29
Nov 2007
Pretended Uncertainty (1846)
Posted in The Uprooting (1846-1847) by D Marriott at 4:29 pm |
The apparent uncertainty about a final destination portrayed at times by Brigham Young in 1846 and 1847 has confused many people. Brigham had a reason for giving such an appearance of ambivalence. He certainly did not want to discourage Mormon Battalion members with the prospect of returning a thousand miles to the Great Basin from their California destination, his goals were more achievable if the federal government was not aware of his exact plans, and if the Great Basin was found unfavorable for settlement, he could simply continue the westward trip without appearing to change his mind. Brigham was certainly not as open or explicit about his communications with the Lord as Joseph had been.
Bennett, Mormons at the Missouri, p. 290.
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