Right after the pioneers came to the Salt Lake Valley, the gold rush began in California. Some of the Saints wanted to leave to work the California gold fields and then return to Utah with lots of money.
Brigham knew Heavenly Father wanted the Saints to stay in the Salt Lake Valley. He told the people that “Those of you who stop here and are faithful to God . . . will make more money and get richer than you that run after the God of this world; and I promise you in the name of the Lord [those] who stay here . . . will prosper and be able to buy you twice over. Here is the place God has appointed for his people.”
Some members of the Church decided to go to California anyway. Sam Brannan had brought a group of Mormons by ship from New York around the tip of South America to San Francisco, and he wanted the Church to relocate in California where the weather was mild and the gold was plentiful. Brother Brannan came to Utah to convince Brigham Young to move the Church there. When Brigham Young refused, Sam Brannan returned to the San Francisco area to get gold. He also bought and sold land and became one of the wealthiest men in California. But he acquired drunken habits and lost his family and all his money. He died a pauper.
Great Lesson for kids to teach them to follow the Prophet.
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