Sometimes called an American Moses, Brigham Young followed the pattern of migration used by Moses in the Old Testament.

Moses placed "able men" to be "rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers of tens." (Ex. 18:21.)With a much smaller group than Moses had, President Young received revelation to "Let the companies be organized with captains of hundreds, captains of fifties, and captains of tens." (D&C 136:3.)

This biblical pattern of organization proved workable and effective. It transformed the "Camp of Israel" into somewhat disciplined companies, especially when compared with other westerly migrating groups. The pattern was repeated with the Church wagon trains that followed.

Another biblical tie applied to the first company. Brigham Young originally wanted to have twelve times twelve men, or 144, (symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel) in the company but after it was organized, three women and two children were permitted to join. One of the 144, Ellis Eames, became ill and returned to Winter Quarters.

In the first company of 148 people, a semi-military organization was soon put in place with Brigham Young as a lieutenant general, and Stephen Markham as colonel and others as majors and captains. This organization was fitted neatly on the existing framework of hundreds, fifties and tens, and was used extensively during pioneer travel.

Travel orders required all the men to keep firearms at near-ready positions, and wagons were ordered to stay together.

The captains of tens selected 48 men to be night watchmen. These 48 men were were divided into four watches, to be on duty half a night at a time every other night. In times of special danger, others, including Presidents Young and Heber C. Kimball, volunteered for night watch duty.

Each day, the bugle was to sound at 5 a.m., at which time all were to arise, attend prayers, cook and eat breakfast. At 7 a.m., the company moved forward. An hour "nooning' (later extended) for rest and lunch was generally held. At 8:30 p.m., the bugle sounded again and after night prayers, the company was to be retired by 9 p.m. At night, the wagons formed an oval shape with the front wheel of one wagon interlocked with the rear wheel of the next. This provided the livestock with a secure enclosure.

Other companies followed the same pattern of organization, numbering families in hundreds, fifties and tens.

The effectiveness of this pattern is evidenced by the many successful wagon train crossings.