Pioneer Day Countdown: July 24, 1847 (Saturday)

The main body of the Saints had reached the Valley on July 22nd, but today was the day their Prophet, Brigham Young, entered the Valley - officially marking their trek West complete.

Traveling six miles in the morning through Emigration Canyon, "we came in full view of the great valley or basin," Wilford Woodruff said. " A land of promise, held in reserve by the hand of God for a resting place of the saints. An important day in the history of my life and the history of the church."

All the people of Brigham's Party "gazed with wonder and admiration upon the vast, rich, fertile valley, abounding with fresh water springs," Woodruff observed. "Our hears were surely made glad. We contemplate that in not many years the house of Go would stand in the tops of the mountains."

President Young hadn't fully recovered yet from his mountain fever, but "expressed his full satisfaction in the appearance of the valley as a resting place for the saints and said he was amply repaid for the journey."

In recalling the 1847 event, Wilford Woodruff  said Brigham had seen the valley in an earlier vision. While Brigham looked over the expanse below, the prophet, who had seen the future glory of the Valley said, "It is enough. This is the right place, drive on."

President Brigham Young with Wilford Woodruff, coming into the Valley
You can see this wagon at the Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum.

The 111 day trek had ended. Many more Saints would follow soon after, following the trail the Saints had created for them.

Brigham's arrival stamped the date into history. After looking at the scenery of the Valley, his party descended and was greeted by the pioneers already at work.

The whole body had been busy plowing, planting, and creating an irrigation system. 

"By noon, five acres of a potato patch had been plowed and planting commenced." Some corn was also planted.  All this plowing and planting took place near the Salt Lake City-County Building.

Brigham's company arrived around 2 p.m.  "All rejoiced to see them, especially as they are better in health," Bullock said. 

Most of the pioneers were pleased with their new home, "but some complain because there is no timber." A few women in the party said the valley was too barren to sustain life, and wanted to continue to California. 

However, most agreed  that the soil was rich "and there were good prospects for sustaining and fattening livestock with little trouble."

"The only objection is the lack of rain," Clayton said. "We can easily irrigate the land at all events," he added.

After observing the area, Howard Egan said, "this is the most safe and secure place the saints could possibly locate themselves in. The saints have good reason to rejoice and thank the Lord for this goodly land unpopulated by gentiles."

Remember the pioneer legacy. 

Be true to the faith that our parents have cherished. 

Be true to the truth for which martyrs have perished. Soul, heart, and hand; faithful and true we will ever stand.

By Clark Kelly Price

"Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad."

-Joseph Smith 128:22