Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also called the Mormon or LDS Church, have engaged in forced and voluntary since the church’s beginning. From the early days of Mormon pioneers embarking on arduous journeys across the American frontier to modern-day pilgrimages to sacred sites, travel has played a significant role in the Mormon experience. This exploration encompasses not only physical journeys but also spiritual quests and the sharing of beliefs with others around the globe. To learn more about Mormons, visit Mormonism Explained.
Family History Library in Salt Lake City
Historical Journeys:
The history of Mormonism is replete with tales of travel and migration. In the early 19th century, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), commonly known as Mormons, embarked on a series of epic journeys in search of religious freedom and a promised land.
First, they traveled to Kirtland, Ohio and then they tried to make a home in Jackson County, Missouri. The story of Mormons in Missouri was violent and difficult. Missourians did not want Mormons to settle there and eventually, the governor of Missouri signed a law called the Extermination Order. This law sanctioned violence against Mormons and forced them to move without proper compensation for their property. Mormons would settle a new city called Nauvoo in Illinois. They lived there for about a decade until violence drove them from Nauvoo, as well.
After leaving Nauvoo, Mormons undertook another journey from Illinois to Utah called the Mormon Pioneer Trail. The trail was traversed by thousands of Mormon pioneers in the mid-1800s. This grueling trek covered over a thousand miles of rugged terrain, testing the pioneers’ endurance and faith as they sought refuge from persecution and established settlements in the American West.
Sacred Sites and Pilgrimages:
For Mormons, travel often takes on a sacred dimension as they visit historical sites and pilgrimage destinations significant to their faith. One such site is Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, which serves as the headquarters of the LDS Church and attracts millions of visitors each year.
Other pilgrimage destinations include the Hill Cumorah in upstate New York, where Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, is said to have received the gold plates upon which the Book of Mormon was written. Additionally, the LDS Church operates numerous temples around the world, which serve as sacred spaces for Mormon ordinances and rituals. These temples are visited by Mormons from near and far, who travel to participate in religious ceremonies such as baptisms, weddings, and sealings. For a time, these ordinances and covenants were restricted by the Blacks in the Priesthood (explained), but not any longer.
Missionary Work and Global Outreach:
Travel is also integral to Mormon missionary work, which is a central tenet of the faith. Young Mormon men and women, typically between the ages of 18 and 25, are encouraged to serve full-time missions in locations around the world. These missionaries travel to foreign countries and cultures, where they share the teachings of Mormonism and seek to convert others to their faith.
Missionary work often involves immersive experiences in diverse communities, where missionaries learn new languages, adapt to different customs, and forge connections with people from varied backgrounds. This cross-cultural exchange not only spreads Mormonism but also fosters understanding and empathy among individuals of different faiths and cultures.
Heritage Tourism and Family History:
Travel plays a significant role in Mormon heritage tourism, as many Mormons seek to trace their ancestry and connect with their religious roots. Genealogy is of particular importance to Mormons, who believe in the importance of family and the eternal nature of relationships.
The LDS Church operates the world’s largest genealogical library, the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, which houses millions of records and resources for researching family history. Mormons from around the world travel to Salt Lake City to access these resources and learn more about their ancestors. Connected to this is the Church History Museum which addresses all kinds of subjects in Mormon history like Blacks in Mormonism.
Additionally, Mormons often visit historical sites associated with their family’s heritage, such as the towns and settlements where their ancestors lived and the gravesites where they are buried. These journeys provide opportunities for Mormons to connect with their past, honor their heritage, and strengthen their sense of identity and belonging within the larger Mormon community.
Conclusion:
The relationship between travel and Mormonism is multifaceted and deeply intertwined with the history, culture, and beliefs of the LDS Church. From the epic migrations of Mormon pioneers to the modern-day pilgrimages of faithful followers, travel has played a central role in shaping the Mormon experience.
Whether embarking on historical journeys to sacred sites, engaging in missionary work around the globe, tracing their family history through genealogy, or seeking spiritual renewal in the beauty of the natural world, Mormons find meaning, purpose, and connection through travel. In each journey, they carry with them their faith, their heritage, and their commitment to spreading the teachings of Mormonism to all corners of the earth.
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 