Orange, Va April 1890

My Dear Mother: On the inst a week ago today, I received you [your] really welcome letter. It was one of interest and worth to your son. Surely God will bless my mother. I desire Him to bless those who sit in darkness and sometimes I am right proud of some qualities I feel that I have inherited; so that when men will rage and ridicule and abuse, I can be to some extent composed and imitate you when I have seen you tried in the family relationship in which I feel to bless my parents for raising me. There are children growing up who are proud of being raised in Utah, and […]

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that pride is exalted when they can own that the are the children of polygamous parents. Sometimes people are so prejudiced that they can hard by take a fair look at us, at first and they talk with us awhile and they can hardly believe their own convictions. It is wonderful to notice the change that takes place. 

Coffee for every meal for old and young. Sometimes females do not have tea or coffee for every meal, but it is a shock to learn that we do not drink either. They insist on our drinking and you may believe I am right glad that I did not drink either, nor use tobacco before I came here; so that I can honestly profess that I do not use them.

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It moves my heart to pity to find that young people have not stopped the use of these things till coming here considering the professions the Latter Day Saints make. People who do not observe the Word of Wisdom do not appreciate its value and are not thoroughly converted. If I understand right; because we know the doctrine whether of God or of man by living it. If a man wants to know that any principle is true, let him live it and then the knowledge of the doctrine comes - whether it be of God or whether I speak of myself. The six months that have passed have been of great value to me. I am not yearning for the time to fly past but I try to see what work there is to be done while here and I try to think the time flies just right 

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What I wish to do is to properly appreciate time as it passes. When two or more years will have passed, I shall think it has gone past quickly.

Yesterday I heard a Baptist Minister in his pulpit and I felt to resolve to try to do my duty as a messenger of Life and instruct the people in the way of God more perfectly. Some resolve to cling to their craft, sink or swim. They do not understand what a good, practical, everyday religion we have. We want the honest in heart others can't stand the test to be brought about. I wish all those who are already in the church could better understand these things, and prove that they do by their acts. 

Am yours affections