On my return to Salt Lake City called and preached at the different towns and settlements on the route, arriving home June 27, 1856.
While at home my time was occupied in attending meetings, instructing and speaking words of comfort and encouragement to the Saints, and writing my history, assisted by my wife Kezia, as copyist.
CHAPTER LIII.
JOURNAL OF EASTERN MISSION.
During the summer, after my return from the South, I performed several home missions or preaching tours through Davis, Weber and Box Elder Counties, and in September received an appointment to take a mission to the States, for which I received the following letter of appointment:
UTAH TERRITORY, PRESIDENT'S OFFICE,
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 10, 1856.
ELDER PARLEY P. PRATT.
Dear Brother—As you are about to leave on your mission to the States, we feel to give you a word of counsel for your guidance.
We expect that your principal occupation will be to travel and preach the gospel in different places, as you shall be led by the spirit of the Lord.
We are informed that there is quite a large number of Saints in the southwestern part of Virginia, which it is our wish you shall visit and instruct in the principles of the gospel.