Correspondence.
Through favor of Pres. B. Young we are enabled to publish the following excellent letter from br. Orson Pratt:–
42, Islington, Liverpool,
Dec. 12th, 1865.
President Brigham Young:
Dear Brother:–
I am now in Liverpool, to which place I have been kindly invited by Prest. Brigham Young, Jr., to spend some three or four weeks for the purpose of resting my lungs a little.
Since my return from Austria, about four months ago, I have had the privilege of visiting a number of the Conferences in England, and have preached from four to six times a week. During the last ten weeks I have had a severe cough or cold, but otherwise my health has been excellent. I do not think that my cough has in the least affected my lungs, neither has it interfered with my preaching; but Pres. Young, Jr., thought it wisdom that I should rest a short season, and try and recover from this light affliction.
I have enjoyed myself very much upon this mission, and especially during my labors in England. Your words have been verified upon my head, and I trust that my weak endeavors to build up the kingdom have not been altogether in vain. The Saints seem to be greatly comforted and strengthened, and I have enjoyed the great satisfaction of seeing many united to the Church in those Conferences where I have labored the most. It is not only a great satisfaction, but truly astonishing to see the rapid expansion and growth of talent exhibited by some of the young missionaries sent from Zion; it may all be summed up in this one sentence:–The Lord is with them. The President of the Mission is mighty in speaking, wise in writing, diligent in business, excellent in counsel, faithful and energetic in every department entrusted to his charge; in fine, the Spirit of the Lord is upon him, according to the holy office and calling conferred upon him, in the Historian’s Office.
From the proclamation of the First Presidency and Twelve, published in the Deseret News and copied into the Millennial Star, I learn that many of writings are not approbated; and it is considered wisdom for them to be suppressed. Anything that I have written that is erroneous, the sooner it be destroyed the better, both for me and the people; for truth is our motto, and eternal truth alone will stand. Permit me to express my most sincere regrets, in having put you and the highest authorities of the Church to so much trouble and expense. I most sincerely hope that the experience of the past may have a salutary influence on the future, and that I may live near enough to the Lord, to avoid all error, and cleave most steadfastly to the light. In the meantime, let me humbly crave your forgiveness, and the forgiveness of the Council, and the forgiveness of all Saints, as touching anything which may have come from my pen, either erroneous or unwise. In relation to doctrine, or prophecy, or philosophy, or science, truth and truth alone is all that I desire. Let my name be recorded among the righteous; let me enjoy the society of my brethren; let me bear a humble part with them in bringing forth and establishing Zion, and my soul will be satisfied—this only is the highest of my ambition; this is the great joy of my life—my hope—my salvation—my all.
Please present my kind love to the Council; and may God bless you and them forever, is the humble sincere prayer of your brother in Christ.
Orson Pratt, Sen.
[Deseret News, Mar. 8, 1866]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Sept. 2006]