How does the Mormon migration differ from that of others travelers west?

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

The Mormon migration west was for religious freedom, because they had been expelled from their homes in Illinois.

The Oregon Trail was used as another migration west and was mainly for people seeking new land to live and grow crops in the Pacific Northwest.

The California Trail was used as another migration west and was mainly for people seeking their fortunes in the gold.

Other migrations west were spurred on by the building of the railroads bringing people into areas along the railroads to settle on the land.

Answer 3

Most westward immigrants were traveling west to get rich in mining, ranching, farming, or land ownership, and most were adventurous single young men. The Mormon Pioneers were traveling west to find religious freedom, not wealth, and most Mormon Pioneers were families with children.

Answer 4

The Mormon Trail was used by a people seeking religious freedom rather than wealth and prosperity, as most other trails were.