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President's Office
Gt Salt Lake City
Feby. 27th 1866
President Brigham Young, Jun.,
42 Islington, Liverpool, England.
Dear Son:-
Since my last letter to you, dated the 18th instant, your favor of January 15th has been received, and the business and other items been duly noted.
I am gratified to read of your welfare and progress, and to notice that you are diligent in attending to the duties which devolve upon you and in seeking to obtain the spirit of your calling and position. There is no reason why you should lack in the least degree the necessary spirit, knowledge and revelation which you require to enable you to magnify your priesthood and fill with honor the station assigned to you. It is a highly responsible calling, that which you now occupy, and your mind should be open at all times to receive the teachings and whisperings of the Spirit, that nothing may be neglected in teaching, counseling, reproving or warning the people, or in regulating the various fields and conferences that would forward the progress of truth or increase the love and understanding of it from growing in the hearts of the people.
So far as I can judge from your letters and the Star, your course, in the management of the affairs of the Work and the disposition of the Elders, is wise and satisfactory. You have our prayers and faith continually exercised in your behalf that you may be blessed in your labors and be preserved from every evil.
There has nothing particularly noteworthy occurred here since I last wrote to you. The weather is becoming milder, and good health generally prevails.
The news from the East which we have been receiving these past few days is very interesting and spicy and somewhat exciting. Bro. Hooper has informed us in his letters that the feeling at Washington was very intense against us, and there was a deep-seated, sullen determination manifested on all hands to strangle the remaining twin as early as possible. We know what their feelings are as well as they themselves know them. We know that the wicked are uneasy and are plotting continually against the work of God, and the nature of their designs are manifested to us from time to time by the Spirit of God, so that we can be prepared to guard ourselves against their attempts.
Present reports indicate that there are affairs enough of importance to occupy the attention of Congressmen at Washington, without having any very great amount of spare time to meddle with our business. Our enemies here have been exceedingly jubilant of late in anticipation of the trouble that they have been hoping to bring on us. The train was laid, and as they supposed, it only needed the match to be applied to produce the desired explosion. But they will be disappointed. They will find that, when they commence a war with the Almighty and His purposes, with a determination to thwart them, they have a power to contend with in the presence of which they are but as vile worms. When they think they have the trap all ready to spring, with the expectation of securing their prey, they will find that the proposed prey is not there.
Measures are being taken at present to organize a company here to supply our northern neighbors in the Territories of Montana and Idaho with flour and other produce at remunerative yet moderate prices. It is hoped that if the proposed plan can be fairly carried into operation, it will prevent the unwise competition of our people which has enabled speculators in those Territories to take advantage of them in their dealings. By organization the price can be kept up to something like uniformity, and be a great benefit to our citizens and also to the citizens of the north, as they will not be left to be preyed upon by speculators.
In relation to the chartering of a Steamer for the Saints, you had better charter a good sailing vessel or a screw whichever will answer the best and can be obtained on the best terms.
I am much pleased with the specimen page of the Book of Mormon which you have forwarded. An edition of that size, and in that type, will be very handsome, and I should like marginal notes, if you can obtain them; but if you should have notes arranged, be sure and get as good ones as you can, so that they may be satisfactory.
Your Brother John W. will be with you, I suppose when you get this. The last word that we heard from the brethren they were at St Louis, and were well.
With love to yourself and family, John W. and all the Elders who are with you, in which the brethren join, and praying the Lord to bless and uphold and preserve you I remain
Your Father.
Brigham Young