Salt Lake City, 25 Jan 1871
Elder David M. Stewart
2006. North 14th Street.
St Louis
Dear Brother:
A few days ago I received a very interesting communication from a gentleman who signs himself Joseph Flory, New hope P.O. Augusta Co. Virgenia, desiring me or some other Elder to pay him a visit and instruct him and his neighbors in the doctrines believed by the Latterday Saints, stating that there were several of his neighbors who like himself had been investigating the principles of the gospel, and were anxious to learn more, several being persuaded in their minds that "with us is the Kingdom of God." He says in one place, "we are willing to receive you into our houses and treat you with hospitality and if you can convince us fully of your doctrine we feel willing to receive it, and if not you shall be permitted to leave us in peace and go your way . . . Should you or any one else come before hearing from us again, come by Railroad to Harrisonburg, Rockingham Co. Va., then enquire the road to Mount Crawford, after leaving Harrisonburg some four miles enquire for Jacob Hedrick, he lives off to the right of the road, some half a mile or more, about half way between Harrisonburg and Mount Crawford."
My reason for writing you on this subject is, that as of course I cannot go myself, I thought probably that you might be able to pay them a visit or at any rate open a correspondence with them, which from the spirit of their letter, I presume would lead to very gratifying results. I understand from Sister M.E. Randall, wife of Elder Alfred Randall who has relations living in that section of the country, she having introduced the gospel to these people, that the writer is a very fine man, and will do all he can to spread the news of the presence of an Elder. She also informs me that another gentleman residing in the adjoining country wrote a short time ago to Elder Orson Pratt a letter of the same tenor as that written to me by Mr. F. Sister Randall has a brother in law (Henry K. Eakle, New Hope, Augusta Co. Va.) who she is anxious you should visit. She states he is very friendly and she thinks it will be the best place for an Elder to stop, as he, Mr E. would accompany and introduce an Elder to the surrounding families.
Presidents B. Young and Geo. A. Smith, as you are aware, are spending the winter in the midst of the <Saints in> southern Utah, The President, in a telegram I received a few days ago, says "I begin to feel the real benefit of my rest and think I shall come out in the spring, much better than I started in in the fall." You may be sure we all most heartily hope that his anticipations may be abundantly realized, and that our God will vouchsafe to him for many years to come health and vigor of body, that he may be able to perform all the varied duties of his holy calling with satisfaction and pleasure to himself, as well as untold benefit to the Saints.
Our enemies are as ever active in stirring? up things against us, and striving to annoy us in every possible way. But the results of their dispicable wire working and misrepresentation forcibly reminds us of the old fable "of the mountain in labor, that brought fourth a mouse," so small have been the effects produced by their incessent labors, and so we believe, if we do our duty, the Lord will ever bring it about. We have no fear but that He will make the wrath of man to praise him. All is peace in our city, the general health is good, many strangers are flocking in attracted by the reported mineral wealth of our mountains and canyons.
May Good continue to bless you, and prosper and preserve you on your Mission, is the prayer of
Your Brother in the Gospel..
Daniel H Wells
P.S. I have written to Mr Flory, stating that you would in all probability pay Virginia a visit