In the mid- to late 1800s, the Mormon pioneers traveled about 1,000 miles from Illinois to reach the Salt Lake Valley in Utah to escape angry mobs and religious persecution. Many of the mobs and attackers were uneasy about some of the beliefs of the Mormons, such as a visitation to Joseph Smith from God and Jesus Christ.

Formally known as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, these people were called Mormons because of a book of scripture they valued called the “Book of Mormon.” The book was said to be an ancient history of the former inhabitants of North America and their dealings with Jesus Christ, his apostles and his teachings. Mormon was one of the prophets in this book who abridged the records written by various prophets before, during and after the life of Jesus Christ.

Several years after the pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, many carried on to other parts because they were encouraged to explore and settle throughout the western United States by the second prophet, Brigham Young. One group, led by William Teeples, set out on an exploration and discovered the Gila Valley. Teeples had been there once on another exploration and wanted to return. In an autobiography written by Hyrum Weech, who was part of the small group, he wrote, “After crossing the Gila Mountains, we came in full view of the Gila Valley. The river winding its course through the valley was fringed on both sides with cottonwood and willow trees. The valley was covered with groves of mesquite trees and stretches of open ground covered with grass.”

Weech’s parents had emigrated from England in 1848 and had joined the Mormon faith. When Weech was 7 years old, his father died of dysentery. The family of 10 was saving and planning for a trip across the Plains along with many other Mormon pioneers. Following the death of his father, Weech wrote, “This made us more anxious to go to the valleys where the Saints were gathering and we put forth every effort to prepare for that event.”

While crossing the Plains, more than 1,000 Mormon pioneers died from a number of causes, including extreme weather conditions, high heat and blistering cold, attacks from Indians, illnesses and accidents. Many children and others were buried along the difficult trail.

Today, the Gila Valley and families who are descendants of these pioneers annually celebrate the arrival of the Mormon pioneers, rotating the location of the festivities in Pima, Safford and Thatcher, each with its own unique pioneer history. Children dress in bonnets and old-fashioned dresses and walk or ride floats in a parade with pioneering themes such as “Carry On.” Handcarts, which typically carried the humble belongings of families who could not afford yokes of oxen and covered wagons, are also a popular mode of transportation. Games, entertainment, fireworks and BBQ are also a part of the festivities of the official Pioneer Day, which was July 24.

Contact Steph Slater at 928-428-2560, ext. 248, or e-mail her at steph@eacourier.com