The Brigham Young Center

Miss Mary Eaton
St. Clair City, Mich:-

Dear Madam:
Prest Young being absent from home, on a tour through Southern Utah, which will occupy several weeks and longer left Me to attend to his Correspondence during his absence, I have taken the liberty to write you a few lines so that you may have the satisfaction of knowing your note has reached its destination, though it would have been a far greater satisfaction, no doubt, to have had an answer from Prest. Young himself.

Though a stranger to you personally, knowing nothing of your history, but what your letter contains, let me beg of you never to harbor the thought of the dread alternative of which your letter hints. You cannot fly from yourself, you cannot stifle the recollection of the past by leaving this world, but you will have the still greater sorrow of knowing that you have put an end to the life God has given you, which <though> full of sorrow to-day, may be overflowing with joy tomorrow. To me it seems that he who takes his own life, violates the great Command "Thou shalt not kill," as much as he who murders his fellow man. And the Scripture says "A murderer hath not eternal life abiding in him." Time, the great Consoler, with trust and patience will heal the wound, and it were far better to abide your sorrow in the midst of friends than in the house of strangers. To one it seems one of the greatest Sins, but unfortunately far too common, for man to trifle with the holiest affection of a woman's virtue, and the Church, of which I am a member,is striving to introduce a better state of things.

I have sent you a pamphlet relating to our faith and history which probable will be
interesting to you.

Yours Respectfully
Geo. Reynolds