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Devil's Gate: Brigham Young and the Great Mormon Handcart Tragedy (2008)

by David Roberts

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1434189,788 (4.27)4
The Mormon handcart tragedy of 1856 is the worst disaster in the history of the Western migrations, and yet it remains virtually unknown today outside Mormon circles. Following the death of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church, its second Prophet and new leader, Brigham Young, determined to move the faithful out of the Midwest, where they had been constantly persecuted by their neighbors, to found a new Zion in the wilderness. In 1846-47, the Mormons made their way west, generally following the Oregon Trail, arriving in July 1847 in what is today Utah, where they established Salt Lake City. Nine years later, fearing a federal invasion, Young and other Mormon leaders wrestled with the question of how to bring thousands of impoverished European converts, mostly British and Scandinavian, from the Old World to Zion. Young conceived of a plan in which the European Mormons would travel by ship to New York City and by train to Iowa City. From there, instead of crossing the plains by covered wagon, they would push and pull wooden handcarts all the way to Salt Lake. But the handcart plan was badly flawed. The carts, made of green wood, constantly broke down; the baggage allowance of seventeen pounds per adult was far too small; and the food provisions were woefully inadequate, especially considering the demanding physical labor of pushing and pulling the handcarts 1,300 miles across plains and mountains. Five companies of handcart pioneers left Iowa for Zion that spring and summer, but the last two of them left late. As a consequence, some 900 Mormons in these two companies were caught in early snowstorms in Wyoming. When the church leadership in Salt Lake became aware of the dire circumstances of these pioneers, Younglaunched a heroic rescue effort. But for more than 200 of the immigrants, the rescue came too late. The story of the Mormon handcart tragedy has never before been told in full despite its stunning human drama: At least five times as many people died in the Mormon tragedy as died in the more famous Donner Party disaster. David Roberts has researched this story in Mormon archives and elsewhere, and has traveled along the route where the handcart pioneers came to grief. Based on his research, he concludes that the tragedy was entirely preventable. Brigham Young and others in the Mormon leadership failed to heed the abundant signs of impending catastrophe, including warnings from other Mormon elders in the East and Midwest, where the journey began. Devil's Gate is a powerful indictment of the Mormon leadership and a gripping story of survival and suffering that is superbly told by one of our finest writers of Western history.… (more)
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Showing 4 of 4
This well-researched/documented book reveals a view of the handcart migration that is eye-opening and very tragic. It reveals the vulnerability of the poor seeking hope. And, it reveals the likelihood that those people will follow any leader who offers hope, no matter the personal sacrifice required. It is especially tragic when the leader is self-serving, ignoring reality and logic.

Born, raised and living in Iowa for decades, I learned about the Mormon migration, including bits of the handcart portion, in elementary school, and have been aware of recent efforts to mark the trails through Iowa. As a professional genealogist, I appreciate the advantages the Mormon faith offers family historians. However, I was not prepared for this story.

The fact that the author was able to write this book with cooperation of LDS researchers and facilities is amazing and very much appreciated. ( )
  mapg.genie | Apr 30, 2023 |
After reading "The 19th Wife", this shared much of the same history and some overlapping characters.
Once again - a part of history that amazed me and is so unknown.
This was a tragedy of huge proportion and I'd never been aware.
Sorry, but I bet the Mormons don't exactly brag about this incident.
Recommended reading.
Read in 2010. ( )
1 vote CasaBooks | Mar 14, 2014 |
This book explores the great trek West by the original Mormons, and it is an amazing read. Forget wagons and horses and the relatively easy migration experienced by other frontier go-getters. These immigrants had nothing, mostly coming from Europe where they bought the not-quite-true message sold to them about the paradise at the end of the road.

Both the elderly and the young drop as they walk along the way. I mean imagine that...literally walking your way through wilderness and desert and mountains to get to a goal. Simply amazing.

David Roberts focuses his story, so the reader never loses perspective. I saw this book at an independent bookstore, perhaps another reason for keeping such stores alive, as it would have been ignored otherwise. I ended up reading this while on a desert retreat, and I certainly felt as though I lived through these pioneers' heartaches and travails. A very good read.

Book Season = Winter ( )
1 vote Gold_Gato | Sep 16, 2013 |
Very thorough research. I would have prefered a little less judgement from the author. I prefer when an author isn't quite as in the story as Roberts was, but rather let the reader come to her own conclusions. All-in-all, though, this was an excellent book. Expanded greatly on what Stegner wrote in The Gathering of Zion. ( )
  ImperfectCJ | Dec 31, 2012 |
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For Sharon, with love, in this season of loss
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Up to that point, for Patience Loader, the journey had been chiefly exhausting.
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Wikipedia in English (4)

The Mormon handcart tragedy of 1856 is the worst disaster in the history of the Western migrations, and yet it remains virtually unknown today outside Mormon circles. Following the death of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church, its second Prophet and new leader, Brigham Young, determined to move the faithful out of the Midwest, where they had been constantly persecuted by their neighbors, to found a new Zion in the wilderness. In 1846-47, the Mormons made their way west, generally following the Oregon Trail, arriving in July 1847 in what is today Utah, where they established Salt Lake City. Nine years later, fearing a federal invasion, Young and other Mormon leaders wrestled with the question of how to bring thousands of impoverished European converts, mostly British and Scandinavian, from the Old World to Zion. Young conceived of a plan in which the European Mormons would travel by ship to New York City and by train to Iowa City. From there, instead of crossing the plains by covered wagon, they would push and pull wooden handcarts all the way to Salt Lake. But the handcart plan was badly flawed. The carts, made of green wood, constantly broke down; the baggage allowance of seventeen pounds per adult was far too small; and the food provisions were woefully inadequate, especially considering the demanding physical labor of pushing and pulling the handcarts 1,300 miles across plains and mountains. Five companies of handcart pioneers left Iowa for Zion that spring and summer, but the last two of them left late. As a consequence, some 900 Mormons in these two companies were caught in early snowstorms in Wyoming. When the church leadership in Salt Lake became aware of the dire circumstances of these pioneers, Younglaunched a heroic rescue effort. But for more than 200 of the immigrants, the rescue came too late. The story of the Mormon handcart tragedy has never before been told in full despite its stunning human drama: At least five times as many people died in the Mormon tragedy as died in the more famous Donner Party disaster. David Roberts has researched this story in Mormon archives and elsewhere, and has traveled along the route where the handcart pioneers came to grief. Based on his research, he concludes that the tragedy was entirely preventable. Brigham Young and others in the Mormon leadership failed to heed the abundant signs of impending catastrophe, including warnings from other Mormon elders in the East and Midwest, where the journey began. Devil's Gate is a powerful indictment of the Mormon leadership and a gripping story of survival and suffering that is superbly told by one of our finest writers of Western history.

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Haiku summary
We walk to Zion,
like the Mormons pushing carts
through bitter winters.

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