The Brigham Young Center

Mrs Mary J. Merrick
Cannonsburgh, Carrol Co. Ohio

Dear Madam,
Your note to President Young has been received, but he being absent from home I have taken the liberty to reply to it, also to send you a pamphlet regarding our faith & history. We believe in the words of the Apostle James, that if there be any sick among us, to send for the Elders of the Church, and that the prayer of faith shall save the sick. We have proved that God does answer the prayers of His people, and many are the testimonies borne by the Latter-day Saints that in dire distress and sickness he has answered their prayers. As there are no elders of the Church, so far as I can find out any where near where you reside, we have in our most solemn gatherings for prayer, presented your son before the Lord, and requested Him, that inasmuch as the boy still lived, He would bless him with health and strength, and make manifest His power in his behalf. Leaving your child in His hands that if he were appointed unto death, the Lord would be with him, but if in His mercy he might live that he would quickly raise him up.

Praying God to bless you and your boy, increase your faith and lead you to a knowledge of the Truth.

I remain, Yours Respectfully
Geo Reynolds
Clerk to Prest Young