Transcript

He was set apart for a mission to the Lamanites of the White Mountains by Orson Pratt and Charles C Rich in the Seventy’s Council Hall, the following blessing being pronounce by Orson Pratt:

Brother John Wesley Norton, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we lay our hands upon thee and set thee apart according to the spirit that is in us to go forth with thy brethren to the Lamenites who are remnant of the House of Israel, and of the see of Joseph, to seek diligently to reclaim them and bring them back from their lost and fallen condition to the knowledge of the truth and to restore that record and that Christianity among them which was had among their fathers. That they may become acquainted with the fullness of the Gospel and know concerning the light which now shineth, and also concerning the creation and the fall of man and concerning Jesus Christ who has died to redeem men from the fall, and concerning all things which pretain to the redemption and salvation and the final exaltation from the degradation in which they now exist. Go forth in faith and then by the Holy Spirit that is in thee and the Lord thy God shall be with thee and he shall be the mouth and utterance among the people and thou shalt be quick to acquire their language and thy memory shall be quickened and strengthened and thou shall be able to accomplish a good work, so that in future day thou shall rejoice in the work thou has performed while upon this mission. Oh God, the Eternal Father, let thy power be round about his, thy servant and shield him from the adversary and shield him from all evil and lead him to do good at all times. Oh God, we pray that the angels may go before him and that thou will endow that lost and fallen people where this thy servant has been called and appointed to go, with much of thy spirit that they may be inclined to receive the truth of this thy servant that he may be able to do much good, and may the prediction of thy servants be realized by this our beloved brother, and grant that he may see thy providence and blessing in his administration among that dark race of people. These blessings we seal upon thee, together with all others that we do not name, and we pray that thou mayest have all in their time and in their seasons. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.