Spiritually Fed Wednesday

A day late... isn't that my life lately.

This Saturday is Pioneer Day. How are you all celebrating?? Wish we were in Utah for the celebrations.

Many emigrants made one "last camp" in Emigration Canyon before heading into the Valley of the great Salt Lake. Young and party camped here July 23, the last night before joining the rest of the 1847 pioneers. He was riding in Woodruff's carriage and, in the morning, Woodruff turned his carriage around so Young could get a better view of the valley. Woodruff noted in his journal the "President Young expressed his full satisfaction in the appearance of the Valley as a resting place for the saints & was Amply repaid for his Journey."

According to Hosea Stout, Young reconfirmed this in 1848, Woodruff embellished the events of July 24, 1847, with the following afterthought: "President Young was enwraped in vision for several minutes. He had seen the Valley before in vision, and upon this occasion he was the future glory of Zion and of Israel as they would be...when the vision passed, he said 'It is enough. This is the place, drive on.'"

The advance party had explored the valley. The lack of trees was their only objection and they realized they would initially have to build out of Spanish brick or adobe. The Saints also improved the Trail at the mouth of Emigration Canyon and, of course, offered up a prayer. This honor was given to Orson Pratt. They also dammed City Creek for irrigation, dug ditches, plowed and planted about 35 acres of potatoes, corn, beans, turnips, and buckweat--things that would have the best chance of maturing in spite of the very late planting.

It was Young's illness that delayed his entrance into the valley until July 24. Erastus Snow and Orson Pratt had actually entered the valley July 21, and the advance company on the next day. Nevertheless July 24 became, and has remained, the second most important date in the Mormon calendar (the first is April 6, the day Joseph Smith organized the church in 1830). It is also the day Utah history officially begins. Everything in Mormon history is figured from before or after July 24, 1847.


"This is the place, drive on." --Brigham Young, 1847

"We came in sight of the city, oh, how my heart leaped for joy at the sight. The Zion I had so long wished to see." -- Thomas Memmott, 1862


Happy 24th of July... Hope you all enjoy the day and have enjoyed a glimpse into the pioneers journey.