Salt Lake City, Utah Ter.
13 March 1871
Elder David M. Steuart.
St. Louis
Dear Brother:
It was with much pleasure I perused your letter and learned of your labors, progress and anticipations. Our faith is with you, and our prayers are for you, that you may do a good work, and find friends and hearers wherever you travel and preach the word of God.
I know of nothing in your letter, that requires any especial notice. With regard to bro. Hart, if he has become tired of the husks which he mistook for bread and desires for the future to walk in the ways of the Lord, let him return and prove his integrety to the Cause and his brethren, and if his wife does not feel like being one with him, let him, return at any rate, be one with God's people, remembring the saying of Jesus, that he who is not willing to leave all other things for the Gospel's sake, is not worthy of its blessings.
No doubt you hear much of "mines and mining in Utah" and have once again realized the truth of the old adage, "go from home to hear the news", We have less excitement here about the mines, than there exists in any of the surrounding regions for a thousand miles.
Nevada is troubled, California is excited, Montana is on wheels, Nebraska is exultant, all on account of the fabulously rich mines, said to be every where abounding around us, and doubtless, tens of thousands will visit Salt Lake this season expecting to make a fortune in a few months. It is true we have a great many lead mines, with a small percentage of silver, opened and being worked, many yielding sufficient to pay a decent percentage; but the miner, the laborer, and the speculator, will find when they get here that the mines of Utah, are not what they are said to be. Capitalists may do well in working these mines; in this class we have as little to dread as in any class that could come amongst us.
They would have much to loose and little to gain by exciting trouble with the "Mormons." Their interests are for order, and their influence will be for peace. But the less we have that rowdy element, to which our official ring is so closely allied, the better. They foolishly fancy that they would make, by creating trouble with us. It is certain they are too worthless, in pocket, character and reputation to loose anything worth retaining. But in all this we have an abiding faith that the Lord intends the outcome shall be for the good of his people and the glory of His name.
When I returned from "Our Dixie" I was troubled considerably with the rhumatism, but that has now left me, my feet simply remaining a little tender. My health otherwise is good. President Geo. A. Smith has been suffering from a cold -- the which have been very prevelent this winter -- but he is now fast recovering. The rate of mortality in the city is not high. The winter still continues; nightly falls of snow are frequent, succeeded by rapid thaws. The ground is well saturated with water, and we hope for an abundant harvest this coming season.
May God abundantly bless you in your labors, preserve you from evil of every kind, and bring you back in safety to your family and friends in Zion, is the prayer of
Your brother in the Gospel.
Brigham Young