westward expansion moved out across the North American continent. Between 1840 and 1870, more than 500,000 emigrants went west along the Great Platte River Road from department points along the Missouri River. This corridor had been used for thousands of years by American Indians and in the mid-19th Century became the transportation route for successive waves of European trappers, missionaries, soldiers, teamsters, stage coach drivers, Pony Express riders, and overland emigrants bound to opportunity in the Oregon territory, the Great Basin, and the California gold fields.
The trunk of the corridor generally followed the Platte and North Platte rivers for more than 600 miles, then paralleled the Sweetwater River before crossing the Continental Divide at South Pass. Beyond South Pass the route divided several times, each branch pioneered by emigrants seeking a better way to various destinations. The route's importance declined with the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 but continued to receive limited use into the early 1900s.Few years in the Far West were more notable than 1846. That year saw a war start with Mexico, the Donner-Reed party embark on their infamous journey into a frozen world of indescribable horror, and the beginning of the best organized mass migration in American history. The participants of this migration, the Mormons, would establish thriving communities in what was considered by many to be a worthless desert.
From 1846 to 1869, more than 70,000 Mormons traveled west, (the Mormon Pioneer Trail). The trail started in Nauvoo, Illinois, across Iowa, connected with the Great Platte River Road at the Missouri River, and ended near the Great Salt Lake in Utah.following pre-existing routes, the trail carried thousands of Mormon emigrants to a new home and refuge in the Great Basin. From their labors. The State of Deseret, later to become the Utah Territory, and finally the State of Utah.
The trunk of the corridor generally followed the Platte and North Platte rivers for more than 600 miles, then paralleled the Sweetwater River before crossing the Continental Divide at South Pass. Beyond South Pass the route divided several times, each branch pioneered by emigrants seeking a better way to various destinations. The route's importance declined with the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 but continued to receive limited use into the early 1900s.Few years in the Far West were more notable than 1846. That year saw a war start with Mexico, the Donner-Reed party embark on their infamous journey into a frozen world of indescribable horror, and the beginning of the best organized mass migration in American history. The participants of this migration, the Mormons, would establish thriving communities in what was considered by many to be a worthless desert.
From 1846 to 1869, more than 70,000 Mormons traveled west, (the Mormon Pioneer Trail). The trail started in Nauvoo, Illinois, across Iowa, connected with the Great Platte River Road at the Missouri River, and ended near the Great Salt Lake in Utah.following pre-existing routes, the trail carried thousands of Mormon emigrants to a new home and refuge in the Great Basin. From their labors. The State of Deseret, later to become the Utah Territory, and finally the State of Utah.
RELIGON:
At the core of a Mormon’s testimony is faith in God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, and Joseph Smith’s restoration of the true church on earth. A basic belief in these truths is the foundation of a testimony of the church. Mormons believe and strive to follow the Ten Commandments and the Articles of Faith, which outline more basic Mormon beliefs. Because members of the Mormon Church believe in a modern day prophet, they are open to revelation from the Lord to change or expand the Church. Membership in the Mormon Church influences every aspect of the lives of its members. Mormons follow The word of wisdom ,a commandment that forbids drinking alcohol, coffee, tea, or using tobacco or illegal drugs. The law of tithing was later given to the people. Mormons believe in dressing modesty. Mormons refrain from recreating or shopping on Sundays in order to keep the Sabbath Day Holy.
