377 gives some items of interest regarding progress made, and suggests a possible reason, worthy of consideration, for slow progress. It is certain that if all who became identified with the church in Utah had remained, the Reorganization would have been much stronger there to-day. The letter is as follows:-
"The work of the Lord is prosperous in every part with us. We are surely and steadily moving onward. About four hundred have joined the Reorganization in this Territory during the past year. Nearly all of the saints here are making preparations for an early start east in the spring and owing to abstractions at the post office, and the irregularity of the mails, and their intention to leave this country in a few months, they are careless in relation to subscribing for the Herald. As soon as we baptize any into the Reorganization they are for leaving this country as soon as possible. There is no counsel given them on the subject; in my simple judgment it is the greatest hindrance we have here. We no sooner get a place open than the saints leave and the ground has to be broken over again. If they had not hurried away we should now have had three or four times the number of places open. In American Fork we have now better attended meetings than the Brighamites, and those under fear and intimidation attend, and one by one embrace the truth. In the spring I expect they will all leave. Then of course it will take time to make another breach and so it is with other places."-True Latter Day Saints' Herald, vol. 7, p. 31.
The following challenge with explanatory note was published in the Vedette and from that publication copied in the Herald for May 1, 1865. It speaks in no uncertain way, yet it is respectful enough to demand attention. However, it received none, but was treated as other communications have been. This people have persistently refused to defend their position.
"G. S. LAKE CITY, U. T., Dec. 21, 1864.
"Editor Vedette; Sir.-The elders and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Utah, under
(page 377) |