Disclaimer: If you don't like Mormons or religious talk, don't read. I am not here to offend but this is my journal bitch and these are my thoughts.
Take what you need and leave the rest. Right? Right.
Day 132 – This is the right place. “All is well, All is well!”
For those of you who fell asleep during US History class in high school here is a little refresher on Utah History. In Utah we have the 4th of July celebrated with parades and fireworks. Then on the 24th of July, we celebrate again with parades and fireworks.
July 24th, 1847 was the day that the first Mormon Pioneers entered the salt lake valley to settle it. Brigham Young was ill with Rocky Mountain Fever and lay in the back of the wagon. The company turned his wagon around and he looked over the Salt Lake Valley. He recognized a Mountain Peak from a dream and said, “Gentlemen, this is the Right Place, drive on.” Now the Mormon settlers have just walked from Nauvoo, Ill to the Salt lake Valley. It was a Desert! The land was barren with sage brush and the soil was hard. Farmers didn’t look on this land with lust and excitement. Actually some thought it would be better to keep going west. Nonetheless, they stopped and settled.
The conflicts that lead Mormons to Utah can be documented back to October 27, 1838. The governor of Missouri, Lilburn Boggs issued Executive Order 44. (The Mormon Extermination Order) It would be 137 years before the extermination order was finally rescinded. That began militia going from door to door and expelling Mormons from their lands and home. Their property wasnÂ’t sold; it was seized as payment to fund the extermination of the Mormons. They were pushed northward into Illinois, where the Mormons settled Nauvoo. The Mormons ability to prosper was their downfall. They would gain voting rights and as a peculiar people, they raised concern about voting powers of those that were non Mormon. So paranoia raised conflicts. Once again, mobs assembled and conflicts arose. That led to deaths, tar and feathering, raping etc. The Mormons called on the federal government for protection of their rights as Americans but it couldnÂ’t or wouldnÂ’t be provided.
It became apparent that the Mormons had to leave Nauvoo to be able to practice their religious beliefs. Brigham Young lead the Mormons exodus to Salt Lake. On what is called, “The trail of hope.” Brigham young noticed that the morale of the saints was low. He went to William Clayton. “William I would like you to right a Hymn that instills hope to the saints. I want a song that lifts the sprits and lets our dear saints know, all is well." This hymn became an anthem to the nineteenth-century pioneers.
Come, Come Ye Saints
Come, come, ye saints, no toil nor labor fear;
But with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
Tis better far for us to strive
Our useless cares from us to drive;
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell -
All is well! All is well!
Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?
'Tis not so; all is right.
Why should we think to earn a great reward
If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.
Our God will never us forsake;
And soon we'll have this tale to tell-
All is well! All is well!
And should we die before our journey's through,
Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;
With the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again
To see the Saints their rest obtain,
Oh, how we'll make this chorus swell-
All is well! All is well!
As Utah begins its celebration of the Pioneers settling the Salt Lake Valley, I enjoy looking at this valley and seeing a Rose Blossom in a desert. I liken this celebration to my new celebration.
On March 14th, 2012. After being oppressed by tobacco, I arrived at KTC. This is the Right Place! Even in America, there can be injustice and you must get to a place where you can be free and flourish. The Salt Lake Valley to the Mormon Pioneers - I liken to Me and KTC. This is the Right place!
ALL IS WELL, ALL IS WELL.
