Letter from John Daniel Thompson McAllister, 12 January 1886 [LE-21798]

Temple. St George 12th Jan, 1886 President W. Woodruff.

Dear Brother Yours of the 29^th ult was duely recieved. I join you heatly in relation [to a] [reade] and their safety. We have been very busy with stake and Temple matters. A forward several weeks before conference. Myself and counselors have met day after day right along for days. Some question apper taining to the stake before us, we will [illegible] be ready to present on financial condition to the First Presidency.

This has been a busy day for us in the Temple 1 first baptism, and 965 for the dead, Several hundred for next week that were laid over to accomadate those from a distance. all is quiet now 7^P.M. have had supper and return to talk with you though this medium. I hope all is quiet 3 illegible words in the [illegible] [3 illegible words] but the [4 illegible words] [1 illegible word]

Received a letter from President F D Richards John Henry Smith and H. J. Grant, with a no enclosed copy of a portion of a letter to President Wilford Woodruff, dated to Salt Lake City, November 12^th, 1885. "The providing for the families of men who may be sent on missions", by Presidents John Taylor, and George Q. Cannon. We have thought of the matter before, but done nothing. Bro. Eyring^s mind is to go on the desert drive pipes and get a flowing well if possible. It would do if we had the well. My mind turns to the Mesquite, and Bunkerville, we will canvas the matter, and do the very best we can, but you know our land is limited around St George, or in the mountain districts, and a good deal of it along the Virgin gone down the river. I say our land is limited, we have land, but no water for ^it^ I am pleased with the idea, and trust we will be able to show our hand in this matter, as well as in all others appertaining to the welfare of Zion and her children

Have you [haveing] talk with the Presidency in regard to this St George Temple? if the Edmunds bills pass, how shall we hold it? I see by the special that Morgan of the Senate offered a resolution to day relating to Temples &c. It set forth or among other things. "that in the opinion of the Senate, it is not in this power of congress to appoint officers of the U.S. to participate with the officers of any church or religious sect, and that it is in Violation of the consitution for the President to appoint any such officer under any law" This [illegible] my mind is a death blow to the bill, and should it pass, the bill is dead. Morgan is an enemie to our people, very bitter, and would be glad to wipe us out, but he can see. The Saints are not the only ones to suffer by the passing of the bill, or its becoming a law. We are in the Lords hands and must take care of ourselves and he will help us. I trust the people are done frolicking and are ready for [illegible] for to my mind it is prayers time

Bro. Thompson gave us the word to day that you were safe and well. we are told that know it. We are all getting better. Have I a list [3 illegible words] enough and from [5 illegible words]. [3 illegible words], [2 illegible words] [illegible line] [5 illegible words] word on the 9^th by a telegram from my son it a mothers make [died] the day before. The mother of my wife [ illegible] [illegible] the 10th ward. Bro. W^m Folsum is quite poorly, and his wife Hannah. [3 illegible words] M^cArthur & [illegible] Wolley will you is dead, also Josiah Larsen little daughter, the [illegible] [illegible] was no much for them, it [illegible word] to go through the [illegible] who it drink it, ale mine has been more or less afflicted. [illegible] we never have any [illegible]. Father Irons is quite poorly, but is around. The weather has been very cold, very, but this evening it seems to be moderation.

My Counselors Elders Robert Cannon, [illegible] with, Temple and wish to be remembered kind regards our Fathers blessing upon you, with love to all, who love the Lord. Your Bro. in the Covenant John D T. M^cAllister