[N]ever before has such a stark report of misconduct been made to the First Presidency as that which has come from Japan. Think of it, 5 missionary elders, ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ, bearing the messengers of life and salvation to a dark and benighted people, condescending to visit their haunts of vice, and indulge in their sinful, immoral practices. It is sickening and shocking to think of it. You did well to clear the mission of the transgressors. We entirely approve of the action taken by you and heartily commend you for it. The only regret we have is that you did not call together the elders laboring in the immediate vicinity, form yourselves into a council, and deal with these men on their fellowship in the Church before sending them home. ...
[Source: Joseph F. Smith, Letter to H. Grant Ivins, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
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