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SAN DIEGO, CALIF.
Experiences of the members of the Mormon Battalion were recalled during the dedication of a building that honors them for their almost 2,000-mile march that began in Iowa in July 1846 and ended in California in January 1847.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve dedicated the Mormon Battalion Historic Site here Friday, March 26. Joining Elder Holland were Elder Richard G. Hinckley and Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy.
Elder Holland introduced Christine Grecane, the 94-year-old granddaughter of Henry Bigler who recorded the first discovery of gold on the American River at Coloma near Sacramento in his journal.
"We acknowledge today a people who, in great measure because of faith, were determined to show patriotic allegiance and willingness to give military service to their country in spite of the persecution and treatment being received at the government asking them to serve," Elder Holland said.
The battalion was enlisted while the Mormons were encamped at present-day Council Bluffs, Iowa, having been driven by mobs from Nauvoo, Ill. The call from U.S. President James K. Polk for volunteers in the war with Mexico was at first met with suspicion and resentment, but President Brigham Young supported it and called on his followers to comply. He saw it as a means for some of the exiled saints to reach their destination in the West at government expense, help the nation to win some of the territory the saints intended to settle and, at the same time, demonstrate their loyalty to the United States.
Elder Holland shared the counsel Brigham Young gave the battalion before leaving Council Bluffs, Iowa. Brigham Young asked the captains to be "fathers to their companies, and manage their affairs by the power and influence of their priesthood." Elder Holland said this counsel, along with instructing the soldiers to be "clean, teach chastity, gentility and civility," was unique.
"We are grateful for any, now or then, who can serve anywhere in public life and still keep religious principles paramount in their lives."
Elder Holland paid tribute to battalion members for their sacrifice to leave families on the plains with little resources and suffer much physical hardship of their own during their journey.
"I feel it was another expression of the faith, sacrifice and integrity of these battalion members that, even after helping to settle communities throughout the state, and participating in the discovery of gold at Coloma, nevertheless, these men chose to turn their backs on that wealth and returned to their families and Church obligations."
Elder Holland then offered a dedicatory prayer on the facility.
Prior to activities, Elder Holland, Elder Jensen and Elder Hinckley and their wives toured the newly renovated historic site.
Following their tour, the group gathered outside the facility and panned for gold, reminiscent of an important part of the battalion's history in California.
