Great Salt Lake City October 11th 18
Brigham Young, Jr.,
42 Islington, Liverpool, England
My dear Son Brigham:
You can scarcely realize the gratification I derived from the perusal of your very welcome and excellent letter of August 7th. I was much pleased that you so manfully entered upon the field of active public duties so soon after your arrival in Liverpool, and that you have so strong a desire and determination to walk humbly and prayerfully and do all the good our God may bless you in being instrumental in accomplishing. I am also pleased that you have been privileged to visit the Exhibition and other instructive places you mention, and approve of your plan of buying books descriptive of the noted places you visit; so far as (they are) to be had, that you may not only learn all you (can) at the time, but also have the means of refreshing your memory and learning still more when leisure moments permit after your return home.
I fully approbate your course in continuing on to England, being fully satisfied that it will result in far more good to yourself and others than would from your direct return from Washington.
Without doubt there are many poor Saints in [gap in typescript] district and in all the manufacturing districts in England, some very destitute, and that you may not be burdensome to anyone who is struggling in poverty I have instructed Bro. George Q. Cannon to furnish you from time to time such funds as your reasonable and economical wants may require. This will relieve your mind of all care on the score of means suitable to your calling, position, and circumstances, and will enable you to give to rather than receive from the poor. Notwithstanding this, it may at times be best, both for yourself and them, for you to accept an invitation from the poor to partake with them their scanty fare. Under this arrangement I presume that you will, as already advised, be prudent in the use of money, realizing that only money answers for immigrating the poor to Florence and that gathering the poor directly follows their obedience to the gospel, and is obligatory upon us to the extent of our ability in that channel. In this advice about prudence and economy, I do not by any means wish you to needlessly deprive yourself of the necessities and comforts of life suitable to requirements of your position and calling, but to keep a wise watchcare over your expenditures.
On the 1st ult. I started with a few brethren on a tour through our southern settlements, and held thirty public meetings, in twenty four of which I addressed the congregations. The settlers in our "Dixie" have been very energetic in making improvements, and in raising cotton, cane, &c, &c., Both ourselves and the brethren we saw enjoyed our visit, and I trust that it was mutually beneficial.
On the 17th inst. I purpose starting, with a few brethren, on a visit to Cache Valley and the intermediate settlements, and to hold a two days meeting in Ogden City and Logan, and a meeting in North Ogden, Willow Creek, and Brigham City.
As I wrote in my last letter to you, I wish you to make a visit to the continent next season, starting in time to complete your visit and return to Liverpool by about 1st of August in readiness to start for home. When you make the aforenamed visit I wish Bro George Q. Cannon to accompany you, if consistent with his other duties at the time; if not, I wish Br. C. W. West to go with you.
Cacharine and her children are still living where they were when you left and are all well. Jane and her children remain at the mill where George W. Thatcher and Luna are living, and are also all well. Catharine and Jane both write to you tolerably often, and I presume give you the family news. Day before yesterday they got two ambrotypes of Brigham and Albert taken together, one for each of them, and the little fellows make a very pretty picture.
In all probability you will be able to entirely quit the use of tobacco while on your mission, if you have not already done so. In such case I trust you will be wise enough to not resume its use on your return, either while crossing the ocean, passing through the States, or upon the plains, but permit us to welcome you home with your mouth and breath free from the use and smell of tobacco. It is now going on two years and a half since I have used a particle of tobacco, and I guess a little resolution and faith on your part will also enable you to dispense with its use, in doing which you will ever feel strengthened, prospered, and blest.
If there should be no outbreak between Englan<d> and the United States, you are at liberty to return at the time before mentioned, or to tarry longer and return with Bro West, just as you and the brethren may feel and decide at the time, unless I in the intermediate time see it for the best to advise you otherwise.
I am, as already stated, much pleased with your labors thus far and with the spirit of your letters, and feel assured that if you will continue as you have begun, your course and conduct will prove a credit to yourself and your father's house, and honor to your God, and salvation to yourself and others.
The immigrating companies have all arrived in good condition and spirits, except three and the freight train, which are also all coming along in good time. Of the two Church passenger trains still on the road, one camped on the Muddy on the 9th inst., and the other passed Bridger this forenoon. The passenger train which is in the rear and has over two thousand passengers, camped at Pacific Springs last night, all well, and will probably arrived in a little over two weeks. We have been signally blest in our this season's immigrating operations, having brought in good time and condition all the freight and passengers that were at Florence.
Your mother is enjoying pretty good health, and my health and that of the family is very good.
The weather continues very pleasant, and our crops are abundant.
Please remember me kindly to Bro. Staines and give him my good wishes and blessings for his welfare and success in working righteousness. His family are well
That yourself, Bro Staines, Bro Cannon, and all who love and live the truth may be abundantly blest and prospered in doing the will of our God, is every the prayer of
Your Father,
Brigham Young