Epistle to the presidents and bishops, 16 April 1880
To the Presidents of Stakes and
Bishops of the Several Wards:
Dear Brethren – During the an-
nual Conference begun in this city
on the 6th inst., the Trustee in Trust,
with the unanimous approval of the
Apostles and Counselors, deemed it
a fitting opportunity, on the 50th
anniversary of the organization of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat-
ter-day Saints, and at the close of
the Year of Jubilee, to propose re-
mitting some $800,000 or one-half of
the indebtedness to the Perpetual
Emigrating Fund Company, by the
worthy poor who are struggling
with adversity, unable to pay, and
with but little prospect of ever be-
ing able. This very liberal proposi-
tion was cordially sustained by the
unanimous vote of the vast congre-
gation, composed of authorities and
members from all regions of our set-
tlements.
That these remissions may be
applied in the wisest manner possi-
ble, the Bishops of the several Wards
are hereby respectfully requested to
at once proceed to learn who of
those indebted to the P. E. Fund
Company they may deem entitled
to the benefit of the aforenamed re-
missions, and write down names,
ages, year of immigration and P. O.
address, with a few of the principal
reasons why they recommend a re-
mission, and forward all such re-
commends to their several Presidents
of Stakes.
The Presidents of Stakes are also
respectfully requested to at once
carefully examine the aforesaid re-
commends from the Bishops; en-
dorse thereon their approval or dis-
approval, with or without remarks,
as they may please, and forward to
the President or Clerk of the P. E.
F. Co., Box B, this city, for consid-
eration and final action by the pro-
per authorities here, and their action
thereon will be made known to the
parties concerned through their
Bishop as speedily as may be.
In case a Bishop shall deem it
more proper to recommend remit-
ting only a part of an indebtedness,
he will recommend accordingly, as
aforenamed, specifying the amount.
