Letter from Moses Foster Sweetser, 21 January 1890
Boston, Mass.
President of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Rev. Sir:
I am preparing a chapter on Utah for KING'S HANDBOOK OF THE UNITED
STATES, a publication which will appear the early part of the present year,
and of which the first edition alone will contain one hundred thousand copies,
profusely illustrated and richly bound. To speak of Utah without mentioning
the great organization of which you are the head, would be impossible, and I
desire to devote perhaps a thousand words to a brief sketch of the history,
beliefs, and present condition of the Mormon Church. Furthermore, I wish
that this account may be in all respects fair and accurate. Now, I do not
find it possible to secure here material from which to write the notice,
which I can rely upon,as unprejudiced and strictly honorable. Even the
colorless and usually fair-minded "Enclyclopaedia Brittanica", in its latest
edition contains a long article by Prof. Frazier, sub voce "Mormons," which
seems to me to be remarkably bitter and narrow-minded. I therefore find it
necessary to go to the very fountain-head of the matter, and ask from you
valid and authoritative information about the Latter Day Saints; and I doubt
not that you can send me ^an^ epitome or résumé of the history and doctrines of
the Church, or some Mormon almanac or Year-Book, or something of that kind.
From these I can probably compile an article which will be of interest and
value, and untainted by malice or prejudice.
Very truly yours,
M. F. Sweetser
184 Boylston St.
Boston
