--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Martin, Thomas L. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 14 number: 4 published: 1911-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Thomas L. Martin, "The “Mormon” Exodus," *Improvement Era* 14, no. 4 (February 1911): 340–343.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1404unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1404unse start_page: 340 end_page: 343 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1911-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1404unse publication_year: 1911 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1911, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The “Mormon” Exodus THE "MORMON" EXODUS. 341 find a race of more determination, more integrity, more self- sacrifice than the genuine Anglo-Saxon? But we shall yet see a people more determined than the follow- ers of Alfred; more grateful than the Pilgrim Fathers; more heroic than the intellectual giants of 1776. I say we are to see a people, descendants of the Anglo-Saxons, grander, more noble, and whose mission is even greater than that of any other people who ever existed— it is the people commonly called "Mormons." In the beginning of the nineteenth century, a child, who was to usher in the dispensation of the fulness of times, was born. He became the founder, through the Lord, of their religion. When fourteen years of age, he startled the world with the declaration that he had been visited by an angel. He was called a dreamer, a visionary; his best friends turned from him, but he still held to his declaration. Choice characters of the nation quickly came to his assistance, and they formed, by command of God, an organization called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The gospel of Jesus Christ which they represented was preached to the nations of the earth. The command, "Come out of her, 0 ye my people, and be not partakers of her evil deeds, that ye receive not of her plagues," was quickly complied with, and in a few years the "Mormons" — for so they were nick- named—comprised many of the sturdy men and women of the old countries. They settled in the state of Missouri, minding their own business, and worshiping God according to the dictates of their own consciences. Little did the people of the world know of the greatness of this heroic few. Little did they know that they formed the nucleus of one of the greatest organizations of people that ever existed . Little did they know that the Saints were to fulfil the prophecies uttered by the prophets of Holy Writ. It was not destined that this little band of people should live without molestation. Satan was determined to frustrate the plans of God. He inspired the neighboring people with the spirit of persecution. Their prophet was taken, on false charges, before the courts. The people were falsely accused of theft and other crimes. - Persecution became so unbearable that they were com- pelled to flee for their lives. Judges, governors, and a president were appealed to, without avail. The answers to their pleadings may be summed up in the reply of one of them: "No; your cause is just, but we can do nothing for you." Their only alter- native was exile to a neighboring state. Falsely branded with the name criminal, the whole people were driven from their homes, in the dead of winter. And this in civilized America! The sick were dragged from their beds into the midnight air, and forced to seek shelter in some neighboring forest. The shiv- ering children were homeless, except for the tender arms of a suffering mother. Thus this little band of exiles was pursued by merciless oppressors. They left the tracks of their bleeding feet upon the snows of their pathway. Plundered, shivering, homeless and h>art-broken, they sought refuge in the neighboring state of Illinois. This friendless, bewildered, downtrodden people built the city of Nauvoo, where for a number of years they prospered and wor- shiped God in peace. But Satan saw that his plans were again threatened, and into the hearts of the people of Illinois— their one- time friends— he awakened a murderous spirit. His determina- tion to destroy this religion led to the martyrdom of the prophet and leader. But did the enemy accomplish his purpose? No! Did chat act have any effect upon the Saints? Yes! Their resolution to con- quer was redoubled; their Anglo Saxon spirits, upheld by Almighty God, created in them a more vigorous determination. Another leader, as true as the martyred prophet, was raised up to lead them onward, and to show that the work of the Lord would flour- ish in spite of all opposition. But persecution still continued — banishment seemed inevitable. Their only refuge, therefore, was to flee into the trackless deserts of the West, beyond the reach of their oppressors. And so, while Missouri was dividing the property of fourteen thousand people recently expelled; while Illinois was trying to cover up the blood of the murdered prophets; and the people of the country were looking on with silent indifference, this wonderful people, undimmed faith in God their only stay, were wending their way westward beyond the pale of civilization. Bare-footed, THE "MORMON" EXODUS. 343 with scant food and meagre clothing, they trudged onward, trust- ing in the providence of their Maker for assistance and protec- tion. Their food was often roots and thistles, their only bed the hard, cold ground. During their pilgrimage in the wilderness, war broke out between the United States and Mexico. The president of our country sent a messenger to President Brigham Young, asking for five hundred volunteers. In spite of the fact that these people had been thrust out of two states iito exile; in spite of the fact that their appeal in sore affliction, to governors, judges and president had been ignored; in spite of the fact that they were marching through a country full of uncounted dangers, acd were enduring hardships which at times threatened their very exist- ence, yet came their country's call for five hundred of their strong men as volunteers for war. They had sufficient cause to turn a deaf ear to that appeal, but their patriotism overruled their out- raged feelings, and Brigham Young cheerfully granted the request. In doing so, he said that if he could not find enough young men to fill the ranks, he would call upon the old men, and if there were not enough of them, he would call upon the women! Think of these people forgetting their wrongs and thus kissing the rod that would seem to smite them. You may search the records of the ages as far back as you may, but never find an example of patriotism its equal. The five hundred volunteers proceeded to the front, and the remaining pilgrims continued their weary journey, until, after months of toil an 1 hardship, they were rewarded by looking from the mountain tops over the sleeping Salt Lake valley — seemingly an eternal desolation, yet a home! A home where they could live in peace, unmolested, and worship God according to the dic- tates of their own consciences— a home that would henceforth be an asylum for the poor and oppressed. In a short time a new civilization was brought forth; water in abundance moistened the parched desert, and this poor and driven people began life anew. Brigham Young, their able leader, planned a city. By the united efforts of the pioneers, upheld and strength- ened by Providence, a city, surrounded by these mighty hills, was founded. 344 IMPRO VEMENT ERA . Do we find them now settling down in idleness? No! The hands of both men and women were made active through resolute deter- mination, and, as the city grew, a line of thriving settlements began to radiate throughout the land. They soon formed the Territory of Deseret. They have for generations continued to live together, attend- ing to their religious duties, full of devotion, industrious, called by their enemies the filth and dross of the world, but willing to bear the contumely for the sake of their religious ideals. Unjustly called by every despicable name imaginable— low-bred, deluded, fanatical— yet these gray-haired men and women, stooping through incessant toil, have proved themselves heroes and heroines, full of religi jus faith and morality. Chosen from the ranks of the meek and lowly, like the apostles of Christ, through their humility, and by the exercise of virtue, they have exalted true manhood and womanhood, which should compel the civilized world to bow to them in reverence. Built upon such foundations, the rising gener- ations, partaking of that same spirit, should today uphold the highest ideals of righteousness, virtue, integrity, that the world has ever known. Their work is not going to vanish as the pioneers leave us. No; the rising generations are proving to the world that they are well worthy of such noble ancestry. The work of God is going onward. Hundreds and thousands of noble young men and women are traveling over the world with the message of life and salvation, and finding joy in their missions, even though they find rest upon the grass by the wayside, and their roof be the starry firmament. I said, to begin with, that we were to see a people more determined than the followers of Alfred; more grateful than the Pilgrim Fathers; more heroic than the intellectual giants of 76. Now, what people have shown more determination than the "Mormon" pioneers in their enforced march across the plains? Who show more gratitude, today, than this people who are send- ing out, year after year, hundreds of young men to give to the world the saving doctrines of the gospel of Christ? Search the world for a band of people more unselfish, more desirous for man's exaltation! You cannot find them. They are without an equal in