What trail did the Mormons take?

Answer 1

The Mormon Pioneer Trail is a 1,300-mile travelled by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1846 to 1868. The Mormon Trail extends from Nauvoo, Illinois on the Mississipi river, passing through Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Eastern Utah to Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Mormon pioneer movement began in 1846 when, after having been driven once again by mob violence from their settled home, the Saints decided to establish a new home for the church outside the established boundaries of the United States. The trail was used for more than 20 years, until the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869.

Among the emigrants were the Mormon handcart pioneers of 1856-1860. Two of the handcart companies, led by James G. Willie and Edward Martin, met disaster on the trail when they departed late and were caught by heavy snowstorms in Wyoming.

Once the Mormons arrived in Salt Lake, some were asked by the Prophet Brigham Young to go settle other places such as Genoa, Nevada; St. George, Utah; Cardston, Alberta, Canada and many other settlements in the territory of Deseret.

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Answer 2

At the time, there was really only one route west, the same one followed by the California and Oregon trails. The other route, the Santa Fe / Gila trail, would have lead them 1,000 miles too far south into Arizona.

Answer 3

there wasn't a specific trail it was more just a feeling from the lord on which way to take. It became known as the Mormon Trail.