Great Salt Lake City, July 1st 1854.
Letter of Instructions to Elder Orson Spencer.
Bro. Spencer,
Knowing that you are soon to leave us for Cincinatti Ohio to fulfil the mission given you by the last April Conference, by which you are authorized to preach the Gospel, build up and set in order all who listen to your counsel whether verbal or written, a few words of instruction from us may aid you in your several important duties.
We will say first: Fear not man; but trust in the God of Joseph and always have the Spirit to guide you in speaking and writing, that your words may be like the arrows of the Almighty piercing to the soul, causing the ears of men to tingle, that they may hear what the Lord shall
speak through his servant.
Fear not to tell men in high places their duty, and the consequence of disobedience; you may ask if we mean religious or political men,-- both! and all! let none escape. Call on them to assist you by their influence, their gold, silver and treasures that the Lord hath given them.
Second. We wish you to take new ground, not depend on old dead saints. You will to be sure find an organized branch of some seventy members in Cincinatti, presided over by bro Wm. Miles; but as fast as possible build anew of sound materials, and send the old to Salt Lake lest it rot and injure the new, Salt water may keep them from decomposition. It is not your duty to preach to the dead, but to the living.
Third. We wish you to be from the day of your arrival in Cincinatti on the lookout until you find and obtain a suitable place for the gathering of the saints as the Lord shall open the way, and for the establishing of factories of various kinds. You will without doubt soon have plenty of operators flocking to you from different parts of Europe, capable of manufacturing all and every article that we may need in this Territory, or at least those articles that cannot be produced here. It is believed that by economy and faithfulness, the saints who will be under your care will soon obtain ample means to enable them to come well provided for to this land.
Fourth. In relation to publishing and holding meetings, go to the very best office or offices you can find in the City. This will give impetus to what you write. In all your leading articles that you wish other papers to copy or the public to read, do not live in the stars while writing, or try to be so profound and complicated that no one can understand what you write but write in a plain and interesting style, so well mixed or sewed up, so full of mormon thunder that no man woman or child can help reading it and thinking thereupon for the next 2 hours until it passes through every vein in their bodies, mesmerizing them with the truth, setting them to conveying the electricity to others.
You will do well to correspond often with Dr. J. M. Bernhisel and keep yourself well posted up in all the affairs at Washington. If the Dr. becomes shy and fearful at your boldness, look out for some one to correspond with, in Washington who will face the music.
If any of our enemies at Washington or in any other quarter undertake to assail us meet them as a host without appealing to Utah for help; tell them you are Utah-steeped, and ready to meet the Goliaths of the nation that you have the Shepherd's bag full of smooth stones and the sling.
If any begin to cry poor pussy, saying you are meddling with politics tell them bah! what is that to you?
For preaching get good halls or houses and then preach mormonism by the power of the spirit send down from heaven that it may run through the people like melted lead.
You will keep an eye to the elders who are under your care and require them to write to you as often as once a week, giving a full account of their doings; this will enable you to keep them working to advantage where they can do the most good.
You will keep the elders and saints fully advised in relation to their duty to pay their tithing promptly, as a duty and privilege from the Lord. Your receiving tithing will enable us to draw on you from time to time, for various materials necessarily required in the building of the House of the Lord in this City.
In dealing with saints for unchristianlike conduct, be strict to meet out justice to all; if any commit adultery cut them off from the Church, that those out of the Church seeing your good works may be led to embrace the truth and glorify our Father in Heaven.
Ever praying for your prosperity in the great work of redemption, We are, with you
The true born Sons of Zion,
First Presidency
Brigham Young
Heber C Kimball
J M Grant
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.