In "the Land of Promise"
1847
The First Sabbath in the Valley
July 25, 1847, was the Sabbath. It was a pleasant day, and at ten
o'clock the pioneers met in worship in the circle of their encampment.
Elders George A. Smith, Heber C. Kimball and Ezra T. Benson were the
speakers. They expressed gratitude for the blessings of the Lord
during their travels to this promised land. Not a soul had died on
the toilsome journey. In the afternoon another service was held and
the sacrament was administered. Elders Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt
and Willard Richards were the speakers at this service. The principal
address was given by Elder Pratt who took for his text Isaiah 52:7-8:
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth
good tidings; that publisheth peace," etc. He stated that the
predictions of the prophets were now being fulfilled.
President Young's Advice
President Young was too feeble to make any extended remarks, but near
the close of the services he gave some very important advice. Elder
Wilford Woodruff made a synopsis of his remarks as follows: "He told
the brethren that they must not work on Sunday; that they would lose
five times as much as they would gain by it. None were to hunt on that
day; and there should not any man dwell among us who would not observe
these rules. They might go and dwell where they pleased, but should
not dwell with us. He also said that no man who came here should buy
any land; that he had none to sell, but every man should have his land
measured out to him for city and farming purposes. He might till it as
he pleased, but he must be industrious and take care of it." Later,
instructions were given that there should be no private ownership of
the streams, and only dead timber should be used for fuel, as trees
were none too plentiful and should be conserved. These regulations were
adopted by the community in justice to all, for it was expected that
within a very short time the Saints who were then on the plains--the
exiles from Nauvoo, some twenty thousand in number--and others coming
from various states and from Europe, would be gathered to the Rocky
Mountains.
Explorations of the Valley
Naturally the pioneers were impatient to explore the surrounding
country. Their first duty was to plant the seed they brought with
them. Plowing began on the 23rd and continued during the 24th. Monday
morning, July 26th, a number of exploring companies were sent out,
including the eight apostles in the camp and Elders Albert Carrington,
William Clayton, John Brown and Joseph Matthews. The two latter crossed
the river, which was called the Utah Outlet and later the Western
Jordan, and ascended the mountains on the west of the valley. They
reported, on their return, that the land on that side of the valley
was not as good as the land on the east side. Some of the brethren
penetrated some of the canyons where they found timber of good quality.
President Young, Wilford Woodruff and others of the brethren visited
the hot and also the warm springs at the north end of the valley, and
made some observations. Their explorations continued for several days.
On the 27th of July, they explored the Tooele Valley. On the way they
had a bath in the lake and were much surprised at the buoyancy of the
water. That night they camped at Black Rock and the following day they
traveled about ten miles south along the eastern base of the Oquirrh
Mountains, where, in the main, they found a barren country and very
little water. Orson Pratt ascended the mountain where he obtained a
view of Utah Lake, which he judged to be about twenty miles away.
Striking eastward across the valley they returned to camp. On this trip
they saw about one hundred goats, sheep and antelope. They returned
satisfied that the spot where the pioneers had camped was the best on
which their city could be built.
A Place for an Ensign
On the 26th, they also ascended the mountain above the hot springs
to get a better view of the surrounding country, and by aid of their
glasses were able to discern the Utah Outlet at the point of the
mountain, where it enters the Salt Lake Valley on the south. A number
of streams were also seen flowing from the mountains into the valley.
As they stood upon the mountain President Young remarked that it would
be a good place to lift up an ensign, referring to Isaiah's prophecy;
so they named it "Ensign Peak," by which name it has since been known.
In later years a flagstaff was placed upon it.
The Building of a City
After returning from their explorations on the 28th, a council was
held in the evening and it was decided to build a city. Some of the
brethren suggested that they explore further before deciding on a site
for a settlement. President Young replied that he was willing that they
should explore until they were satisfied, but every time a party went
out and returned he believed they would agree that this was the spot on
which they should locate.
It was decided that the city should be laid out in blocks of ten acres
each with streets eight rods wide running at right angles. The blocks
were to be divided into lots containing one and one-quarter acres each,
with exceptions in certain parts where the lay of the land would be
inconvenient for such arrangement. The houses were to be of uniform
distance from the street and only one house to a lot. "Upon every
alternate block four houses were to be built on the east, and four on
the west side of the square, but none on the north and south sides. But
the blocks intervening were to have four houses on the north and four
on the south, but none on the east and west sides. In this plan there
will be no houses fronting each other on the opposite sides of the
streets, while those on the same side will be about eight rods apart,
having gardens running back twenty rods to the center of the block."
Such was their description. There were to be four public squares of
ten acres each in various parts of the city. "Let every man," said
President Young, "cultivate his own lot and set out every kind of fruit
and shade tree and beautify the city." This plan was laid before the
camp and approved unanimously.
The Place for the Temple
During the westward journey the building of a temple was a constant
theme. On the evening of the 28th of July, President Young and the
apostles with Thomas Bullock, the clerk, walked from their camp
northward to a spot between the forks of City Creek, and there
President Young designated a site for the building of a temple. Waving
his hand he said: "Here is the forty acres for the temple, and the city
can be laid out perfectly square north and south, east and west."
Orson Pratt's Survey
The survey of the city was made by Orson Pratt. His line was on the
southeast corner of the Temple Block. Beginning at that point the city
was marked out into blocks of ten acres each. It was decided by the
brethren that instead of using forty acres for the site it would be
better to have that block conform in size with the others. According to
Orson Pratt's calculations, the latitude of the north boundary of the
Temple Block was 40 degrees, 35 minutes and 34 seconds. The longitude
was 111 degrees, 26 minutes and 34 seconds west of Greenwich. The
altitude was 4,300 feet above sea level. Later government observations
varied from these of Elder Pratt but slightly.
Arrival of the Battalion and Mississippi Members
In addition to the twelve members of the battalion and the advance
company of Mississippi Saints who came into the valley with the
pioneers,[1] the detachments of the battalion who wintered at Pueblo
under the command of Captain James Brown and Nelson Higgins, together
with the main body of the Mississippi Saints, entered the Salt Lake
Valley, under direction of Captain James Brown, July 29, 1847. This
increased the number in the camp to about four hundred souls. They
brought with them about sixty wagons, one hundred head of horses and
mules and three hundred head of cattle.
Immediately after their arrival the battalion members built a bowery,
the first structure in the valley in which public meetings could be
held with some degree of comfort, and the worshipers receive protection
from the excessive heat of the sun.
Renewal of Covenants
Having been unable to live in peace in former habitations because of
persecutions of wicked men, the Saints now rejoiced at the prospect
before them. It was proposed by President Young and the apostles that
they renew their covenants with the Lord and solemnly promise that
they would henceforth keep his commandments in this land where they
were free from religious persecution. In the humility and thankfulness
of their hearts for their deliverance, the apostles set the example.
August 6, President Young was baptized, and each of the apostles were
likewise baptized in turn. This was not done as an acknowledgment that
their former baptism was not efficacious, or that they had broken
covenants formerly received, but as an acknowledgment before the Lord
of their willingness to serve him henceforth and forever. To this
proposition all the camp of Israel said Amen, and the ordinance of
baptism was administered to all.
The First Births and Death in the Colony
The first birth in the pioneer camp was that of a daughter to John and
Catharine Campbell Steele, August 9, 1847. The father was a member of
the battalion and he and his wife had arrived in the camp but a few
days before. The child was named Young Elizabeth Steele, in honor of
President Brigham Young and Queen Elizabeth. Two days later the colony
was called upon to mourn because of the death of Milton H. Therlkill,
three years old, and son of George W. and Jane Therlkill, of the
Mississippi company. The child had wandered from the camp and was
drowned in City Creek. A few days later (August 15th) a daughter was
born to these same parents. This was the second birth in the colony.
The "Old Fort"
Three days after the Pioneers arrived in the valley, Indians of the
Ute and Shoshone tribes commenced visiting the camp, begging and
endeavoring to trade for guns and ammunition, and incidentally to steal
when opportunity afforded. On one occasion a fight ensued and the
Shoshones killed a Ute who had stolen one of their horses. President
Young instructed the Saints that they should trade no more with the
Indians, who were manifesting a spirit of jealousy because the pioneers
treated one tribe the same as the other.
As a means of protection against Indian raids and thefts, it was
decided to build a fort, or stockade, on one of the city ten-acre
squares. The site chosen is now known as Pioneer Park, three blocks
south and three west of the Temple Block. At a meeting held August
1, 1847, it was decided that the enclosure should be built of logs
and sundried bricks (adobes). The brethren immediately went to work
preparing the timbers and adobes for this purpose. August 10, work
started on the stockade. The walls were twenty-seven inches thick and
nine feet high on the outer side. It was built as a continuation of
huts joined together in rectangular form around the outside of the ten
acres on which it stood. The east side was built of logs, and the three
other sides of adobe walls. The roofs slanted but slightly inward,
and were made of brush covered with earth. Each house had a loop-hole
facing the outside and a door and windows facing the interior. The
main entrances, which were on the east and west sides of the stockade,
were carefully guarded by heavy gates which were locked at night.
In the winter and spring months the snow and rain caused the mud to
leak through the roofs, to the great discomfort of the inhabitants.
Wagon covers, and other articles which would shed moisture, were
utilized, to protect beds and bedding. Notwithstanding the discomforts
and inconveniences of life under such conditions, the Saints spent
many pleasant hours within the walls of their temporary homes. Two
additional blocks were joined to the original fort, one on the north
and one on the south, to accommodate later arrivals in the valley.
These were designated as the North Fort and the South Fort, and were
similar in construction to the first, or Old Fort, as it was called.
During the first winter, schools were taught in the fort by Julian
Moses and Miss Mary Ann Dillworth.
Captain Brown's Journey to the Coast
A question had arisen regarding the Pueblo detachment of the Mormon
Battalion. They were under orders to march to the Pacific coast,
but the term of their enlistment had expired. Should they go to the
coast to be mustered out of service, or should that duty be performed
by their company officers? After some deliberation it was decided
that they should be mustered out of service, and that Captain James
Brown with a small company should go to California and report to
the army officers there, and with a power of attorney from each of
the men, draw their pay. Captain Brown, with several members of the
battalion, departed for San Francisco, August 9, piloted by Samuel
Brannan. Brannan returned to California greatly disappointed because
President Young would not hearken to his counsel and continue on to
the coast, where he thought conditions for permanent settlement were
more favorable than the desolate valleys of the mountains. Captain
Brown carried with him a message from President Young to the battalion
members on the coast, advising all who had no families to remain in
California through the winter and obtain work, and in the spring come
to the Salt Lake Valley with their earnings. Captain Brown's company
went by way of the northern route and were accompanied as far as Fort
Hall, by Jesse C. Little, Joseph Matthews, John Brown and others, who
explored the Cache and Weber valleys. These brethren returned with
favorable reports.
Special Conference in the Valley
Sunday, August 22, 1847, a special conference was held in the Salt Lake
Valley. It was agreed to fence the city, and such portions of adjacent
lands as might be deemed proper for cultivation, thus affording
protection from cattle. "By this means," said President Young, "we can
raise thousands of bushels of grain next season for ourselves and also
some to sustain those who shall come after us. I would rather fence a
block of ten acres, and have a crop, than plant a hundred acres for the
cattle to destroy."
It was decided that a presidency and a high council be appointed to
preside over the Saints in the valley. Elder John Smith, uncle of the
Prophet Joseph Smith, who was at the time on the plains, was chosen as
president. President Young moved that "we call this place 'The Great
Salt Lake City, of the Great Basin of North America,'" and that the
post office be called "The Great Basin Post Office." Elder Heber C.
Kimball moved that the river running west of the settlement be called
"The Western Jordan." Some of the creeks were also named as follows:
City Creek, Red Butte Creek, Canyon Creek (afterwards Emigration Creek)
and Big Canyon Creek (Parley's Creek). Those streams farther to the
south were not named at that time.
At the close of the services Elder Heber C. Kimball remarked: "This is
a paradise to me, and one of the loveliest places I ever beheld. I hope
none of us will be left alive to pollute this land. I would rather die
than act as inconsistent as many have in times past."
The Return of the Pioneers
President Young felt great anxiety for the companies of Saints who
were on the plains wending their way to the valley. There was much to
be done in order to care properly for those who had already arrived,
protect them from hostile Indians and prepare for the coming winter
season. This labor required his attention and that of the leading
brethren for some days. However, it was deemed necessary that a company
start back at once to meet the oncoming immigrants. Monday, August 2,
1847, it was decided in a council meeting, that Elder Ezra T. Benson
with a company of horsemen should start back immediately. About noon
on that day this company departed. They carried instructions from
President Young to obtain the names of all who were in the several
camps, together with the number of wagons, horses, oxen and other
animals; also to ascertain the condition of the health and needs of
the immigrants, so that assistance might be rendered where necessary.
August 16 and 17, a company selected from the original pioneers and
battalion started back for this purpose. This company consisted
of seventy-one men, with thirty-three wagons, fourteen mules and
ninety-two yoke of oxen. It was divided into two divisions with Tunis
Rappleyee and Shadrach Roundy as captains. August 26, President Young
and the apostles started on their return to Winter Quarters. This
company consisted of one hundred and eight men, thirty-six wagons,
seventy-one horses and forty-nine mules. They passed a number of trains
on the way to the valley, totaling more than fifteen hundred men, women
and children, with five hundred and sixty wagons and five thousand
head of stock. Among these immigrants were Elders Parley P. Pratt and
John Taylor of the council of the apostles, who were in charge of the
companies.
President Young's Instructions and Blessing
President Young arrived at Winter Quarters, October 31, after an
eventful journey back across the plains. When the company arrived
within a mile of Winter Quarters, President Young called them together
and made the following remarks:
"Brethren, I will say to the pioneers, I wish you would receive
my thanks for your kindness and willingness to obey orders. I
am satisfied with you; you have done well. We have accomplished
more than we expected. The one hundred and forty-three men who
started, some of them sick, are all well. Not a man has died; and
we have not lost a horse, mule or ox, except through carelessness.
The blessings of the Lord have been with us. If the brethren are
satisfied with me and the Twelve, please signify it with uplifted
hands. (All hands were raised.) I feel to bless you in the name of
the Lord God of Israel. You are dismissed to go to your homes."
The company then drove into the town of Winter Quarters in order,
arriving about one hour before sunset. The streets of the town were
filled with eager people and the weary pioneers rejoiced once more to
behold their wives, children and friends.
Organization of a Stake of Zion
Sunday, October 3, 1847, the Saints in the Salt Lake Valley met in
conference and transacted business which had been proposed by President
Young and the apostles before their departure. "Uncle" John Smith, who
had been chosen before his arrival, was sustained as president of the
Salt Lake Stake of Zion, with Charles C. Rich and John Young as his
counselors. Members of the high council were also chosen as follows:
Henry G. Sherwood, Thomas Grover, Levi Jackman, John Murdock, Daniel
Spencer, Lewis Abbot, Ira Eldredge, Edson Whipple, Shadrach Roundy,
John Vance, Willard Snow and Abraham O. Smoot.
Charles C. Rich was also selected as chief military commander under the
direction of the stake authorities. Albert Carrington was selected to
act as clerk and historian of the city, and John Van Cott as marshal.
Population at the Close of 1847
The last company to enter the valley in 1847 arrived in October. The
several companies were listed by Thomas Bullock as follows: President
Young's pioneer company, 148; the Mississippi company, 47; Mormon
Battalion, 210; Daniel Spencer's company, 204; Parley P. Pratt's
company, 198; Abraham O. Smoot's company, 139; Charles C. Rich's
company, 130; George B. Wallace's company, 198; Edward Hunter's
company, 155; Joseph Home's company, 197; Joseph B. Noble's company,
171; W. Snow's company, 148; and Jedediah M. Grant's company, the last
of the season, 150. The total being 2,095 souls for the year.
Notes
1. It is quite generally understood that there were three women who
entered the Salt Lake Valley with the pioneers in July, 1847. The
fact has been overlooked by many that there were other noble women,
besides these three who accompanied President Young across the plains,
who braved the dangers and hardships of the journey to the west.
Among the Mississippi Saints who met the pioneers at Fort Laramie and
journeyed with them from that point into the Salt Lake Valley, were the
following: Elizabeth Crow, Harriet Crow, Elizabeth J. Crow, Ira Vinda
Exene Crow, Irmaninda Almarene Crow and Marilla Jane Therlkill.