Winter Quarters... place to pause, to rest... to die

Lo, we have left all, and followed thee... Luke 18:28

Winter Quarters is a sobering tribute to some 2500 pioneers who settled in make-do shelters along the Missouri river and thousands more spread over 90 different settlements within a 40 mile radius of Council Bluffs and Omaha/Florence Neb.

The visitors center looks over a pioneer grave yard and the Omaha Temple erected in 2001. It is somehow fitting the the grave yard and Temple are linked together... both are tributes to a God fearing, obedient people... one living and one dead. The work done in the Temple provides eternal rest for those 400+ saints buried next store, over half under the age of 3. It was a sad but familiar sight, like the statue above, of parents burying their child, wife or husband who died of exposure in the bitter cold, or other diseases. It was an unbelievably hard time for the pioneers, one i cannot give justice to, but in the end they became a seasoned, durable people more than ready to take on the 1000 mile journey which lie ahead.

During those brutal months, Brigham Young and others carefully prepared for the final push over the Rocky Mountains; charting their path, gathering information, equipment and supplies. They also organize settlements for and made preparations for the winter ahead.

I am in total awe and have a renewed respect for Brigham's skills as an organizer and colonizer. this man had a plan/vision of how a settlement should be set up. Kanesville, the settlement now known as Council Bluff, is still set up exactly the way Brigham laid it out. i think when old Brigham spoke folks took notice and obeyed... Where Joseph was a magnet, Brigham was a hammer.

Winter Quarters consisted of neat, organized streets, 500 log cabins, 83 sod houses, other make shift shelters to protect the emigrants who just kept coming, all erected from mid July to October. they also: gathered and stored food to survive the winter, set up a grist mill, tannery and smoke house, 2 printing presses, wagon shop, blacksmith repair shop, shoe shop, make shift saw mill, set up corrals for all the livestock, gather grasses, plant seeds for the saints coming to harvest on their way through etc, etc. trust me if you had a skill which could help prepare the group, Brigham made sure there was a place to get it done.

Brigham always was looking ahead, planning for those who would follow. Over 30,000 pioneers would come through Council Bluffs... and over 70,000 through the surrounding areas, before the trans continental railroad was complete. this was an event and movement of people unparallelled in the history of the USA.,all lead by Brigham Young.... amazing.

couple other significant things which happened there:

The mormon battalion...
500 men called to the service of there country. can't see this going over too well, this was the same government which multiple times said they couldn't help or protect the saints and gave no restitution for the injust exodus. Again, it was Brigham who convinced the people that the $42 given to each for clothing supplies, boots and rifle would greatly add their cause. Most of the $42 went to the emigration fund, helping the many who were unprepared and ill equipped to go. at one point Brigham stated that the salvation of the church depended on raising that army.

Sustaining of Brigham as the new President of the church...
After Brigham made the first trip to the Valley he returned to Kayesville to see his family and eventually help them across. He also met with the leadership of the church to determine who should be named its new leader. By unanimous vote of the quorum of 12, and later the membership of the church, Brigham was named the 2nd Prophet of this dispensation. It was decided that a tabernacle should be built for the occasion, so the building was erected in 3 weeks, the statue of Brigham with the first presidency stands in front of a replica of the original building.

the 136th section of the DC...
outlining exactly how the company would proceed. For safety and efficiency they formed 2 large divisions, which were later divided into companies of 50 and 10, each with a leader, a code of conduct, and outline of daily activities along the trail. Another example of the Lord leading his people through his prophet.

set the course for others to follow...
this well-disciplined lead party would improve roads, set up trail markers every 10 miles, build ferries, and make detailed notes of camp sites, watering holes, treaties and partnerships with the indians, all part of the grand plan to aid those who would follow.

They were asked to give all they had, their homes, possessions, their families and for many... their lives to follow him. We are the rich recipients of their sacrifice and commitment.

i am again, humbled and grateful.