September 29, 2008
The Truth about Brigham Young Posted by American Heritage Staff at 07:00 AM EST Before too many readers get seduced by Mr. Rammell's outrage over the purported sliming of Brigham Young and our ancestors (yes, some of my g-g-grandparents were among the handcart group, and some arrived here even before that, having walked all the way across the Great Plains), I recommend reviewing some objective history on the subject (which isn't taught in Utah schools or seminaries). I understand there's a new volume out, The Devil's Gate, which I have no doubt will deeply trouble the LDS faithful. The facts about the handcart migration are indeed disturbing. It was the largest disaster in terms of human tragedy during the entire Overland Migration circa 1845-1869, and it took place largely because of Brigham Young's greed and not because the emigrants declined counsel from Mormon elders. The initial factor that led to Brigham Young electing to replace oxen with human beasts-of-burden was a dearth of funds in the Perpetual Emigration Fund (which he had been using, along with members' tithing moneys, to support a relatively extravagant lifestyle in Great Salt Lake City). This occurred because of the disclosure the Saints in Utah were practicing polygamy, news of which offended upper-class British Mormons who ceased their donations. The story of Mormons-as-polygamists, confirming previous rumors, was first disclosed by Capt. John Gunnison who wrote a bestseller about his time spent living in Utah while doing survey work. Almost simultaneously, Orson Pratt announced the practice in the church's October, 1852, General Conference. As for the claim the "handcart pioneers came of their own free will," it would be prudent to review the circumstances that motivated their exodus to Zion. In the case of my Scottish ancestors (my Danish forebears waited around until they could take the train), they were enduring the "Clearances," where lands they had farmed for years as sharecroppers were suddenly snatched from beneath them as greedy English nobles sought land to raise sheep for the looms of the Industrial Revolution. Against this backdrop, LDS missionaries had a field day for conversions, selling the Mormon vision of the "promised land," and the "free will" argument becomes a moot point. Additionally, any claims about pioneers not renouncing their faith are equally moot; the handcart survivors were essentially shipped to distant parts, effectively buying their silence, and they had no choice whether to leave since they arrived penniless (and many had forwarded what funds they had to Salt Lake as "payment" for their passage). Finally, I am aware of one mass "exodus of the faithful." This group consisted of roughly 100 women—polygamist wives—who, in 1855, escaped to California with U.S. soldiers who'd previously been under the command of Col Edward Steptoe who had been sent to Utah to investigate the killing of Capt. Gunnison, and was later selected by President Franklin Pierce to replace Brigham Young as territorial governor (which, surprise, surprise, failed to happen). Randy Wright
Salt Lake City, UT
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