{"id":78873,"date":"2024-07-24T08:30:49","date_gmt":"2024-07-24T13:30:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/?p=78873"},"modified":"2024-07-31T06:39:20","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T11:39:20","slug":"lds-pioneers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/es\/lds-pioneers\/","title":{"rendered":"Resilient Trailblazers: Honoring the Courage and Perseverance of LDS Pioneers"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”531998″]By: Jim Brewster and Courtney Eberhard<\/p>\n

Explore the remarkable journey of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) pioneers and discover notable connections.<\/h2>\n

The LDS Pioneers were early members of LDS Church who embarked on a historic migration and settlement in the mid-19th century. Driven by religious persecution and a quest for a place to freely practice their faith, these pioneers undertook a challenging journey from the Midwest of the United States to the western frontier, primarily in what is now the state of Utah.<\/p>\n

The LDS Pioneers’ migration culminated in the establishment of Salt Lake City in Utah, which became a thriving center for their religious and cultural practices. The pioneers’ strong sense of community, perseverance, and dedication to their beliefs played a crucial role in transforming the barren landscapes they encountered into prosperous settlements.<\/p>\n

The legacy of the LDS Pioneers is deeply woven into the fabric of American history and the development of the western United States. Their stories of sacrifice, resilience, and determination continue to inspire people today and are an integral part of the LDS heritage and the broader narrative of westward expansion in the United States.<\/p>\n

Through genealogical research and DNA testing, we were able to determine the Y-DNA haplogroups of a few notable LDS pioneers.<\/p>\n

To fully appreciate these connections, a bit of history about the church and its structure is needed.<\/p>\n

A Brief History of the LDS Church<\/h2>\n

A man named Joseph Smith Jr. was born in Sharon, Vermont, United States, in 1805. Smith claimed to have received divine inspiration in 1820 that the church organization established by Jesus Christ had been so changed by time and doctrine that a re-establishment was needed.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”78879″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”45″ lbox_caption=”yes” lbox_social=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”844511″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”171504″]This reestablished church was founded in 1830 in New York by Joseph Smith. Originally called The Church of Christ, later renamed The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it was founded primarily on an ancient book of scripture that Smith claimed to have been divinely inspired to find and translate to English.<\/p>\n

This book, called the Book of Mormon, is \u201cthe cornerstone<\/a>\u201d of the religion. It is also where the common name \u201cMormons\u201d that church members are called comes from. Today the LDS church discourages this title, as it implies that Mormon is an object of worship, though the title persists.<\/p>\n

The Pioneer Trek From Missouri to Salt Lake Valley<\/h3>\n

Since its inception in 1830, the LDS Church’s unorthodox beliefs and actions have led to conflicts with non-members, prompting relocations from Ohio to Illinois. Controversial sermons by Sidney Rigdon exacerbated tensions, culminating in the 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, which led to their expulsion from the state. In 1844, Joseph Smith’s death combined with ongoing tensions culminated in the destructive burning of the Nauvoo temple in 1848.<\/p>\n

After Smith\u2019s death, the main body of the church elected a new leader, Brigham Young. Young organized an exodus to the west to escape ongoing persecution. He led members beyond the US frontier during the harsh winter of 1846\u20131847. Thomas L. Kane’s aid facilitated a crucial staging area in Indian territory, called Winter Quarters. These pioneers faced considerable challenges and hardships along the way and eventually made it to the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. Young’s astute leadership during the migration earned him the moniker “American Moses,” shaping the course of LDS history. A series of expeditions followed after Young over the next few years.<\/p>\n

Young meticulously evaluated information about the Salt Lake Valley and the Great Basin, engaging with mountain men, trappers, and Jesuit missionary Father Pierre-Jean De Smet. Striving for a unique and advantageous settlement location, Young identified the Salt Lake Valley as a suitable destination, despite it being shunned by other settlers. This decision held strategic and practical advantages for the Saints, shaping their future endeavors in the region. Young’s visionary leadership and careful planning enabled the LDS Church to establish a significant presence in the Salt Lake Valley, marking a crucial chapter in its history.[\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery el_id=”gallery-697146″ type=”carousel” medias=”78874,78875,78876,78877,78878″ carousel_lg=”3″ carousel_md=”3″ carousel_sm=”2″ thumb_size=”four-three” gutter_size=”3″ carousel_interval=”0″ carousel_navspeed=”400″ carousel_nav=”yes” carousel_nav_mobile=”yes” carousel_dots=”yes” stage_padding=”0″ single_overlay_color=”color-jevc” single_overlay_coloration=”top_gradient” single_overlay_opacity=”10″ single_overlay_visible=”yes” single_overlay_anim=”no” single_text_visible=”yes” single_text_anim=”no” single_image_color_anim=”yes” single_h_align=”center” single_padding=”2″ single_meta_custom_typo=”yes” single_meta_size=”large” single_meta_weight=”900″ lbox_caption=”yes” lbox_social=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”146737″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”986466″]<\/p>\n

Celebrating LDS Pioneers Today<\/h3>\n

Pioneer Day is an official holiday in Utah, commemorating the day that Brigham Young and the first pioneers entered the Salt lake Valley in 1847. It is a celebration of the indomitable spirit of the pioneers who braved untold challenges to forge a new beginning. Vibrant celebrations transcend state borders, resonating across the globe as a testament to the enduring legacy of those early trailblazers.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”78880″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”50″ lbox_caption=”yes” lbox_social=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”249526″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”151792″]Throughout the western United States, communities come alive with reenactments of the westward journey, a tribute to the trials and triumphs that defined pioneer life. From spirited parades to lively gatherings, Pioneer Day unites generations in honoring the pioneering ethos of early LDS members.<\/p>\n

The Structure of the LDS Church Leadership<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”78881″ media_width_percent=”65″ uncode_shortcode_id=”368958″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”545577″]Early church leaders were selected by Joseph Smith. After his death, leaders were chosen by his apostles. Typically, church leaders are appointed for life, and upon their passing, a replacement is selected from among the next-most senior members of leadership.<\/p>\n

For example, a new prophet is selected from among the twelve apostles; an apostle is selected from a member of the quorum of the seventy; and so on.<\/p>\n

Connect With LDS Pioneers in Discover\u2122<\/h2>\n

These early leaders were instrumental in organizing the exodus to the west and led many of the early companies of pioneers. Their descendants went on to become apostles and prophets themselves.<\/p>\n

We have compared the genealogies of their descendants, and genetic testing has revealed the Y chromosome haplogroups of the pioneers and church leaders.<\/p>\n

The Pratt Family<\/h3>\n

Orson and Parley P. Pratt were some of the first missionaries and apostles for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were both prolific writers and published numerous works on LDS apologetics and history. They were also descendants of the noted Puritan reformer Anne Hutchinson.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”78882″ media_width_percent=”20″ shape=”img-round” radius=”std” border=”yes” shadow=”yes” shadow_weight=”sm” uncode_shortcode_id=”147556″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”121295″]Orson Pratt<\/strong>
\nBirth:<\/strong> September 19, 1811, in Hartford, New York, to Jared Pratt and Charity Dickenson
\nDeath:<\/strong> October 3, 1881, in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 70
\nHaplogroup:<\/strong> R-Z149
\nOrson Pratt had 45 children. He had over 150 grandchildren and over 450 great-grandchildren, some of whom are still alive.<\/p>\n

Orson Pratt served as a scientific observer and surveyor in the first group of pioneers to find a colonization site in western North America. He was one of the first two men to make it to the Salt Lake Valley on July 21, 1847. After settling the Salt Lake Valley he went on to serve in numerous European missions.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”78883″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”20″ shape=”img-round” radius=”std” border=”yes” shadow=”yes” shadow_weight=”sm” uncode_shortcode_id=”410070″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”100115″]Parley P. Pratt<\/strong>
\nBirth:<\/strong> April 12, 1807, in Burlington, New York, to Jared Pratt and Charity Dickenson
\nDeath:<\/strong> May 13, 1857, in Van Buren, Arkansas, at the age of 50
\nHaplogroup:<\/strong> R-Z149
\nParley P. Pratt had 30 children. He had a total of 266 grandchildren, and his living descendants are estimated to number 30,000 to 50,000.<\/p>\n

Parley P. Pratt served as editor for the Millennial Star (an LDS periodical based in England) and is credited with thirty-one publications, including some of the earliest LDS hymns. He also built and maintained the first road through the self-named Parley\u2019s Canyon through the Wasatch Mountains.<\/p>\n

Discover The Pratt Family<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”80029″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ shape=”img-round” radius=”std” border=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”315600″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”151221″]<\/p>\n

The Merrill Family<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”78884″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”20″ shape=”img-round” radius=”std” border=”yes” shadow=”yes” shadow_weight=”sm” uncode_shortcode_id=”972672″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”100662″]Marriner Wood Merrill<\/strong>
\nBirth:<\/strong> September 25, 1832, in Sackville, Westmorland, New Brunswick, Canada
\nDeath:<\/strong> February 6, 1906, in Richmond, Cache, Utah, United States
\nHaplogroup:<\/strong> R-FT63039
\nMarriner Wood Merrill joined the LDS church in April 1852 and joined the WIlliam Atkinson Company in 1853. Arriving first in Salt Lake City in September 1853, he married Sarah Ann Atkinson, the daughter of the leader of his pioneer company. He was among the first settlers of Richmond, Utah, and became an apostle in 1889. He also served in the Utah Territory legislature for two terms.<\/p>\n

A 1938 compilation of family history written by one of his children, Joseph F. Merrill, lists his descendants as 46 children, 227 grandchildren, 459 great-grandchildren, and 43 great-great-grandchildren, for a total of 754. There are, of course, many more today. Joseph F. Merrill also went on to be a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles.<\/p>\n

Discover Marriner Wood Merrill<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”80030″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ shape=”img-round” radius=”std” border=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”115034″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”890136″]<\/p>\n

The Woodruff Family<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”78885″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”20″ shape=”img-round” radius=”std” border=”yes” shadow=”yes” shadow_weight=”sm” uncode_shortcode_id=”857934″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”991042″]Wilford Woodruff<\/strong>
\nBirth:<\/strong> March 1, 1807, in Avon (Farmington), Connecticut
\nDeath:<\/strong> September 2, 1898 (age 91) in San Francisco, California
\nHaplogroup:<\/strong> R-S1505
\nWilford Woodruff was the fourth president of the LDS church. He joined the church in 1833 in New York after being approached by missionaries. Shortly before the assassination of Joseph Smith, Woodruff was sent to Britain as a missionary, where he served a total of fifteen years. He was ordained an apostle in 1837 and became a prophet in 1889, at the age of 82.<\/p>\n

He recorded over 7,000 journal pages, making him one of the most comprehensive sources for early church history. His most notable act as president of the church was discontinuing the practice of plural marriage. A common misconception of the church is the continued practice of polygamy. Though some groups have broken from the main church to continue this practice, it has not been practiced in the official church since 1890.<\/p>\n

Wilford had a total of ten wives and 34 children. One of his sons, Abraham, went on to also become an apostle. In 1904, he traveled to Mexico with his first wife, Helen May Winters, to visit the Mexico City mission. Physicians urged them to get a smallpox vaccine before traveling, but they declined. While traveling, they both died from smallpox within two weeks of one another.<\/p>\n

Discover Wilford Woodruff<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”80031″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ shape=”img-round” radius=”std” border=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”125128″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”167154″]<\/p>\n

Joseph Smith<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”78886″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”20″ shape=”img-round” radius=”std” border=”yes” shadow=”yes” shadow_weight=”sm” uncode_shortcode_id=”327380″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”598432″]Birth:<\/strong> December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont
\nDeath:<\/strong> June 27, 1844 (age 38) in Carthage, Illinois
\nHaplogroup:<\/strong> R1b
\nJoseph Smith had 11 children: six boys and five girls. He had a total of 57 grandchildren.<\/p>\n

Joseph Smith was assassinated before the trek began. His murder was one of the catalyzing events that led to the journey of the LDS members from Missouri to the Salt Lake Valley.<\/p>\n

Discover Joseph Smith<\/a><\/p>\n

To dive deeper into these remarkable connections, visit Discover\u2122 and see if you\u2019re connected to these LDS pioneers.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image media=”78292″ media_width_percent=”100″ media_ratio=”one-one” shape=”img-circle” uncode_shortcode_id=”145072″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”438732″]<\/p>\n

About the Author<\/h2>\n

Jim Brewster<\/h3>\n

Subject Matter Expert at FamilyTreeDNA<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jim Brewster was born at a very early age and gradually became older. He was raised in the LDS church and is a seminary graduate. Though no longer associated with the church, his experiences led to an interest in genealogy and ultimately a career in genetic genealogy. He has helped with collaborations between FamilyTreeDNA and non-profit organizations and for some reason they decided to let him write stuff too.<\/p>\n

With a proven track record of both doing things and accomplishing stuff, Jim enjoys presenting and writing about genetic genealogy methods and the science of DNA testing. In is free time, he enjoys reviewing classic literature in his blog (thequickversion.net<\/a>), puns, and cat pictures.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image media=”78719″ media_width_percent=”100″ media_ratio=”one-one” shape=”img-circle” uncode_shortcode_id=”800730″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”542384″]<\/p>\n

Courtney Eberhard<\/h3>\n

Marketing Coordinator for FamilyTreeDNA<\/strong>
\nCourtney Eberhard, the Marketing Coordinator at FamilyTreeDNA, is driven by a profound passion for genealogy, fueled by her personal journey as an adoptee with roots in the LDS church. Through research with FamilyTreeDNA, she has also been able to uncover her husband\u2019s indigenous roots in Mexico and provide context for his origins.<\/p>\n

In her spare time, she finds joy in connecting with her family and friends during cookouts, cheering for the Houston Astros, and cherishing her role as a dedicated full-time parent to a toddler.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jim Brewster and Courtney Eberhard take a look at LDS Pioneers and share Y-DNA connections from early LDS church leaders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":80041,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[118,1192],"tags":[1188,1201,1248,1249,1256],"yoast_head":"\nResilient Trailblazers: Honoring the Courage and Perseverance of LDS Pioneers - FamilyTreeDNA Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn about the LDS pioneer trek to the Salt Lake Valley, and discover Y-DNA connections to early church leaders.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/lds-pioneers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Resilient Trailblazers: Honoring the Courage and Perseverance of LDS Pioneers\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Jim Brewster and Courtney Eberhard take a look at LDS Pioneers and share Y-DNA connections from early LDS church leaders.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/lds-pioneers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"FamilyTreeDNA Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FamilyTreeDNA\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-07-24T13:30:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-07-31T11:39:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Resilient-Trailblazer-Featured-Image.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Courtney Eberhard\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@FamilyTreeDNA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@FamilyTreeDNA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Courtney Eberhard\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/lds-pioneers\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/lds-pioneers\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Courtney Eberhard\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/#\/schema\/person\/77e645ef0b2fd33647941554ebd28a15\"},\"headline\":\"Resilient Trailblazers: Honoring the Courage and Perseverance of LDS Pioneers\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-07-24T13:30:49+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-07-31T11:39:20+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/lds-pioneers\/\"},\"wordCount\":2361,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"Discover\",\"Ancestry\",\"Courtney Eberhard\",\"Jim Brewster\",\"LDS Pioneers\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Ancestry\",\"Discover\u2122\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/lds-pioneers\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/lds-pioneers\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/lds-pioneers\/\",\"name\":\"Resilient Trailblazers: Honoring the Courage and Perseverance of LDS Pioneers - 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