The Brigham Young Center

President's Office,
Gt. Salt Lake City,
October 18th, 1867.

President F. D. Richards,
42 Islington Liverpool, Eng.

Dear Bro:

Since my letter of September 25th I have received nothing from you. Semi-annual Conference has been held and the people mainly have returned home. It was the largest conference, probably, that we have ever held. since the organization of the Church. The people were variously estimated at from eight to ten thousand. Our New Tabernacle was crowded to overflowing. The teachings were most
excellent, and the people evidently enjoyed them. You will get a tolerably good epitome from the report in the Deseret News. One hundred and sixty-three missionaries were called to strengthen the southern settlements. They were nearly all young men, many of them unmarried. The unmarried were counselled
to marry and take wives with them. They will probably settle on the Muddy. A great many of them are fitting out and intend to start in a few days. Six or seven were also called to go to the States on preaching missions.

A significant feature in the organization of our people is the alacrity with which they respond to any call that may be made upon them whether it is to preach the gospel, to gather the poor, or do anything connected with the work of God abroad; or to build up new settlements and to perform any of the multifarious duties devolving upon them in this new country.

During Conference a call was also made for fifteen hundred loads of rock for the Temple. I was apportioned among the wards of this county, also Tooele, Utah, Davis, Weber, Box Elder and the counties east of this city. This rock, it is hoped, will furnish employment for our stone masons through the winter. The spirit seems to lead us at present to direct our energies to the completion of the Temple, and the people seem quite spirited in the prospect of its completion.

The health of the people has greatly improved since I last wrote. Everything is very peaceful in the Territory. The weather at the present time is very fine and labor of every kind is being pushed forward with energy. Our emigration reached the city on the evening before conference, and most of the returning elders have reached home.

Your family, I understand, are in tolerable health, though they have suffered care and anxiety in attending upon your stepson upon whom another operation which promises good results, was performed last week.

I have just returned from a visit to Goshen whither I have been for the purpose of locating a <new> site for their city. A place was selected at the head of their farming lands, east and south of Gardnersville, a small village lying to the south of Goshen proper.

The people were well suited with the choice and will remove there as soon as practicable.

With love in which Presidents Kimball and Wells and Bro. Cannon join, and praying the Lord to bless you

I remain
Your Brother

Brigham Young