The Brigham Young Center

Great Salt Lake City
June 8, 1867

Mr. P.G. Rettkopf
West Liberty Logan Co. O.

Dear Sir:

Your favor of the 17th May on the subject of the religion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and expressing a wish to come out here has been received. We have been in the habit for some years past of sending teams to the frontiers to bring up the poor of our Church who had crossed from Europe to the States, and many thousands have thus been emigrated; but this present year we have deemed it advisable not to make any move in this direction, as it has been a very heavy tax on our people and on the funds of the Church. There is a possibility of our sending down next year; but of this we cannot speak definitely at present. It will be well for you to obtain all the information you can respecting our principles before coming out here. Your mind should be clearly settled respecting the faith that we profess, for to enable a man to endure the trials connected with the settlement of this country he should have a knowledge of the truth of our doctrines. We have come here because we could not live anywhere else and enjoy our religion. Persecution dogged our footsteps until we took refuge in this country; and since we have resided here our enemies have industriously maligned and threatened us; but we have enjoyed great peace and quietness. Our people come here because they believe it to be the command of God that they should gather out of the midst of Babylon. John the Revelator says, (Revelations Chap 18, verse 4) "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." For the mere purpose of making money this is not a desirable country, for the majority of people to settle in. It is true that we have been greatly prospered; but we attribute our prosperity to the special blessing of the Lord upon our labors. All that we have gained has been at great expense and toil.

By corresponding with Mr. Wm H. Miles, P.O. Box 3957 New York City, you can gain information respecting the movements of our elders, some of whom may be in your vicinity. From him you may also obtain works containing the doctrines of our Church.

Praying the Lord to direct you aright in your search after truth
I remain
Respectfully

Brigham Young