Mormon Battalion More Important Than Many Know
By Elizabeth Gosney - 30 Jan 2008
BYU Newsnet
In 1846, the U.S. government requested members of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints in Iowa to enlist in the U.S. war with
Mexico. In July 1846, the Mormon Battalion was formed.
According to www.mormonbattalion.com, more than 500 men and 20 women
were enlisted as soldiers and laundresses. Susan Black, BYU professor
of church history and doctrine, is currently co-authoring a book
containing the biographies of all the members of the Mormon Battalion.
Black said the battalion was significant for several reasons.
"The importance was that it showed that the Latter-day Saints were
loyal to the United States," Black said. "By their willing[ness] to
form a battalion, Latter-day Saints were able to stay on Iowa soil."
The battalion marched 2,000 miles from Iowa to California - the
longest military march on American soil. According to Black, the group
marched from Fort Leavenworth, Kan., to Sante Fe, N.M., and then on to
Arizona and California.
The Mormon Battalion was discharged from service in Los Angeles on
July 16, 1847, exactly one year after their enlistment. Because of the
timing of their march and other factors, including sickness, the
battalion never saw combat. Although history sees it as coincidence,
Black sees it as something greater.
"Brigham Young prophesied that no one in this military unit would die
in battle," Black said. "So I think it was fulfillment of prophecy."
On the Web site, www.mormonbattalion.com, Brigham Young is quoted as
saying: "The Mormon Battalion will be held in honorable remembrance to
the latest generation; and I will prophesy that the children of those
who have been in the army, in defense of their country, will grow up
and bless their fathers for what they did at that time."
Through memorials, Web sites and this weekend's Dance in Concert
performances, the Mormon Battalion has been remembered. But Black said
there are skewed perceptions of the battalion's soldiers.
"As a church we view them all as heroes," Black said. "But I think a
misunderstanding is that about a third of them never returned to their
families."
Black explained that many of the soldiers stayed in California,
deserting their families and the church.
"We honor their legacy and willingness to march, but not all of them
stayed faithful in the end," she said.
http://www.truthandgrace.com/mormonhistory.htm
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