A Daily Schedule

Here is a day in the life of the pioneers trecking west under the direction of Brigham Young. I don't know how long I'd last with a daily routine like this.

Each morning, the bugle sounded at five a.m. for everyone in the wagons to wake up and have prayers. Then they were to eat, feed their animals, and prepare to leave by seven a.m. They traveled all day long until the bugle sounded at eight thirty in the evening when everyone, dusty from the trail and weary from walking, was again to have prayer in their wagons and be in bed by nine o’clock.


If attacked by Indians, the wagons were to travel double file and pull into a circle with the wagon tongues on the outside and the animals inside the circle as they did every night. Along the way, Indians tried to steal their horses. A few times they were successful, to the irritation of Brigham. Guards were set to protect their animals.

At a distance, the Indians followed the movement of the pioneers from the time they left Winter Quarters. They burned the grassland ahead of the trail so there was no feed for the animals. The wind blew the ash from the fires across the prairie, stinging the pioneer’s eyes and throats and turning everyone black with soot until they could hardly recognize each other. ( And no washing machines to clean their clothes.)

I am grateful for my warm home and hot shower. Because of their efforts, I have a beautiful place to live and a testimony of the gospel.