The Brigham Young Center

Great Salt Lake City,
August 16th, 1866.

Mr. F. Monson,
Messrs. Murray & Coles, Builders, &c.,
Danbury, Conn. (Box 149)

Dear Sir:

Your favor of May 14th was mislaid, and therefore has remained unanswered until the present.

Your business is brisk in this country, particularly in the Summer, and I do not think that you <would> have any difficulty in obtaining employment. Money is scarce, and those who employ carpenters and joiners in the most of instances pay in other articles than money. Still, mechanics, who are industrious, do very well here and live comfortably.

We do not encourage people to come here, however, with a view to make money. The community of Latter-day Saints came here for the purpose of dwelling here together and serving the Lord. You say that you have heard some of our Elders speak. You have some idea, therefore, of our doctrines. Before you come here, if by humbling yourself before the Lord and calling upon Him for that light which you need, you can receive an assurance that this is the people of God and that it is right for you to come out here, it would be a great benefit to you.

The Lord has blessed us to a wonderful extent in endeavoring to do His will. We have great difficulties to contend with, in consequence of our isolated position, and the wild and uninviting nature of the country in which we have settled; but these small things compared with the violence with which we are assailed by our enemies; their virulence and hatred are unrelenting, and everything that can be done to break us up and to bring about our destruction has been done. But we will overcome all these evils, if we maintain our integrity to our Lord and His gospel, and triumph over every opposing obstacle and be the means in the hands of the Almighty of ushering in the reign of truth and righteousness.

May the Lord bless you and guide you aright in your search after or for truth.

I remain
Your Serv't in the Lord,

Brigham Young