The Brigham Young Center

<17 - 18>

Presidents Office
Gt. Salt Lake City
Jan 23rd 1866.

Elder James Cobb,
Care of Elder Wm. H. Miles,
Box 3957 Post Office, New York City

Dear Brother,-

I have written this day to Bro. Miles about assigning you to labor in the ministry in the Eastern States. I am desirous that you should fill your Mission before you return, and in wishing you to do this instead of returning home I have your welfare and future happiness solely in view. If I wanted to injure, or to spoil you, I should be willing to have you return home now; but I want you to obtain experience in the gospel and a knowledge of God for yourself.

Hearken to Bro. Miles' Counsel; take your valise, and travel and preach and learn the Gospel as the first Elders in the Church have done, and try and impart unto those who are in darkness and knowledge which they need to save them.

If you take this course, and follow it faithfully you will not want for any thing and, when you return home, you will come with a conscience void of offence and possessed of a joy that will amply compensate you for all your labors, and you will feel that you are a man and a co-laborer of the servants of God.

With love, and praying the Lord to bless you in your labors and to enable you to do a good work and to return home in honor,

remain Your Brother,

Brigham Young