111 Days to Zion

by Hal Knight

A day-by-day history of the emigration of Mormon pioneers to Utah, accompanied by detailed maps and sketches of the first company to cross the plains and mountains to their new home. 111 DAYS TO ZION was an official publication of the Utah Pioneer Sesquicentennial Celebration and remains a valuable guide to the trials and tribulations of that determined first company of Mormon pioneers.

263 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1997

Reviews

[Noreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stand up read, like sink eating.

Things I didn’t know before I read this book.
1. Multiple groups were headed to Zion from
different directions. Groups from California, an army group, and the party including Brigham Young.

2. No accurate maps available. Lots of guessing.

3. Other parties from Illinois, headed to Oregon at the same time, would try to get ahead of eachother for first dibs on best campsites.

4. Mormons developed ferry business on the Platte River, paid for with provisions. Had blacksmiths I the party who fixed wagon wheels on the trail, trade in livestock and provisions.

5. Differences in Crow and Sioux tribe behavior.

6. “Mountain fever” made many adults sick for weeks,including Brigham Young who was in the last party down Emigration Canyon.

7. Earliest men down the canyon immediately plowed and planted corn, beans, weeks before Brigham Young arrived.

8. Men made multiple trips, went back to retrieve their wives and families and guide other groups to Zion.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1978, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints made an effort to have segments of the Mormon Trail designated as a U.S. historical landmark. Part of their strategy to reach Members of Congress was a day by day report of the first emigrant party, led by Brigham Young, which the Church published each day in the Deseret News newspaper. It then became a book in the late 1970s and was republished with a new epilogue for the sesquicentennial celebration in 1997.

There are some great anecdotes which help everyone get a better idea of what it would have been like as a 19th Century pioneers. One of my favorites is the man who returned to Winter Quarters to collect a cow and a rifle but "didn't have time to see his wife and children". I wonder what her reaction must have been at the note he left: "Came back and took Bessie and the shotgun. Hope you can get along without. See you at the end of the summer." ??

The book easily fits into a vehicle's glove compartment and would be an appropriate guide for those wishing to retrace the steps of the original company--even though it may be a little out of date.

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

A day by day account of the first pioneer company to make its way to the Salt Lake Valley complete with all the good, the bad, the hilarious, the inspiring, the mundane, and every other interesting tidbit. It was fun to read every night with the kids...well most of them. I'm not sure how much our 8 year-old really heard while she was doing backflips off the couch.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This day to day account of the journey west to Salt Lake City by the vanguard group of the Mormon pioneers is a great read especially this time of year. I was trying to get it read by July 24th. Two pages are written about each day and I learned some great details that I didn't know such as: Wilford Woodruff was a masterful fisherman and could catch fish on his artificial flies from England when no one else could, often he would fish while sitting on his horse dipping the fishing pole into the water. In Wyoming they found an oil spring. This came at a very critical time because they were out of tar grease for their wagons. They also mention that Jim Bridger sold this oil mixed with flour for axle grease at his trading post. One of the members of the group planted corn at different areas they stopped along the way to see if it would grow--I can't remember who that was. When they got into the valley on July 22 they planted corn, beans, buckwheat and potatoes. Those were the crops they thought would have the best chance of maturing before the winter frosts. It was helpful for me to read the day to day struggles, it made this famous trek very real.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definite 5 star. Each page covers one day in the 111 march to Zion. This was the scout party lead by Brigham Young. It is just facinating and very well written. Each day is accompanied by a drawing and two pages telling of the day. This was originally published as a weekly series in the Deseret News back in the 70's. I bought an original copy that has the drawings. Don't know if the newer copy has the drawings. Love this book!

[Troy Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows the day-by-day trek of the 1847 exploratory pioneer company heading for the Salt Lake Valley, detailing experiences they had along the way. Follows several journals and gives a description of the landscape where the party made their camps. This book also points out modern (1987) land points along the way. This book was published to fit in a jockey box and was intended for a guide for a road trip.

[Wendi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight into what happened everyday on the pioneer trek. Interesting tibits of information and pioneer's reactions to different events throught the use of journal entries.