The California Mission included all the territory of California, Nevada, Arizona and part of Oregon. As part of the history of Northern Nevada and California, the mission history gives the very basis of growth outside the Utah Territory.
The Calimis Newsletter began its publication as a means to communicate mission news and information to elders and sisters serving in the California Mission. Its first edition in 1921 disseminated assignments, included a president’s message, listed transfers, gave statistics and delivered reports from various parts of the mission. In 1928, a history of the mission was printed; broken into segments that covered newsletters from 1926-1928. The basis of these articles was the History of the California Mission by Andrew Jenson, church historian. The following is referenced to Jenson’s material.
The Calimis Newsletter began its publication as a means to communicate mission news and information to elders and sisters serving in the California Mission. Its first edition in 1921 disseminated assignments, included a president’s message, listed transfers, gave statistics and delivered reports from various parts of the mission. In 1928, a history of the mission was printed; broken into segments that covered newsletters from 1926-1928. The basis of these articles was the History of the California Mission by Andrew Jenson, church historian. The following is referenced to Jenson’s material.
Early History of the
California Mission
While Brigham was detained at Council Bluffs, Iowa,
the west bound saints who sailed from New York on the ship Brooklyn, landed in
Yerba Buena, (San Francisco) July 31, 1846. Samuel Brannan, the presiding
elder, maintained leadership of about 200 people who expected to join the body
of saints when they settled somewhere in the Rocky Mountains.
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| Samuel Brannan |
Another group of
membership arrived in southern California as the “Mormon Battalion.” Five
hundred and 50 men were mustered into the U.S. military while still on the
plains near Council Bluffs, Iowa. Their enlistment served to appease the
federal government any anxiety over their loyalty to the country. A grueling
march to Santa Fe led them to new leadership and a new assignment. They would
now be blazing a trail to California. They arrived in San Diego, January of
1847.
After the Mormon Battalion
were mustered out of service, they marched north, many remained, mingling with
the Brooklyn Ship saints. They worked at various trades and occupations. A few
were employed by John Sutter at Coloma when gold was discovered.
“Through the influence of
the whites (nearly all Mormons) the name of Yerba Buena was changed to that of
San Francisco. A city on a large scale was surveyed and Samuel Brannan became
the owner of a great portion of the lots bordering on what is now Market
Street. Naturally, he became very wealthy and gradually grew cold toward his
religion.”[1]
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| Charles C. Rich |
 |
| Parley P. Pratt |
With the onset of the gold rush, several saints stayed in California to work; several more migrated from Utah to California hoping for riches. For the most part, Brigham Young swayed the majority of membership to stay close to the fellowship of the church. Brigham did, however, send Apostle Charles C. Rich and a company of brethren to visit the saints in California to collect tithing funds and provide leadership.
In 1851, the San Francisco branch was reorganized with Parley P. Pratt, Charles C. Rich and Amasa M. Lyman in attendance. Parley being chosen as branch president was short lived, he being called on a mission to serve in Chile. When Parley left, George K. Winner (Spelled Wimmer in Andrew Jenson’s history) was sustained as president.
Elder William McBride was
very instrumental in building up a group of saints in Santa Clara.
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| Amasa Lyman |
 |
| William McBride |
As more saints settled in
California, Apostles Amasa M. Lyman and Charles C. Rich negotiated for the
purchase of the San Bernardino Ranch as a place the saints could gather in
California. In two years, a general conference was held. Attendance was taken
by quorums: 30 High Priests, 1 Teacher, and 3 Deacons, as well as a healthy
attendance of lay membership, totaling 878 members. Here, Apostles Amasa M.
Lyman and Charles C. Rich were sustained as president of the church in
California.
By 1856, a newspaper,
“Western Standard,” published by George Q. Cannon on behalf of the church was
circulated. That year George Q. Cannon was sustained as the president of the
church in Upper California and the territories north.
