The Brigham Young Center

G. S. L. City, Augt. 18th, 1854.

To President J. C. L. Smith, &
Brethren in Iron Co.

Dear brethren, I write for your encouragement and the encouragement of the Iron Works in your vicinity. I am rejoiced to learn of your welfare and that you are fast progressing with your forts and defences; also that you give so good report of grain crops &c; that you can accommodate as many of the immigration the present season. The October Conference will be the proper time for you to receive the families although we do not yet know precisely at what time they will arrive; but a few days either before or after will make but little difference.

I have told bro Haight that I did <not> expect him to be confined solely to the means of the Company to prosecute the work of making Iron but expect that the brethren will aid as much as possible and own a proportionate amount of the works, but they cannot expect to own a share in the works if they receive their pay as they go along. It is moreover desirable that the brethren should take hold with renewed energy with the expectation that they will surely reap the reward of their labors, and while the settlement gratefully receives aid from foreign capitalists and brethren at a distance they should not release their efforts for fear of doing something for other people. Remember that their means is laid out in your vicinity and for your benefit and the benefit of this community but we do not nor do they expect that you will work for their exclusive benefit, in fact all that has been done or will be will be for the benefit of the settlement. Do not then consider that you are laboring for the interest of other people when it is so manifestly your own.

Relying upon your wisdom to pursue that course which will best promote the public interests,

I Remain, as ever, your brother in the Gospel of Christ.
Brigham Young