What Could They Take?

Written by Dick Brown

When the Saints were preparing to leave Nauvoo for the long, difficult journey west, many choices about what to take and what to leave had to be made. Many items were vital not only for the trek but for survival when they reached the Salt Lake Valley. Seeds, tools, and equipment would be needed to rebuild homes and establish farms in the wilderness. Families had to leave whatever wouldn’t fit in their wagons. Many cherished possessions had to be left behind. Pictured are some of the things a family of five needed for the wilderness journey. The approximate amount of each item they were allowed to take is noted where possible.

strong wagon box	seeds (25 pounds/11.5k)	sugar (100 pounds/45 k)
flour (1000 pounds/450 k)	bacon or dried beef (a few pounds/k)	pumpkin (20 pounds/9k)
cornmeal	sheep (3+)	tent
dried apples (15 pounds/7 k)	cows (3—two for milk)	fish hooks and lines (4–5)
dried peaches	oxen (2–3 yoke)	soap (20 pounds/9k)
ax	beans (1 bushel)	rope
spices—cinnamon (1 pound/.45 k), cloves (1/2 pound/225 g), nutmegs (12)	rifle (1 per man), gunpowder (1 pound/.45 k), and lead (4 pounds/1.8k)	tin cups, plates, knives, forks, spoons
cayenne pepper (1 pound/.45 k)	rice (10 pounds/4.5 k)	salt (25 pounds/11.5 k)
bedding	pulley	medicines
shovel	dipper	hammer
scythe	butter churn	plow
dutch oven	large skillet	molasses
copper washtub	water barrel	grinder
hook	candle mold	block and tackle
lard		clothing

Illustrated by Dick Brown