Mormon History
Church Growth Due to Foreigners - 1848
Daily Missouri Republican – March 15, 1848
ENGLISH MORMON EMIGRANTS.
-- We learn from a reliable source,
that several thousand English families, members of the Mormon Church, will
arrive at New Orleans during this Spring, on their way to join the settlement
formed in the Great Salt Lake Valley. An agent of the Mormon Church has been
sent to New Orleans to provide passages for the immigrants on boats to this
city, to engage transportation for them up the Missouri to the present
encampment of the Mormons on the Missouri river, called "Winter Quarters." This
encampment is on lands owned by the Omaha Indians, and in the immediate vicinity
of Council Bluffs. From that point, or the vicinity, they expect every spring to
send all who are prepared to migrate to the Valley of the Salt Lake.
It is calculated that from eight to ten thousand souls, from England alone, will
join the emigrating party this season. In addition, several other large parties
are expected from other quarters of Europe. -- At one time it was the intention
of the elders of the Church to send these immigrants by vessels to Chagres, and
thence across the continent to the Pacific, and by vessels to California; but
since they have located their city, in the Great Salt Lake Valley, and
determined to build their church there, they have instructed their disciples to
take the overland route from the head of navigation on the Missouri. Those
coming from beyond the seas will, as far as practicable, take vessels for New
Orleans, and thence by boats reach the general rendezvous on the Missouri.
A deputation of the elders now in this city are having printed a large edition
of a guide to the route from their present encampment on the Missouri, to their
new city near the salt lake. It is a very complete and minute work. They have
measured the entire route with great accuracy, and noticed all the points and
peculiarities along it. They have given the latitude, longitude, and altitude of
all the important points, and noticed all the places where wood, water and grass
can be obtained. In fact, we have not at any time seen a more accurate work, or
one so well calculated to assist the traveller on his way. In other respects, it
is interesting as a scientific topographical survey of a large portion of the
salt lake basin.
A party of several thousands will leave the encampment at "Winter Quarters" this
Spring, as early as the grass on the plains will permit. It is estimated that
there are now upward of twelve thousand souls in the vicinity of this
encampment. At least half of these Mormons will set out for their new residence
this Spring, and their places will be supplied by the new comers.