This week marks 178 years since the first non-Indians settled in the Salt Lake Valley, with the Vanguard Company making their historic entry.
Among the 148 members of the Vanguard Company, 143 were men, alongside three women and two young boys.
Historians note that this demographic composition was deliberate, aiming to assemble a group capable of preparing the area for future settlers.
University of Utah historian W. Paul Reeve explains that these individuals were specifically chosen for their physical fitness and pioneering spirit, essential traits for the demanding journey ahead.
The group embarked on an arduous 111-day, 1,031-mile trek from Winter Quarters, presently known as Omaha, Nebraska, arriving in July 1847.
William Clayton, one of the members at the age of 32, served as the group’s scribe, tasked with chronicling their experiences throughout the journey.
He meticulously documented daily events in his journal, capturing not only the challenges they faced but also their encounters with nature, including the vast herds of buffalo crossing their path.
On May 5, Clayton noted, ‘I should imagine that at a moderate calculation we have seen over fifty thousand buffalo.’
Despite the idyllic accounts of hunting and fishing, activities that may seem recreational today were vital for their survival on the trail.
However, maintaining discipline proved challenging with a predominantly male group on the open road, which led to distractions and a fractious atmosphere within the camp.
By May 29, nearing Wyoming, Brigham Young decided that enough was enough.
Having observed the growing disorder, he addressed the group with a stern message that would be transcribed in Clayton’s journal.
Brigham began his address with, ‘This morning I feel like preaching a little, and shall take for my text, ‘That as to pursuing our journey with this company with the spirit they possess, I am about to revolt against it.’
His words were a clear message that if the men’s behavior did not improve, they were not going anywhere.
He emphasized that he had been observing the camp’s dynamics closely and recognized the negative influences affecting the group’s progress.
Among the issues he highlighted were card-playing, checkers, staying up late, quarreling, and even dancing, all contributing to growing discord.
Brigham specifically cautioned against making fun of others, delivering a timeless warning: ‘Some of you are very fond of passing jokes, and will carry your jokes very far; but will you take a joke?’
He insisted that the group would not depart until they promised to amend their behavior.
Despite making promises, human nature prevailed, and distractions continued to infiltrate their journey.
Reeve suggests we should recognize that these were ordinary individuals, subject to the same range of emotions we all experience, such as exhilaration, anger, and joy.
Nonetheless, the men persevered, eventually establishing their spot in history as the first settlers to successfully navigate the terrain to the Salt Lake Valley.
Two months following their arrival, over a thousand more Latter-day Saint pioneers arrived in the valley, utilizing the path directed by the Vanguard Company.
This later group notably included more than half women, presenting a stark contrast to the initial expedition, and played a critical role in the settlement of the West.
The journey of the Vanguard Company, while marked by its challenges, ultimately laid the foundation for the future of the region and the establishment of a lasting community.
image source from：deseret
