Background of the migration Mormon pioneers

map showing westward exodus of lds church between 1846 , 1869. shown portion of route followed mormon battalion , path followed handcart companies mormon trail.

since founding in 1830, members of lds church harshly treated neighbors, partially due religious beliefs, reaction against actions , words of lds church , members , leaders. these , other reasons caused body of church move 1 place another—to ohio, missouri, , illinois, church members built city of nauvoo. sidney rigdon first counselor in lds first presidency, , spokesman, rigdon preached several controversial sermons in missouri, including salt sermon , july 4th oration. these speeches have been seen contributing conflict known 1838 mormon war in missouri. result of conflict, mormons expelled state governor boggs, , rigdon , smith arrested , imprisoned in liberty jail. rigdon released on writ of habeas corpus , made way illinois, joined main body of mormon refugees in 1839. in 1844 joseph smith, , brother hyrum smith killed mob while in custody in city of carthage, illinois. in 1846, religious tensions reached peak, , in 1848 mobs burned latter-day saint temple in nauvoo.

according church belief, god inspired brigham young, joseph smith s successor president of church, call saints (as church members call themselves) organize , head west, beyond western frontier of united states (into mexico, though u.s. army had captured new mexico , california in late 1846). during winter of 1846-47, latter-day saint leaders in winter quarters , iowa laid plans migration of large number of saints, equipment, , livestock. here brigham young first met thomas l. kane, non-mormon philadelphia deep personal connections polk administration. kane obtained permission mormons winter on indian territory, , site called kanesville. brigham young continued trust kane throughout own lifetime, particularly intermediary hostile federal government. major undertaking significant test of leadership capability , existing administrative network of restructured church. role in migration, brigham young referred american moses.

brigham young reviewed available information on salt lake valley , great basin, consulting mountain men , trappers traveled through winter quarters, , meeting father pierre-jean de smet, jesuit missionary familiar great basin. wary young insisted mormons should settle in location no 1 else wanted, , felt salt lake valley met requirement provide saints many advantages well.