The Brigham Young Center

G. S. L. City. Oct 31, 1861

Elder Walter Murray Gibson,
Care of Elder Dwight Eveleth
San Francisco, California

Dear Brother:

Your welcome favors 8 and 9, Sep 3 and 19, are at hand, and their interesting narrative of your labors on the Hawaiian Islands, of the condition of the work there, and your plans in relation thereto was very gratifying.

Doubtless as you observe, your labors and experience in your present field will not only be highly beneficial to you in your proposed future field, but will at the same time be very advantageous to the poor Saints <among> and for whom you and your associates are laboring

Cheering information also reaches us from our missions in foreign lands, through letters from Elders Lyman, Rich, Cannon, and others; though in parts of Switzerland the Elders meet some persecution, and have to feel their way with much caution. In the States war is so far the engrossing topic and occupation that the few Elders there are operating in a very quiet and unobtrusive manner, mostly holding their meetings in private houses, and doing fireside preaching.

At home we are still blest with the privilege of pursuing the usually industrious and prosperous tenor of our way, public and private improvements being prosecuted with unusual energy. The alterations in the Tabernacle were completed in time for our October Conference, the north wall having been removed and replaced by a semicircular addition with a skylight under which is the platform and stand; at the south end the organ is placed, and the seats are on a level floor, the stand being elevated four feet so that all can see the speaker. Stone cutters have begun cutting the granite blocks on the Temple lot, and teams have commenced hauling more blocks from Little Cottonwood. The walls of the new theatre are completed, the roof timbers are being put on, and we expect to have it sufficiently finished for occupation during the coming
Winter.

In the midst of these labors, upwards of 200 families, selected and volunteered, mostly from the new comers and residents in G. S. L., Utah, and Sanpete Counties, are starting south to strengthen up the old and make new settlements on the Santa Clara and Rio Virgin. This move will greatly aid us in the production of cotton, olive oil, wine, sugar, indigo, and such other products as are not easily, or not at all, raised north of the rim of the Basin.

On the 18th of Oct. we began to receive telegrams in this City from the East, and on the West, when the two Oceans were linked by the telegraphic wire, which, when all arrangements are completed, will place us in daily communication with regions widely separated; quite a contrast to the not long since time when we had to wait 6 months for news from Washington.

Our latest dates from the East, Oct 31, bring no news of special interest, the armies on the Potomac remaining as they were, and Fremont being in pursuit of Price in Missouri.

Judge Smith informs me that the "News" is regularly forwarded to you as you requested, whenever it is printed, which, however, has not been very regular since July last, owing to want of material to enable our paper mill to supply the office with paper; increased efforts are now being made to obviate this difficulty.

Your son John is still with br. Wells, apparently feeling and doing well, and says that Henry was on Green River the last he heard from him, and would probably return to this City before long.

Ever praying that you and all your faithful associates may be guided by the Spirit which giveth life, light, and intelligence, I remain,

Your Brother in the Gospel

Brigham Young