Top Ten Things Not to Do on the Mormon Exodus to Utah in 1846

~ John W. Howell

Top Ten Things Not to Do

 

This post continues the Top Ten Things Not to Do with a historical background. February 10th marks the anniversary of the beginning of the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo, Illinois to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah. The year was 1846, and the first Mormons began the long trek led by Brigham Young. If you have the ability to time travel, please take this list before joining the expedition. It could keep you out of trouble.

Top Ten Things Not to Do on the Mormon Exodus to Utah in 1846.

10 If you are on the trek, do not ask to borrow a cup of flour from your fellow traveler. If you do, at best they will pretend not to hear you. At worst, the trail captain will assume you have not rationed your supplies. (Everyone was told to be careful, Gizur. You now are ordered to the end of the line where it is rumored the mountain lion does her food shopping )

9 If you are on the trek, do not ask Tiny the WWF champ if you can ride in his handcart. If you do, at best he will think you are joking. At worst, Tiny, who just spent time in a group session on compromise, cannot refuse you. (In fact, Tiny insists that you take turns riding and pushing the cart. Let’s see, Glyn. You weigh 150 pounds and Tiny 300. This may be a long walk.)

8 If you are on the trek, do not think you can skip church service. If you do, you’ll be given a second chance. At worst, the elders will decide your fate. (You have found the elders do not have a sense of humor regarding missing church, Godofredo. It may be time to merely attend rather than have to pull that heavy wagon alone.)

7 If you are on the trek, do not ask, “Are we there yet?” just after leaving Illinois. If you do, at best no one will answer you. At worst, your wagon driver will require you to sit down a be quiet for the rest of the trip. (Talk about boring, Godwin. There is no license, or I Spy  game to play either.)

6 If you are on the trek, do not start singing 99 bottles of beer on the wall. If you do, at best your driver is not a Mormon.  At worst, you are in Brigham’s wagon, and now you have to walk. (Isn’t it strange, Goodwin how one man’s feast is another’s poison. Next time sing 99 bottles of sarsaparilla on the wall.)

5 If you are on the trek, do not wish out loud for a stop at Stuckey’s for a pecan roll. If you do, at best folks will think you have the spotted fever. At worst, you will be asked to describe a pecan roll. (Now you’ve done it, Gorka. Once you start talking about a pecan roll, you’ll be on your own with your next adventure trying to outrun the great American Brown bear.

4 If you are on the trek, do not think you need to tell ghost stories around the campfire. If you do, at best most will go to bed early. At worst, you’ll be stuck with old Zeke. (Wouldn’t you know it, Gothfraidh. Old Zeke tells stories that cause your hair to stand on end. No sleep for you tonight)

3 If you are on the trek, do not suggest a side trip to Yosemite Falls. If you do, at best you’ll get some strange looks. At worst, you will be able to take the side trip by yourself. (You only have 600 more miles, Govannon. Don’t worry about the bottoms of your shoes wearing out. You can always wear wooden sandals. Oh, that’s right. You left the ax behind.)

2 If you are on the trek, do not let your sourdough die. If you do, at best you might be able to get new starter. At worst, you will be without bread for the rest of the trip. (You were supposed to keep that dough going, Graeme. No one is going to give you their precious mixture. At least you can make porridge out of flour and water. UGH)

1 If you are on the trek, do not try to drive ahead of Brigham to enter the Salt Lake Valley ahead of him. If you do, at best others will see what you are trying to do and stop you. At worst you enter the valley ahead of Brigham (Can you imagine history recording that you were one of the first into the valley huh, Grandville? How would you feel having altered history in such a way? You would be the time traveler equivalent of a litterbug.)

63 thoughts on “Top Ten Things Not to Do on the Mormon Exodus to Utah in 1846”

  8. Anyone wanting to stop at Stuckey’s must have brought along modern money. That’s going to cause more of a problem than Stuckey’s. Gorka may be considered some kind of weird spy for the non-Mormon persecutors and be left alone on a prairie somewhere along the way. He better try to find a tree to climb at night to escape wolves, etc. who still live there until he can travel back. 😦 — Suzanne

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  17. I laughed out loud when I read: “the end of the line where it is rumored the mountain lion does her food shopping.” And you were on a roll with the pecan roll, weren’t you?! Glad I’m not time traveling today, John.

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  21. Interesting insight! That request for sourdough starter would have been a non-starter for me, if I’d been asked. I once spent an entire summer caring for a sourdough culture for a student. It grew like blazes, and I had to get rid of half of it from time to time (I’m not into breadmaking, you can probably guess).

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    1. I sure am. The Utah militia attacked a group of non-Mormons from Arkansas and killed all the men and women. A few kids were spared. The Mormons got some Paiute Indians to help. This was in 1857. Seems the Mormons were acting on some belief that outsiders were evil. I think they killed over 100

      This all took place at Mountain Meadows, Utah.

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        1. When I do these historical post I get pretty deep. I stumbled across that one and was fascinated by the arrogance of the Mormons given the fact that they were persecuted originally.

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