Office of The Presidency of the Union Stake of Zion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints La Grande, Oregon
Sept. 4th 08.
President Jos. F. Smith
Silt Lake City,
Utah
Dear Brother:-
I am in receipt of your favor of August 31"" which came to hand yesterday. You say
""Enclosed please find a letter written to Elder David Eccles by Elder Grant Geddes, which is self explnatory.
The First Presidency have directed me to inquire if you think it wise to take men away from your Stake occupying such important positions."" Geo. Reynolds""
To the above I say NO I do NOT think it wise to take men away who are occupying important positions when the general welfare of our people are envolved as in the case in hand. As a matter of fact I think it very unwise to cripple either business ( where our people especially are so much interested) or to even depopulate our small wards as is seemingly the case by the letter enclosed written by Elder Grant Geddes to President David Eccles. I may say however, that things do not seem quite so bad to me as Grant expresses and to the end that I may be set right with you I most respectfully submit the following.
The call of Grant Geddes ( Gen.Supt)was done without my knowledge much less my consent. Some time ago I had a hand in sending the name of Elder Geddes to you as a likely missionary and he received a letter looking to his departure but later ( so I am infomred ) received a release from you which settled the matter with me. While I think I perhaps had a right to suggest his name to you, when you saw that his presence at home might be of more value your pleasure at once becomes my pleasure for the reason you are at the head sustained to govern all such matters. How and by whom Grant's name got before you the last time is not known by me. This fact at least takes away the responsibility so
Office of The Presidency of the Union Stake of Zion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints La Grande, Oregon
# 2 Prest. Smith. far as so many being called at one time.
Elder Fossum (so I am told) was called something like four or five years ago, so that he is really a hold-over.
I was informed that John H. Eccles desired a call hence his name was sent on.
I was also told that Elder Salisbury has been interviewed
and was ready.
I talked personally with Elder L. G. Taylor and he manifest a desire to fill a mission at any time called.
Elder David Geddes received a notification some years ago and so far as I know did not contemplate his departure at any fixed time but that it might be shortly or longer and perhaps nd at all so that I hardly think it fair to incorporate his name in the list sent to Elder David Eccles. I am told too that Elder Fossum does npt expect to go for some years perhaps so that it is hardly fair to incorporate his name as connected with the disruption of business relations here. Elder Geddes doubtless wrote before thinking the matter over with the care necessary. "" I have seen him since he wrote the said letter ( but he did not even intimate that he he'd so written) and matters are in much better shape than as seen in the said letter.
So that my position may be thoroughly understood I venture to say. The many enterprises in this vicinity as establidhed by Elder David Eccles has NO better friedn than in me. I certainly do fully appreciate the fact that our young Stake largely depends on them for employment hence instead of my stabbing them I stand ready to defend and protect them. I consider that brother Eccles is playing a very important part here.
