Why was the Mormon Battalion formed?

Answer 1

Well, coming from a Mormon, it's a way for us his children to come back to him and the Celestial Kingdom. However, to understand why Mormonism was formed you have to understand when it founded and why. The church of Jesus Christ, technically, has been around for thousands of years. Mormonism isn't a new idea, it is the set of ideas, beliefs, and priesthood structure and authority that was used during the time of Christ before the Resurrection's. After Jesus was crucified, the Apostles, the only ones who had the proper authority to pass on the priesthood (besides for Christ), were killed. Without them, the authority to pass on the priesthood was lost, and the division into many different doctrine of Churches began. Then, in the 1800s in New York, a young man named Joseph Smith began to investigate the Church. He believed in God and Jesus the Savior, but he did not know which denomination was right. Finally, after investigating all of them thoroughly, he went into a patch of woods near his house, knelt, and prayed. When he did, God and Jesus came to him. He asked which to join, and they told him none, for they were all wrong. They told him where to dig up the Golden Plates of Nephi, and just as important restored with him the power of the priesthood. So, to answer your question, Mormonism is technically just a revival of Jesus' administration.

Answer 2

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) and the Mormonism movement began because a young man named Joseph Smith claimed that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him and explained that all Christianity had gone off course, and that Jesus Christ restored the authority and doctrine of the original New Testament Christian Church to him. Those who believe Jesus Christ restored original Christianity to Joseph Smith are Mormons.

Answer 3

Days after having declared war on Mexico, President James K. Polk received two visitors representing the interests of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormons"). The church was making preparations to emigrate to the Great Salt Lake basin in Utah, but wanted to seek assistance from the federal government by way of redress for having been forced out of the country by mobocrats. President Polk agreed to providing the Church some funds if "a few hundred men" enlisted to aid the country in its war with Mexico.

Not surprisingly, the government representatives were not well received by most of the Church living in Iowa at the time. Brigham Young, however, having heard the terms of the offer, considered it to be providential and encouraged the Saints to accept its terms. The membership of the church, somewhat reluctantly, followed the counsel of their prophet.

Approximately 500 men, and a number of women and children, began the long march. It is still considered the longest military march where no hostilities were encountered. The Battalion arrived in San Diego in January of 1847, helping locals to build up the small village for the next several months. They then marched to Los Angeles, where they were finally mustered out in July of that year.

The accomplishments of the Battalion are significant in the settlement of the west. They helped blaze a practical trail across the southwestern part of the country to the Pacific Ocean. They built the first courthouse in San Diego, which is now part of Old Town. Members of the Battalion were present at Sutter's Mill when gold was discovered. They helped settle several towns in California, Nevada, and Arizona. The money they received for their services assisted the main body of Saints in their preparations for the trek across the plains.