| 334 "We have baptized now twenty in all, and many more are with us in faith. The saints here feel to rejoice with unspeakable joy, inasmuch as the Lord has visited them again with the gifts of the gospel, and with that peace of mind or love that casteth out all fear. May God bless his saints in all the world with gifts and blessings to glorify his holy name and build up his kingdom on the earth. Truly the Lord holds the reins in his own hands, and the victory is ours and the crown is sure if we continue faithful until the end of the race.
E. C. BRIGGS.
"SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, September 28, 1863."
-True Latter Day Saints' Herald, vol. 4, pp. 123, 124.
Elder Briggs wrote again, as follows:-
"SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct. 20, 1863.
"I write to inform you that the work is prospering here, equal to any expectation I have ever had. The honest are inquiring after the truth, and are beginning to think for themselves, as well as act irrespective of the opinions of others; and I can surely say that I am much encouraged, in view of the speedy triumph of the true cause of our Redeemer, in this whole Territory, over the terrible meshes this people have been thrown into, and with all of the studied efforts of the apostate and monarch of Utah (falsely called a President of the Church of Christ) to stifle our testimony and close every house and the ears of all the people against us; yet I am happy to say we are making rapid progress in gaining both the ears and hearts of the people who are honest and love the truth; and I can say surely the most of this people are honest and desirous to do right, though many are deceived and do what they do supposing they are doing God service; but there are a great many here who have no more sympathy with the church affairs and doctrines than I have. They look upon the peculiar institutions here that distinguish them from the true church of God as being sacrilege, and horrible; but we are assured of a better day dawning, which will set right all things that are wrong, and give comfort to those who have been so shamefully abused. And we are not in the
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