Mrs. Artimesia Snow [Artimesia Beman (Snow) 1819-1882]
Great Salt Lake City
Via Independence Mo. Utah Teritory [Utah Territory]
U.S.A.
Having just regaled with Brother Franklin [Franklin D. Richards] upon a cup of excellent green Tea (which I would have you understand neither of us often indulge in now-a-days) and discussed over the teapot the superior qualities of our respective families; and gossiped freely of the delights of home, and "the good time thats comeing [coming]" when we all meet again"; I now seat myself in his bedchamber to commence a little bit of a talk with you; But this carrying on a conversation at the extremities of "the lines" when it takes ten months to get an answer although we are thankfull [thankful] for it as a substitute, is far from being the thing itself. How long it will be before the Lord will grant us the priviledge [privilige] of mingling our cheerfull [cheerful] voices together I am unable to say But if the interests of the cause will allow me to leave Denmark next Spring so as to arrive home next fall it will surely be much to my gratification. But I dare not allow myself to drive any stakes. I had thought perhaps this springs mail might bring something from the Presidency direct or through you that would enable me to begin to make some calculations about the time of returning. But I doubt not it is all right. I wish you to continue you[r] writing every month untill [until] you see me. It will be better for letters to arrive in this office after I am gone than that I should remain in Europe and you neglect to write me.
I wrote you from Copenhagen in time to go from Indipendence [Independence, Missouri] by the March [Mar 1851 mail & again by the April [Apr 1851] mail likewise by Elder Pratts [Orson Pratt] family who are also bearers of Presants [presents] to you; all of which I trust you will have received by the time this reaches you - also the cloaks by Elder James Coumings [James Cummings] - I am glad to learn that the children are at school but I have not yet learned that Sarah is baptised [baptized] - I hope you will see that they are not lacking in books or any facility for education that is possible to procure them - The Utah Library I trust will be duly appreciated & improved by you all. I have lately received a letter from Brother Zerubhable [Zerubabbel Snow 1806-1888] & his wife dated Kanesville May 12th- You will probably soon see them. I cannot answer it by this mail but Please present them my thanks & say "God Bless them" for me - Say to his wife -that laconic postscript, She will be able to fill up with good things of the Kingdom when the clouds pass away and the spirit is poured upon her from on high.
The work of our Mission is onward againts [against] a strong current and in a hard country to labour. There have been baptised [baptized] about 270 persons & several now beginning to make preachers - four organized Branches and others in a scatered [scattered] condition - about 150 in Copenhagen - I left Bro Forssgren presiding in Copenhagen. Bro. Hansen I gave a mission to one of the provinces about 150 miles off - I am in haste to get this into the next mails so that it will reach Independence [Independence, Missouri] by the 1stAugust - I cannot write so full as I would wish on any subject - I shall probable [probably] write to the Presidency [First Presidency of ther Church] soon and of course to you again soon so farewel [farewell] My Beloved wife [Artimesia Beman Snow 1819-1882] & little ones - I expect soon to return to Denmark - Elder Taylor to Germany about 200 miles from Copenhagen - My warmest love & rememberences [remembrances] to Minerva & Erastus, Elisabeth & all the rest. I hope soon to hear from them - perhaps before I leave England - Your true & effectionate [affectionate] husband, ErastusSnow [Elder Erastus Snow 1818-1888]