| 501 my office; 4. To accept the revelations given to us-or in other words the Doctrine and Covenants as containing the law of God to us. They claim to receive the Book of Mormon, and the Bible, of course. I am willing to receive into the church those baptized by Benjamin Grouard and by elders ordained by him, providing they are morally worthy. I shall give any the privilege of rebaptism if they desire it. I think if some of the leading men take that step, the rest will follow. While I do not think it essential to demand it, that is, that while I can not consider them outside the church, so as to require baptism, yet I believe it would be more satisfactory to themselves, and to others here; and for several reasons that I know of, and deem good ones, it would be better if they would do so. Yet, under the circumstances, I do not feel justified in insisting on it. Those who do not understand the case, or the peculiarities of these people, can not judge correctly on this point. I continually seek for wisdom from above, and I shall act as I consider to be the wisest and best way.
Beside these people, we have on Tahiti four branches; also one at Matea, one at Tikahau, two at Rairoa, two at Koukura, one each at Aputai, Manihi, Taroa, Tapoto, and Tubuai-or fifteen in all, fully identified with us. We have members at Tanga, at Hikuera, at Aputaki, and at Heu. Besides these, there are at Aputaki and at Hau, a people who indorse [endorse] us fully; but who I shall insist on being rebaptized, because they were baptized by some who mixed some strange notions with the gospel. They called themselves the Church of Jesus Christ of the faith of Israel, believing that Abraham was the future judge of all. They misinterpreted some certain scriptures. I do not blame them much under their circumstances. These people number about two hundred at Hau. About two hundred miles southeast of Tubuai, or probably about four hundred miles from Tahiti, I have lately heard that about two hundred people joined, through the labors of elders from Tubuai. These must be seen to.
Now counting all these places as belonging to us, which we may safely do, there are not less than thirty islands, and at least thirty-eight or forty branches to look after. Now, it is utterly impossible for a man to visit them all in less time than a year, for then one man could give but about nine days with each. But when we have to depend upon some vessel to come along, which often would be a month and more to wait, it would take one man a year and a half to get around; for in most cases at least two weeks ought to be spent in a place. The Catholics, with not one tenth the churches, maintain, outside of Tahiti, a bishop, and at least four priests; and they manage to be at each church once a month.
Now I ask that you will, with Bro. Blair, take this matter into prayerful consideration, and find not less than two young men, or middle-aged ones for that, who can learn the language readily. I think that I can safely guarantee at least one hundred dollars to be raised to help pay their expenses here, and perhaps more. I can not possibly do one fourth the work needed to be done here. I affirm that any man who can resist the
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