News From Utah
Elder Parley P. Pratt writes to Brigham Young from Santa Clara:
I think there are many souls here in California, who will one day be in the kingdom of God, but so great a revolution in the mind is not the work of a moment. They see and realize that Mormonism is everything, if it is anything at all. We are so glad of your invitation to the Saints, indeed, to come up to Utah. After searching diligently for a place for a city of holiness in this country, I have not found it as yet, but have, since receiving your letter, told the Saints that we would rendezvous in Santa Clara, and start for the Mountain of the Lord’s House from this point on the first of May next. The news is hailed with a thrill of joy, and I think there will a host of us—I feel it in my bones—at any rate enough for a guard.
[St. Louis Luminary, Mar. 17, 1855]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mar. 17, 1855, 2]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Aug. 2006]
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Elder Parley P. Pratt wrote from San Francisco, Cal.: “My book store is now open and well advertised and also our Sunday meetings; Jan. 1st, we held a conference in Santa Clara, five branches were represented comprising 120 members; since that time nearly 20 more have been baptized.”
[History of Brigham Young, 1855:23]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mar. 24, 1855, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Aug. 2006]