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Mormon Migration
A letter from Eliza R. Snow to Elizabeth Ann Smith Whitney and Vilate Murray Kimball, June 30, 1846.

A letter from Eliza R. Snow to Elizabeth Ann Smith Whitney and Vilate Murray Kimball, June 30, 1846.

Eliza R. Snow was a prominent female leader and poet among the Nauvoo Mormons. She addressed this letter to her friends and “Sisters and Mothers” in the “Camp of Israel.” Mormons often likened their migration to that of Jews seeking a promised land in Israel, as chronicled in the Bible’s book of Exodus. Snow wrote from Garden Grove, Iowa, one of the makeshift towns the Mormons established in 1846 while they were scattered between Nauvoo, Illinois and Council Bluffs, Nebraska.

Transcription:

Mrs. Whitney & Mrs. Kimball

June 30th, 1846

Dear Sister & Mother,

I do not like to let the present opportunity pass without jogging your memories that I am at a distance from you, lest you might forget me. Father Morley expects to start for your camp in an hour or two & I shall have time to write you but a few lines. I feel truly thankful to our Father in heaven for the good news I have heard from you from time to time & the prosperity which has attended you. I pray that you may continually be blest and forwarded on to the place appointed. I long for your society, which I think I have learn’d to appreciate, for I assure you I estimate it very highly yet under existing circumstances I have [[object Object]] moment regretted that br. M. gave up his means, for the assistance of others. I shall avail myself of the first opportunity that presents for me to come but there is no prospect at present, and while any exertion on my part would be unavailing I am perfectly at ease, thinking that when the Lord sees best for me to come, he will open the way; his will is my pleasure whenever I understand it. I am now living with my brother, about a mile above Mount Pisgah he has been very sick, since you left is better.

The last intelligence Sir Markham had from br. M., he was engaged with Col. Backington in the defense of the City what the result will be the Lord only knows. __ I have received a letter from S. M. Kimball, she intends writing to her Mother Kimball soon. __ Please give my respects to Prest. Young & wife tell him I remember his promise daily. My love to the girls, particularly Sarah Ana, & Helen. I have had a chat with S. about Joseph in my sleep.

Will Sir Kimball please say to Whiting that his people here are all well and in good spirits – his mother is ever glad that he went on – was rejoic’d to hear that he is contented and often expresses a desire that he may be faithful & be very useful. My letter is called for.

With every sentiment of esteem,

Eliza R. Snow

[[object Object]]

Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Whitney &

Mrs. Vilate Kimball

Camp of Israel

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Citation Information
“Eliza R. Snow letter to Elizabeth Ann Smith Whitney and Vilate Murray Kimball,” Digital Public Library of America, https://dp.la/item/1d178923d61d4ec0bae5926368556953.
Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.
Courtesy of Brigham Young University - Harold B. Lee Library via Mountain West Digital Library.

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Item 3 of 15 in the Primary Source Set Mormon Migration

Previous ItemNext Item
An 1846 map by Augustus Mitchell “of Texas, Oregon and California, with regions adjoining.”
An excerpt from a report from Illinois Governor Thomas Ford reporting on “Mormon difficulties,” December 1846.
A letter from Eliza R. Snow to Elizabeth Ann Smith Whitney and Vilate Murray Kimball, June 30, 1846.
A plan of Winter Quarters, Nebraska, during the winter of 1846 to 1847.
An excerpt from the trail diary of Mormon pioneer William Snow, 1850.
A paisley shawl brought by Eliza Kittleman from Philadelphia to Utah on the Ship Brooklyn, 1849.
An excerpt from a roster for Company A of the Mormon Battalion in the Mexican-American War, 1846.
An 1897 map of the route of the Mormon pioneers from Nauvoo to Salt Lake.
An excerpt from William Clayton’s booklet, “The Latter-day Saints’ Emigrants’ Guide,” 1848.
A trail roadometer designed and used by William Clayton, 1847.
A color lithograph from 1866 called The Rocky Mountains: Emigrants Crossing the Plains.
An illustration showing a view of the Utah Valley in 1850.
A printed page showing the Deseret Alphabet, around 1850.
A photograph of Zion’s Commercial Mercantile Institution (ZCMI) in Salt Lake City, with Native Americans on horseback, 1869.
A photograph of the transcontinental railroad at Promontory Point, Utah, May 10, 1869.

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