Hon. Geo. A. Smith
Dear Sir,
We have not yet received any mail from the
East for the last [blank] months. Mr. Gerrish arrived on the 19th,
inst. from the States, reports that an Eastern mail was at the last
crossing of the Platte on the way here, but when it would be here
he did not know, he was some 15 days from Bridger, there is more
snow in the mountains than we have ever known since we settled
these vallies. Judge Phelps reports 8 feet of snow fallen in this city up
to the 24th Jan. and it has lain in our streets between 2 & 3 feet deep
for weeks, the snow is reported 3 feet on the Island, and all the Horses
cattle and sheep have been brought to this city, also from the West of Jordan,
and taken South, some fed in yards, some taken to Rush valley, where
they have wintered well, the great amount of snow in the mountains &
vallies will thoroughly soak the earth this Spring, there was but little fall
wheat put in, in consequence of the earth being a heap of dry dust, and all
the strength of teams employed in the mountains after the Emigration, but
what was put in has sprouted and grown two or three inches under the
snow. Our Mail for the Eastern States for Jan. was sent out, and the
party got to the top of the first mountain, one of them (not a Mormon)
was froze to death, and they returned. We get the California mail monthly,
although the last mail, they had to go through a great deal of snow.
Fillmore was nearly snowed under, quite a number of the roofs of houses
have fallen in with the weight of snow. Mr. Gerrish brought a letter from
Washington directed to Judge Drummond, which it is supposed contains
commissions to Mr. Dotson as Marshal, and perhaps to some man as post
master, but Drummond is in California and the letter will have to go
to him or be opened by Mr. Gerrish or somebody else which they have not
a legal right to do, so the thing is in a fix. Mr. Bell gave up the
office of post master, and so it has remained in Judge Smith's hands
where it ought to be. Our Legislature closed on the 16th, Jan. we have
had the best Session ever held in this Territory, done up all the business
right, and were of one heart and one mind, and do not think that
we have committed treason in only one thing, and that was in passing
an act that the whole Legislature should repent of their sins, and be
baptized for the remission of them, and adjourned for half a day and repaired
to the font and were all baptized and confirmed and I believe every one
received the Holy Ghost, this might be construed into treason as the Lord
the Holy Ghost, baptism and repentance are all very unpopular throughout
the world in a Legislative capacity, yet I do not think that it
could legally be made out to be treason either by the constitution or
laws of the United States, organic act, or laws of this country, yet
Congress may disannul the act, all except the receiving of the Holy Ghost
that the members have received and it cannot be taken from them if
they do their duty.
As touching the Historian office, I will say that we have not
done much during the sitting of the Legislature, but we are at it again,
on the 30th. the Presidency sat and heard the history read up to the
organization of the church in Nauvoo, 8th day of August 1844; also
President Young's life up to the same date. we have wrote a short sketch
of the life of each of his brothers, also bro. Kimball and are picking
up the life of the Twelve to follow in that stage of the history
bringing them all up to the same date 8th Augt. 1844.
The Reformation is still continuing in this city and Territory
with great interest. President Young has given much valuable teaching to
the Twelve and others during this winter, the Spirit and power of God
has rested upon him and his spirit has been more church than ever,
and his heart made more glad than ever before, in seeing the Saints
arise to a sense of their duties. The people throughout the Territory
are arising en masse to their duty, in confessing and repenting of their
sins, the Tabernacle is filled to overflowing through these winter months
and hundreds have to leave each Sunday that cannot get in, Elder
Kimball has preached the last few Sundays in the greatest plainness
without any regard to false traditions of the people, the power of
God has rested upon him. The Twelve have gone forth through
this city under the direction of Prest. Young and stood at the
head of the missionary operation, and attended all the Quorum
meetings of the Seventies, High Priests, Bishops & Ward meetings,
and the power of God has rested upon us, as never before, & the people
begin to realize in a measure that there are apostles in their midst.
I have attended a meeting of some kind almost every evening for the
past three months, and I have never felt as much of the Spirit
of God as during this Winter. I labored with J. M. Grant until
he died, I then labored in company with F. D. Richards, after he
came home & finally O. Hyde & L. Snow both arrived in this city and
they labored with us a short time. Elder Snow has gone up to Box
Elder, and O. Hyde has gone South to hold meetings, and get something
to help himself with. All our ward school houses are filled to overflowing
during the worst weather and even could you now attend a meeting in
Provo, you would be astonished to see hundreds of people striving to get
a seat in their places of worship, and should a notice be given out that
Geo. A. Smith would preach in that place, instead of seeing the coldness
that was formerly manifest almost the entire people would flock out to
hear. We are weighing up all the people in the Territory, with a
catechism containing a part of the law of God, and we are weighing
up all the Quorums of the Church, especially the Seventies and
dropping the members who have stood for years as a dead letter
upon the books, but have not reported themselves to their Presidents,
the Spirit and power of God has been like fire shut up in our
bones this winter, and the vision of our minds has been open
in a measure to the importance of magnifying our calling in the
Priesthood, and building up the kingdom of our God. We are thinking
of taking a tour North as far as Salmon river Settlement &c.,
in the Spring instead of going South as we have done in former
seasons. We are now having a great thaw, and the streets are filled
with Snow broth, and some places are getting bare and the stock will
soon live, but few of the stock have died this winter in comparison
with what we lost last Season. It is a general time of health this
winter but comparison with what very few deaths. Your family are all
well and the families of all the brethren with you in the States.
There is one thing I wish you to do for me and for the benefit
of the people in this Territory. we have received the Pamphlets con-
taining the account of the Diascorea batatas or new chinese Potatoe as
[1 1/6] now growing in the garden of Wm. R. Prince & Coy. [company] Flushing N. Yr
if one fourth is true that is told of that vegetable it will be of
great benefit to us in this Territory, I wish you to see that $5
worth of the Tubers either through J. M. Bernhisel, J. Taylor, or
yourself or through any body else that you can do the business
through & I will pay your family in the money or anybody that
you will direct, the tubers can be packed in a tin case and directed
to W. Woodruff G. S. L. City, U. T. as we are anxious to try them.
we also want to get a few roots of the Hovey Seedling Strawberries, &
Lawton's blackberry from Prince's Gardens, if we can any way. Give my
respects to Hon. J. M. Bernhisel & J Taylor and any friends connected
with you.
yours truly
W. Woodruff
P. S. On Sunday 1st inst. Prests. Young, Kimball & Wells all appeared in
the Tabernacle, before a house filled to overflowing, it was the first time
that President Young has appeared in the Tabernacle since the burial of
J. M. Grant on the 4th December, & it created a deep sensation among the
people. He spoke one hour and a half and he gave much valuable instruction
and teaching & was followed by H. C. Kimball & D. H. Wells, all of which
will appear in the News.
Sister Bathsheba Smith called upon my family yesterday. she was smart
and well.
W. W
Feb. 4 2 p.m. The Cala. mail has just arrived.