The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Privately printed for the use of missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are serving at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites.

Very complete and detailed history of the two handcart companies which ran into unprecedented difficulties in their journey from Great Britain and other European countries to the newly-founded city of the Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah territory, their religious Zion.

Eight of the 10 companies of emigrants pulling handcarts had only a few casualties coming across the western plains in what are now Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah, but The Willie and the Martin handcart companies, along with two wagon companies captained by Hodgetts and Hunt, in addition to other disasters, started late in the common emigration season and were caught by early, and very harsh, blizzards.

Once the Saints in Utah became aware of their distress, successive teams of rescuers were sent out with provisions to help them finish their journey. The successful completion of their charge to "bring them in" is nothing less than heroic.

Although many of the emigrants died before reaching Salt Lake, most of the survivors remained faithful members of the Church and followers of Jesus Christ. Many of their stories, gleaned from personal accounts, are chronicled in the Guide to share with visitors to the Site.… (more)

From the Preface: "It is intended to take the place of the "L.D.S. Psalmody," the "Songs of Zion" and the small Hymn Book, being a combination of the best to be found in thee three books. Some hymns and tunes in the Psalmody, becoming obsolete or unsuitable, have been discarded; others are given new settings; but all hymns that have been proved of real value and benefit in our worship are retained; whle many new songs, with inspirational words and music, are added."

The same could be said of most hymn book revisions, where texts and tunes are dropped or retained according to the more current fashion in music and foucuses of theology (the basic doctrines generally remain unchanged).

Several of the editors, comprising the Church Music Committee tasked with the revision, also contributed hymns to this and previous volumes; some of those were retained in the 1985 Hymns, and others were dropped.

So it goes.… (more)