The Brigham Young Center

President's Office
Great Salt Lake City
April 5, 1867

Elder Preston Thomas
Paris, Richland Co.

Dear Brother:

Your letter of the 21st March was received yesterday, and has been perused with pleasure. I am glad to read of the improvements which are being made in Bear Lake Valley, and trust that the spirit of improvement will continue to increase until you, in common with all the Saints throughout these valleys, will be entirely independent of our enemies. This day would soon come if the people would be united in effectually carrying out the counsels which have been preached so earnestly and for so many years unto them. You must not feel too anxious about occupying all the land there is in your vicinity. We will occupy it soon enough to prevent our enemies from gaining any advantage over us. It would be a wonderful spectacle to see gentiles settling in that country, and devoting themselves industriously to the cultivation of the earth. Men who are disposed to earn their livelihood thus are entitled to it, and I do not know that we should have any serious objections to them occupying the land in our vicinity. The fact that they would devote themselves to labor, patiently contending with the difficulties incident to a residence in such a climate and with such surroundings, would be evidence of their worth. As for buying out those who make a few improvements or who claim lands I think it decidedly unwise. If they are let alone they will not trouble you. You should keep away from them and not display any anxiety about their movements, and if they are of a class that is floating about this country they will soon leave; but when you banter them for their places, you give them direct encouragement to continue here, and all the means with which you furnish them strengthens their hands and enables them to do so,

With love Your Brother

Brigham Young