Lanai Mormons - Palawai Experiment - Lanai Culture & Heritage ...

Thursday 22 nd Feb/55.
Today Bro. Smith and myself finished laying the rocks around the top of the cistern and
plastered over the stone work, and banked up against the same to prevent the water
from running into the cistern in case it should rain before we get it finished.
Friday 23 rd Feb/55.
Today we went to work at the cistern again we set the natives to work getting the mortar
ready for plastering. The mortar that we had put on yesterday was not dry enough to put
on the cement. We have dressed it down on the inside and plastered over the stone work
again in lime mortar that it may be smooth. That it may not take but little of the cement, a
thin coat is generally thought to be the best.
Saturday 24 th Feb/55.
Remained at home all day. The natives have all gone to the beach and we have no one
to tend today. I have written up my Journal. [page 170]
Sunday 25 th Feb/55.
This morning just as I was getting out of bed there was a native came in with a new pair
of shoes and a shirt, and presented me the shoes, and Bro. Silas Smith the shirt. They
came in good time for my shoes were nearly off of my feet. I tended meeting all day. We
had a very good meeting and the saints feel well. There was one baptized in the
afternoon. The work of the Lord is steadily progressing on this Island at this time.
Monday 26 th Feb/55.
The weather is fine, and the crops that we have in the ground are doing well. This
morning I have started the plow again, for to plow a piece of ground for wheat. I am afraid
that it is rather late on the account of the drought in the later part of the season. My
wheat that I sowed in the fall is nearly heading out and bids fare to make a good crop.
Bro. Silas and myself has been to work at the cistern. It is quite a job to plaster one of
these cisterns and make them water tight.
Tuesday 27 th Feb/55.
This morning we are still to work at the cistern, and the pioneers are at work planting
potatoes. Only them that is at work with us on the cistern. We have gone over the cistern
with the first coat of mortar today. The weather still continues fine and everything has a
beautiful aspect around us at the present. [page 171]
Wednesday 28 th Feb/55.
This morning we set the natives to work hoeing potatoes. Bro. Silas and myself white
washed the cistern. In the evening we feasted on a turkey after a hard days work and
soon retired to rest.
Thursday 1 st March/55.
Bro. Silas and myself took a walk this morning into the field that lies on the bench
towards the sea. Our crops in that quarter is doing fine and everything denotes a plentiful
harvest. The rainy season is past and the sun sets forth her golden raise on the Isles of
the Pacific Sea, and everything has assumed a most beautiful aspect since the rain.
Läna‘i (1853-1864) – A History of the Mormon Mission at Päläwai
Working Manuscript of the Läna‘i Culture & Heritage Center (November 2009) 30