G. S. L. City U. T.
Dec. 20, 1867
W. H. Hooper
Washington D. C.
Dear Brother:-
Your favor of the 1st inst. came to hand and was perused with pleasure as your communications always are.
It gave us great satisfaction to hear of the safe arrival of yourself and brethren at your several places of destination, and we feel confident that the Lord will bless you in your varied duties, so long as you put your trust in Him. blessings greater even can men have extended unto them and a constant support under all difficulties, never do the faint and weary seek Him in vain, and the wicked can do nothing against the truth, but the wrath of man shall be made to praise Him.
Whatever may be the designs of the Almighty the U. S. Congress cannot interrupt the progress of this work for one moment and we treat innumerated threats of our enemies as the passing wind, and
fear not the venemous spleen which festers in that cesspool of iniquity - Washington. Whatever may be the result of our labors I am satisfied that there are many among the nations, great (?) men who are irritreveably damned, and I rejoice that such men are our enemies, were it otherwise I should doubt the purity of our people. But with all the testimonies which we have before us of the bitter enmity existing between us and the wicked, can a doubt remain of the justness of our cause.
What a keen sense of their own degredation would congressmen have if they but knew that they were measuring arms with the Almighty and it were possible for them to see the impotence of their puny efforts to check the course of the despised "mormons". And they do not realize that the prayers of this people of Utah controles the leaders of this Great Republic and still it is true, and they who now sit in high places will have to acknowledge <it> before many years have rolled around.
The hard times for our business men still continues, and is rather intensified than otherwise within the last few weeks, still so far as we know the people are pretty well supplied with the necessaries of life, and by judicious management the reasonable wants of the poor can be met by the people of their respective wards, if they observe fast days and carry their food to the Bishops.
Donations for assisting the poor to emigrate from Europe another season are being pretty freely made by the brethren. If the saints would be prudent and not spend their means at the gentile stores, there would be no difficulty experienced in emigrating all who wish to come to Zion another season; but very stringent economy we cannot expect among the masses of people; they are however learning obedience to the principles of the gospel, and are far better now than at any previous time, but there is ample room for improvement, and the Saints seem determined to mend their lives as fast as they have power to overcome
David O. Calder has commenced a series of instruction which will undoubtedly prove of great worth to our people. Almost all branches of a practical education are included in this series, and the prospects are that the School will be extensively patronized by the youth, and middle aged of our community. The upper and lower rooms of the Council House have been selected as being the most suitable for Bro. Calder's purpose.
A Theological class has also been inaugerated under the supervision of the First Presidency. Most of the Bishops, presidents of Seventies, High Council, City Council, and a few others compose this class which meets twice a week.
If you are willing for me to draw on you for a thousand dollars to assist the poor to emigrate next season please signify as much in your next communication I shall appropriate two thousand dollars for this purpose, and trust that you will find it convenient to donate the sum above mentioned.
General good health prevails. Your family were well when last heard from. The brethren join in kind regards. Praying God to bless you with grate wisdom
I remain Your brother in the Gospel
Brigham Young