"24th [ ] continued our labours about 1-oclock the Brethern that were with Brigham arrived"
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Such a small statement for such a huge feat as he had just accomplished.
The jury is still out on what exactly Brigham said. The most popular thinking of today is that he just said, ...
"This is the place".
Or .... "This is the place. Drive on."
And then there's ... "It is enough. This is the right place. Drive on."
Wilford Woodruff was with him and did not put anything in his journal about what he said. The wordings were changed a little as time went on. But really...what difference does it make. The huge journey and undertaking were accomplished. What Brigham said or didn't say really on that overlook into the valley doesn't matter.
Excerpt from "40 Ways to Look at Brigham Young" by Chad M. Orton and William W. Slaughter:
"Brigham, who was traveling in the back of Woodruff's carriage in a sickbed instructed Woodruff to turn the carriage so that he could have a better view of the Saints promised land. Woodruff wrote in his journal that 'President Young expressed his full satisfaction in the appearance of the valley as A resting place for the Saints & was amply repaid for his Journey'. Later Woodruff reported that Brigham, 'was enwrapped in vision for several minutes. He had seen the valley before in vision and upon this occasion he saw the future glory of Zion and of Israel as they should be. Brigham subsequently noted that "the spirit of light rested upon me and hovered over the valley, and I felt that there the Saints would find protection and safety".
Heber C. Kimball:
"Saturday 24 [ ] we started early this morning and found the road very rough and uneven to the mouth of the Kanion which is 4 3/4 miles from where we started. We ascended a steep pitch from whence we beheld the Great valley of the Salt Lake spreading before us and soon after we came in sight of the other camp [ ] we found the balance of the road good and rapidly descending for several miles [ ] we arrived amongst the brethren at a quarter past 12 having travelled today 12 3/4 miles making the total distance from Fort Bridger 116 miles and from Fort John 573 miles"
Lorenzo Young Dow:
"24 [ ] this day we arrived in the valley of the great Salt Lake [ ] my feelings were such as I cannot describe [ ] every thing looked gloomy and I felt heart sick"
Albert Rockwood:
"Wendesdy 22 Thursday 23 & Fridy 24 [ ] traveld a part of the day [ ] my health is so poor that I know but little of what pases"
Lots of different feelings. Most were pleased with their new home. Maybe some were not as pleased as others. They were tired and many were still sick.
So, the trek is over. I have loved walking this journey with them. I have learned of their personalities, their hardships, their incredible faith and tenacity, their love and respect by them for a brilliant leader by the name of Brigham Young. I have the utmost admiration for Brigham. He was the perfect choice for the time. He was the reason they got there. I'd like to have known him, to have learned from him, and to have had one smidgeon of the faith that he had. I cannot leave out the oxen. I think of those stalwart animals. Their endurance in pulling those heavy wagons over rugged territory over a thousand miles for those good people cannot be left out. I hope the pioneers realized this.
