George Q. Cannon's Vision of the Hawaiian Mission Field

In 1850, ten missionaries were sent to Hawaii. Shortly after arrival, most of the missionaries, including the youngest, George Q. Cannon, moved to different islands. Discouraged by the lack of success with the white population, most of the group decided to return to the mainland. They wrote to Brother Cannon, urging him to return with them. He refused, stating he had prayed and received a vision showing him that a nation of pure Israel was ready to receive his testimony, and he saw a vast field white unto harvest. He remained, soon mastered the language, and began baptizing many converts.

Fuller account of this event (as retold in The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, Vol. 66, No. 15 (14 April 1904)):

Accordingly they wrote to Brother Cannon, who was upon one of the other Islands, of their intentions and desired him to accompany them, which he utterly refused to do, remarking that if every other one of the company should decide to return he would remain, as it was shown to him through the power of God while he was praying one evening that there was a nation of pure Israel here ready to receive his testimony. In vision he saw a vast field, white unto harvest awaiting the sickle. He remained, and the Lord blessed him in his labors, and he was enabled to master the language, and to baptize many of the natives into the Church.

In addition to his prayer regarding the mission field, Cannon records in his journal that prior to departing California, he had a dream while trapped in San Francisco Bay where he saw the Prophet Joseph Smith on board their ship. In the dream, the missionaries were struggling to raise an anchor stuck in the mud; when Joseph Smith prayed aloud, the anchor was raised with ease. Upon being told by the Prophet that such faith was his privilege to obtain, Cannon noted that this experience sustained him during his subsequent time in the islands. Additionally, while on Maui, Cannon encountered specific resistance from local Congregationalist ministers, including Daniel Toll Conde and Jonathan S. Green, who openly disparaged him and Joseph Smith, often warning native Hawaiians against the missionaries. Cannon later observed that his decision to reach out to the indigenous population was born from a firm spiritual impression that he should warn all men, both white and red, which the Spirit whispered would result in blessings if he persevered.