This is another in a weekly series of day-by-day summaries of what transpired 150 years ago during the Saints' 1846-47 trek from Nauvoo, Ill., to the Salt Lake Valley. The compiler, Alexander L. Baugh, is an assistant professor of Church history and doctrine at BYU.

Sunday, Feb. 14, 1847:

At a meeting of the municipal high council and the bishops at Winter Quarters, Brigham Young gave counsel and direction. Warming temperatures meant that those living in sod homes and dugouts would not be adequately protected from the spring rains, therefore he recommended that these Saints take immediate steps to pack their goods for protection against the elements. President Young also suggested that a special dinner be held for the poor of the community.

Wilford Woodruff spent the entire day in Sabbath meetings, preaching in three separate wards throughout the day. At the close of the day he recorded, "Had a good time."

During their seven months of overland travel, members of the Mormon Battalion were generally unable to observe the Sabbath. However, with their arrival at the San Luis Rey Mission in California, Col. Cooke allowed the Mormon men to hold Sunday meetings on a regular basis. During their first worship service in many months, George P. Dykes spoke on Daniel chapter 2, followed by Capt. Jefferson Hunt who reminded the men of their duty to God and to each other. Since a large number of the battalion were members of the seventies quorums, seventies meetings were also held from time to time. "These were always presided over by Brother [Levi] Hancock in his capacity as one of the First Presidency of that organization," wrote Daniel Tyler. "Brother Hancock was very zealous, and did his best to influence the men to live as their religion taught under every circumstance."

Monday, Feb. 15:

At a meeting of the Twelve and company captains at Winter Quarters, Elders Ezra T. Benson and Erastus Snow reported on their recent trip to the Ponca settlement. They indicated they had read the "Word and Will of the Lord" revelation, which document was "received with joy."

They also organized the settlement into a pioneer company comprised of 396 men, women, and children.

In the evening, John H. Tippetts and Thomas Woolsey arrived at Winter Quarters following an arduous 52-day journey from Pueblo. The two men had been members of one of three detachments of the Mormon Battalion who had been dispatched to Pueblo on account of sickness. They brought with them 137 letters. "Their arrival produced no small stir in camp," wrote John D. Lee. "Men and women came in every direction to inquire after their friends in the Bat[talion]."

Willard Richards stayed up until early morning hours writing a letter to Thomas L. Kane. Elder Richards informed the colonel that the Saints had a sufficient number of wagons, but they were lacking in animals. This was due in part because the Indians had stolen or killed so many of their cattle and horses. "Consequently," Richards wrote, "it will be impossible for as many to go . . . in the spring as otherwise would." Despite this, Church leaders were still determined to move ahead with their plans.

"We have not changed our views relative to a location. It will be somewhere in the Great Basin," Richards continued, "

andT we have no doubt that we shall plant as many of the camp there as possible before another winter."

Tuesday, Feb. 16:

The bishops met to discuss plans for a dinner and dance to be held for the poor in the settlement and it was determined that there were 117 needy families. Since the entire number could not be accommodated at one time, it was decided that dinners would be held on three successive nights.

Wednesday, Feb. 17:

A meeting convened similar to Tuesday's meeting. President Young was unable to attend because he had suddenly taken ill. Heber C. Kimball presided and conducted the meeting in President Young's absence. Six members of the Twelve preached. Dinner was also served and a dance held. John D. Lee later reported to President Young what transpired at the meeting.

Thursday, Feb. 18:

President Young showed signs of better health. So he could enjoy some fresh air, John D. Lee put him in his carriage and drove him around the settlement for a pleasure ride. During the evening, the Twelve called upon the president, who arose from his bed and conversed with them until midnight.

Wilford Woodruff and Abraham O. Smoot left Winter Quarters to travel to Council Bluffs, and the Keg Creek and Mosquito settlements in Iowa to deliver the "Word and Will of the Lord Revelation" to the settlement. The two men traveled to Council Bluffs that day where they addressed a meeting of the Saints.

"I [read] the revelation and took a vote on it," Elder Woodruff recorded. Following the meeting, the two men spent the night at the home of Orson Hyde.

Friday, Feb. 19:

Near this date, William C. Staines arrived in Winter Quarters. In October, he had been called by Bishop George Miller of the Ponca settlement to go on a mission to the Ponca tribe, consisting of 2,000 Indians. It was hoped that he might be able to assist them and help maintain good relations between them and the Mormons. Elder Staines remained with them at their winter hunting grounds for more than four months. Around mid-February he left the Poncas and made his way to the main Mormon settlement where he arrived about five days later. He received a warm greeting. "The news of my arrival was soon known, and before I could get out of the wagon I was met by a number of old traveling companions, all of whom gave me a hearty welcome, and such a shaking of hands as I never had before or since. A number of Brethren invited me to their houses, but I preferred to go to a log house kept for Indians, until I had thoroughly washed myself and changed my clothes."

In looking back at his experience he wrote, "Through my experience upon that mission, I became better acquainted with the dealings of the Lord. . . . I know assuredly that He will hear and answer our prayers, at all times and under all circumstances, if we do and ask aright."

Saturday, Feb.20:

After experiencing nearly two weeks of warmer and milder weather, Winter Quarters was hit with a severe snowstorm. "Today was the most snowy day we have had this winter," wrote Hosea Stout. "It was hurled full force with a hard wind from the sides of the North where old Lucifer sits, falling fast and bids fair to be a deep one."

Wilford Woodruff and Abraham O. Smoot met with the Saints at the Mosquito Creek settlement in Iowa, and organized them into pioneer companies, then traveled 12 miles through the severe winter storm, where they met with the Saints at the Keg Creek encampment.

Sources: A Concise History of the Mormon Battalion in the Mexican War, pp. 266-67; The Diary of Hosea Stout, pp. 236-37; "Extracts From the Journal of Henry Bigler," Utah Historical Quarterly 5:57; "The Journal of Robert S. Bliss, With the Mormon Battalion," Utah Historical Quarterly 4:87; Journal History of the Church; Journals of John D. Lee, pp. 73-97; Manuscript History of Brigham Young, pp. 525-28, 600; Wilford Woodruff's Journal 3:127-38; William C. Staines, Among the Poncas, A String of Pearls, second book of the faith-promoting series, pp. 9-42.