The 60’s and 70’s really ruined us, when it came to history. Thank goodness we have come back to embrace our past and include it into our future.
I ran into an article in the Women’s Exponent. Emmeline always promoted the remembering of our roots. History lessons abound within the pages of this publication. I take the following points from an article written by M. E. Kimball in 1893, remembering “the early days” in the valley.
When the Saints first settled in the valley, they built a fort with walls surrounding, and protecting them, in the Pioneer Park area of Salt Lake City (3rd West and 4th North roughly).
There was very little water found other than Jordan River (which was more or less a trickle of water at that time) and City Creek, which was closer to the mountains. The pioneers planted their gardens near City Creek, setting up an irrigation schedule that had to be maintained every day.
The first winter was adequate for the Saints, but the next summer the crickets came and devoured all that they had worked so hard to grow. “I shall never forget Br. Stainers’ nursery of young trees, looking so lovely, but while he went to dinner they were all devoured by crickets.” She recalls the “Miracle of the Sea Gulls” and how the birds gorged themselves on the crickets until they were gone. “With what gratitude did we behold this wonderful rescue. Even the children could see and feel that God did hear and answer our prayers. Our united thanks were offered daily to heaven for this miraculous help.”
When Millard Fillmore became President of the United States, he appointed Brigham Young governor of Utah and an agent of Indian affairs. The pioneers always treated the Indians fairly, but trouble would occasionally rise up. It was discovered that when an Indian died, they wanted a white man to be buried with him to be his servant on the other side. George A. Smith’s son, as well as many other young men fell victim to this tradition. “When Chief Walker died, he being the chief, they asked President Young for a man to bury with him. But the President answered, ‘No!’ not a man but as many horses as you like.’
Some angry men went to President Fillmore complaining about the disobedient Mormons. So, an army, led by General Johnston, was sent out west to discover what these setters were doing. The Mormons left the city of Salt Lake and moved south for several months to avoid any ugly confrontation. As it so happened, nothing came of this investigation. Another great blessing.
President Young was put under house arrest for a period of time because of the mistrust toward Mormons. During this time, the Chicago Fire ravaged that poor city. Brigham and several prominent men sent several thousands of dollars to aid those people.
Other situations have come up where unjust judgment caused pain and trial for our pioneer forebears, but this was the lesson learned: Remember the words of Jesus. “It must needs be that offences come, but woe unto them by whom they come.” May our faith keep us innocent, and our judgment be silenced.
Taken from a Woman’s Exponent article, written by M. E. Kimball, Sept 15, 1893.