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Show 73 while the men waylay our enemies, attack them from ambush, stampede their animals, take the supply trains, cut off detachments and parties sent to the kanyons for wood, or other service; to lay waste everything that will burn-houses, fences, trees, fields and grass, that they cannot find a particle of anything that will be of use to them, not even sticks to make a fire to cook their supplies. Our purpose will be to waste away our enemies and lose none. Thus you see the necessity of preparing; first secure places in the mountains whereby they cannot find us, or if they do, where they cannot approach us in force, and then prepare for our families, building cabins, caching flour and grain.... Sow grain in your fields as early as possible this fall; so that the harvest of another year may come off before they have time to come here. Conciliate the Indians and make them our fast friends.... save life always when it is possible. We do not wish to shed one drop of blood if it can be avoided. This course will give us great influence abroad. Brigham Young Daniel H. Wells 33 Attention is called to the desire of the(authorities to refrain from bloodshed if possible. This humane policy was consistent with other remarks made by church leaders. President Young urged the Saints on September 13 to be "full of love and compassion to your fellow beings.... The only business I that we have is to build up the kingdom of God and prepare the way of the Son of Man."J The harvest of 1857 was an abundant one for the first time in several years. It was not known if another (crop could be harvested or not; that depended on the success of the militia's tactics in the field. If the enemy broke through the Mormon defenses, the grain would be the lifeblood of the Saints. As in the above letter, church leaders frequently counselled the farmers to sow early |