“The Saints Go West,” Friend, December 2025, 26–28.
Scripture Stories
The Saints Go West
After Joseph Smith died, Brigham Young and the other Apostles led the Church. Brigham knew the Saints had to leave Nauvoo because it wasn’t safe. But the Lord wanted them to finish building the temple first.
When the temple was ready, thousands of Saints made covenants with the Lord and were sealed as families.
Now it was time to start their journey west. The weather was cold, and people were sick and hungry.
Brigham prayed for help. The Lord said they should help each other, and He would bless them and help them.
The journey was still very hard. Some people died. But because of their temple covenants, the Saints knew they would see their family members again.
The first Saints arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Here they could worship the Lord and do His work in peace.
Over the years, more Saints arrived and built more temples. Missionaries traveled all over the world to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Savior’s Church continued to grow, blessing Heavenly Father’s children everywhere.