Mormon Trek West Sources
1. Nauvoo: Kingdom on the Mississippi
Quoted for Joseph Smith’s statement about those who refused to gather:
Flanders, Robert Bruce. Nauvoo: Kingdom on the Mississippi. University of Illinois Press.
2. Cultures in Conflict: A Documentary History of the Mormon War in Illinois
Documentary detailing the exodus from Nauvoo and related historical conflicts:
Cultures in Conflict: A Documentary History of the Mormon War in Illinois.
3. National Park Service Article
Discusses the Mormon Pioneer Trail and deaths along the trail from 1846 to 1847:
https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/the-1846-trek-mormon-pioneer-trail.htm
4. Deseret News Article
Examines deaths at Winter Quarters during the winter of 1846–1847:
https://www.deseret.com/2010/7/22/20383237/finding-your-ancestors-in-winter-quarters
5. BYU Study on Pioneer Mortality
Analyzes the mortality rate of Mormon pioneers compared to other westward travelers:
https://news.byu.edu/news/death-trek-study-mormon-pioneer-mortality
6. Mary Powell Sabin Autobiography
Discusses the hardships faced by her family during the trek:
Sabin, Mary Powell. Autobiography, 1926. LDS Church Library.
7. Lotwick Reese Account
Recounts starvation and struggles faced by his family:
Reese, Lotwick. "History," in Joyce Doerfler Hunter (comp.), The Life Story of Lavina Reese Hunter Doerfler.
8. William Knox Aitken Article
Details the extreme hardships and starvation endured on the trek:
Aitken, William Knox. "Adventures of a Mormon." London Advertiser, August 9, 1857.
9. Sixth General Epistle of the Presidency
Encourages pioneers to embark on the journey with minimal resources:
Deseret News, November 15, 1851.
10. Franklin D. Richards’ Letter to Brigham Young
Describes the push for handcart migration:
Millennial Star, December 22, 1855.
12. Brigham Young Letter to John Taylor
Dismisses recommendations for wagons for infirm persons:
Young, Brigham. Letter, July 28, 1856. Brigham Young Collection.
13. Thirteenth General Epistle
Commanding saints to travel with handcarts:
Deseret News, October 13, 1855.
14. Patience Loader’s Autobiography
Details the hardships faced during the Martin Handcart Company’s journey:
Loader, Patience. Autobiography.
15. John Jaques’ Promises and Proclamation
Describes faith-based encouragement for the handcart companies:
Jaques, John. Millennial Star, 1856.
16. Wikipedia Entry on John Jaques
Provides background on his role in the Martin Handcart Company:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Jaques_%28Mormon%29
17. Levi Savage Account
Warned against the late-season departure:
Savage, Levi. Journal.
18. C.C.A. Christensen Account
Recollections of handcart experiences:
Christensen, C.C.A. "By Handcart to Utah." Nebraska History, Winter 1985.
19. Elizabeth Lane Hyde Account
Details her experiences and abuses faced during the journey:
Hyde, Elizabeth Lane. "Autobiography of Elizabeth L. Hyde." Woman’s Exponent, August 15, 1896.
20. Theodore Dedrickkson Account
Discusses treatment of children during the journey:
Dedrickkson, Theodore. "One of the First," in Kate B. Carter (ed.), Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 7.
21. Elizabeth Camm Account
Critiques logistical mishandling and missionary exploitation:
Camm, Elizabeth Sermon. Letter to "My Dear Children," March 16, 1892.
22. Will Bagley Paper
Discusses Brigham Young’s prioritization of personal goods over the saints’ welfare:
Bagley, Will. Handcarts and Heartaches.
23. JSTOR Article on Mormon Handcart Companies
Examines logistical failures and prioritization of leaders’ goods:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/23290687
24. Letters and Documentation on Steamboat Engine
Correspondence regarding the purchase and transportation of a steamboat engine:
Brigham Young to Erastus Snow & Milo Andrus, December 1, 1854, Brigham Young Collection.