September 12, 1856
Franklin D. Richards
“They were considerably weakened ... but were in good spirits.”
Diary passage describing the Willie handcart company near North Bluff Creek.
Read the transcript
Faith across the journey
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The first wagons left Nauvoo, Illinois, on February 4, 1846, beginning the westward exodus. The National Park Service estimates that nearly 70,000 Latter-day Saint emigrants followed the trail to the Great Salt Lake Valley from 1847 through 1868.
After crossing Iowa, the Saints established Winter Quarters on the west bank of the Missouri River in present-day Omaha, Nebraska. Other settlements and outfitting camps were established across the river in Iowa.
Members of the advance company entered the Salt Lake Valley before Brigham Young, who was ill and traveling behind them. Young's carriage entered the camp on July 24, 1847.
The arrival is celebrated. Today, Pioneer Day is a Utah state holiday commemorating this historic journey.
Temple Square evolves from a muddy lot to a spiritual center. The Tabernacle and other buildings transform the heart of Salt Lake City.
Construction of the Salt Lake Temple began in 1853. The temple was dedicated in 1893, forty years after the cornerstone ceremony.
Over 3,000 pioneers pull handcarts across the plains. The Martin and Willie handcart companies face tragic rescues in 1856.
The golden spike was driven at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869. The completed transcontinental railroad reduced a journey of months to days and brought the organized overland pioneer era to a close.
Utah became the 45th state on January 4, 1896, after a long and contested path from territory to statehood.
The organized exodus began here in February 1846 after violence, legal conflict, and pressure against the Latter-day Saints in Illinois. Wagons crossed the Mississippi River into Iowa Territory.
The pioneers established Garden Grove as an Iowa way station, where they planted crops and built shelters to help companies that followed.
Winter Quarters stood in present-day Omaha, Nebraska, with additional camps and settlements across the river in Iowa. This Missouri River area became the principal staging and outfitting region for westward companies.
Famous natural landmark on the trail. This distinctive rock formation served as a beacon for weary travelers crossing the plains.
This established trading post on the North Platte River was an important landmark and resupply point on several western emigrant trails.
This prominent granite landmark became known for the names and dates carved or painted by travelers on the western emigrant trails.
The trail followed and repeatedly crossed the Sweetwater River. Devil's Gate, a narrow gorge cut by the river, became one of the route's best-known landmarks.
Crossing the Continental Divide. This gentle pass through the Rocky Mountains opened the way to the Great Basin.
Fort Bridger was a trading post and landmark on the final portion of the route toward the Great Salt Lake Valley.
The trail passed through this narrow canyon during the final mountain approach toward the Salt Lake Valley.
Steep canyon descent into the valley. Pioneers guide their wagons through narrow passages before emerging into Salt Lake Valley.
Members of the advance company entered the valley before Brigham Young arrived on July 24. The company began planting crops and digging irrigation ditches soon after arrival.
The 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre occurred far south of the main 1846-1847 pioneer route. It is included here only as a separate and painful episode in territorial Utah history; follow the official Church History topic for a sourced account.
The Willie and Martin handcart companies depart from Iowa City later than planned. The delay sets off a chain of events that will test faith and endurance to the limit.
The late departure left the companies on the plains as food diminished and severe autumn weather approached. Snowstorms in October intensified the crisis.
Severe October snowstorms caught both companies in present-day Wyoming. Cold, hunger, exhaustion, and illness caused many deaths while rescuers traveled east from Utah.
After learning that the companies were still on the trail, Brigham Young called for rescuers, wagons, food, clothing, and teams. Relief parties traveled east from the Salt Lake Valley and assisted the emigrants.
The Martin Company camped in the area now called Martin's Cove from November 4 to 9. The cove offered some shelter, but the emigrants continued to suffer from cold, hunger, illness, and exhaustion.
The Willie Company reached Salt Lake City on November 9, and the Martin Company arrived on November 30. Residents received the survivors and helped provide food, clothing, and shelter.
The Willie and Martin experience is remembered for suffering, rescue, faith, and the consequences of delayed departure and inadequate provisions. Claims about miracles, motives, or individual experiences should be tied to identified contemporary records rather than generalized tradition.
Hear brief, verified voices from the trail, then open the Church History record to read the transcript in context. The Ask experience above also uses Tell My Story, Too to identify a pioneer before corroborating the selected person through authoritative records.
“They were considerably weakened ... but were in good spirits.”
Diary passage describing the Willie handcart company near North Bluff Creek.
Read the transcript“The spirit of the Lord prevailed.”
Willie's report of the company aboard the Thornton before the overland journey.
Read the transcript“There were two of us and hundreds needing help.”
Jones's account of encountering the handcart company during the rescue.
Read the transcript