Elder James L. Brown's Missionary Experiences in the South Sea Islands

Elder James L. Brown recounts the history of the mission in the South Sea Islands, beginning in 1843. During his missionary service, he faced false accusations of creating a rebellion among the natives and was arrested and exiled to a small island. Despite this opposition, he succeeded in organizing a branch there. He also observed the faith of the native Saints, who remained loyal despite severe persecution, including being forbidden from singing hymns and compelled to attend Catholic schools, with some facing death or imprisonment.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

I was ushered into the presence of Messrs. Chisholm, Howe and Davis. All of them were what were called English or Protestant missionaries. Mr. Chisholm was the spokesman. He asked me what I was doing there. I told him I was a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He then asked me if I knew that I was breaking the law of the land. I told him I did not know that I was. He said, 'You are, and you will be dealt with accordingly.' I asked him what law I was breaking. He said, 'The law of the land prohibits any but the London Missionary Society from preaching here.' I told him I was not aware of any such law, and that I had come there to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that I had been invited by the natives to come and live with them. He said, 'We have the power to stop you, and we will do it.' I told him that I was in their power, so far as the arm of flesh was concerned, but that I was in the hands of the Lord, and that I should continue to preach the Gospel as long as I had the opportunity. He then said, 'We will see about that.' I was then taken to the police station and locked up. The next morning I was taken before the governor, who was a Frenchman. He asked me what I was doing there. I told him I was a missionary. He asked me if I had any papers. I told him I had not. He then told me that I must leave the island. I told him I could not leave, as I had no means to do so. He then said, 'You will be sent to the island of Tahiti, and from there you will be sent home.' I was then taken to the island of Tahiti, and from there I was sent to the island of Eimeo, where I was kept for some time. While there I succeeded in organizing a branch of the Church, and baptized several of the natives.