Great Salt Lake June 4th, 1865
My Dear Saint James [Dove] and John Eardley,
On ordinary matters I would expect your patience to tire in waiting my reply to your last correspondence. Today, and not before, I am permitted to say just the things seasonable for the hour, if your faith is in vigor and your spirits clear sighted with firm resolve to advance with the interests of the Fulness in all its bearings, sharing the toils and responsibilities with me, being assured your own natures will stand placing in the first column of attack upon the enemies work. Be men of sound judgement and honesty with yourselves and me in your decisions in your reply to me. I am reduced to this particularity by the love and considerations I have for your mortality, and the weaknesses attendant theron. Already some have fainted for want of energy, causing disaster. Let Bro. James and John in private meet and well weigh these few words and if your confidance is good and your feelings Heavenly, then call an assembly composed of James Dove, John Eardley, George Dove, Bro. Taylor and F. Ford. Let these five speak each well weighing these few words, and their import, and this in a low voice privately, ascertaining form each one if he is willing and desirous to know and do the counsels that are ready not to be given. If all are agreed and unanimous, declare it before one another with both hands uplifted. Then send me in a faithful report—if approved I will break the next vail, considering you trimmed and polished shafts in the hands of Jehovah; if not approved there has to be another silence. I do not feel it seasonable to dwell upon doctrine interfering with this portion of duty, and will only add—Let Bro. Taylor not write one word respecting his views of me or this work to Camp Douglas. There lives an enemy to the Lord's servant, whose will is to destroy him from the earth and thus secure his own title to outer darkness. Walk in perfect righteousness before the Lord day by day, remembering who you are, and your exalted destiny through faithfulness. Keep together the faithful and worthy; but not spend your strength unwisely. Receive my love, my peace and blessing and seek to shield the Lord's servant in his critical and marvelous position in this mortality.
Let your reply be as early as possible. Just state your temporal affairs. I hear nothing of Bro. Wadman.
Affectionately and faithfully,
Cainan