Great Salt Lake City, U. T.,
September 21st 1866.
Mr. Ezekiel A. King,
Iona, Ionia Co., Mich.
Dear Sir:
Your letter of August 26th has just reached me. I am pleased to hear from and about you, as my recollection of yourself and your father is very distinct, notwithstanding the many changes which have occurred since I left that country.
I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Spring of 1832, in Mendon, Monroe Co. From there I moved in the Fall of 1833, to Kirtland, Ohio. After I moved to that place I travelled considerably preaching the Gospel. I also made a trip to the state of Missouri and back, and in 1837 moved to that State. Mobocracy prevailed there to such an extent, that, with my co-religionists, I was compelled to leave the state on pain of extermination. The privations which our people endured, being driven out of the State in the depth of an inclement winter, stripped of their property or compelled to leave it behind them, no human tongue can tell or pen write. We moved into the state of Illinois, and at Nauvoo, which we found almost a wilderness, we built up a handsome and flourishing city, superior for its age to the time we left (1846) in population and improvements, &c., to any city in the state. But our enemies were not satisfied. Our unity on all questions, political and religious, caused us to be dreaded by them, and the old system of persecution was renewed. We believed that God was a God of revelation now as much as He was in ancient days, and that if we faithfully kept His commandments and complied with His requirements we could learn His will concerning us and have His divine guidance to as great extent as our brethren had who obeyed His gospel and lived in previous generations. This doctrine was denounced as dangerous, and as one that could not be tolerated in us. We found that men who tried to live in accordance with the pure precepts of the gospel of Jesus in these days would learn the truth of the words of the Apostle, "they who lively godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution," and suffer as the disciples did by having their names cast out as evil, &c. Our enemies were determined that we should not enjoy any peace nor have any satisfaction in the fruits of our labors. They commenced burning the houses, fences and grain of our members, who lived in small settlements around Nauvoo, abused the people, and, in some instances, killed them. We remonstrated in vain, and finding the difficulties increasing and the embittered feeling against us spreading, we finally came to the conclusion to seek a home in the far western wilds of the continent, where we hoped to be able to worship God according to the dictates of our own consciences, free from fear and molestation. For our homes we obtained little or nothing; hundreds of our people leaving valuable city property and farms without obtaining a cent, and where they did sell, receiving only a yoke of cattle or a horse or an old wagon for property that was worth thousands of dollars. This was in February, 1846. In company with 142 others, who went out as pioneers, leaving our families in the Indian country on the Missouri river, I reached this valley July 24, 1847. We were followed that same season by some hundreds of families. Myself and the Company of pioneers returned to the Missouri river that same year, and the next year we brought our families to this place. What we have done here -- the improvements we have made, &c., are now historic.
In these different movements I have lost considerable property. When I left Kirtland I was worth about six thousand dollars; in Missouri I had deeds of several tracts of land, and in Nauvoo, Illinois, I accumulated considerable property, for all of which I received little or nothing, owing to be compelled to leave nolens volens. The inquiry may naturally arise in your mind as to how I have been able to make so much means. It has been the blessing of the Lord on my labors. But you can form some idea probably of how I have made means by your knowledge of my course while you knew me. I never spent my time in idleness, nor spent a sixpence in drink or other folly; but have endeavored to economise my time and my means, and use the latter so that it would increase on my hands. In all my business intercourse with men I have endeavored to maintain a character for reliability and integrity. This reputation has given me influence, and procured me opportunities which have been of great advantage to me.
So much of a sketch respecting myself and my movements, I thought, might be interesting to you as an old friend. In return, I should be pleased to hear any particulars of yourself and your family.
Respecting the note which you state Roswell Beardsley transferred to you I think there must be some mistake. I have no recollection of there being such a man as Mr. Beardsley there, and much less of having any deal with him. But if there were any indebtedness, I scarcely think that he could have had my note, it must have been a book account, and it must have been on the work which I did for the Matson lock houses and for which he paid me only in part. One remark in your letter causes me to think that you have confounded somebody else with myself, and probably mixed two transactions in your mind. You say that you were well acquainted with my brother-in-law, who died at my house at Port Byron. I had no brother-in-law, or other relative, die at my house while I was there.
I have all confidence in your honesty, however, and willingly admit that your recollection may be as good as my own in the matter. Lest I should be mistaken, therefor, I send you the first half of a hundred dollar ($100.00) legal tender note, and upon receipt of your acknowledgement of its safe arrival in your hands I will remit the remaining half.
With kind regards to yourself and family, I remain
Your Friend,
Brigham Young
P. S.
Instead of sending you a half of a legal tender note I forward you herewith a Post Office Order for one hundred dollars ($100.00) as being more safe and less trouble. I should like you to write me, and inform me as to your being satisfied &c., also respecting your father, Philip King's family, and any information that you may have about our old neighbors.