June 13, [189]8 To the First Presidency Salt Lake City: Utah Dear Bretheren: Our Quarterly Conferance has just closed this evening, throughout it was one characterized largely with the spirit of the Lord. The bishops ^and^ Stake offices reports showed plainly a marked improvement in this Stake of Zion since the Apostles were here; there is not a dissenting voice throughout the stake that we know of; the spirit of unison and love seems to exist in every quorum. The saints have tried hard to follow out councils ...

for this purpose. The bishops are endeavoring to utilize the lesser priesthood and give them a proper training. Our Relief Societies, Sunday Schools, Primary Y.M. & Y. L. Associations are reported in a healthy con- dition, the latter two however have ajourned for the summer season, taking up the time of their former meeting in missionary classes which have been organized in almost every ward and are doing excel- lant work. In Thatcher last nights class over which I have the pleasure of presiding in connection with two of my bretheren ...

In response to a call made by our Governor there have been some few volunteers to assist our government in the present war but in consequence of our position on the border and newly and sparcely settled country, we have not many young men to spare. As a local protection of our citizens and property we have organized home guards in each of our settlements very much after the order of the old style with captains over 10's 50's and 100's, and summonsed in the old style by a bass drum; ...

The Enterprise Canal Co principally the gentile element have endeavored for some time years to construct a large canal which would cover all the now unoccupied in the valley on this side of the river about 50000 acres, failed in a sense, at any rate they could not agree exeppt except on one proposition, that is they agreed to disagree; they finally said if we cant do this we believe the mormons can; they awaited my return from Utah, when at their meeting four members including the President of the board resigned ...

in our people, many prominent business men have expressed themselves, that if President Kimball would take hold of this they would support him with their means and labor. Of course the united action of the Priesthood of God is a mystery to them; we have placed ourselves under the direction of the Lord in this labor as in all others; We acknowledge his hand in, that, the dissention existed in the outsiders and has been placed in the hands of the people. The excavation is now being made and Pres't. Johnson has ...

the amount is entirely inadequate; the general expression of the tithe paying people of the stake I believe is to aid in every way possible in lifting the church indebtedness and in releasing our brethren from their obligations. People are advised both in general and through the relief societies to take care of their grain. Home industries are strongly advocated in our stake. We urge a higher grade of entertainment than dan- cing and pleased to note there is retrenchment in this line. Our Sisters unanamously agreed to uncover their heads in all religious meetings ...

leading off from the Sante Fe system before we get to Deming. Elder John W. Taylor while coming through that section of the country enroute here took some items I believe with a view to putting missionaries in there. We found many grave yards situated in the lowlands here they are subject to floods during our rainy season. acting upon our council steps are now being taken to remove them on higher ground and there are many beautiful table lands near our settlements. The health ...