This is another in a weekly series of day-by-day summaries of what transpired during the Saints' 1846-47 trek from Nauvoo to the Salt Lake Valley. The compiler, David Crockett, is a member of the Church Pioneer Sesquicentennial Committee.

Sunday, Aug. 30, 1846:

After holding a Sabbath meeting, Brigham Young and several other leaders rode a few miles with John D. Lee and Howard Egan who were leaving on an important mission to overtake the Mormon Battalion. Once there, they were to collect pay from the soldiers that would be used to support the battalion families back at the Missouri River. Brother Lee was concerned about leaving behind his sick wife with a 2-week-old baby. President Young promised to see that his family was cared for. Before they parted, Brigham Young blessed these dedicated men in the name of the Lord and promised that they would have a safe and prosperous journey.

In the evening, members of the Twelve met with the Cutler's Park High Council to make plans for the coming week.

First, agreements had to be finalized with the Otoe and Omaha Indian nations to spend the winter on their lands. Elder Orson Pratt was assigned to obtain written permission from each tribe. Second, it was decided to make further explorations to the north for perhaps the location for a winter quarters.

The Omaha Indians had mentioned that an old abandoned fort had plenty of brick and stones that could be used for houses. These ruins were located at "Old Council Bluffs." In 1804, explorers Lewis and Clark met in council with several Indians. Afterwards they named the location in honor of this historic council meeting. In 1819, the site was chosen for the first military post in the Nebraska Territory, which later became known as Fort Atkinson. By 1846, the post had been abandoned for many years. The brethren decided to send an exploration company led by Brigham Young to find Old Council Bluffs.

Monday, Aug. 31:

In the morning, Brigham Young and his team of explorers traveled northward. They climbed hills, passed by springs and lakes, and then descended down toward the river. Somehow they had missed the Indian trail that would have taken them to their goal, and they ended up traveling about 25 miles farther up river than was needed.

Elder Orson Pratt, who didn't travel with the brethren to the north, went to meet with the Otoe Indians to seek formal permission to stay on their lands for at least two years. The Otoes were evasive and said they would return in three days after they had talked to another chief. Elder Pratt returned to Cutler's Park and met with the Omahas where progress was much better. The chiefs signed an agreement granting permission for the Saints to tarry on their lands. They were concerned about the loss of timber, but Elder Pratt promised that the Saints would burn little wood. In addition they would build houses, fences and make other improvements that would be left behind for the Indians.

Elder Pratt then told the Indian leaders about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Hosea Stout recorded that Elder Pratt told them how "our Great Chief [Joseph Smith] found a book" that was about their people. He explained that the Mormons were driven and persecuted because they believed in this book. The Indians "listened with breathless silence."

Tuesday, Sept. 1:

Brigham Young and other leaders continued their journey early in the morning. They followed a course closer to the river and eventually found an Indian trail that took them back up the bluffs.

The weary explorers finally reached their destination at old Council Bluffs about dusk. Wilford Woodruff recorded: "There was nothing standing of the old barracks except the body of the magazine

ammunition buildingT with one gable end composed of brick arched over. . . . We looked about the premises of the old Council Bluffs about half an hour & seeing nothing inviting, we started home."

Wednesday, Sept. 2:

Back in Nauvoo, tensions were high as the remaining brethren and new citizens started to train and make preparations to defend the city from a mob. About this time an agreement was reached between the governor's representative, Major Parker, and the leader of the mob, Col. Singleton. The Mormons would be given 60 days to get out of the city. In the meantime a force of 25 men from the mob would be stationed in the city. The Mormons were to surrender their arms, which would be returned to them when they left the city. The two leaders signed this agreement, but it was not surprising that the Nauvoo citizens unanimously rejected it.

About this time Emma Smith, the widow of the Prophet Joseph, received an anonymous threat that "if she did not move out of the house in three days, it would be burned over her head." On the third day, Emma put her children to bed on the ground floor where they could make a quick exit. They awoke the next morning safe, but found charred sticks and leaves that had scorched the siding on the north side of the house.

Thursday, Sept. 3:

In the afternoon the Twelve met with the high council at Cutler's Park. A report was given by Elder Orson Pratt regarding his negotiations with the Otoe and Omaha Indian nations. Brigham Young reported on the trip to Old Council Bluffs. They concluded that this site was not suitable for a settlement.

Friday, Sept. 4:

Brigham Young went south toward the ferry, hoping to meet up with his brothers, John and Joseph Young. Albert P. Rockwood traveled north to search for some good pastures and found some excellent land. Willard Richards continued to provide some of the battalion pay to many of the wives of battalion members. Wilford Woodruff visited many that were sick in camp.

Saturday, Sept. 5:

Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff and a few others went to search out a location for a new ferry crossing.

A good location was found about 20 miles up-river from Council Point. This site would eliminate the long and hazardous journey up the steep bluffs across from the current ferry on the west side of the river.

The Mormon Battalion, meanwhile, continued its march across the barren prairies of Kansas. Many of the tired men could not keep up and were scattered along the trail.

Sources: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, pp. 357-67; Wilford Woodruff's Journal, 3:72-75; Comprehensive History of the Church 3:146; The Diary of Hosea Stout, p. 190; John Doyle Lee, pp. 95-7; Messages of the First Presidency 1:302; Ensign to the Nations, p. 41; A Concise History of the Mormon Battalion, pp. 143-48; Journal of Henry Standage in The March of the Mormon Battalion, pp. 152, 156-59; A Ram in the Thicket: The Mormon Battalion in the Mexican War, pp. 100-01, 124; Journal of Thomas Dunn, typescript, p. 7; Our Pioneer Heritage 1:460.