[Box 3 folder unknown]
(From George Johnson)
Great Salt Lake August 15, 1864
Cainan No. 2
My dear Carson, or Beloved John [Parsons],
There has been an individual bearing this title closely connected in the affections of the servant of the Lord, and there appears to be no exception to former rues. We have felt great anxiety at the silence of Carson, but your letter of July 4th explains the mystery. The letter referred to has never reached me; therefore, it has to pass unanswered. To me it has been a loss. I love to move among the sentiments of the children of the Holy Martyred Joseph, experiencing the things they feel, that I may watch the spirit that actuates their movements, trying their faith. Judging from what has been received, I am encouraged in those who were offered me for helps, for Government, in demonstrating and bringing into working order the great principles revealed at Weber and elsewhere, the the jealousy of Lucifer has sought to smother and conceal from an enquiring universe. Have you, Dear Brethren, in this loitering interval, endeavored to abstain from sin?--one has said,-- Sin is the transgression of the law, but I say further that—Sin is living in darkness, ignorance, vain imagination or becoming imbecile in the things of God or unholy philosophy. IF any are guilty in this wise, let them arouse and divest themselves of such, remembering what they have understood, and thro what they have passed, for these perils were instituted in courts where Wisdom dwells to discipline you to become the mighty Huntsmen of the Lord of Hosts, accomplished councillors doing his pleasure, and carrying out his plans, preparing this planet with her entitled Sons and daughters for the resurrection; and if it were not so, of what use where all the prophets, the Angels sent from time to time, Alpha's sufferings and earth, the promises of our Father and God, if all these energies are not put in motion, for we are come to the climax of these things, and have little time to spare. Every being that has performed a mission on the earth, together with the Heavenly Hosts, are looking to us to perform our duties. The knowledge is given—the keys delivered to work withal. And, now, you will say,--Dear Cainan, show us how to begin. I will, and at the same time, roll upon your shoulders that compose the left wing, a portion of the great work entrusted to my care. Let every one act with energy in preparing and adorning themselves with every attribute becoming a God, disrobing yourselves of every appearance of evil, practising righteousness, then shall the Holy Spirit be your companion and Councillor and the First Born Sons of the Eternal Father come and minister unto you, showing your spirit things of eternity that will transpire, and how to bring the same to pass; for I, like yourselves, am in mortality, and cannot introduce every item necessary to your understanding, besides, it is their office to induct every faithful minister in the Fulness to the fountain of celestial knowledge, and they will perform this, if you will walk to the pattern. Rejoice with me that you have this distinguished honor. Magnify it with all fidelity that your glorious privilege may not be passed to others and when you are well prepared, then are ye fit and able to prepare others, and when the Lord of Hosts requires a Hunstman, he will call him from your assemblies and endow him with the necessary qualifications, if not at first, when his willingness and determination are apparent; for know ye, the High Priests and heirs of salvation have to be gathered in bands, in the lands where they dwell. Every nation shall rear a Temple to the God of Israel for his messengers to reveal his immediate designs and accommodate his Priesthood. These bands or holy assemblies have to be disciplined and drilled in celestial wisdom. The object in this is not lawful for me to write. One has said, ye shall scarcely have gone over the cities of Israel, before the Son of Man is come, and verily, you shall find it so. Busy not yourselves with matters opposite to your calling and Priesthood, distracting your spirits; neither seek, at this time, vengeance; for that belongeth to God. We are utterly unable to repay; but no doubt will be used in cutting off the wicked when the Heavenly armies appear. But will this be done before the lawful heirs are warned and prepared? Verily, no! Our God is just and requires us to become like himself in degree. Let the wicked o their share in slaying the wicked that the labor may not be so great. Whatever you may have learned at Weber touching this subject is strictly true, although no legitimately unfolded to the mind. Joseph the Holy and Just was so hurried through his ministry that events connected with the designs of our God were not located sufficiently minute; therefore are as shadows to the expansive realities that are fast hastening on the World,--For instance, You were to inhabit houses you never built—enjoy vineyards planted by others! Where are they? I answer,--in every land where the white faces dwell! How I long for the day when, face to face, I see the disciples of my celestial friend, and with the spirit of intelligence and truth wipe away their disappointments and doubts that the enemy has leave to arrange before them in accordance with the ancient treaty. At present, I am, as it were, in fetters, performing the duties required of me and that are written of me.
Search the written word and find the answer to the question put in a your letter,--”Why has the Lord so separated us?” Pouring out as small phial takes time; but pouring out a phial causing darkness to spread wide and deep enough to obliterate every ray of spiritual light over a given expanse requires time, and a steady hand that its contents may not smear the beautiful creations who are living in innocence requiring the light.
The expression--”Save One”, has caused some anxeity. Be not over desirous to know of that—that will give sorrow to the heart. I would not have mentioned it again until the at wicked one was manifest to all. But to your satisfaction, I will say,--”Watch, and you shall see one greatly offended in me without a cause, unable to abide the Holy Law and Communion of the Saints of the Most High. Over such an one I could mourn, if it were lawful.
Beloved John, it is required of you, at this time, to stand forth and take the leadership at Carson and Nevada over the Saints—Arrange all the quorums that are there, in order, appointing their meetings according to the pattern at Weber. Let them meet as often as they can, teaching one another and expounding the knowledge and Science of the Gospel. Call to your and those that are willing. Do all in love and not by command. Give encouragement; for all is well, and the spirits will attend your assemblies that are appointed by the Father for these times—They shall open up the onward progress of this work. Give heed to their dictations particularly of the intimations of a resting place or neuclus, for this is desirable. Keep Sabbath publicly—be the first mouthpiece, calling on your brethren to uncover their light that all may be edified, and a good time given to all, abounding in love for each other. Prefer one another before all else, and seek each others interests. Invite strangers if you see it prudent. Be no longer inactive or silent on the things you understand, nor keep the Fulness from the owrld. No one now can take the advantage. Court not discussion or strife; but if any choose to rub against the truth with their hay and stubble, take care to let the Holy Everlasting principles burn them up neat and unmistakeable. Let every one be as a lion for the truth and fulness of the gospel. And now I, Cainan, give you Authority to conduct this matter at Carson and Nevada for a Season. Seeing it is convenient for you to attend the other instructions at present, take cheerfully the responsibility, making known to all the Church by reading this Epistle in their hearing, or by sending its contents unto them, and by faithfully carrying on this preparation, your blessings from the Lord shall increase, and all shall know their doings are pleasing in His sight, and further instructions from time to time given as you are able to bear. With kindest love to every faithful follower of the Fulness,
I am faithfully yours Cainan
The Ninth General Epistle of Cainan, to the Church at Nev.