It's July 24, 1857, and in one of the beautiful canyons above Salt Lake City, 2,587 people, along with 464 carriages, 1,028 horses and mules, 332 oxen and cows, had settled in for a lively celebration of their 10th anniversary in the valley of the Great Salt Lake. At least six bands were prepared to perform, there was song and dance, and three “lumber-floored boweries” erected where the entertainment might be held, according to “A Comprehensive History of the Church."
However, 513 miles away, at Fort Laramie, Wyoming, some of the mail-carrier companies who were affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had their contracts suddenly annulled. They learned bit by bit the intention of the supply trains working their way toward Salt Lake: They carried supplies for government troops who had been dispatched to Utah by the president of the United States.
When Abraham O. Smoot, Judson Stoddard and Porter Rockwell rode up to the mountain camp, the Saints were “quite innocent of the fact that a hostile force was being sent against them,” according to “The Life Story of Brigham Young," by Susa Young Gates and Leah D. Widtsoe.
They were stunned. Were they not yet free, even here in this mountain wilderness far from any other civilization? This was a place no one else had wanted, and they had sacrificed and labored to make their own.
President James Buchanan canceled the mail contract, appointed a new governor and sent him to Utah with a force of 2,500 soldiers to back him up.
And what about Brother Brigham Young, who was the LDS Church president and had been the territory governor? His spirit expanded, his quick mind rose up to face the moment, and he made immediate and emphatic response. He was sure of his stand. And despite the impending horrors, he did not fail to see the irony in the situation.
“The day I entered Salt Lake Valley 24 July 1847, I remarked — if the devil will let us alone for 10 years — we will bid them defiance. July 24, 1857 — 10 years to a day — first heard of the intended expedition to Utah under Genl. Harney. I feel the same now. I defy all the powers of darkness,” he said, as recorded in "Secretary’s Journal," Aug. 2, 1857, part of the Brigham Young Papers of the LDS Church's archives and printed in "Brigham Young, an Inspiring Personal Biography,” by Susan Evans McCloud.
In no uncertain terms, President Young told Capt. Van Vliet, as recorded in “The Life Story of Brigham Young”: “We would like to ward off this blow if we can; but the United States seem determined to drive us into a fight. They will kill us if they can. A mob killed Joseph and Hyrum in jail, notwithstanding the faith of the state as pledged to protect them. I have broken no law, and under the present state of affairs I will not suffer myself to be taken by any United States officer to be killed as they killed Joseph."
Perhaps nowhere else do we gain such insight into the Prophet Brigham’s feelings about the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph and about the role he played in restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ in this dispensation.
“I feel like shouting Hallelujah, all the time,” President Young had cried, as recorded in "Journal of Discourses," Vol. 3, “when I think that I ever knew Joseph Smith, the Prophet whom the Lord raising up and ordained.”
Brigham Young loved the Prophet Joseph, and Brigham loved the gospel Joseph taught. “In the days of the Prophet Joseph, such moments were more precious to me than all the wealth of all the world. … I never let an opportunity pass of learning what the Prophet had to impart,” said President Young, according to "Journal of Discourses," Vol. 5.
There were no doubts in the leader’s mind. “I did not embrace Mormonism because I hoped it was true,” he had earlier stated, “but because I knew it was that principle that would save all the human family that would obey it,” President Young stated, as recorded in "Journal of Discourses," Vol. 4.
President Young knew how to seek and obtain inspiration to lead the people. With determination and faith, he responded to the news of the oncoming soldiers: “We do not want to fight the United States, but if they drive us to it, we shall do the best we can; and I will tell you, as the Lord lives, we shall come off conquerors, for we trust him. God has set up his kingdom on this Earth, and it will never fail"(see “The Life Story of Brigham Young”).
President Young also knew better than any the extent of hostility the adversary could stir in the hearts of men. In a letter to Maj. Irvin McDowell, Col. Albert Sidney Johnston said of the Mormons: “Occupying as they do an attitude of rebellion and open defiance to the government, connected with numerous overt acts of treason, I have ordered that when they are met in arms, that they be treated as enemies,” according to “A Comprehensive History of the Church," Century One, Vol. 4)
There were no acts of treason, overt or otherwise, and there was no meeting in arms, as Col. Johnston anticipated. President Young proclaimed martial law and began at once to attempt to communicate with Washington himself. Under the able direction of Gen. Daniel H. Wells, commander of the still intact Nauvoo Legion, the men engaged in delaying tactics — burning forage, stampeding animals and blocking roads and river fords. The clear message was to take no lives.
The winter was a bitter one for the government troops encamped at Fort Bridger. The Saints, cooperating and hopeful, were yet, under their leader’s direction, making preparations for a second exodus if necessary.
Late in February, Col. Thomas Kane arrived as an emissary approved by the government. He was an old friend of the Mormons, a man of sterling integrity and the part he played was essential in diverting disaster.
We have neither time nor purpose to lay out here the fantastic details of “The Mormon War” or the “Echo Canyon War” as it was sometimes called. When the army marched through the City of the Saints, the families had all fled temporarily south, but an abundance of houses, especially those prominent buildings along the line of march, were filled with straw, and each had at least one young man as sentinel, watching from within and prepared to fire the houses if one soldier stepped out of line or attempted any hostile act.
President Young said, as recorded by Eugene England in "Brother Brigham": “Rather than see my wives and daughters ravished and polluted, and the seeds of corruption sown in the hearts of my sons, I would leave my home in ashes, my gardens and orchards a waste, and subsist upon roots and herbs, a wanderer through these mountains for the remainder of my natural life.”
This extreme resolve, backed by extreme and purposeful action, had its effect. The army did not pause until it reached the Jordan River two miles west of the city, and Camp Floyd was established 36 miles south in Cedar Valley, to become one of the longest-lived military post in the country.
This army had been sent out to quell a rebellion that did not exist. “Buchanan’s Blunder” as the campaign came to be known, cost the government between $15 million and $20 million.
But even this presence of their enemies in their midst became a source of good for the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As Johnston’s army was called back at the outbreak of the Civil War and the camp was abandoned and the goods sold at great loss — wagons valued at $175 were selling for $10; flour purchased by the government for $28.40 a sack, then cost a mere 52 cents.
The Saints continued to build their homes, plant their gardens and worship their God.
“It is not in the power of the United States to destroy this people,” Brigham reminded the Saints. “For they are in the hands of God, and so are we; and he will do with us as he pleases — and if we do right, God will preserve us."
That guidance and preservation by the hand of the Almighty is as much needed now as it was then. Thank heaven it is still available to us.
Susan Evans McCloud is author of more than 40 books and has published screenplays, a book of poetry and lyrics, including two songs in the LDS hymnbook. She has six children. She blogs at susanevansmccloud.blogspot.com. Email: susasays@broadweave.net