The Mormon Battalion
Exactly 150 years ago American families adherents Of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints were driven from Nauvoo, then the largest city of Illinois Created by them out of marsh lands along the Mississippi River. Their goal was a high desert valley at the mouth Of the great salt lake. There they could worship god According to the dictates of their council.
En-route and at Council Bluffs Iowa during late June And early July 1846 discussions with federal officials resulted in the enlistment of 500 volunteers as soldiers In the army of the united states to march to California in Defense of its people.”
After completing the longest infantry march in military history and without firing a shot in mortal combat, they arrived here in January of 1847. They were thereafter garrisoned at the Mission San Luis Rey.
Their heritage was in service and virtue. They built roads, irrigation ditches, homes and Fort Moore in Los Angeles. They Harvested crops and built mills. Leaders and citizens offered them great inducements to re-enlist. Some did and their legacy remains in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Sacramento, San Francisco and other cities of the Golden State.
The Spirit of these individuals is epitomized by the fact that the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill was reported by “Battalion men” who after fulfilling their contracts, left the riches of the world behind to return to the hardships of building “Zion.”
Not unlike the devotion to conscience of the great Catholic missionaries who have humbly sacrificed and served on these premises, the legacy left for those of us who have erected and visit this monument is a spiritual one.
We therefore declare that the monument we now establish testifies to the world of our commitment to lead spiritual lives patterned after those saints who preceded us – lives of virtue, honesty and morality. May such conduct of all who visit and serve within sight of these premises reflect the principals of the “Master Builder” whose Kingdom we ever vigilantly seek to establish.
“One hundred fifty years later, as youths and adults, we Place this monument to these spiritual goals of our march Through life. We believe this personal memorial would be More fitting in their sight, and we dedicates it stride by stride, Imprint by imprint in every faithful footstep.
Families Of The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints
Erected: June 26, 1996
Dedicated: January 25, 1997
Carlsbad California Mission Escondido South Stake
Carlsbad Stake Poway Stake
Del Mar Stake Riverside West Stake
Escondido Stake Vista Stake
Related:
This monument is located at Mission San Luis Rey De Francia at 4050 Mission Ave in Oceanside, California.
