The Brigham Young Center

President's Office,
Gt Salt Lake City,
Nov'r. 8th, 1867

Mr. Carl C. Asmussen,
Christ Church New Zealand.

Dear Brother:

The package which you sent containing seeds came safely to hand. Several packages were sent South, but we have had no report concerning them, others were sown in my garden. Several plants of the blue gum germinated and made their appearance, but nothing else has done any good at all.

I was much pleased to hear from you, and at the good feeling which you express in your letter. I trust that you have been successful in settling up your affairs and that ere long we shall see you.

Since you left here we have had very peaceable times. Our enemies have not had power to carry into effect any of their schemes and machinations against us. The Lord has fulfilled His promises and has preserved and sustained us. The past season has been very warm. We had a visitation from grasshoppers which did damage in some places; but the yield of fruit and grain throughout the Territory has been tolerably good. Money has been and still is very scarce, and business men who have incurred money obligations have found it difficult to meet their payments.

We completed our new Tabernacle sufficiently by Conference to enable us to hold meetings in it. We had the most numerous gathering of Saints, I think, that ever took place at any one Conference since our organization as a people. The instructions were very excellent. Our attention is now being directed to the completion of the Temple. A call was made for teams to haul rock for it, which is being responded to with alacrity by the people. The necessity of raising money to send to England to emigrate the poor Saints from that country was laid before the people, and is being urged upon their attention. We feel that much good will be done in this direction by the united effort of the people.

One hundred and sixty-two missionaries, principally young men, were called to go to the Southern part of our Territory to strengthen the settlements there. A few were also called to labor in the States. From the elders who are laboring there we hear very excellent reports. A spirit of inquiry is awakened, and the people listen with attention and even with eagerness, and they manifest no disposition to persecute the elders.

We are pleased to hear of your success in baptising and trust that you will be the means of bringing many to the knowledge of the truth while you are absent. We pray that the Lord may bless and sustain the elders who are abroad, and give them souls for their hire. To preach the gospel of life and salvation to the children of men is a most pleasing labor, especially when they are willing to listen. You speak of opposition. This will serve to keep you bright and cause you to live near to the Lord, and, in the end, will work out good results for you and the Saints.

We shall be pleased to hear from you at any time. With love, in which President's Kimball and Wells and Bro. Cannon join, and praying the Lord to bless you and to give you the desires of your heart in righteousness and to bring you home in peace and safety

I remain
Your Brother

Brigham Young