The Brigham Young Center

Salt Lake City, U. T.
November 5. 1869.

E. L. Johnson, Esqr.
21, East Ninth St. Cin. O.

Dear Sir:-

I was instructed by Prest. Brigham Young, before proceeding on his present tour through the southern settlements of this Territory, to write to you, saying that he congratulated you on your safe return & was pleased to hear, through your letter, that yourself & party had enjoyed yourselves so much on your trip.

With regard to your queries:-- 1. Do you baptize for the dead? We do.-- 2. How does it avail anything? Because it is an ordinance in Christ's plan of salvation.-- 3. What Scripture do you refer to, to support the position? For one passage see 1 Cor. 15 chap. 29 v. "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?"

In this letter, you will observe that Paul is reasoning on the resurrection, & asks: if there is no resurrection of the dead, why are you baptized for them? shewing conclusively that the doctrine was taught & practised by the early christians.

It may be interesting to you to know that some 200 of our missionaries are visiting the States this fall.

Respectfully
D. McKenzie, Sec.