History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

210
BRIGHAM YOUNG SUCCEEDS JOSEPH.
same conclusion. It was no new idea to them, seeking
a home elsewhere. It was a rough element, that by
which they were surrounded, an element which brought
upon them more of evil than of good. Comparatively
few additions were made to their number from
the bold border men of Missouri and Illinois, most
of their proselytes coming from other parts of the
United States and from Europe. The whole great
west was open to them; even during the days of
Joseph there had been talk of some happy Arcadian
retreat far away from every adverse influence; 35
and in the fertile brain of Brigham the idea assumed
proportions yet broader and of more intensified form,
significant of western empire and isolation somewhere
in California or the Pacific isles, with himself as
leader, and followers drawn from every quarter of
the globe,
A general council was held on the 9th of September,
at which it was resolved that a company of fifteen
hundred men be selected to go to Salt Lake Valley,
and a committee of five was appointed to gather in-
formation relative to the subject. 86
There were frequent
meetings of the authorities and consultations in
regard to emigrating to California. 37
The saints would go, they said, but they must have
a reasonable time in which to dispose of their prop-
35 On the 20th of Feb., 1844, according to the Millennial Star, xxii. S19,
• Joseph counselled the twelve to send out a delegation and investigate the
locations of California and Oregon, and hunt out a good location where
we can remove to after the temple is completed, where we can build a city
in a day and have a government of our own. ' In Taylor's Reminiscences, MS.,
19, is the following: 'A favorite song in Nauvoo, and of my own composition,
was entitled "The Upper California, that's the land for me! " what
is now Utah being known by that name. Joseph Smith was the first who
talked of the latter-day saints coming to this region. As early as August
1842 he prophesied that the saints would be driven to the Rocky Mountains,
and there become a mighty people.
'
36 See Hist. B. Young, 1845, MS., 19.
37 F. D. Richards read Fremont's Journal to the twelve, and later Hastings'
account of California was read. Hist. B. Young, MS., 308-16. A letter was
also read to the authorities from Brother Sam Brannan, stating that the secretary
of war and others of the cabinet were planning to prevent their moving
west—alleging that it was against the law for an armed body to go from the
U. S. to any other government; that it would not do to let them go to California
or Oregon, but that they must be obliterated. Hist. B. Young, MS. , 305.