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, Jan. 24, 1847:

President Brigham Young spoke to the members of his ward in a Sunday afternoon meeting. Wilford Woodruff experienced a Sabbath day full of meetings and activities. He attended Church in his own ward and spoke to the congregation.

Monday, Jan 25:

President Young met with the men in his company and nominated Isaac Morley as president. Reynolds Cahoon and John Young were chosen as counselors. Four captains of one hundred, and eight captains of fifty were also appointed. Brigham Young also proposed that after the advance companies leave, those remaining should move the existing homes into a line so as to form a stockade for protection.

Three days after leaving Warner's Ranch, the Mormon Battalion reached the green, verdant Temecula Valley. Here, a messenger brought word from Gen. Kearny that the war with Mexico was "probably to an end in this country."

"Here came to our minds the words of President Brigham Young, in his farewell address to the battalion," wrote company member James S. Brown. "If you live your religion, obey and respect your officers, and hold sacred the property of the people among whom you travel, . . . I promise you in the name of Israel's God that not one of you shall fall by the hand of an enemy." Robert Bliss experienced a similar recollection, "God be Praised for his protection over us according to the Word of his Servant the Prophet." Kearny also issued orders instructing Cooke to turn south and march to San Diego.

Tuesday, Jan. 26:

At Winter Quarters, Heber C. Kimball's pioneer company was organized with Alpheus Cutler as president, and Winslow Farr and Daniel Russell as counselors. Captains of hundreds and fifties were also chosen. In the evening William Pitt's band played for a dance held in the Council House for the Seventies, who had assisted in the construction of the building, and their families.

Wednesday, Jan. 27:

Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Ezra T. Benson met the presidents and captains of the emigrating companies.

For a second consecutive night, William Pitt's brass band provided music for a dance that was held for another group of Seventies who had assisted in the construction of the Council House. William Clayton, one of the band members, had as good a time as those who had come to dance. "We had plenty of refreshments," he wrote, "and a very sociable party."

The Mormon Battalion arrived at the San Luis Rey Mission, but found the mission deserted and continued their course towards San Diego. Around 1 p.m. the men got their first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean.

Thursday, Jan. 28:

Winter Quarters received a fresh blanket of "fine white, soft, warm, snow," reported Hosea Stout. "The snow continued to fall until near 12."

"The wind was mild and no way uncomfortable. It was truly a beautiful morning." Brigham Young wrote, "The Twelve and Seventies spent the day in the Council House, singing, praying, dancing and making merry before the Lord." The Church leaders and their families met once again in the evening and danced until 2 a.m.

Friday, Jan. 29:

The Mormon Battalion arrived at the San Diego Mission, the oldest Spanish mission in California, being founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1769. Their arrival marked the end of their 2,000-mile overland journey. Col. Cooke reported to Gen. Kearny while the Mormon soldiers set up camp below the mission.

Saturday, Jan. 30:

Ezra T. Benson and Erastus Snow left Winter Quarters with instructions to go to travel to the Ponca settlement to deliver "The Word and Will of the Lord" revelation, relieve George Miller of his leadership, and organize the "Camp of Ponca according to the revelation" in preparation for the trek west. Elders Benson and Snow were accompanied by Orrin Porter Rockwell.

Sources: An Intimate Chronicle: The Journals of William Clayton, p. 294; Richard E. Bennett, " `A Samaritan had passed by': George Miller - Mormon Bishop, Trailblazer, and Brigham Young Antagonist," Illinois Historical Journal 82 (Spring 1989): 12; A Concise History of the Mormon Battalion in the Mexican War, pp. 251-54; The Diary of Hosea Stout, pp. 230-32; Exploring Southwestern Trails, pp. 232-40; "Extracts From the Journal of Henry Bigler," Utah Historical Quarterly 5:56-57; Journal History of the Church; "The Journal of Robert S. Bliss, With the Mormon Battalion," Utah Historical Quarterly 4:85-86; Journals of John D. Lee, pp. 57-61; Life of a Pioneer, pp. 73-74; The March of the Mormon Battalion, pp. 204-08; Manuscript History of Brigham Young, pp. 509-18; Mormons at the Missouri, 1846-52, p. 157; Winter Quarters: The 1846-1848 Life Writings of Mary Haskin Parker Richards, p. 108; Wilford Woodruff's Journal 3:123-24.