There is some confusion about his actual dates of service due to multiple entries in the missionary registers. He returned home numerous times, but was still referred to as the president in the mission records during his absence. The confusion is compounded since he was set apart and entered into the missionary registers multiple times as he would return to the mission.
Orson Pratt is listed as setting him apart in January 1878, but George Q. Cannon is listed for the January 1881 and March 1882 entries.
