Who were the Mormon Pioneers?
The Mormon pioneers were led by Mormon Prophet Brigham Young, the successor of the Prophet Joseph Smith. For years, Mormons had settled and established their church in Nauvoo, Illinois. It was a peaceful place, inhabited mostly by Mormons but people of all faiths were welcome to live. Mormons moved to Nauvoo after being threatened with an extermination order in Missouri by Governor Boggs. As the Mormon Church grew more powerful and influential, many become threatened by the rising power of the Mormons. Many became threatened by the growing Mormon movement. The Prophet Joseph Smith prophesied that in years to come, the Mormons would be forced to resettle somewhere else. A letter that Smith wrote in 1840 records him saying that “there existed a place of safety preparing for [the Saints] away towards the Rocky Mountains.” Brigham Young received revelation that it was time for the Mormons to move westward, where they could live free from religion persecution that they faced in Nauvoo. But first they would finish the Nauvoo Mormon temple. In 1945, he announced the trek westward. Most Mormons embarked on the journey west, while few Mormons remained in Nauvoo. Nauvoo was nearly deserted after the Mormons headed west. Violence continued in the area, forcing the last major group of Mormons that remained in the area to flee.
The Mormon pioneers were stalwart, strong and faithful people. They had to be in order to endure the strenuous trek across the country. They had strong faith in the Mormonism. They traveled daily, thousands of miles, and refrained from traveling on Sunday to obey the Sabbath Day. They conducted church services also. One of the reasons why they were so successful is they were extremely well-organized. Six thousands people died during the arduous trek west. The journey on the Mormon Trail did not come without sacrifice. Mormon pioneers experienced illness, injury, and death. They were strong people, who could withstand walking tens of miles each day despite weather and geographical obstacles. They were brave to start a life in a strange land. They had faith in Brigham Young as their leader and Heavenly Father. Many kept journals which give us a glimpse into their experience. Arriving in the Salt Lake Valley was a particularly special moment for the Mormon pioneer. When Brigham Young first arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, he exclaimed “this is the place!” Although most Mormon pioneers settled in Salt Lake, some Mormons had settled in other communities, extending from Canada to Mexico by the year 1900. By 1900, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had founded more than 600 communities in a broad stretch extending from Canada into Mexico.
Important lessons can be learned from the Mormon pioneers. Mormons today seek inspiration from their pioneer ancestors. By doing family history, Mormons can learn more about their ancestors and follow their example. When the Mormons arrived in Salt Lake, they immediately began building a new life in the west. They soon became an economically and socially independent group. In Salt Lake, they lived under the “United Order” which was introduced by the Prophet Brigham Young. Under this law, the Mormon people would give all of their wealth to the Mormon Church, who would in turn give them a small piece of land. Everyone was equal. No one had more than his neighbor. But the law failed by the time of Young’s death in 1877. However, a church welfare system was later organized. Since their arrival in Salt Lake, Mormons have been largely responsible for building it to be the successful metropolitan city that it is today.