Letter from Americus Vespucius Greer to His In-Laws
Begun 14 APR 1878 and Completed 16 APR 1878

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Wallsburg¹ April 14^th 1878

James Lane²
& Matilda³
Powel Dale⁴
Texas

Dear Parents⁵ Relatives and friends. As an opportunity presents its selfs — I use the same to write you a few lines. At the same time feeling my weakness — As it has ever been a task to me to write a letter — However I feel it a duty as well as a privilege to contribute my mite — leaving the result with my father who art in Heaven — as I feel to acknowledge his hand in all things at the same time dedicating myself & all unto Him and asking his blessings upon the same. Realizing that the earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof — And that every good and perfect gift comes from our Father. And that if we being evil know how to give good gifts unto our children — How much more does our Heavenly Father unto them that ask Him  And as the greatest gift is eternal life

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should exercise faith as it is by faith that we live move and have our being — It was by a principle of faith that the world was made — True there is two powers (the good and the evil) And has been from the days of Father Adam unto the present time  And the evil one has ever had such power over the children of men as to baffle the Good Great and wise from the begining (apparently) to illustrate the two powers I will cite you to the History of Joseph son of Jacob & Rachel who was sold as a slave by his own Brothers (of the flesh) And carried by the wicked to Egypt and cast into prison. And where we read of the trouble and sorrow it caused His venerable Father we are lead to exclaim in the language of one of old  Oh! God what is man that thou art mi[n]dful of him.⁶ Joseph was mocked and made fun of by His own brethren (called a dreamer &c). And I would not have you to understand that all this was the begining of His persecusions. For it is a

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Historical fact (of divine origin) that the evil one was at work against Him before He was borne. For although Rachel was the first choice of His Father — and God manifested Himself to Jacob as He journeyed up to the land where Laban dwelt and instructed him. And Jacob named and set up a stone as a memorial of the place. And although He served seven years for Rachel — And when He got up in the morning low and behold it was Leah. We can see in this the work of the wicked to thwart the purposes of Jehova. But Joseph finally obtained the blessings and promise —(and for his posterity after Him). We have a great manifestation of the power of the evil one — Whilst Moses was in Egypt though Moses finally conquered and overcome When we reflect and study upon these things we can truly exclaim — that all things work together for good to them that love and serve the Lord.⁷ Although we in our weakness may not see it. If the scripture be true

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Jacob was and is to be a great man in the kingdom of God. For says the Savior "And I say unto you that many shall come from the east and west and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaec and Jacob in the kingdom of Heaven".⁸ If the scriptures be true Abraham was a Polygamist and Jacob had four wives who bear Him twelves sons whose names are to be inscribed on the twelve gates of the Holy City. And John says the wall was great and high and at the gates twelve angels and names written thereon which are the names of the twelve tribes &c. Now if this be a Polygamous city can we get in if we oppose. the apostle Paul says be ye of one mind. "And the wall of the city has twelve foundations and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."⁹ the Savior told the deciples that they should eat with Him in his Father's kingdom. I think Abraham and Jacob with their wives will be there. Though my friend Dr Long¹⁰ told me that

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the Bible said there was neither male nor female in Heaven Jeremiah in his 44^th chapter speaks of the Queen of Heaven four times and uses the personal pronoun Her (Remember me to the Dr). At a little meeting Elder Allphin¹¹ held at our house at which you was present. And Allphin called on me to say something — and although I must say that I felt my weakness and imperfection — However I tried to talk a little and in my talk I said that I knew of no church organized after the pattern of the Savior but the mormons. You found fault of the assertion — You said the Savior had no Polygamy in His church. The scripture teaches me and my faith is that every man is respo[n]sible for the doctrine He teaches and if He leads the people astray He will have to account for it. As Paul says though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other gospel let Him be accursed.¹² There was a divine law Regulating marriage in the days of the Patriarchs. Now if that law was ever repealed please let me know And by whom giving

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me book chapter verse &c. Can you tell me what the mariage cerimony was and who had the right to officiate probably you will say the Apostles. If so who had the right after they left the stage of action — Did Bishops and Deacons. Who was Mathews wife marks Lukes — Did the Apostles father any children. The Savior says I came not to do away with the law but to fulfill.¹³ We get the Bible through the catholics and they do not allow the leaders of the church to mary — And maby they fixed the N T to suit there notions. Selsus says the reason the man of His school persecuted Christ and His Apostles was on account of Polygamy. He was an Ancient Philosopher that lived in their day.¹⁴ John in writing to the elect Lady says the children of thy elect sister greet thee.¹⁵ Without Revelation who can say or decide many questions of dispute between the different sects of the present day. "The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophesy and unless you have my Spirit you are none of mine["].¹⁶ I do not believe the commission of dead man ev

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-er authorized any one to act in His place (do you). However as I know you have gave the subject study I shall not say any thing more at present. How[ev]er I will say to you that truth is what I am after. I do not talk or write just to be heard. I fear not investigation upon a bible basis. And if any man can refute the doctrine I have embraced He is the man that I will Honor and respect. My health is poor. Polly¹⁷ is up and doing tolerably well. She has a son¹⁸ born Ma[r]ch the 25th at 15' after 7 AM — As it is the first fruits of our union in the kingdom of Zion I am proud and thankful — though he is a little fellow — and came up through much tribulation. If we never tasted bitter could we appreciate sweet. The children are enjoying good health. I have hopes that Susan¹⁹ is getting over her old disease — I hardly ever seen a girl fatten and grow like Mally.²⁰ Stansel²¹ is a healthy fine looking boy and large of His age. Mally weighs 71. Sue 59. Wilmirth²² 51. Stansel 39. And he isnt 3 years until June 22^nd, I havent done any thing

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since I left Texas.²³ I expect to start to Arizona the first of May via st George. I expect to stop at st George until the 15th of June and will be pleased to get letters from any and at that place and should any come here after I leave they will be sent to me. You can answer this at that place care of J. M. Moody.²⁴ We have been having some disagreeable weather   it began to snow on the 9^th and has snowed every day or night since  it melts in the evening. The farmers rejoiced at it they say plenty of snow ensures good crops. I went to the April Conference.²⁵ Every thing looked beautiful in Salt Lake Valley and the city. Plum and peach trees in full bloom apricots some earlier. Lucern²⁶ 8 or ten inches high wheat in places covered the ground. The meadows and bench lands²⁷ looked green and the stock were grazing on them. I saw 2700 head of as fine sheep as I ever seen. As I went down Provo canyon I saw some of the most sublime scenery I ever seen. The mts are as high as I ever saw. There is a lake²⁸ on top of the mts that emties into the canyon. That falls²⁹ two or 300 ft. Men float logs down it. And some of them bust all to pieces if they hit rocks

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April 16^th 1878

Polly says tell you she is up and at work says the day Her babe was two weeks old she made Stansel a suit of clothes. Well as I had the privilege of attending Conference. And being impressed with the belief that you will appreciate or at least will be pleased to hear and know how I enjoyed the Conference. I feel to add or give you a short synopsis of what I seen and heard. I got to the city about 9' 30" found my Relatives all well did not attend the fore noon meeting Lorenzo Snow³⁰ and Charles Rich³¹ occupied the time. there talk and council was said by those that heard it to be good and interesting I attended every other meeting till close which was Monday evening. They had two meetings each day and two speakers for each meeting except Sunday evening when John Taylor³² occupied all of the time Ie from 2 until 1/2 past 4 Taylor is a fine looking man of commanding

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apearance a good voice speaks plain and distinct did not use many words to explain merly asserting facts. He is tall over 6 ft & verry straight for a man of his age His hair and beard is white. He began by saying that He was gratified to witness the union that existed among the people in regard to the principles of eternal truth — Said that if we ever attained to eternal life it would be through the loving kindness of our Heavenly Father and the merits and sacrifices of his son Jesus Christ our Savior. Said that the God whom we worship is the father of all the spirits of men that dwell upon the earth. The the Lord had in these the last days and for the interests of humanity revealed his will and pointed out the way by which we may secure eternal happiness in the celestial kingdom of our God — He has restored again the everlasting gospel with all of its power and glory. His talk was lengthy giving instructions to the different grades of Priesthood Had an exibit read of all He had done since He was placed at the head. How much means

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had been paid over to Him and what He had done with it — He said that He heard a great deal of talk about finishing the Temple³³ and why it was not finished He said He would tell them — it was for the lack of means said furnish the means and it would be finished as soon as possible. The people seemed to be well pleased and satisfied with His stewartship. My man and canon occupied the fore noon Sunday Orson³⁴ spoke first. You have read in N T where it says some were for Paul and some Apostles and some were for Cephas³⁵ &c. Well I am for Orson. I know that we are told not to put our trust in man — and true man is deceitful and treacherous — But I do sincerely believe that He is in some respects the greatest of His day — And I think about as good a man as any in the church. He began by reading several pages in B. M.³⁶ His subject was Pruning the Vineyard for the last time said the servant spoken of in the parable was Joseph Smith.³⁷ The words of the parable were the words of an ancient prophet who

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lived on this continent. Said 48 years ago yesterday the church was organized with six members. And since that time God had revealed a more perfect organization as its members increased and the necessities of their condition required. Apostles High Priests seventies Bishops &c were ordained to regulate the temporal and spiritual affairs of the church. He then defined their duties and responsibilities that attach to each position. He spoke upon the union that should exist in the kingdom of God. Said that the union among the people of God in these mountains as contemplated by their organization infringed on no law. Said there was no subject whether of a spiritual political or any other nature in which union of interest and purpose will not prove a blessing to the people. He wished the world to understand our true position for we are striving to become one in politics as well as religion. Having the good of the human family in view and using no other means but what was constitutional

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He spoke of the Kingdom telling what it took to constitute a kingdom — said it took 1^st a king 2^nd Officers 3^rd subjects and 4^th a code of laws by which the subjects was governed. told how to get into the Kingdom, Ie the laws of adoption &c. Said it was composed of one faith one Lord and one baptism — and He that tried to get in any other way should &c—. John Taylor notified Him that His time was out — He concluded by saying that if there was any present that did not know the final destiny of the Kingdom for their information He would refer them to daniel and if they wished to know the end of the wicked He would call their attention to the same author. That the Kingdom should fill the whole earthand that the wicked should become as the chaff of the summer threshingsfloors and the wind carried them away that no place was found for them God bless you amen. I think He spoke with more power than any man I ever heard and had the best attention

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For although there was said to be 15000 people in the House³⁸ and one or two thousand out side the best of order prevailed. By calculation the House will seat 15000 and all the seats were occupied as well as all of the standing room. The floor inclines to the center from each end. The Organ and Quoir at the extreme of the west end on the stage there is three stands on the stage in a row each nearing the center from the first — Reserved seats right in front of stands for strangers. I never asked but I think there was at least 50 men that attended to seating the congregation. I use to think it rather fishy when I was in the star State³⁹ and I was told that the Tabernacle would seat so many people but I do not think that way now. The House is in the shape of an egg in side with projecting gallery from wall all round except west end which will seat nearly as many as first floor and many prefer it to the floor. George Q Canon⁴⁰ spoke next to Pratt He said until a few

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days ago He had no idea of being present on this interesting occasion but He was thankful that one week from last friday He secured a leave of absace to spend a few days with his brethren — He said we were living in an eventful epoch — that there was an immenes amount of labor to perform and that responsibilities were increasing and that at every moment of our time demanded action. Though small in numbers we had made a deep impression on the religious political and scientific world and that He attributed that fact to the power of God. It is universally admitted that this Teritory was noted for the sobriety and industry of its inhabitants — its morrals and freedom from debt. And with a population of over 15000 more than the congressional requirement for a state yet we could not enjoy the privilege of being admitted into the union of states. And the reason assigned was because we were polygamous in our faith. He occupied all the time alloted to Him, Concluded in a stiring appeal to the people to

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live their religion and bring their children up in the way they should go advised the young man to mary  said that young men after they passed 24 years were a dangerous element in society and should be watched. There were however honorable exceptions for wich He was proud and thankful. Joseph .F. Smith⁴¹ preached the closing sermon Monday morning. I was well pleased with His talk it was the first time I ever heard Him speak He is a fine looking man and talks and looks like a good man. I could write you some of His talk but I guess I have wrote enough for this time. Monday evening was taken up with reading reports from all the stakes of How many members How many baptized in the last year How many cut off How many married Do died do born males and females How much tithing each branch paid the total amount and what was done with it &c &c. It seemed satisfaction Remember me to all the relatives and friends God bless you all. H Greer⁴²