Dear Bro Woodruff
Your letter of Decr 6th has just come to
hand; and in answer I would say that it is ever pleasing to me to get
a letter from you, whither it is short or long.
My great objection to many letters is, they are very lengthy upon matters
that are of no interest to me or themselves. I am ever willing to hear a long
letter upon any matter of importance, either to myself or to the writer: but when
I get a long string of questions whether the writer belonged to the tribe
of Judah or Joseph, and whether he should go to Jerusalem, or to Zion-
or whither he could redeem his dead now or hereafter, and a thousand
and one things about some old thread bare experience, thirty years ago.
These and the like things are what annoy me.
With regard to your appointing a presiding Elder over the remains
of the Eastern churches before you leave, I would say that you,
are acquainted with the conditions of things there better than I am, and
you have unquestionably got your Eye upon some person as the individual
to fill that place, should you deem it expedient to appoint a presiding
Elder. Consult your own Knowledge of things, the circumstances and
condition in which men, and things are placed in that country, and act
according to your own conviction before the Lord, and it will be right.
The Keys of the apostleship are with you, and you were sent into that
country to take charge, and none are so capable of giving advice
to the remaining Saints there, as yourself.
The price of wagons suitable for a trip over the mountains, will be
from 50 to 80 dollars—good work cattle will probably be from 50
to 80 dollars a yoke (very high because scarce, and in great demand)
Wagons may be had here I think, but oxen and cows had better
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be driven here from the country back. I have recd an occasional
Herald, and supposed that they came from some friend
Cattle, and wagons, will be very high in the spring here
it is more than likely. The demand for them must be great, and
it is difficult to calculate concerning the price of them exactly,
or whither they can be had plentifully at any price. If you
light of a good chance to buy oxen, horses, cows, and stock of
any kind that you want, before you get here, you had better improve
it. Then you will be sure. For general news see Guardian No 26.
It would be very gratifying to meet you here, as early as possible in the
spring, and though I do not expect to go to the valley myself, I am pleased
to see a general move made for that section. My kind love to yourself
and family and to all the saints under your charge, my wife also wishes
to be kindly remembered to you, and your good Lady