1e. Mormon Pioneer Cemetery
Omaha, Nebraska
History:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;..." Ammendment 1, United States Constitution, adopted December 15, 1791.
One of the most basic and personal freedoms of the United States... the freedom of religion, and the persecution of a group of people in the state of Illinois trying to exercise this freedom, led to one of the most storied journey's in American history, a story that is still evolving to this day.
Much has been written about the trek of Mormon Pioneers from the city of Nauvoo, Illinois to the Great Salt Lake basin of Utah. The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints is perhaps one of the most detailed and prolific historic preservation groups in history. In-depth reading and research can certainly be done by individuals wanting to learn more about the passage, personal trials, hardships and triumphs of this group of people that lived and died on the Great Plains in their search for peace and religious freedoms.
In 1844, Joseph Smith, the founder and leader of the Mormon Church had obtained a map and report from John C. Fremont that detailed the Great Salt Lake Basin and surrounding Rocky Mountains. Smith determined that this area would be where he would establish the headquarters for his church and the surrounding communities where the Mormon's could worship and live in peace, their "Zion". Smith began making the plans for the journey but was arrested and murdered before he could depart from Nauvoo.
During OWTC Map Time Period:
Unfortunately, still searching for any information, photos or memorabilia from the 60’s & 70’s about the cemetery, especially anything about the building of the nearby temple, the visitors center or of the cemetery itself.
Today:
The Mormon Pioneer Cemetery was a place that I wanted to make sure I visited during the winter, especially with the significance of winter on the settlers and travelers and on the supreme price they paid during the time spent at Winter Quarters.
I would like to thank Elder Seyler of the LDS Visitors Center staff for the tour of the Center and Cemetery and for his knowledge and insight of the cemetery’s history. He was a most gracious host and a man of great faith.
Page Specific Links:
Omaha Landmarks Mormon Cemetery Page
Historic Florence Website Page
Wikipedia Page
ESU Page with marker information
Historic Omaha Mormon Page
Winter Quarters Project Gravesite Map (including a great virtual tour of the cemetery).
Early LDS Winter Quarters Web Page
A Sculptor's Testimony in Bronze and Stone Excerpt
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