantly before them.
I propose that brother Preston Thomas be ordained Bishop of this
settlement. He is residing in Lehi, but came with us intending to
visit Bear River Lake and Soda Springs, but has since concluded to
settle here. I propose that he settles here, and that we make him your
Bishop and presiding officer.
It is understood that brother Peter Maughan is Presiding Bishop for
this valley; and Elder Ezra T. Benson, one of the Twelve, has been
appointed to be one of his Counselors, and probably he will choose me
for the other.
If it meets your minds to have brother Preston Thomas settle here, and
you feel that you can hearken to his counsel, raise your right hands.
[The vote was unanimous.—Rep.]
Brother Preston Thomas will select his own Counselors. I have no
question but that there are excellent, good men here, and they will be
willing to hearken to his counsel.
I propose to the brethren here, and wish them to take my counsel, to
build a good strong fort. If you have not material for building a
wall, you can make a strong stockade by putting pickets into the
ground, which will answer a good purpose against Indian attacks. The
stockade can be easily repaired by replacing decayed pickets. I wish
you to build a stockade large enough for corralling your cattle outside
the town. Let your grain also be stacked away from your buildings, and
so arranged that if one stack takes fire all the stacks will not
necessarily be destroyed.
You are very much exposed here. The settlements in this valley are, as
it were, a shield to other settlements: you must therefore prepare as
speedily as possible to make yourselves secure. You have a beautiful
location and a plenty of excellent water.
This valley is capable of sustaining a multitude of people: it is the
best valley we have.
Strive to stop the thieving that is carried on by some renegades who
have been in this valley, and do not in the least suffer stealing to
be practiced in any of your settlements. There is probably not a man
here but that, if he saw an Indian taking his horse, and had a loaded
rifle, would kill the Indian. That Indian has been taught, from his
youth, to steal. His fathers before him taught their children to
steal: it is in their blood, bone, and flesh. But there is not a white
man or woman here but what has been taught that it is wrong to steal,
and I want an end put to stealing. The boys who are brought up in our
community know better than to steal. They have been taught the
principles of life and salvation; and the people from the Christian
world have been taught better than to steal.
Do right, be just, love mercy, hearken to the Spirit of that Gospel
that you have embraced, keep the Spirit of the Lord with you, and you
will be very apt to be led right and do right.
We have come to see you: we will leave our blessing with you, and will
pray for you constantly. I heard the prayer just now offered in your
behalf. It is the constant prayer of the Saints that they may be
preserved.
Serve the Lord, and try not to find fault with each other. Live so
that you will not have any fault to find with yourselves, and never
mind the faults of your brethren, for each person has enough of his
own to attend to.
I bless you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.