Letter from George Teasdale, 9 December 1891 [LE-41877]

666 Colonis Diaz, Chihuahua, Mexico Dec, 9^th 1901 President W. Woodruff, Salt Lake City, Utah. Dear Brother:

Our two days Coinference at Juarez, on the 21^st and 22^nd of November was exceedingly well attended from all the Wards and we had a very interesting and profitable time. Through some misunderstanding the meeting of the young people for Friday evening was[ illegible]which caused us to have more to do than we should have had on Saturday & Sunday. We met on Saturday morning with Singing & Prayer. Elder Jas. [Martinson][ illegible] Elder Geo Teasdale presiding and made opeining remarks. Spoke of the principle of punctuality and called apart the [illegible ] to report their Wards.

Bishop [Jess] N. Smith of [illegible], [Ben] W. Levey of Juarez, Winslow Farr of [illegible] and [illegible] [illegible] James, of Diaz, reported their Wards. Spirited [illegible] generally good, financial condition poor; [illegible ] failure through drouths. A new school house is being built in Dublan, and at Diaz two rooms [illegible] added; an addition to the School House had been completed and dedicated ^ at Pacheco^. The organizations and Relief Societies, Sabbath and day schools all in good running order.

Elder Geo Teasdale occupied the remainder of the time reporting some of his labors the last twelve months, was

pleased with the improvements and good feeling was had in the works of the Saints, and instructed them of the necessity of abstaining from fault finding and [illegible] ing between settlements. Gave instruction [illegible] the land in Company and encouraged[ illegible] improve their homes, assured the Saints they would be protected in all their improvements, and and encouraged the different Wards to [illegible] their [illegible] In the afternoon, after singing and praying [illegible] F. M^cDonald, Elder D. C. Harris. Conference [illegible] read the statistical reports of the Wards and the following were the speakers. Elder [illegible] Williams, [illegible] the importance of [illegible] mankind, and remaining self sustaining. Things [illegible ] had planted [illegible] acres in wheat which looked [illegible] Referred to land for sale on the Bavispe river[ illegible] thought the time not far off when it would [illegible] to get bread at any price etc.

Elder John C. Niegle laid out language [illegible] his gratitude to God for his blessings that [illegible] in this land of Mexico. Compared our conditions with that of the Saints at Nauvoo, and referred to how the hand of God had been over the people. Related some interesting experience he had with the Indians, and the desire they had to learn more of us as a people and of the Book of Mormon. Counsellor Frederick G. Williams, of Dublan, rejoiced to meet with the Saints in Conference, believed our gatherings had a tendency to unite the Saints and

668 [illegible] them for the duties of life. Spoke of the [illegible] enjoy in Mexico, if our temporal condition [illegible] very flattering. Still we are told that if [illegible] first seek the kingdom of God and His rightousness all else shall be added. How many of us are prepared to accept all advanced by the authorities of the Church? Some are apt to find fault but if we live up to the requirements of the gospel we will not fail [illegible] etc Choir sang - "Come ye that love the Lord" Elder Henry Eyring had enjoyed the privilege of attending the October Conference in Salt Lake City and was especially interested in the [illegible] in of the aged brethren who had been personally acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was certain we were passing through a peculiar parting our history. Referred to the excellent missionary oper ations being carried out in the North, and [illegible] that our temporalities in Mexico should be strictly looked after. Agriculture must not be neglected etc Elder Helaman Pratt asked if the Saints would labor to the best of their ability and use their[ illegible] [illegible] that Apostle Teasdales' prophecy that our children shall not want for bread shall be fulfilled! Before we can expect to reap we must sow. We are not using our land & water to its fullest capacity. Referred to the state of affairs in North as represented in the newspapers. Believed that many Saints would ^look^ to Mexico and that many settlements would be established in this land.

of this land and many be brought to a knowledge of their forefathers & gave an interesting[ illegible] Choir sang " We're not ashamed to [own] our God Benediction Elder D. E. Harris At noon today there was a meeting of[ illegible] holders of the Cooperative Herd, which I [illegible] having been engaged in Saving up the[ illegible] of this [illegible.] Oct 4 p.m. we held a Priesthood meeting, [ illegible] there would [illegible] House at 7 p.m. At this Priesthood Meeting the following questions were discussed. The [illegible] woollen factory[ illegible ] [illegible] at present has [illegible] [[illegible]] good It is a dangerous [illegible] to [proceed] ourselves in purchaing wheat & [illegible] having agreed to buy for the [illegible] [The rest of this paragraph is impossible for me to transcribe]

In the evening a most excellent concert was given by the Juarez choir and about forty two dollars realized for the purchase of an organ On Sunday morning at 10 o'clock we held a Sabbath School Conference at which meeting the following Sunday Schools were reported. Supt D. E. Haris reported Juarez S.S. Supt [illegible] W. Jarvis, Pacheco; Supt Peter Dillman, Cane Valley Supt A. B. Call, Dublan, and Asst Supt W. [illegible ] Daines the Diaz. S.S. and stated how the Saints were conducted etc. Instruction and encouragements were given by Patriarch B. F. Johnson & Elder Teasdale

3 670 [illegible] org officers, teachers and pupils [churches,] in five Sunday Schools in the Mexican Mission and all in good condition. We had a very interesting meeting, well attended. A Conference of the Y.M.M.I. Associations was held at [illegible], and report were given by the following brethren: Bro W^m M. Daines, for Prest C Galbraeth, reported the Diaz Association which has lately been organized, and Bro. J. P. Johnson gave synopsis of the last years labor under his presidency. President E. D. Porter reported the Dublan, President Miles P. Romney, the Juarez, and George Naegle the Pacheco associations well in good working order and [illegible] giving them. Elder Teasdale encouraged the officers in their duties and [illegible] taking the Contributions, carrying out the [illegible] of the associations, and rendering proper reports [illegible] [illegible]. The Conferences of the Mexican Mexican [illegible], Elder John M^cFarland offered prayer, children [illegible] and the Sacrament was administed by Elders Orson P Brown and Edward Eyring. Choir sang a hymn. [illegible] and ahe said although we were not favored with a visit from the First Presidency we could listen to their words; and then read any synopsis of remarks made by Presidents Wilford Woodruff and George Q Cannon, on Oct [illegible] at the Box Elder Conference. He then read [illegible] fourth chapter of Isaiah, and said - "Thus saith the Lord, and let all Israel say Amen." Elder A. F. M^c Donald expressed