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Brigham Young and the Great Mormon Handcart Tragedy

J.R.R. Tolkien

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Published in Devil S Gate: Brigham Young And The Great Mormon Handcart Tragedy

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The Great Mormon Handcart Tragedy was a disaster that occurred in the winter of 1856-1857, when a group of Mormon pioneers traveling from Iowa City to Salt Lake City were caught in a blizzard and many died. The tragedy is often attributed to the poor planning and leadership of Brigham Young, the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Background

In the 1840s and 1850s, thousands of Mormon pioneers left their homes in Europe and the eastern United States to travel to Salt Lake City, the headquarters of the LDS Church. Many of these pioneers traveled by handcart, a two-wheeled cart that was pulled by hand. Handcarts were a cheaper and more efficient way to travel than wagons, but they were also more dangerous.

Devil's Gate: Brigham Young and the Great Mormon Handcart Tragedy

by David Roberts

4.5 out of 5

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In 1856, Brigham Young issued a call for 2,000 Mormon pioneers to travel to Salt Lake City by handcart. Young promised that the pioneers would be met by church leaders in Wyoming and provided with food and supplies. However, due to a series of delays, the pioneers did not arrive in Wyoming until late October. By this time, the weather had turned cold and the pioneers were ill-prepared for the journey ahead.

The Tragedy

On October 27, 1856, the first group of handcart pioneers left Wyoming. The group consisted of 560 people, including women, children, and elderly people. The pioneers traveled slowly, and by the time they reached Nebraska, they were already exhausted and running out of food.

On November 1, the pioneers were caught in a blizzard. The blizzard lasted for three days, and by the time it ended, 120 people had died. The remaining pioneers were rescued by a group of Mormon settlers from Salt Lake City.

Aftermath

The Great Mormon Handcart Tragedy was a devastating event for the LDS Church. The tragedy led to the deaths of hundreds of people, and it cast a shadow over the church's reputation. Brigham Young was widely criticized for his role in the tragedy, and he was accused of being negligent and reckless.

In the years following the tragedy, the LDS Church made changes to its handcart program. The church began providing more food and supplies to the pioneers, and it also established a system of way stations along the trail. These changes helped to prevent future tragedies.

Legacy

The Great Mormon Handcart Tragedy is a reminder of the challenges and dangers that the Mormon pioneers faced as they traveled to Salt Lake City. The tragedy is also a testament to the resilience and determination of the Mormon people. Despite the hardships they faced, the Mormon pioneers persevered and built a new home in the West.

The Great Mormon Handcart Tragedy was a tragic event that had a profound impact on the LDS Church. The tragedy is a reminder of the challenges and dangers that the Mormon pioneers faced as they traveled to Salt Lake City. It is also a testament to the resilience and determination of the Mormon people.

Devil's Gate: Brigham Young and the Great Mormon Handcart Tragedy

by David Roberts

4.5 out of 5