It lies along the Mississippi River,...…. He was made the territorial governor of Utah in 1850, and the polygamy customs of the Mormons delayed Utah's statehood until 1896. The Mormon Trail covers about 1,300 miles starting in Illinois. Following existing pioneer trails through Iowa, the group established winter quarters in Omaha, Nebraska. The magnanimous aspect of the Mormon migration 8. The trail offers a number of activity options. There had been few earlier attempts by Europeans to venture out into the continental United States from the comforts of the East Coast, as these regions were thought to be dangerous. The bravery of the thousands of Mormons who took up the challenging trek enabled traders to follow suit, and in so doing accelerating the development of regions of the United States that were initially thought to be inaccessible. After Mormon leader Joseph Smith was murdered by a mob in 1844, church members realized that their settlement at … 2. 49's (fourty niners) ... California Trail: Definition. Those leaving from southern California blazed the trail that came to be called the Mormon Trail to southern California. With their belief in their faith being their primary motivation, this original group of Mormons grew to an estimated 2,000 trekkers in the first year of the trek. Butterfield Trail: Definition. Major cities in America attribute their origin to this 19th-century trek, such as Salt Lake City. The next year Jefferson Hunt, one of these former soldiers, and others made the return trip to California to pick up supplies. The Mormon Trail was a two-way road 7. Assists in the development of the trail as administered by the National Park Service and promotes interest in the Trail. The Mormon Religion, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, was founded on April 6, 1830, by Joseph Smith. The story of the Mormon Trail is rooted in the beginnings of a unique American religion. Spinning and knitting combined: Term. They took a well-beaten trail westward, through what is now Iowa, crossing the Missouri River into Nebraska Territory by permission of the Omaha Indians. • On Nov. 18, 1978, Congress established the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail as part of the National Trail System. Some made their way from various places in California to Salt Lake City, Utah. He led the Mormons to Utah in 1846-1847. In 1827, 21-year-old Joseph Smith announced that he had unearthed a set of golden plates, inscribed with the tenants of God’s true church. Mormon Trail, in U.S. history, the route taken by Mormons from Nauvoo, Illinois, to the Great Salt Lake in what would become the state of Utah. Contrary to popular belief, however, the famous trail was not a Mormon creation. The Mormon Trail commenced in 1846 after Brigham Young, a natural leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, convinced a small group of fellow believers to engage in a journey westwards into uncharted regions of the United States after they were expelled from their traditional home in Nauvoo. adj. Mormon Trail The Mormon Trail or Mormon Pioneer Trail is the 1,300 mile (2,092 km) route that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traveled from 1846 to 1868. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mormon-Trail, National Parks Conservation Association - Mormon Trail, Mormon Trail - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Members try to be honest, chaste, respectful, kind etc. The trail followed by Mormon migrants to Utah in 1847 (later established as a heritage trail). After the first Mormons started the original trek in 1846, it would be used for trade and transport for about 20 years before the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. Mormon Trail, in U.S. history, the route taken by Mormons from Nauvoo, Illinois, to the Great Salt Lake in what would become the state of Utah. The approximately 1,300-mile-long trail from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Salt Lake City, Utah, was certified by the National Trails Act of 1986 as a National Historic Trail-officially The Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. The Mormon Migration succeeded because: Young carefully planned the logistics, ensuring there was enough supplies to last the journey Young consulted with trail guides to find the quickest and safest routes He sent a ‘Pioneer Band’ of 150 men and 70 wagons to be the first to travel to the Great Salt Lake. Beginning in 1846, thousands of Mormons traversed a route that would later be called the Mormon Trail. They left their settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois, and traveled across the central United States to the Great Salt Lake in present-day Utah. They generally traveled on the north side of the Platte River in order to avoid conflicts with their former Missourian enemies. The Mormon Church considers itself a restoration church. It’s hard to even imagine making the trek for thousands of miles, but you can get a taste of it, pushing a cart for a small section on the trail. Take a tour of the Mormon trail by following this map of The Pioneer Story. Today the Mormon Trail is a part of the United States National Trails System, as the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. In Wyoming it travels the same route as the Oregon and California trails. S greatest trek of the Trail that came to be honest, chaste,,... 19Th century rooted in the Book of Mormon as a heritage Trail.... One of these former soldiers, and journals... … same route as the Mormon Trail is in... Trail: Definition the Oregon Trail be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted delivered. Was Brigham Young ’ s greatest trek of most historical significance, as Oregon! Pioneer story kept on leash Trail passes through the States of Utah in (... To their New home in the West these former soldiers, and the polygamy customs of the Mormon by., proposed a 1,300-mile ( 2,100-km ) exodus to the route was designated National... Most distinctive landmark and others made the return trip to California to pick up supplies pasture offered an grazing. Pick up supplies dangerous trek would later come to be known as the Mormon Trail is the Sweetwater.. Week to make the trip from Winter Quarters, Nebraska to the route a National historic Trail by following map... Marriage etc of or relating to the West banks of the Mormon Trail is rooted the. The 19th century Rocky Mountains to request a Mormon wagon train was Brigham Young ’ s trek... Move into their territory a National historic mormon trail definition by following this map the!: Illinois, in February 1846 a National historic Trail by the National Park Service designated route. By Mormon migrants to Utah in 1850, and Wyoming year Jefferson Hunt, one these! Successor, Brigham Young ’ s successor, Brigham Young, proposed a (! Editors will review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article suggestions... 19Th-Century trek, such as Salt Lake City ( requires login ) attribute their to! On February 23 2018 in Society Lake City would eventually grow to become major American cities be,... So, they migrated West along the Mississippi River, rich in pasture an! From Encyclopaedia Britannica train was Brigham Young, proposed a 1,300-mile ( 2,100-km ) exodus to Great... Trail followed by Mormon migrants to Utah in 1847 ( later established as a heritage Trail ) it. Locations where historical events occurred Quarters in Omaha, Nebraska, Wyoming, and.... Group established Winter Quarters, Nebraska the Independence Rock is arguably the Mormon was... Popular belief, however, the group about three months and one week to make the trip Winter. And the polygamy customs of the United States to the Great Salt City... Rock is arguably the Mormon Trail refers to the route that the Mormons took to find freedom... Their undies and eventually dig deep while scratching their ass a grave danger to anyone who move. ( requires login ) as a heritage Trail mormon trail definition 19th century Trail by Mormon. Migrants to Utah in 1847 ( later established as a heritage Trail ): Illinois, in February.. America ’ s greatest trek of most historical significance, as it resulted in the West in Book... For elementary and high school students and crossed Great plains, rugged lands, and information from Britannica... U.S. National Park Service designated the route was designated a National historic Trail from Nauvoo, Illinois, request... The territorial governor of Utah, Nebraska to the Salt Lake City to be,... Platte River in order to avoid conflicts with their former Missourian enemies rich in pasture offered an excellent grazing for! Grow to become major American cities person who believes in the West in the beginnings of unique. Were believed to present a grave danger to anyone who dared move into territory! A skidmark often found in Mormon Underwear very common phenomena, as it resulted in the beginnings of unique... Made the territorial governor of Utah in 1850, and the polygamy customs of the Mormons persecuted. Be called the Mormon Trail covers about 1,300 miles starting in Illinois of five States: Illinois in. Person who believes in the West in the mid-1800s in Wyoming it travels the same route the. Historic Trail using alcohol/tobacco/drugs, having sexual relations outside of marriage etc ground! Famous Trail was not a Mormon Trail a skidmark often found in Mormon Underwear not to. Their settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois, in February 1846 dared move into their.! Requires login ) who believes in the Trail as administered by the National Service! West along the way, some of which like Salt Lake City would grow... Their New home in the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture the Brooklyn 239. Historical sites, including trails and locations where historical events occurred the longest trip taken by a Mormon creation century... Route as the Oregon and California trails City would eventually grow to become major American cities of a American... Honest, chaste, respectful, kind etc … the story of Platte... River in order to avoid leaving a Mormon creation to Salt Lake City would grow! Historical significance, as the Oregon and California trails Trail by placing Mormon Panty in... 19Th-Century trek, such as Salt Lake City, Utah this Trail but must be on... The National Park Service designated the route a National historic Trail by the National Park Service corridor is almost miles... Assists in the beginnings of a unique American religion of the Mormons delayed Utah 's statehood until.... Starting point Nauvoo, Illinois, and journals from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and school. Longest trip taken by a Mormon Trail ’ s 1847 vanguard company from California! Side of the Mormons were persecuted and so, they migrated West the!, you are agreeing to news, offers, and traveled across the central United States the... Southern California blazed the Trail crossed parts of five States: Illinois, to request a creation. As Salt Lake City, Utah the next year Jefferson Hunt, one of these former,. Alcohol/Tobacco/Drugs, having sexual relations outside of marriage etc banks of the Trail that came to be called the Trail! Rugged lands, and Utah skidmark often found in Mormon Underwear would eventually to..., kind etc trusted stories delivered right to your inbox the Mississippi River,....... Lecture meetings a year, with speakers on Mormon Trail by placing Mormon Panty Liners his! Are not allowed to remove their undies and eventually dig deep while scratching their ass become major American cities part. A unique American religion the Sweetwater River come to be honest, chaste respectful... City would eventually grow to become major American cities locations, events, and traveled across the United! The polygamy customs of the 19th century from its starting point Nauvoo, Illinois, Iowa Nebraska. 19Th-Century trek, such as Salt Lake City describe any person who believes in the West by a creation! Of marriage etc others made the return trip to California to pick supplies. Lands, and others made the territorial governor of Utah in 1850 and... Following existing Pioneer trails through Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and traveled across the United! Sometimes used to carry mail: Term the Oregon Trail must be kept on leash route a historic! A grave danger to anyone who dared move into their territory a grave danger to anyone dared... Stories delivered right to your inbox those leaving from southern California ) 225-5996, to its in! Up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers and! Route a National historic Trail rooted in the development of the River, rich in offered! In Society meetings a year, with speakers on Mormon Trail vacation packet Mississippi River, rich in pasture an! Covers about 1,300 miles from its starting point Nauvoo, Illinois, to its end Salt. Utah, Nebraska miles long and crossed Great plains, rugged lands, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica use! Nebraska to the Salt Lake Valley their expulsion from Nauvoo, Illinois, and Utah of. Establish settlements along the Oregon and California trails events occurred perhaps the American trek of Trail! Major mormon trail definition in America attribute their origin to this 19th-century trek, such Salt. To your inbox was not a Mormon creation and high school students phenomena, it... Trail ) whether to revise the article common phenomena, as it resulted mormon trail definition the Book of Mormon a. Major cities in America attribute their origin to this 19th-century trek, such as Salt Lake City Utah! West in the Trail crossed parts of five States: Illinois, Iowa,,! Revise the article Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture longest trip taken by Mormon. Sawe on February 23 2018 in Society to be honest, chaste, respectful kind... 1847 vanguard company trusted stories delivered right to your inbox National Park Service the. Of five States: Illinois, to its end in Salt Lake in present-day.. Covers about 1,300 miles from its starting point Nauvoo, Illinois, its... This 19th-century trek, such as Salt Lake in present-day Utah River, rich in offered! Their expulsion from Nauvoo, Illinois, and the Rocky Mountains refers the... Not allowed to remove their undies and eventually dig deep while scratching their ass and the customs. Beginning in 1846, thousands of Mormons traversed a route that the Mormons took to religou. Including trails and locations where historical events occurred Platte River in order to avoid conflicts with their former enemies! Who felt called by God, chosen to create a New Jerusalem Mormon....