The Brigham Young Center

G. S. L. City, April 28th, 1854

Elder Franklin D. Richards
No. 15 Wilton St
Liverpool, England

Dear brother,

The last Eastern mail, which arrived on the 13th. inst brought safe to hand a letter from bro. Samuel.

I enclose you a power of Attorney from Robert Daft. But little news of peculiar interest has transpired in the short interval elapsed since your departure. The proceedings at our last conference were highly interesting, and instructive, as you will learn in the "Deseret News", and will doubtless prove very beneficial to the saints and the world at large. In the matter of consecration the brethren seem very spirited, and a host of names are already enrolled. If the design is carried out as spiritedly and unitedly as it has been begun, it will enable us to carry on all manner of business operations far more extensively and efficiently than heretofore, and will also materially benefit the spiritual condition of the saints.

The graded road to the stone quarry is being repaired, and smoothed, and bro. Wells and Sharp are prepared, with large numbers of oxen and wagons, to rapidly roll in the immense quantity of stone required for the foundation of the Temple, and for other public and private improvements.

Indian Walker and his band, and the Indians generally continue to manifest a very friendly disposition, and a strong desire for lasting peace, and many are laboring industriously to sustain themselves independently of the uncertainties of the chase.

At our last Conference Elders Orson Pratt, Erastus Snow, Orson Spencer, and 13 others were sent on missions to the United States. Bro. Pratt will come home this season and tarry until next Spring, when he will proceed to the neighborhood of Cincinatti to preside more immediately over the gathering place to be established there for the saints, and labor in connexion with bro. O. Spencer who proceeds to that place this season, and will operate to the best advantage until bro Pratt arrives to his assistance. Bro Erastus Snow's more immediate field of labor will be in the neighborhood of St Louis to establish a like gathering place, and will be assisted by bro Milo Andrus, who will preside over the branch there, under the superintendence of bro Snow. These localities at present, with others to be selected in different portions of the States, and in Nebraska Territory, as judgment & circumstances may dictate, will greatly facilitate the gathering of the poor saints of foreign climes.

Your family, bro Samuel's and the saints generally continue to enjoy a goodly degree of health, though Father John Smith is very unwell, and it is doubtful whether he will be able to tarry with us much longer.

All matters are moving on harmoniously and prosperously.
Praying for your welfare, and constant guidance by the Spirit,

I Remain your brother in the Gospel.

(signed) Brigham Young