Transcript

Deseret.
The journey there—Industry, Unity, and Purity of the Saints.
Great Salt Lake City, Oct. 28, 1854.

Dear Brother and Sister—I embrace this favourable opportunity of writing you as I promised. Here I am, in the City of Great Salt Lake, in good health and fine spirits, and I hope that you are all well, and in the full enjoyment of the good Spirit.

Our voyage from Liverpool to New Orleans was a perfect pleasure trip. Our company in the John M. Wood consisted of Saints from most of the European nations. We had a happy time with all our foreign brethren. We were strangers to each other when we met in Liverpool, but we soon got acquainted, being all children of the Kingdom of God. Yes, dear Saints, I fully realized that the Banner of Zion was waving over us. Although we spoke different languages, we were familiar enough to worship the same God, and be obedient to the brethren that brother Samuel Richards placed over us. Order was established, and all went on well. Consequently, love and unity were manifested and made sure in our midst. I acted as you counseled me before I left you, viz., that if I did good the same would follow me; which I have realized, as I am now in the place of my desire, in a state of health and comfort, which I thank the Lord for.

The journey across the Plains is a very slow process of travelling, but with our order it is rendered as easy as possible, still we are apt to have the railway mode of travelling in our minds. I can assure you that "Mormon" travelling is to a great extent good, in letting you see people in their true colours. One is very apt to get uneasy, and lose the patience and perseverance required by the Saints of latter days, in their long journey to the place of refuge and safety. Dear brother and sister, I was determined to see the last mile of the journey, praying for the Great Spirit to be with me. I am quite aware that I am but a young man, and I am glad that I have embraced the faith that will enable me to see those who will make me wise as I turn older.

When the company was about thirty miles from G. S. L. City, brother McKenzie, from Glasgow, and your humble servant left them before sunrise, to be in the city that night, it being Saturday. We crossed some pretty difficult roads, the country being mountainous. We were very tired when we were a few miles from the city, but we overtook a man going to the city with his wagon. He saluted us, and asked us if we would have a ride. We, of course, accepted his kindness with thankfulness, and got into his wagon. We soon turned round the face of a mountain, when lo! the city of wonder burst to our view. The sun was set, but still some of its rays tinged the snow-capped mountains with a golden hue. I was quite overcome, the tears trickled down my face with joy; my feelings on that occasion were so wrought upon, that all the riches of Europe, I am sure, could not have given me more pleasure. The city in the distance appeared to me as a holy place. I felt well, the Spirit of the Most High was with me, and all my fatigue and sufferings were entirely forgotten.

We entered the city late in the evening, and not coming in with the company, there was no one to greet us. Here I was, a mere stranger, and in a strange city. However, I had faith in the Lord, and as I was in a city of Saints, I was sure of both lodgings and a supper. I asked for the house of brother Lyon, the poet, found it out, and was received in all respects with brotherly kindness. We had a good supper, which I partook of with thankfulness. We met there brother Robert Lagan, and we were quite happy together.