Transcript

August 13^th, 1856

Mr. Mark H. Forscutt

My Dear Brother—I take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you hoping they will find you well as it leaves me at this time and I feel it a great blessing that I am so far on my way to Zion and I feel still to go on for the farther I go the more I rejoice[.] I never enjoyed myself so well in my life before[.] I should like to have you here with me and draw the hand cart[.] do not think of coming only by the hand carts for it is good[.] I never had my health so well in my life before I walked about three hundred miles and pulled the hand cart all the way and we walked sometimes 20 & 17 miles a day and I never had a blister on my foot & cannot think to tell you my feelings when I was coursing along the road but I often think of the prophet Brighams words about the weak becoming strong[.] well I assure you I never was so strong in my life before[.] well I feel to thank the Lord for it for he has blessed me. I often think of you and wish you was here with us but the time will come that you will have to come[.] some of the saints as they call themselves are going to stay here for they do not feel as though they could go through this year because it is so late[.] well if the Lord blesses me with health and strength I will go up to Zion this year and receive the blessings and the difficulties if there is any for the children of God and I believe there is. the brethren tell us we shall be blest and I believe we shall if we do right[.] we have got some good men to lead us and if we carry out their counsels we shall be all right—well some of them the work is too hard for them but, any thing will do for some of them to find fault with, but the fire is too hot for them and they will go off anywhere—There is plenty of gentiles and those that have been in the church will come and promise nice things but it is not such that the saints of God will look at but they will press on and receive the blessings that are for the faithful[.] we are going to start for the plains to morrow—and there is not any more going this year so the brethren say. Brother Tye has gone up to the valley[.] he went up to St. Louis with Bro Rampkin and he was not there but two or three days before he had the chance to go and Brother Campken is dead. we have not had but one death since we started and there was a good many sick when we started but they are well now—and they feel to thank the Lord for it[.] I feel well and feel to rejoice in the work of the Lord for I know it is a good work to be engaged in[.] I cannot write to you any more at this time for we are journeying to day. My Father & Mother send their love to you and we are well[.] give my love to your mother and tell her I am well[.] Sister Lite [Tite] sends her love to you and she says she will write to you when she gets there for she has not time now[.] Sister Stanley sends her love to you[.] well may the Lord bless you all the time and I hope the time will soon come when I shall see you again[.] may the Lord bless you all the time and your labours, you shall have my faith and prayers[.] I will write to you again from your affectionate Sister.

Sarah