Elder Parley P. Pratt wrote to the Twelve, of date, as follows:
As it regards publishing in this city, if all the political and religious influence and support we have combined will support a periodical, even allowing the Editor to work for nothing and law on saw dust pudding, it will be more than we have yet done, or are likely to do at present. There is little prospect of a periodical being supported by church or State, even if we give our time gratis and use the utmost economy; therefore to divide it and either of us succeed seems at present impracticable; and I doubt very much whether we can continue to publish. The churches are few in number, we decrease while you increase. The law of tithing, emigration, the strengthening and defense of the city of Joseph has occupied the attention and employed the energies of the saints so entirely, since we came from the West and laid before them their duty and the necessity of immediate action, that it seems almost vain to mention subscriptions for papers in this country. If they have a dollar to spare, it is handed in for tithing, or used for the purchase of arms, clothing and ammunition, or to help themselves to emigrate and settle in the West.
Our teachings and influence, aided by yours and by the spirit of God, have tended to produce this state of things, and it pleases us so well that we do not like to counteract it in the least; but it rather embarrasses us to immediate means to clothe or to furnish us money for necessary expenses and involves us in debt, besides devoting our entire time.
I have become convinced that I can do no good here. The public are entirely indifferent, and will neither come to meeting, hear, nor read the truth. The Saints are few, about fifty of them attend a Sunday meeting in a large hall, and perhaps half a dozen strangers come in and out to gaze and gape and wonder and perish.
I have labored hard for six months without an idle moment, and have used economy in living, traveling and clothing. I feel as if I was now done with this city, and nearly so with the nation. My garments are clean, if they all perish. If I tarry a little longer in the East, it will necessarily be in Boston and vicinity, where there is more interest manifested for the truth.
[History of Brigham Young, 1845]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, June 5, 1845, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]