I’m still casting around for our next missionary journal to serialize. In the meantime, here’s a one-part report of the earliest mission into Mexican territory, conducted in 1876. It is long on frontier and route details, and short on religious and human interest factors, but it gives a great idea of what it took to be a frontier missionary in 1876.

Report of the Mexican Mission

Salt Lake City, October 5th 1876.

Myself (Daniel W. Jones), H. Pratt, J.Z. Stewart, Wiley C. Jones, R.H. Smith, Ammon Tinney and A.W. Ivins were called and set apart to go on a mission to Mexico and surrounding regions, to preach the gospel to the people and particularly the Lamanites of that country. Having fitted up with pack animals the first five of us left Nephi City about the middle of November, 1875, taking with us 1500 copies of “Selections of the book of Mormon,[“] printed in the Spanish language. While travelling through the southern settlements, we were treated with great kindness and received such assistance from the saints as was necessary for ourselves and animals. Br Ivins joined us at Toquerville. From thence we traveled to Kanab, and was joined by Br. Tinney. We completed our outfit at this place and started on our journey, taking the road to Lee’s crossing on the Colerado River to the Moquis, where we rested a few days. We were treated kindly by them. We could not talk much to them as they could not understand the Spanish language and we could speak but few words of their language. We went from thence to the Little Colerado and struck the river near where the settlements are being made. We reported it as being a desirable place to settle. We continued our journey, crossing the Mogollon Mountains on the Prescott road, by Camp Verde; thence to Phoenix city on Salt River. There we met the first native that could speak the Spanish language; he was from the Maricopa villages, situate on the Gila some fifty miles from this place. We explained to him the nature of our mission, the Book of Mormon, &c.

He seemed to be much interested and understood our conversation. He said he would tell his people about our talk. He was the interpreter of the tribe and the only one of them that could speak the Spanish language. We also explained to him that we intend going over the Gila River, striking it at the lower villages of the Pimas, and following up through those villages with with the desire to talk to the people. He said he would go immediately and give them notice so that some of the head men might come up and hear us. As we journeyed along we made some short visits with them, and gave them some explanations giving further notice that we would hold a meeting at the Upper Pima Village, where the agency is situated. When we arrived we got permission of the agent to talk to the people; quite a a [sic] number assembled at our camp; some coming from the lower settlements; most of their leading men were present. We had an excellent interpreter who seemed to get the spirit of our mission and we enjoyed a very satisfactory meeting. I believe the people will be ready to receive the blessings of the gospel.

From the Pimas we went further up the River, visiting the Papigos, the same interpreter accompanying us and assisting us. Here the chief spoke good Spanish and his people understood much that was said and listened to us with attention but did not seem to manifest as quick an interest as the Pimas, they promised however to consider the subject. The chiefs son who was educated in the Spanish language was not at home. I left a book for him. We distributed quite a number of books among the Mexican people who are settling through this region of country. One trader in particular who lives among the Papigoes and speaks their language, manifested great interest in the Book of Mormon. Some of the brethren went to his place for grain. He had the people listening while he was reading and explaining to them. He told the brethren they were greatly interested by his instructions.

From this place we went to the Tucson. This place is badly mixed; much excitement is up about the troubles in Sonora. We were invited by the American citizens to hold a meeting; we did so and had a very attentive congregation. They treated us kindly and they seemed to manifest more interest in regard to our temporal affairs as a people than to our spiritual. In consequence of the unsettled state of affairs in Sonora we concluded to take the road bearing towards the State of Chihuahua by the way of the Apache Pass where the Cochise band are provided [and] assisted to what they want and allowed to do about as they please. I had a great desire to talk with them, but did not succeed satisfactorily. We learned here that it was not safe to take the road leading into Mexico, as the Indians were raiding down into that country; we therefore concluded to continue on to El Paso on the Rio del Norte where we finally arrived all well. We found on our arrival that the priests were disposed to oppose us by every means in their power. The civil authority by their influence refused us the liberty of preaching to the people. Our animals becoming greatly reduced made it necessary for us to stay and winter at this place; part of us remaining in El Paso on the Mexican side; others stopping a portion of the time in Isleta on the Texas side of the River. We occupied our time in studying the Spanish language, visiting among the people, taking care of our stock, working, &c. We held several meetings in the different settlements in this vicinity. On the Texas side they were mostly attended by Americans, some of whom manifested deep interest in our teachings and no doubt some of them will yet be blessed with a better understanding of the principles taught by us. The natives here seemed in such dread through priestcraft, that they were afraid to listen to our teachings, but in private conversation many expressed a hope that they would be able to break loose from the bondage they w ere now under. In El Paso we made many friends and many no doubt would have come to hear us had we have been permitted to hold meetings. We distributed some of our books among them which were read with no small degree of interest.

After our stock had recruited it was agreed that Brs Tinney and Smith should go up into New Mexico and labor among the people with the hope of getting an opening there; while the rest of us would go down into the state of Chihuahua.

We left El Paso in March, 1876, having made many friends and se[e]emingly carrying with us the general good feelings of all the people, taking from thence letters of introduction to persons of influence in Chihuahua.

On our arrival in that City and getting introduced, &c. we found a very liberal spirit and a general intelligence among the citizens. We here learned that we had the constitutional right to teach our doctrines and remained among them ten days. We sent from this place by mail several hundred copies of our books; a package of five was sent to the Governor of each state; the same to each Mayor and editor where there was a mail line, in each was a written request to allow them to be read by the people. We found a lively interest manifested in the perusal of the Book of Mormon from men of intelligence as well as those in the humbler spheres of life. We held one meeting which was very orderly and attended by a goodly number. We preached at large upon the principles of the gospel a universal good feeling prevailed towards us and several seemed to have considerable faith in our doctrines.

From Chihuahua we travelled west toward the mountain district of Guerero where the people have the reputation of being very liberal in their feelings; understanding also that the native blood predominates there.

On arriving at Concepsion, the capitol of the district, we were kindly received and guaranteed all the liberty we desired in preaching and explaining our doctrines to the people. We remained here about two weeks, distributing and explaining the Book of Mormon, holding meetings and conversing with the people, quite a spirit of enquiry was awakened in their minds and many rejoiced in our teachings and we were treated with great kindness and consideration.

Myself and son Wiley went out into the Mountains to visit a settlement of natives called Tarumaries. We found them somewhat peculiar in their customs, bu I will not attempt to describe them now. They were shy of us at first, after talking awhile however with their chief in the evening. He agreed to call his people together in the morning and let me talk to them; accordingly next morning we had a meeting. I explained to them what the Book of Mormon was and they were very much pleased with our conversation with them. We found one among them who could read; I gave him a book, which he said he would read [it] several times until he understood it good and he would then explain it to the others. The chief said he would have it explained to all the people under his influence. They live in a very scattered condition through the mountains and in small parties, this being the principal town of the district. They are a very cautious and reserved people and did not seem to exhibit any great amount of zeal; but said they would consider what we were saying to them.

The good impressions made upon the minds of the inhabitants of Concepcion and the many acts of kindness they extended towards [us] awakened in us a desire to return to that place. I felt a desire also on our return to have my family with me and remain among them, as it seemed as though a work of a life time was before us.

From Concepsion we journeyed North, visiting several settlements and holding meetings. We found in the towns of Tyolocachi, Matachi and Temosachi, that the people were mostly decendents of an ancient race somewhat mixed with the Spanish blood, the native greatly predominating. They seemed ready for the Gospel; many of them I believe are anxiously expecting and looking for the time of our return among them.

From this district of country we continued our course north; passing many small settlements we distributed a few books and conversing with the people as opportunities presented themselves. Finding among them an occasional spirit of enquiry, though no general spirit of interest among them as among those we had left in regard to the principles of the Gospel, we desired to inculcate, still they were very friendly and a good feeling towards us was observed until our departure from the country.

We travelled out of the State of Chihuahua on the road leading off from the Apache country, continuing north towards the settlements on the Little Colorado. While on our return we had a good long talk with the Apaches and I hope that good will result from it.

On our arrival at the Little Colorado we learned that Brs Tinney and Smith had raised up a branch among the Zunis and had returned from thence.

We returned home in good health, having made the round trip of near four thousand miles; performing our mission with out any material suffering for the common comforts of life, and with a desire to continue on the mission as long as it is the will of the Lord.

Daniel W Jones
Helaman Pratt
J.Z. Stewart

During the year 1875 the Book of Mormon was translated to the Spanish Language, by Meliton G Trejo, and selections were made therefrom and published in pamphlet form preparitory to establishing a mission in Mexico, under the presidency of D.W. Jones.

On the 15th of Sept. of the same year Elder Jones, with a pack train of eighteen animals and accompanied by Helaman Pratt, J.Z. Stewart R.H. Smith, A.M. Tenney, and A.W. Ivins and Wiley C Jones started to Mexico on a mission, and taking with them about 1500 copies of the published extracts.

They traveled south through the settlements to Kanab, holding meeting in most of them, asking and receiving contributions from all for the support of the mission and to pay for translating the Book of Mormon and publishing the extracts. After leaving Kanab they traveled on the road made by our Brethren of the Colorado Mission in 1873 as far as Moan Coppy.

They then traveled east to the Oriba and Moqui villages, then due south to the Little Colorado at which point they struck the Arizona Mail line, running to Prescot on which they traveled to near Prescot, when they turned south to the Salt and Gila Rivers.

Here they met portions of the tribes of Pima, Maricopy and Papigo Indians to whom they explained the object of their mission and to a limited extent the principles of the Everlasting Gospel, which was listened to with much interest on the part of many of them. They traveled from the Gila to Tucson at which place they were kindly treated by the Governor civil authorities and an in the Governor extended to them an invitation to preach and proffered suggested the Court House by invitation from the Governor held meetings in the court house.

They traveled from Tucson east to Las Cruces on the Rio Grande, in New Mexico, and crossed at Mesilla a few miles below, and went down the river to El Paso, Texas, and recrossed to El Paso, State of Chihuahua, Mexico.

From this place Bros. A.M. Tenney and R.H. Smith were sent by Pres. Jones to Ysleta New Mexico to labor among the indians, for which place they started on the14th of February 1876.

After laboring among the Ysletas a few weeks they went to the Zunys of whom by the blessings of God they baptised 130.

The remaining five stayed in El Paso about two months studying the Spanish Language, & while here Bro. Jones assisted by his son & Bro. Ivins worked some at the saddles trade & made forty or fifty dollars to aid the in our support.

On account of opposition from the Catholic priests they were not able to accomplish much on the border, except to distribute our extracts, although several meetings were held across the river in El Paso and San Elizanio, Texas.

On They traveled from El Paso to the City of Chihuahua and there found more liberality. The Governor promised them protection and invited them to preach.

After passing about ten days in Chihuahua they went to Concepcion where there was more indian blood and where they found not only a willingness but an anxiety on the part of the people to hear the principles of the Gospel.

In this part of the country the opening is good and the prospect favorable. They remained in Concepcion about two weeks and held one or two meetings and then started to come return to Utah having distributed most of the Extracts, sending some to each Governor and Alcalda of note in Mexico.

They arrived at Kanab on the 23d of June.

J.Z. Stewart

Aug 8th 1876