The Brigham Young Center

Dr. S.D. Richards,
Massillon, Ohio.

Dear Sir:

Yours of 24th. ult. has been received. Prest. Young is from home & has left me in his absence to attend to his correspondence. You inquire the mode of taking members into the Church, our rules, regulations &c. and whether you could continue your profession as a physician. I will briefly say, the first principles of the Gospel are Faith, Repentance, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, by one having authority, & the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. With regard to your probable chances of success as a doctor here. There are 16 practising physicians & surgeons in this City, besides ladies who practise with more or less skill. The City numbers about 20,000 inhabitants & may be said to be remarkably healthy, although in the hottest of the summer months & early fall, a number of infant children are annually carried away. I cannot speak encouragingly as to the probability of your making much money here, still we all make out to live. The fact is, the Latter-day Saints accept the gathering as a part of their religious faith & they act in obedience thereto, putting their trust in Him who has said "Seek ye the Kingdom of God and his righteousness & all other things shall be added unto you."

Yours with respect
Daniel H Wells