08/08/2021
Last night Phoebe and I did the Trail of Hope performed by the Young Performing Missionaries here in Nauvoo. It is Parley St that was the street leading the pioneers to cross the Mississippi and to start the pioneer trail. Near the banks of the Mississippi, there is a memorial for all of those that did not make it. Along the whitewall are printed 1900 names. We found Solomon Hancock, his mom and brother, who are all buried at Rock
Creek cemetery where we were near Winter Quarters.
Some interesting facts. 56,000 individuals started the Mormon Pioneer Trail and with 1900 of them dying at some point during the trek. About 300-500 of them while staying in Winter Quarters. That leaves a 3.5% mortality rate. The Mormon Pioneer Trail was 1,300 miles with roughly 1.46 people dead every mile.
The Oregon Trail had 350,00 individuals start the journey and an estimated 30,000 died along the trail. Having an 8.5% mortality rate. The Oregon Trail was 2,000 miles with roughly 15 people dead every mile.
It appears there would be less dysentery in the “Mormon Pioneer Trail” game than the “Oregon Trail” game 😂
So grateful for the tribute you see here even in Nauvoo to the men, women, and children that went forward in faith to build their Zion.
