Salt Lake City
April 2nd. 1867
Mr. Wm R. Hoole
P.O. Box 14 Hampton Franklin Co. Iowa
Dear Sir:
Your favor on the subject of emigrating to Utah and making inquiries respecting our belief &c has been received. To answer your inquiries in all their details would require more space than the limits of a single letter will afford. To save writing. therefore, I send you herewith an epitome of our faith, premising however, that it is but meagre; still it will give you some idea of the nature of our doctrines. Like the ancient disciples of Jesus, we have had to contend with the traditions and prejudices of the people, and have suffered considerable persecution because of our belief in the pure principles of the gospel as taught by our Lord and his disciples. We have proved the truth of the saying in the Scriptures that "they who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution;" but the Lord has been with us and has sustained us, and we have had joy in the religion we have espoused. We did not come to this country because we thought it afforded more advantages of a worldly nature than the Mississippi Valley where we formerly resided; but to escape the ruthless hand of persecution and to be far removed from mobocratic violence. The Lord has blessed our labors here, proving to us the truth of His words "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
We have to irrigate all our crops here, which entails considerable labor and expense upon the agriculturist, and makes grain high. Mechanics do pretty well here, and if economical and prudent are soon able to situate themselves comfortably; but the nature of our country and surroundings require incessant labor, and it has only been by unceasing industry that we have been able to make our situation as comfortable as it is. Money has been plentiful for a few years back in this City, but this Winter it is more scarce. In the outside settlements there is very little of it in circulation, and almost everything is done by trading; still we have all the elements of wealth here, and if our people live near unto the Lord and persevere as they have done, they are destined to become wealthy. I should advise you to investigate our principles. I can offer no inducements for a person to come here with the view of bettering his worldly condition. This is an excellent country for people who wish to serve the Lord; but if the amassing of wealth be their only object, I think they could find places that would probably suit them better <than> Utah. By humbling yourself before the Lord, and seeking unto Him in the name of Jesus, it is your privilege to obtain knowledge and guidance in this, as in all other undertakings. In all our preaching to the people we urge upon them the necessity of obtaining knowledge for themselves, that they may not be dependent upon human testimony <alone> for their faith. The Latter-day Saints have done this, and the result is, knowing they have God for their friend and that they are doing His will, they can endure persecution and the scorn and hatred of the world without shrinking.
Respecting your marriage, if you conclude to bring any person with you, it would be well for you to marry before you start.
Trusting that this letter may prove satisfactory I remain your well wisher and servant in the Lord
Brigham Young