“Leaving Nauvoo and Going West,” Doctrine and Covenants Stories (2024)
“Leaving Nauvoo and Going West,” Doctrine and Covenants Stories
June 1844–July 1847
Leaving Nauvoo and Going West
Saints make and keep their promises to the Lord
Joseph Smith had died. Now Brigham Young and the other Apostles led the Church. Brigham knew that the Saints were not safe anymore in Nauvoo. They would have to leave. But first, the Lord wanted them to finish building the temple. He wanted them to make covenants with Him and be sealed as families.
After a few months, the temple was ready for people to make covenants there. Thousands of Saints came to the temple. Brigham stayed in the temple late into the night to help them make covenants with the Lord. Finally, Brigham told everyone they needed to leave Nauvoo.
Saints, 1:582
When Brigham woke up the next morning, more Saints were waiting at the temple. Brigham told them it was not safe to stay in Nauvoo. They needed to find a new home in the West. He promised that they could build a new temple when they got there.
But the Saints did not leave. They wanted to make covenants with the Lord before they started their journey to a new home.
Saints, 1:583
Brigham saw their faces and changed his mind. He spent the rest of the day and the next day helping the Saints make covenants in the temple.
Saints, 1:583
Now that the Saints had made covenants with the Lord, it was time to leave Nauvoo. Brigham knew the Lord had a place prepared for them. He had seen it in a vision. They started their journey. The weather was cold, and the ground was muddy. People got sick. They were already running out of food.
The Saints had a long way to go. Brigham wondered how they could make such a long and hard journey. He prayed for God’s help.
Saints, 2:46
The Lord gave Brigham a revelation. He taught Brigham how to lead the Saints. He said they should help each other take care of the poor.
Doctrine and Covenants 136:1–8
The Lord said the Saints should remember the covenants they had made with Him. If they did, He would bless them and help them on their journey.
Doctrine and Covenants 136:4, 11, 42; Saints, 2:47
The journey was still very hard. Some people died. But because of their temple covenants, the Saints knew they would see their family members again.
A few months later, the first Saints arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. When Brigham Young saw the valley, he said, “This is the right place.” It was the same place that he had seen in a vision. This was where the Saints would be safe. Here they could worship the Lord and do His work in peace.
Over the years, more and more Saints arrived. They built many more temples, where people could make covenants with the Lord. They sent missionaries all over the world to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Savior’s Church continued to grow, blessing Heavenly Father’s children everywhere.