Letter from George Teasdale, 18 November 1887 [LE-24285]

422 November ¹⁸ 7. President Wilford Woodruff & Council My dear Brethren:

I send you [illegible] have received, for your consideration. On the [illegible] received a very encouraging letter from [illegible] enquire! He says "I was arrived here [illegible] a few days ago from Christiania, Norway where I [illegible] one of the best Conference[s &[ illegible] had a splendid Conference[ illegible]] day and Monday. [[ illegible]] meetings [illegible] by the saints and the ward. The good work is being done there. 92 have been baptized in [illegible] Conference in the last 5 months and the prospects are splendid for the future." Some of the elders who last arrived have entered into their labors with much zeal. We hope they will not get discouraged by the indifference & the majority or the prejudice they have to meet with. We are actively engaged in circulating the written word and striving to improve the financial condition of the Mission. There is no doubt a great deal of hatred against "Mormonism." The wicked libels against the Church of Christ of over half [illegible] find its affect. Naturally speaking we would [illegible] is to much hurt [illegible] to mind the [illegible] [illegible][]

[illegible] of this idea. But God's hand is not shortened today any more than it has been from the beginning. Whenever was the righteousness of God popular? Has He not drawn us into His fold and sustained us tho in site of all the wicked opposition arrayed against us. Witness the integrity of our brethren in the mann[illegible] submit to be blessed amongst the convicts when they might be free if they would only say they would [illegible] the law. How many would feel justified in their con[illegible] to make that promise, but the children of God can't. Christ is[ illegible] sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" & I understand aright the intelligences who were with Christ in the beginning, who loved and were inter[illegible] and became His disciples and[ illegible]with Him, as His sheep, are those whom Christ referred to and they are of this class who hear and obey the gospel to day. They are scattered throughout the world and it is our business to seek them out. God in doing His work by those intelligences who are tabernacled in His body. They are placed amongst the bone and sinue of society - the producers - and if they have not the advantages of book learning they certainly have in faith. Now I cannot think they have all been reached and gathered out. I believe there are thousands who have never heard the gospel and I presume you think so for I notice you are sending out more missionaries. I took the liberty to tell the last missionaries they were sent to preach the gospel to the gentiles. I did not want them to use out their[ illegible] to a

123 amongst a few dead professors of the gospel assuming to be saints, but to go amongst the gentiles and seek out the Israel of God and not waste time striving to awaken dead members. I can see catholicism is on the increase - the past is being healed of its deadly wound - and infidelity is increasing. All that seems to be doing anything in the religious world is the head and tail of it. The grand and imposing performances of the Catholics and the drum ^trumpet^ and tampourine of the salvation army. In the midst of all this din and confusion the humlble servants of God are patiently laboring seeking the Lords own; and, under His divine direction, they find them. Sometimes it is "one of a city, and two of a family", but they are bound to come.

Today, Elder Harry M. Payne arrived per S.S. Wyoming on a mission to this county. He is feeling well and in excellent spirits. He is appointed to labor in Ireland under the direction of Pres. Morris. I think he will make a good missionary seems to have the right understanding.

Elders Campbell and Tanner expected to leave here tomorrow for New York per S.S. Alaska but it does not sail until tomorrow week 26th

No vessel going this week will detain them until the 26th. We have not heard any more from Pres. Schoenfeldt. We instructed the Saints to appeal against the unjust accusations made against them as follows "the saints in Switzerland should [illegible] against the falsehoods that have been used to bring about that document you say you have received because it is not true that the teachings and principles are opposed to the good order and principles ^morality^ of the of the Swiss republic and its constitution. If the Court has received testimony to that effect it is false. It is the very opposite to the truth, because anyone adopting the principles of the gospel as taught by the Latter day Saints become better citizens. The police records show no "mormon" so called has been convicted of crime. The Swiss saints should appeal for their rights under the constitution and protest against any such discision because they happen to be unpopul and state that they have the Truth that God has spoken and revealed His gospel and their experience and testimony, how they have been benefited by obeying it, placing it before the court in a clear and forcible manner" etc etc. What will be the result is in the hands of God. The desire of the wicked is to stop the gospel being taught. The wicked are not going to have it all there own way. With kind love

Your brother in the cause! George Teasdale