“Before taking my farewell of your beautiful and growing , I avail myself of a few leisure moments in expressing some of my views and conclusions of the prophet Joe and the Mormons. In the first place allow me to say that the Mormons as a people have been most woefully misrepresented and abused, and in ninety-nine instances out of a hundred by persons who know nothing of their principles and doctrines. Before visiting this place my mind was very much prejudiced against the Mormons from reports which I had listened to in traveling through the different states; and I presume if I had never taken occasion to inform myself of their religion and views, my mind would <​have​> still remained in the same condition. There is not a city within my knowledge that can boast of a more enterprising and industrious people than can ; her citizens are enlightened and possess many advantages in the arts and sciences of the day, which other cities (of longer standing) cannot boast: in a word bids fair to soon out rival any city in the West.

“General Smith is a man who understands the political history of his country, as well as the religious history of the world, as perfectly as any politician or religionist I have ever met with. He advances ideas, which, if carried into [p. 21]