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Expeditions From Kirtland

Bruce A. Van Orden

Latter-day Saints made two major expeditions from Kirtland to Missouri during the 1830s: the march of Zion's Camp in 1834, and the Kirtland Camp trek of 1838. The former included about 205 men, plus a few women and children, and the latter consisted of approximately 550 persons. They followed an almost identical route. In both cases nearly everybody walked the entire 900 miles.

Zion's Camp was a combined relief force and military body sent to escort fellow Mormons back to their homes in Jackson County, Missouri. The previous November, original Jackson County settlers, angry over the Mormons' distinctive beliefs and rapidly increasing Numbers, had driven Missouri Saints north across the Missouri River into Clay County. Missouri governor Daniel Dunklin had promised to send a militia to provide necessary protection.

A Revelation on February 24, 1834 (D&C 103), commanded Church leaders to recruit participants for a march. Joseph Smith was not pleased with the response, with just over a hundred men joining the march. But as the march proceeded, other recruits joined en route.

A party of 20 left Kirtland on May 1, 1834, to prepare the first camp at New Portage, Ohio, near present-day Akron. The march was officially inaugurated on May 9, near the Kirtland town square. Through Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, Zion's Camp largely followed existing roads. In Indiana they picked up the famous National Road, later U.S. Route 40.

The marchers were well armed, carrying muskets, pistols, swords, and knives. Joseph Smith, their commander, organized them into groups of 10 and 50, with a captain over each. Lacking military training, participants conducted military exercises along the route. Days began with prayer at 5 A.M. Animals were rested every two hours. Marchers camped before dark, averaging about 25 miles per day.

Physical hardships became a major challenge. Marchers suffered from blistered feet, insufficient clothing, oppressive heat, heavy rains, humidity, hunger, and thirst. Members often had to eat limited portions of coarse bread, rancid butter, cornmeal mush, strong honey, raw pork, rotten ham, and maggot-infested bacon and cheese.

Despite these hardships and its military orientation, Zion's Camp emphasized spirituality. In addition to company prayers, leaders enjoined associates to pray privately morning and evening. The camp rested on Sundays and held worship services. One of the most prized memories was hearing Joseph Smith's teachings.